stakes - gambling with gods.

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The arena:-

As Zack teleported away, Devon, who had been engrossed in the screen, turned his attention back to the spot where Zack had been standing. Nork, with a serious tone devoid of his usual childlike demeanor, questioned Devon's decision.

"Was there any reason why you had to send him away like that? You could have at least given him some basic guidance like you do with others," Nork expressed his concern.

Devon's face revealed a mix of amusement and admiration. "Nork, he's the first person in my entire life who was truly fascinated by the prospect of the ability class. How many individuals like him do you think we do encounter? Maybe once every thousand years. I don't want to treat him like just any ordinary person, Devon explained with a chuckle. "This group is filled with surprises. We have two strategists, a dragon bloodliner, a deck user, and now Zack and that magician girl. It's intriguing."

Devon's attention shifted back to the screen, where a video was playing, showcasing a girl who had just learned a spell to summon a small fireball. Devon watched intently, captivated by the display of magic.

"Nork, how many magicians have you seen who were able to learn a spell on their very first day? You've been around for more than 10 billion years now," Devon asked, his gaze fixed on the screen.

Nork responded, "I've only encountered three magicians in the last thousand years. And this marks the ninth time in the past million years that a group like this has been formed. It is indeed rare."

Ignoring Nork's voice, Devon continued to watch the screen, changing the visuals frequently, engrossed in the unfolding events. "He will be an interesting experiment," Devon remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. His mind filled with possibilities and potential outcomes.

The group he had assembled was like a collection of rare specimens, each possessing unique qualities and talents. It was an opportunity for Devon to further his own knowledge and explore the uncharted territories of their abilities. The screen before him continued to display captivating scenes of magic and battles, fuelling his excitement for the journey ahead.

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Dormitory:-

Zack Pov:-

As I materialized back in the common room, the atmosphere felt oddly serene and devoid of any activity. It seemed that everyone was still occupied in their own sessions, their absence leaving the room in silence. I couldn't help but voice my confusion, hoping for a response that would break the silence.

"They haven't returned yet. The others will be engrossed in their sessions for a few more hours. Your own session lasted only an hour, but theirs will continue for three hours. You have the option to spend the remaining time practicing your ability or engage in other activities," Nork suggested in his usual childish voice, the sound reverberating in my mind. I considered Nork's suggestion but decided against it. Instead, I yearned for a moment of relaxation and respite.

"Nah, I think I'll just take some time to unwind. Let me know if anyone else arrives."

I retreated to my own room, seeking a moment of tranquillity. As I settled onto my bed, I laid on the soft mattress, feeling the weight of the day slowly dissipate as I allowed myself to relax. The silence enveloped me. I let myself unwind and reflect on the events of the day. The quiet surroundings provided a much-needed opportunity to recharge and gather my thoughts, patiently awaiting the return of my fellow dormmates.

After waking up from my nap, I received a notification from Nork, as I had instructed him to inform me upon the return of my fellow mates. Stepping out of my room, I spotted Charlotte waiting nearby seating on sofa. She informed me that Ayaan and Ignatius were exhausted, deciding to end their day early. However, Elsie had yet to make an appearance. Curious about her day, I asked her how things went after we were separated. Little did I know that this innocent question would lead to an endless stream of chatter from her. Once she started, there was no stopping her.

According to Charlotte, her training was a breeze and quite amusing. Instead of attending another lecture like us, they had a practical class. Their task seemed simple enough: they had to read and memorize a single line consisting of only six words. Then, while holding a rock, they had to recreate a diagram in the air. The only slightly challenging part, as she put it, was sensing the mana within the rock and utilizing it to empower the diagram.

It took Charlotte more than half an hour to recount her adventures, and just when I thought the storytelling had finally come to an end, she launched into another tale. This time, she excitedly shared how she quickly grasped the mechanics of a spell, leaving her teacher astounded by her progress. Not only did she learn one spell, but she had also managed to acquire another. Her eyes gleamed as she described the fiery power of the spell "Fire Blast" and the refreshing surge of the water-based spell "Water Cannon."

With childlike wonder, she delved into the intricacies of how these spells worked, explaining the gestures, incantations, and mana manipulation required to unleash their respective elements. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her genuine excitement and eagerness to share her magical experiences.

She spoke with boundless enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Most of her anecdotes were filled with trivial details, like describing the appearance of a particular flower or mimicking the facial expressions of the instructor when they failed repeatedly.

Soon elsie entered the common room, her weary expression evident on her face. She seemed exhausted, as if she had endured a long and arduous training session.

"So, did you stay back or go with someone else?" Elsie inquired as she settled onto the sofa.

"I stayed back," I replied, meeting her gaze.

Curiosity sparked in Charlotte's eyes as she interjected, "What happened? What are you two talking about? Don't leave me out. Were you scolded or something? Oh, I'm sorry for bragging about my day while you were getting scolded."

A mischievous smile crept onto my face as I decided to play along. "Why would you think that? I wasn't being scolded at all. Devon was actually helping me unlock an ability. But I guess I won't share any more details with you. I'm hurt, and I'm going back to my room."

I stood up dramatically, pretending to be wounded by their assumptions, and made my way towards my room, leaving Charlotte with puzzled expressions behind me.

"No, wait! I didn't mean it like that," Charlotte quickly interjected, her voice filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry if it came across the wrong way. I was just joking, you know, trying to lighten the mood. Please don't be mad at me."

"Don't be so dramatic," Elsie replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just tell me what ability you unlocked and what Devon said afterwards. How did you feel about it all?" I sighed, realizing that Elsie was right. There was no need to make a big fuss out of it. I composed myself and answered her questions. "The ability I unlocked is called 'Shifter'," I explained. "And after Devon informed me about it, he simply told me to go and practice on my own. He actually didn't tell me much at all. There were no specific instructions or guidance provided. As for how I felt, it was a mixture of curiosity and fatigue."

Elsie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by this revelation. "That's odd. I thought instructors would give more direction or at least some pointers on how to develop our skills."

"I thought so too," I replied, shrugging. "But Devon seemed more focused on his own work and research. Maybe he believes that we'll figure it out on our own. Or perhaps he has a different approach to teaching."

Elsie nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Well, that's intriguing. I can't wait to see how you develop your shifter ability. Maybe we can even train together sometime." I smiled, appreciating Elsie's support and enthusiasm.

"Sure, that sounds like a plan. We can definitely work on our abilities together."

Elsie's response sparked a sense of curiosity in Charlotte, who seemed eager to join us in practicing our abilities. Her excitement was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"Charlotte, I appreciate your eagerness to join me, but I think it's best if I spend some time on my own initially," I explained gently. "I need to fully grasp the nature of my ability and figure out how to harness its power. Once I have a better understanding, we can definitely practice together and support each other's growth."

Charlotte's face fell slightly, but she nodded in understanding. "You're right, Zack. It's important for you to explore your ability on your own terms. Just remember, we're here for you whenever you're ready to share and practice together."

"Let's head to your room and rest," Elsie commanded us, leading the way.

I followed Elsie without hesitation, not wanting to defy her authority. Even Charlotte, usually filled with curiosity and questions, remained silent and obediently trailed behind Elsie. I decided to bring an end to my eventful day by surrendering to a much-needed rest. As I laid down on my comfortable bed, I let go of the worries and excitement that had consumed me throughout the day.