Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer-Novel

Ashton got up and went closer to the professor.

As he approaches, the professor took out a large rectangular glass container. It's divided into two, one part has a pitch black soil in it while the other has golden sand it seems.

He didn't know why but the moment the professor took that container out, Ashton felt all the hairs on his body standing up. He visibly paled and froze on his tracks. He felt a primal fear stemming from the roots of his soil as well as a strong nausea just by looking at it.

'What the hell!?' He exclaimed inwardly.

The way he unconsciously reacted came as a shock to him. He couldn't control this feeling at all and that really threw him out of the loop. Just what are things?

"...your sensitivity towards these is sharp. That's good. No wonder your affinity towards White Magic is high." Jeanne commented.

"What are those, Professor? Why am I feeling a strong disgust and fear by looking at it?"

"Nothing much..." Jeanne stated, "It's just some soil we collected at the Badlands. These two are the most common types of soil you'll find out there."

"Soil? Are those really just simple soil?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes. At least in the standards of the world outside of the Last Bastion, these are the common soil. As simple as that." Jeanne replied, "But it is different when it comes to us. You already felt it, your instincts are screaming at you that these simple soil are extremely dangerous."

"The footwear we have can't be used to traverse the ground outside of our territory. The moment it does, it'll just melt. If any part of your skin touches the ground out there, there's is a high change that you will die."

"The pitch black soil will crawl up and digest you while the golden soil is similar to quicksand, it'll swallow you up in no time flat."

Ashton was shocked. His mind reeling from these information.

'It's that dangerous outside?' Ashton exclaimed inwardly.

He didn't expect that the world outside their little bubble is so unfriendly that even the ground is out to get them. It's so dangerous that nobody's even allowed to step in it so casually.

"Don't be mistaken. We have developed certain ways to nullify the effects of these soil. There are techniques, skills and spells you can learn that allows you to not be affected by these things."

"Still, that doesn't make them any less dangerous." Ashton blurted out.

"Indeed." Jeanne nodded, "the reason why I showed this to you is to discover how sensitive you are towards these things. We're already done with that. The next reason is to show you the true value of White Mages especially in expeditions out of Last Bastion."

Jeanne then lifted her hand and hovered it over the container. She palms glowed with a warm white light.

Under Raven's observations, he saw the soil within the container sizzling. He could also swear that he could hear agonized cries but it was faint.

In a span of seconds, the soil transformed and became regular ones. The kind that Ashton was familiar with.

Ashton guessed that Jeanne used some kind of White Magic to purify the soil, turning it to something safe for humans to interact with.

Jeanne then opened the container and grabbed a fistful of soil. She showed to him that it's now safe and just like any regular soil one would find inside the Last Bastion.

"So it's true then?." Ashton murmured, "The reason why Last Bastion became a habitable place for humans is because of White Magic?"

"Oh, so you've heard about that." Jeanne adjust her glassed and cleaned her dirtied hand, "Yes, it is indeed as you say. White Magic is the reason why we managed to carve a piece of the world for ourselves."

Ashton nodded, now that's confirmed, he could now say that White Mages are indeed important for Last Bastion as a whole. They're an integral part of the system.

"The name of the Spell I used just now is Purify." Jeanne stated, "To learn it, you must first learn and master the spells; Cleanse and Warmth. Those two are basic spells that I'll teach you next week."

Ashton nodded. He didn't say that he already know these two spells since he wanted to keep his secret safe. Both Cleanse and Warmth are already Lv.3, but Jeanne said that in order to learn Purify. He needs to Master the two pre-requisite spells first.

Well, that's not going to happen anytime soon but it should be achievable so long as he has enough funds.

"In every expedition that takes place outside of the Last Bastion, the presence of us White Mages are always needed. No team will depart without a White Mage on the team since we can raise the team's survivability by 40% just by doing what we're supposed to do."

"Skilled White Mages are even more valuable, they are treated no less than a Saint by the crusaders. A Skilled White Mage will not only ensure the safety of the team but will also increase their profits. More often than not, they receive the highest cuts in expeditions."

"That being said, we White Mages are the most vulnerable link of the team." Jeanne sighed, "Our enemies outside aren't dumb, more often than not, we are their first target."

"Add that to the list of reasons why our number is too little compared to other Specialization Types." Jeanne stated, "It's quite ironic how we raise the team's survivability but in case of accidents, we're the first ones to fail."

"I looked at the subjects that you enrolled into and I am pleased when I saw that you enrolled to the Combat Class. I was going to recommend it to you but I guess I don't have to anymore."

Ashton nodded at that. As expected, his decisions were on point up to this point. He knew that he could trust the things his System suggests him to do.

"In addition to our classroom discussions, when we get to the point where you're mastery over some White Magic reaches a level I'm quite satisfied at, you'll follow me around the hospital to gain a first hand experience in works that doesn't require you to step outside of Last Bastion."

"Don't worry, they will be nothing too difficult. You'd just accompany me for the most part as I explain things for you."

Ashton nodded to that. It should be counted as work since it'll only happen during the White Magic period, and as Jeanne said he's just there to observe closely so it shouldn't be too difficult.

"Alright, that really all that I have to inform you for today. You may now go."

Ashton's eyes widened in surprise. He glanced at his watch and saw that only 30 minutes passed since the class started. White Magic Class was supposed to last for 3 hours.

"Uh...only 30 minutes passed so far."

"I know." Jeanne nodded as she kept the container. "But like I said, my teaching style would be different since you're my only student. I still haven't finished my plans for you and there's really nothing for us discuss for today since you understood everything that I was about to explain anyways."

"This is good for the both of us no? You and I can go to work much earlier so that we can go home much earlier as well. Isn't that right?"

Ashton really couldn't refute that. So, he simply shrugged. He stood up and bowed: "Thank you for your time Professor."

"Mn. You too. See you next week." Jeanne didn't say much and exited the classroom followed by Ashton.

Jeanne went towards the hospital to clock-in to her shift. She's one of the medics in the hospital as she said earlier so it would make sense why she'd go there.

As for Ashton well, he took the long way around the hospital. Passing through the other white tents that serves as classroom as well. He briefly glanced at the windows and saw that their class is still on.

Ashton felt really weird but he didn't hate this. The unorthodox manner of teaching was to be expected since he's the only student around. He had faith in Jeanne's decision since she's the one that's more experienced in this area compared to him.

But just like she said, this works for him as well.

He's now headed to the Grand Library to clock-in to his work as well. The earlier he finishes his work, the earlier he can go home. Ashton likes that idea.

Still he wasn't on the rush. He made sure to commit every scenery on his way to memorize the route towards the Grand Library, this should help him not get lost due to the scale of this Academy.

When he arrived at the Grand Library, he saw the Chief Librarian Leon and greeted him. He went to 3rd floor and greeted Aria as well, then he clocked-in.

Today he was tasked to be the one repairing the books so he started his rounds as soon as he got all the tools he needs.