'It's been weeks since I started these special classes with Miss Gwendolyn.' Jett forced a smile, suppressing the urge to sigh.

The lab was a chaotic mix of magical instruments, arcane sigils, and strange contraptions designed for mages to experiment with. Glass tubes filled with shimmering liquids lined the shelves, while enchanted crystals scattered around in different locations and different cabinets filled with tomes and scrolls.

In the center of the room, a large 40cm-wide magic circle lay inscribed on the floor, intricate runes woven into its design. It had taken them both hours of trial and error to complete.

'The main reason I'm even here is to figure out what her plan is in more detail,' Jett mused, casually swirling a mini tornado on his palm, its winds twisting between his fingers. 'But she's more careful than I thought… Still, I have to admit, this whole process has made me appreciate magic a little more.'

A mischievous grin tugged at his lips as the wind magic danced around his hand like a living thing. 'I guess I can take this as a bonus.'

"Don't just stand there slacking off," Gwen's voice rang from behind him.

Jett turned to see her struggling under a ridiculous mountain of scrolls, her arms barely managing to hold them all together. "Come help me out with this," she ordered.

Before he could react, the inevitable happened, papers slipped from her grasp, tumbling to the floor like a cascading avalanche. One particularly old-looking scroll rolled all the way to Jett's feet, stopping right in front of him.

"Gosh, clumsy me. This whole place is a mess now." Gwen chuckled, shaking her head at the scattered parchment.

Jett bent down and picked up the rogue scroll, curiosity getting the better of him. As he slowly unrolled it, his eyes skimmed over the writing inside.

Meanwhile, Gwen watched him with an amused yet contemplative expression. 'Incredible… We've already gotten this far. I've been teaching this boy more about magic, and he's catching up faster than I expected. If everything goes well…'

A smirk played on her lips. 'He might just become an advanced mage before leaving this academy.'

Gwen's gaze lingered on Jett as he scanned through the scroll, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. 'If that happens… then we can speed up the process. This is wonderful news.'

Jett's expression shifted slightly as he pieced together the meaning of the text before him. His brows furrowed, and he had to stop himself from reacting too obviously. 'What the hell? This is a text on Lumix? Now I'm even more confused…'

Lost in thought, he didn't notice when Gwen silently moved behind him, peering over his shoulder to see which scroll he had grabbed.

"I see… so that's the scroll you picked." Her voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality.

Jett quickly rolled up the scroll and handed it back to her with a casual shrug. 'I think it's best if I keep my mouth shut for now.'

"I think it's some magic theory or something, but nope, don't really get it." He lied smoothly, his face unreadable.

Gwen arched an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then… would you like to learn?"

Jett hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly. 'No harm, I guess. If she has knowledge about Lumix that I don't, this could be interesting. But what can someone who definitely can't use Lumix even teach me?'

After a brief pause, he nodded. "Sure… So what's it about?"

Gwen leaned against the desk, tapping a finger on the scroll as she began to explain.

"Lumix is a power unlike Mana or Aura, similar in function but fundamentally different," she began, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "Mana is the energy of the world, a force drawn from nature, while Aura is the internal energy refined from the body itself. Both follow certain laws, certain limitations. But Lumix? It transcends them."

Jett listened intently, intrigued despite himself.

"One major difference is that anyone can possess Lumix," Gwen continued. "It isn't bound by one's ability to wield Mana or Aura. It's in every single person but the truth is that no one really knows how to unlock it, no one knows what conditions need to be met but we can say for sure that the heavens smiled upon those who can use it. However…"

She gave him a pointed look. "It's exceedingly rare. There are records of entire generations passing without a single Lumix user being born."

Jett nodded slightly. 'Yeah, I already know that much. Tell me something new.'

Gwen smirked as if she could hear his thoughts. "But here's what makes Lumix truly unique. Unlike Mana, which requires precise control, or Aura, which demands discipline and physical conditioning, Lumix answers only to will."

Jett's eyes flickered with interest, 'Will? That sounds odd.'

"Mana must be shaped into spells, Aura must be honed through training, but Lumix? It adapts to its wielder. It bends and reshapes itself based on the user's very intent. That's why there are no fixed techniques for Lumix, no rigid schools of magic, no refined battle styles. Every user wields it differently, instinctively."

She leaned forward slightly. "In a way, it's the ultimate power. Unlike Mana, which can be exhausted, or Aura, which is limited by the body, Lumix doesn't run out, at least, not in the way those energies do. It feeds off the very essence of existence… and in the right hands, it can surpass everything."

Jett exhaled slowly. Now she had his attention.

"Of course," Gwen added, rolling the scroll up again, "this is all just theoretical knowledge. But if you ever happen to meet someone who can use Lumix…" Her eyes twinkled with an unreadable expression. "You might just witness something extraordinary."

Jett folded his arms. 'Witness, huh? If only she knew…'

'Her explanation isn't a hundred percent in sync what I know about Lumix.' Jett frowned slightly, processing Gwen's words. 'I guess the WARBOUND series didn't go too deep into the topic. But what did she mean by "will"? How does it relate to Lumix?'

He flexed his fingers, feeling the familiar pulse of his energy. 'I've been training my Lumix the same way I train my Aura, and it's been working fine for me…'

Jett's eyes flickered toward Gwen, studying her carefully. 'This is a bit much to take in, but how does she know so much about Lumix?'

His curiosity finally got the better of him. "Do you… perhaps know how to use Lumix?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

At the moment, Gwen was busy sorting through the scattered materials she had brought with her, stacking scrolls into neat piles and reorganizing flasks filled with strange glowing liquids. The room was a mess, and she didn't seem the least bit concerned about it.

"No, not really," she replied absentmindedly, her attention on a set of crystalline vials. "But a friend of mine does. He studied Lumix extensively and dedicated years of his life to researching it." She finally turned to Jett, a knowing glint in her eyes. 'Good thing Master had me helping him with his research. I can just try what I know on him and see how it o goes.'

Jett's expression didn't change, but his thoughts churned.

'She claims she doesn't know how to use Lumix, yet she's got enough knowledge to explain it in ways I've never even considered. And why would some scholar let her in on something so rare and valuable?'

"And you're willing to share something this precious with me?" Jett asked, his voice carrying just the right touch of innocent curiosity.

"Of course." Gwen smiled warmly and patted his head, her touch gentle but oddly deliberate. "You are very special, Jett. I see a great deal of talent in you, so I know I'm making the right choice. All I want is to see my student grow, to see you reach your full potential. That would be the greatest payment of all."

Jett blinked, as if taken aback by the sentiment. "Wow, I don't know what to say…" He hesitated, then nodded, trying to look appreciative.

But inside, his smirk was already forming.

'Yeah right. I may look young, but I'm not stupid.'

Even Clarence, one of the most straightforward people Jett knew, rarely let him in on his research so easily. 'She definitely wants something from me.'

'But that's fine. I'll play along. No need to reject a free gift.' Jett smiled. "Then, I guess I'll do my best to live up to your expectations, Miss Gwen."

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