CHAPTER 251: THE LIGHTNING SCHOOL

Next day, after homeroom, Eleanor went to the Lightning School. In the academy, each elemental school had its own building, standing almost elite compared to departments like Wilderness Survival, which had only a single classroom in the main academy building. Elemental schools even maintained their own Core Magic Department, with a luxurious central office in the academy’s main hall.

When Eleanor stepped into the ground-floor lobby, the receptionist looked astonished as soon as she heard Eleanor’s request.

"Cadet, you’re far too late. Admission closed days ago. The academy should have informed you that enrolment is only open for the first five days. By now, the other students are well ahead in their classes. We can’t arrange a separate class just for you. Besides, the primary term is far too short for you to catch up."

"Miss, you’ve misunderstood." Eleanor spoke calmly. "I didn’t possess a lightning ability until yesterday. I awakened my bloodline only then, and now I wish to study lightning. I’ve already chosen my courses for this term. It doesn’t matter if I don’t pass this school."

Recognition flickered across the receptionist’s face. "Ah! Of course. My apologies. It is perfectly normal for students to enrol after bloodline awakening. I simply forgot... you’re the first one this term. Please wait a moment while I register you as a visiting student in this department."

She drew out a scanner and laptop from the drawer. "Please scan your device to confirm your element and identity."

Eleanor obliged. The receptionist typed briskly, then returned the tools to their place.

"You are now enrolled as a visiting student of the Lightning School. You may join classes whenever you wish... there are no restrictions like the regular students face. You won’t receive grades, but you may use the school library freely for study. I’ve already provided access to the videos of past lectures you missed into your course database. You’ll also find several recommended texts there. Go through them carefully before joining the next class."

"There are only twelve theoretical lectures left this term. Classes begin at 11:30 each day. As you are only a visiting student, we don’t advise you to attend by skipping your core subjects."

After a pause, the receptionist added, "The library is on the second floor. You can access it by scanning your device. All the books available to Primary Term students are in the first section. Oh... and if you want to use the Origin Thunder Seed, you’ll need to apply through the Core Magic Department. Once you receive permission, we’ll schedule a time. Only one person may enter at a time. There’s only a single Thunder Seed in the academy... shared between cadets, professors, and staff alike. I recommend you apply as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll head to the department to apply," Eleanor replied.

The receptionist shook her head gently. "No rush. Since you’re already here, why not visit the school library first? You’ve only just awakened your bloodline. Go and compare your new abilities with the skill books. I strongly recommend you read before attempting to practise. Lightning is volatile... mishandled, it can harm not only you, but others as well."

Eleanor inclined her head in understanding. "Thank you for your advice."

She had some time before her scheduled training with Instructor Arrichion, so she decided to follow the suggestion. Turning away, she climbed to the second floor and entered the Lightning School’s library.

The air carried the faint hum of contained energy. At a large central table sat three cadets in green robes. The soft thud of the door drew their attention, and all three turned to look at her. Eleanor immediately recognised two of them: Raijin Stormrider, her opponent from the Tower of Legends, and Ignatius Brontes Lychos, whose name she had read in her family’s files. The third was unfamiliar, though Eleanor instantly sensed the aura of the Naga race from her.

Raijin’s eyes narrowed, brimming with hostility. He had yet to swallow his defeat at the Tower. His voice was sharp, like the crack of a whip. "This is the Lightning School library. Only students of this school are allowed entry. Leave before I report you to security."

Eleanor’s tone was cool, almost dismissive. "Don’t worry. I came here with the receptionist’s approval. You do your work, and I’ll do mine."

"Do you think we’re blind?" Raijin sneered. "You’re no Lychos like Ignatius. Other werewolves aren’t welcome here."

Eleanor ignored him entirely and walked to the shelves. The rows were filled with skill manuals, each radiating subtle sparks of power. She opened her status screen, scanning the titles and aligning them with her newly awakened lightning abilities.

[Status Screen]

Cadet Name: Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor

Cadet Number: 10156659

Institution: Ascendance Academy of Midgard

Race: Werewolf (Alpha)

Bloodline: Mind Reaver (Level-1), Thunderbolt (Level-1)

Cultivation Level: Awakened

Academy Points: 5156

Unique Abilities:

Mind Acceleration [Active] – Cognitive speed vastly heightened; capable of predicting enemy movements in real time.

Electroreception [Active] – Perceives the bio-electric fields of living beings, negating stealth and enhancing tracking.

Bloodlust Instinct [Passive] – Combat instincts sharpened to lethal efficiency.

Eidetic Memory [Passive] – Perfect recall of every experience.

Adaptive Muscle Memory [Passive] – Newly acquired skills are instantly integrated into the body.

Universal Comprehension [Passive] – Immediate understanding of all spoken and written languages.

Night Vision [Passive] – Flawless vision in total darkness.

Storm Heart [Passive] – Cardiovascular system generates immense stamina and resilience, allowing sustained high-intensity combat.

Energy Comprehension [Passive] – Intuitive perception of electrical currents, energy patterns, and technological systems.

Combat Skills:

Tactical Foresight [Passive] – Battlefield analysed at a glance; enables optimal targeting and movement.

Killing Precision [Passive] – Strikes automatically direct themselves towards vital points.

Predator’s Awareness [Passive] – Senses minute shifts in an opponent’s intent or movement.

Voltaic Strikes [Active/Passive] – Imbues physical attacks with lightning damage.

Overdrive Focus [Active] – Channels latent energy into heightened speed and reflexes for a brief duration.

Mind Arts:

Mental Lock [Active] – Locks onto a chosen target, suppressing all distractions until the kill is achieved.

Clarity Veil [Passive] – Immunity to illusions, mind-control, and memory tampering.

Memory Erasure [Active] – Erases selected memories from weaker beings for a limited span.

Thunderbolt Arts:

Bolt Step [Active] – Enables short-range, lightning-fast dashes that defy conventional movement.

Static Flash [Active] – Emits a blinding burst of light and electricity to disorient foes.

She quickly shortlisted her lightning powers and murmured inwardly to Nora, "I should begin with my active skills... Electroreception, Voltaic Strikes, Bolt Step, and Static Flash. Once I’ve mastered those, I’ll move on to Storm Heart and Energy Comprehension."

Nora’s calm voice flowed through her mind. "Before you start any of those skill books, check your course materials first. The receptionist mentioned there would be study resources waiting for you."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot." Eleanor closed her status screen, then tapped the device on her wrist to bring up the course window.

[Course Selection: Primary Term]

Mandatory Course:

1. Basics of Cultivation

2. Introduction to Supernatural Ethics & Law

Major Course:

1. Department of Combat (School of Mixed Martial Arts)

Optional Course:

1. Fundamentals of Psionics

2. Wilderness Survival

Visiting Course:

1. Department of Core Magic (Lightning School)

Note: Library options are now available. Do you wish to enter the library? Y/N

[Tap the blue button to open or close the screen.]

Seeing the Lightning School on the list, she smiled and decided to enter its library. A new window popped up.

[Library]

Fundamentals of Psionics Lightning School

Without delay, she chose the Lightning School. The window instantly changed.

[Lightning School Library: Primary Term]

1. Your First Spark: A Guide to Magical Ignition

2. The Careful Caster’s Safety Manual

3. Taming the Tempest Within: A Workbook for Control

4. The Voltaic Strikes: A Practical Guide to Conjuration and Projection

5. Fundamental Principles of Electrodynamics

6. Understanding Bolt Step: First Step to Lightning Body

7. Energy Comprehension: From Theory to Practical

8. Defensive Applications: The Art of the Faraday Cage

9. A Healer’s Guide to Electrical Injury

10. A Biography of Legendary Lightning-Wielders

"It looks like I already have course materials on Voltaic Strikes, Bolt Step, and Energy Comprehension." She closed the window with a tap on the device. "I should start with these. Once I’ve fully comprehended them, I’ll move on to the others."

"That’s the wisest approach," Nora agreed.

Eleanor turned to the first shelf and soon found seven skill books covering those three abilities. She gathered them carefully, then crossed the room and approached the Naga girl.

"Hello, I’m Eleanor. Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked politely.

The girl lifted her head and looked at her. In her green robe, with eyes sparkling in radiance, she exuded a calm elegance. "Please, suit yourself. I already know who you are. My name is Marsha Kirana Tidebringer."

Eleanor blinked in surprise... her heart leaping with joy for a moment. It was the first time she had met another member of her extended clan. "Tidebringer! You’re from the famous Naga clan of Indonesia. It’s an honour to meet you."

She extended her hand, and Marsha clasped it firmly, her grip cool but steady. Without preamble, Marsha added, "I’m in the middle of comprehending one of my skills. Let’s speak later."

She lowered her gaze back to the book without waiting for a reply. Eleanor nodded, respecting her focus, and settled in beside her. She opened a copy of Voltaic Strikes and began reading intently.

Across the room, Raijin’s scowl deepened. The sight of Eleanor calmly reading in his school’s library only fanned the flames of his frustration. He leaned toward Ignatius, whispering sharply as the two considered whether to report her intrusion.

Just then, the library door opened. A woman in an indigo robe stepped inside, her presence commanding immediate attention.

Raijin’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. He shot to his feet and called out loudly, "Professor Nova! Cadet Eleanor has sneaked into our library and is reading skill books without permission!"