This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 1194: Divine Game, Divine Instruction 8

Rita had just finished drawing the bagpipe when Foolishness assigned her new homework. She was to dismantle Mischief Kitchen into at least five skills, with no restriction on rank.

At that moment, Rita felt deeply grateful that she had once unlocked divine courses related to magical theory. At the very least, she was not approaching this like a complete magical illiterate.

When Kessa and Maple Syrup returned from their break, Foolishness gave them the same assignment. Dawn Cicada and Fury Prayer followed soon after.

Once all five students were back in the classroom, Foolishness finally set her book aside and began the actual lecture in her calm, even tone. Everything before this had clearly been an entrance assessment.

"Magic runes are the language of the soul. Every line carries meaning. When your soul cries out, you may comprehend an ability based on what it seeks to express. For you now, that expression takes the form of skills."

"The soul has no voice, but the power and effects of its language allow your enemies to see what you are thinking. That is how it speaks."

"Magic runes were not invented by living beings. They existed from the moment life emerged. By conversing with our own souls and studying the skills we have comprehended, we come to understand ourselves, analyze ourselves, and interpret the meaning of runes."

"Scholars divide skills into two categories. One awakens when a soul cries out. The other is created through the study, organization, and recombination of runes. There is no hierarchy between them. If there is a difference, then one is expression, while the other is deliberate writing."

As Foolishness spoke, all five students stopped what they were doing.

In the brief pause, Rita raised her hand.

Foolishness said, "Ask."

Rita asked, "Then what are divine bestowed talents? Why, before the game invasion, did we never comprehend skills no matter how extreme our emotions became?"

"Divine bestowed talents are sparks granted by Uncharted Star Sea. They ignite the fire of your soul."

"Why were our soul fires extinguished to begin with?"

"Because the energy of this universe is limited. Think of it as a dark forest. When too many soul fires are lit at once, the result is not prosperity but wildfire and destruction. This is also why worlds are introduced to the game in sequence. Uncharted Star Sea cannot allow too many beings to ignite their soul fires at the same time."

After answering, Foolishness’s deep blue eyes settled quietly on BS Rita, as if checking whether she had more questions. If not, the lesson would continue.

When she focused like this, even behind her glasses, her eyes reflected a sharp brilliance.

Rita did have another question. Under Foolishness’s gaze, she asked slowly, "Is this also the reason the pendulum exists?"

Uncharted Star Sea could not ignite too many soul fires at once. Then what about Quiet Mountain?

The two regions did not seem to share deep hatred. Otherwise, Quiet Mountain would not have copied Uncharted Star Sea’s players to fight for it, nor tried to keep her, nor allowed Uncharted Star Sea players to descend there until it became intolerable.

The relationship between Starsea and Quiet Mountain felt less like a war and more like competition.

Foolishness’s lips curved slightly. She raised the travelogue in her hand and turned aside, resuming her walk. Avoiding Rita’s gaze, she said, "Some students should stop interrupting the teacher during class."

Rita was left speechless.

The lesson continued until The Bell Tolls echoed through the palace.

Foolishness asked, "Do you want to rest and sleep?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

All five players shook their heads.

"I do." Foolishness stood and walked toward the exit. "The workshops contain toys with various functions. Food, washing, clothing, sleep, books. Anything you can think of is there. Take care of it yourselves."

"Once I grant permission, you may temporarily use these toys while you are in this palace."

By the time her last word fell, she had already vanished from the workshop entrance.

Almost immediately, a sharp chime rang out.

Golden sword and serpent bone vine crossed paths.

Rita stared at Dawn Cicada at close range and sneered. "I have been holding this in for a long time."

Dawn Cicada ground her teeth and forced out, "I have been holding it in even longer."

"Oh." Foolishness’s voice sounded again from the doorway. She stood with her hands behind her back, looking at the five students who were now sitting quietly and drawing. "No fighting here. Damage anything in this place, even a scratch, and you will be expelled."

She left another warning behind and disappeared again, this time for real.

Fury Prayer stood up and neatly stacked his papers, sighing. "For a moment there, I actually felt embarrassed for both of you."

Maple Syrup also stood. She was hungry and needed food, preferably with a cold beer. "Yes. My ten year old daughter is calmer than this."

Dawn Cicada leaned back slightly, avoiding the BS Rita in the middle, and looked at Maple Syrup. "Is your ten year old daughter named Ranran?"

Rita leaned back as well and shot Dawn Cicada a look of pure disdain. "Old joke. Not funny."

Maple Syrup said, "Agreed."

Dawn Cicada smiled gracefully. "I laughed. That is enough."

Waiting at the door to pick Rita up, Nivalis called out, "Are you holding up, or do you need us to help you argue?"

Rita said, "Absolutely not."

Kessa stretched, lacing her fingers behind her head as she walked out of the workshop. It really was lively.

The battlefield chat channel was even livelier.

This was likely a synchronized dismissal time. The previously quiet chat exploded with messages.

"BS Crab: You would never guess what we are learning. It is insanely strong."

"Tingo Autumn Deer: Who are you studying under?"

"Tingo JE: That Vineborne deity."

"BS Crab: Dawn Cicada’s network. A BS Rita sensitive word."

"BS Rita: ???"

"BS Crab: See? Immediate reaction."

"BS Mistblade: Sea Pony is on his account."

"BS Rita: I am noting this."

"Lania Kaia Wither: I am studying with a Landscale deity."

"Fury Rider: Fruitling."

"Winter Sea Frenzied Shark: Oak Owl."

"BS Pine Bloom: Sharkfin."

"Sakura Orange White: Candlebeast."

"Lania Kaia Fat Goose: Same teacher as Winter Sea Frenzied Shark. Oak Owl."

"Dawn Spring Guest: This game does not really feel fair. Deities differ in strength, so the courses must differ in difficulty and quality."

"Verdant Mojie: I asked my teacher. He said there are differences. But once you finish a course under one deity, you can immediately transfer to another. So even less advanced courses have value. Diversity of knowledge is an advantage."

"Yet Oranige Pomango: You dared ask that? I respect you, warrior."

"Lania Kaia Wither: His teacher is also Landscale."

"Yet Oranige Pomango: Damn it. Fell straight into a nest of blessings."