The next day was bright and cool, and the breeze carried the scent of fresh ink and burning paper, an unmistakable smell to the students of the Higher Academy.
In the long corridor leading to the Hall of Illusions training, students were gathered, awaiting the arrival of Professor Ilaris, who specializes in the applications of magical perception and the creation of illusory environments.
Seletia (yawning):
I hate this class... It always makes me feel like I'm falling from a great height, or flying amidst a flock of crazed birds!
Nava (standing quietly beside her):
Maybe because your mind can't differentiate between illusion and reality.
Seletia (laughing):
Or maybe because the professor has a hidden sense of sadism.
The door to the hall opened automatically, and students entered one by one. The hall was seemingly empty, its walls smooth and black, but everything was waiting to be activated.
Professor Ilaris stood in the center of the hall, wearing a blue gown that glowed at the edges. She said,
Ilaris:
Welcome to today's exercise. The challenge is simple: you will face a series of illusions tailored to your needs. The challenge isn't to overcome them by force, but to recognize that they are illusions... only.
Student:
And if we don't discover the illusion?
Ilaris (with a smile):
You'll spend the rest of the lesson dodging a paper snake or begging a tree not to attack you.
Light laughter filled the hall.
Ilaris:
We start with... Celetia. Go ahead.
Celeletia entered the magic circle. For a moment, she disappeared from view, then green reflections began to appear in the air, along with the sound of strange laughter. Everyone watched in silence.
Five minutes later, she emerged, breathing heavily.
Celeletia (placing her hand on her chest):
I had no idea I was afraid of... little birds wearing human masks!
Everyone laughed as the professor wrote down her notes.
Ilaris:
And now... Kurumi Nava.
Nava entered the circle, and as soon as he did, all the lights went out. Silence fell.
A minute passed... two... three. No movement. Not a sound. Even the professor seemed hesitant.
Then suddenly... the illusory barrier disintegrated prematurely, and Nava emerged without showing any signs of emotion.
Ilaris (surprised):
The exercise ended automatically?
Nava:
There wasn't an illusion at all. What you created didn't activate any awareness in me... maybe because I know illusion too well.
Ilaris (scribbling something down):
Or because you're not afraid of anything. And that... isn't always good.
Celetia (whispering to him):
Was it really that easy?
Nava (looking ahead):
Sometimes, the illusion we think exists is harder than reality itself.
Celestia:
You said you don't like philosophy.
Nava:
I don't. But it seems you like asking the questions it calls for.
The magic bell rang, signaling the end of class. The students left, discussing their experiences, while Nava remained calm as usual, walking steadily, with Celetia walking beside him.