Professor Malvorn's Advanced Mana Theory class had always been challenging, but today's lesson felt different. The usual academic exercises had been replaced with practical applications that seemed almost military in their precision.
"Mana stabilization in crisis conditions," Malvorn announced, his stern voice cutting through the morning air. "Today we simulate magical field disruption and practice maintaining spell integrity under adverse conditions."
The students exchanged glances. This wasn't standard curriculum—it was preparation for real conflict.
"Partner exercises," Malvorn continued. "You will attempt to maintain basic magical functions while your partner introduces deliberate interference. This tests both your control and your adaptability."
Axnem found himself paired with Lyle Ashmore, a tall, serious student whose family controlled significant mining operations in the eastern territories. In his future memories, Lyle had become one of the most respected magical engineers of their generation, specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects.
"Ready?" Lyle asked, raising his hand to begin the interference pattern they'd been taught.
Axnem nodded, focusing on creating a simple light orb—one of the basic exercises from their first year. But as Lyle began introducing magical static into the surrounding field, maintaining the spell became significantly more difficult.
"Interesting," Lyle murmured, watching Axnem adapt to the interference. "You're not fighting the disruption—you're flowing around it. Most people try to overpower the interference with brute force."
"Fighting wastes energy," Axnem replied, adjusting his mana flow to compensate for Lyle's increasingly complex interference patterns. "Better to understand the disruption and work with it."
Around them, other student pairs were struggling with the exercise. Some managed basic success, but most found their spells failing entirely under the artificial stress conditions.
"Switch," Malvorn commanded from the front of the room.
Now it was Axnem's turn to create interference while Lyle maintained his spell. As he began weaving disruptive patterns into the ambient mana, he was impressed by Lyle's methodical approach—the other student didn't have Axnem's future knowledge, but his analytical mind was clearly working through the problem step by step.
"You know," Lyle said quietly, his voice barely audible over the magical exercise, "my family's mines have been reporting strange readings lately. Ore deposits that should be magically inert are showing unexpected energy signatures."
Axnem's interference pattern faltered slightly. "What kind of signatures?"
"Resonance patterns that don't match any known magical formations. My father's bringing in Academy consultants next week, but..." Lyle paused, maintaining his light orb despite Axnem's renewed interference efforts. "I think whatever's happening in the south might be spreading faster than anyone realizes."
The implications sent a chill through Axnem. If the mana disruptions were affecting mineral deposits, then the magical foundation of their technology and infrastructure was at risk. In his future memories, the economic collapse had followed closely behind the initial magical failures.
"Excellent work, both of you," Malvorn's voice interrupted their conversation. The professor had approached without either student noticing, his sharp eyes taking in their successful completion of the exercise. "Mr. Ashmore, your systematic approach shows promise. Mr. Black, your adaptive techniques are... unusual. I want both of you to remain after class."
As the other students filed out, Axnem and Lyle exchanged uncertain glances. Being singled out by Malvorn could mean recognition or trouble, and with the professor, it was often difficult to tell the difference.