Reinhard's blue eyes widened as surprise flooded through him, not at the explanation itself, but at the implications it suggested. Around him, other students nodded with similar expressions of revelation.

His brows furrowed as his mind began working through possibilities, and connections forming from Professor Lily's words.

Wasn't it through Odin's acknowledgment that I was able to tap into that immeasurable power? That had me ascend beyond the universe? Reinhard thought as his fingers resumed their tapping, which was faster now.

The sound was barely audible beneath Professor Lily's continued explanation about soul integration mechanics.

The souls used by Brunhilde that wrapped around me... Reinhard's thought process accelerated, theory forming with surprising clarity. What if they were just a beacon used to help Odin easily locate me? And what if the length of time I could tap into Odin's power is dependent on how long that beacon shines? Once it faded away, so did Odin's ability to locate me, and the power was cut.

His hand moved from tapping to gently pressing against the desk surface.

Maybe that's why Fenrir needed the souls to descend or had a projection of his descent. Not because he used them to summon himself, but because he used them to act as a beacon telling him where to go.

He recalled when he was in the Imaginary Seas, he saw an infinite amount of lights, each of them were a universe. Just knowing which one to descend into was impossible, especially when they were inside a moving stream.

So, for Fenrir or possibly any Beast Spirit to form a connection, they would need to know where the Beast master is.

Then he thought about Professor Lily's explanation of souls increasing existence and making it easier for Beast Spirits to locate and connect.

Reinhard leaned back in his chair, and the wood creaked softly with the shift in weight. He sighed inwardly as all of this was just theories and there was no confirmed proof.

But it did make him a bit excited that this would add to the explanation behind the connection phenomenon.

Professor Lily continued her lecture. Her voice washed over the classroom, explaining the finer points of soul integration thresholds and how they varied between individuals based on mental fortitude and self-esteem.

The gas lamps flickered slightly as a breeze came through an open window.

But after an hour, the lecture concluded.

Professor Lily stood, smoothing her dress. "That's all for today. Your assignment is to write a three-page analysis of soul integration mechanics using the cold water metaphor as your framework. It's due next class."

Groans erupted around the classroom. Papers rustled as students gathered their materials, and chairs scraped against the floor as people stood.

…

The classroom door swung open.

Students filed through, their footsteps echoing against the floors as they found seats. Reinhard entered, claiming a spot in the middle row again as it offered clear sight lines to the front.

Professor Orlando stood at the front already. A man with combed brown hair streaked with white, and brown eyes in a black suit beneath the white cloak that marked his professorship.

As the last student settled, he cleared his throat once and said with a smile. "Welcome to Magic Class, everyone, since we're all here. We can begin today and discuss what happens when your magical volume depletes."

He moved to the blackboard, chalk appearing in his hand, and large letters formed as he wrote.

Magical Volume = Power.

"We as Inquisitors will gradually grow weaker the lower our magical volume becomes." Orlando tapped the board with the chalk, creating small puffs of white dust. "This is because our magic is fuel. It's fuel that empowers our spiritual defense, protecting our body, and fuel that enhances our physical capabilities."

A hand shot up three rows ahead; it was a male student with messy red hair practically bouncing in his seat.

"Yes, Marcus?" Orlando's acknowledgment came with patient amusement.

Marcus stood quickly, his chair scraping backward. "But isn't our body already being enhanced by the lifeforce we devour from souls? Is there really such a big difference between a body with magic and without, even for a Beast Master?"

Professor Orlando's chuckle rumbled through the classroom. "The difference is substantial because at the end of the day, our body is just a conduit or a vessel meant for our magic to work through." He set the chalk down, brushing dust from his fingers. "But let me give an example. Imagine a bucket filled with water versus one that's empty. Which do you think is heavier?"

A girl with her black hair in twin braids stood up. "The one filled with water, of course."

Orlando nodded once. "Then which do you think will cause the most damage if I throw it at glass?"

Marcus shot back up with his expression shifting as understanding dawned. "Well, the one filled with water..." His eyes widened. "Oh! Because the water makes it heavier and adds to its force?"

"Exactly." Orlando's chuckle returned, warmer this time. "It's similar to our magic. It's giving us more power to add to our actions, and the bigger the magic volume, the greater the power we can unleash compared to having none."

Everyone nodded while Reinhard saw the comprehension appearing across multiple faces, and some students were writing it down.

A boy in the front row stood without waiting to be called. "Then does that mean we lose our abilities like being able to leap above buildings?"

Orlando shook his head with mild amusement. "Fortunately, we still keep our base benefits. Do you all recall what they were?"

Instantly, everyone began talking together while Reinhard blinked.

"Initial knowledge in combat from our Beast Spirit!" A girl called from the left side.

"Being able to run on structures!" Marcus added in excitement.

"Being able to see far distances and details!" Another student contributed.

"Better hearing and the ability to read lips!" The girl with braids spoke up again.

"Resistance to poison, disease, cold, heat, and sickness!" Multiple voices said this simultaneously.

Professor Orlando laughed as his hands came together in a clap that echoed through the room. "Good! You all remember! Never forget this understanding of your own capabilities, even when you're low or have no magic, knowing this is crucial for survival."

He moved to the blackboard again and began writing rapidly at the top.

List of Benefits without magic.

Then followed by each capability that the students had named.

Reinhard's fingers tapped against his desk unconsciously.

The information wasn't new, as the experience had taught him these limitations intimately.

But having it explained in academic terms created a new understanding, filled gaps in knowledge he hadn't realized existed.

Professor Orlando continued, diving into specifics about how magical depletion affected an Inquisitor at each stage.

His chalk scraped across the board, creating diagrams and formulas that mapped the relationship between magic volume and physical capability.

Outside, clouds had gathered, which made it darker despite the early hour.

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