"Mana and qi are fundamentally the same things. Both are energies that when harness creates a manifestation, which is how the abilities work." Ferd patiently explained the concept of mana and qi to the students. Even though he still pissed by the fast one that the headmaster pulled on him. But his duty as a teacher must be accomplished. Or his pay might be docked.
"So being the same thing fundamentally, what separates them both? And if someone has the guts to say that it's the name, I'm gonna make sure to break half of your bones in the name of teaching." And as he said that, he instantly found a student quickly covering his mouth. 'That bastard.'
"Arguably, their main difference is in the culture that used them." The moment those words came out of his mouth, the students appeared to be unimpressed by his answer. "Exactly, that's what I've said earlier. They are both fundamentally the same energies."
In the history of humanity, mana and qi have been a prevalent force on which humans rely upon. Traditionally, mages used the term mana to define the energy used to cast a spell. Similarly, cultivators used qi to improve themselves and achieve breakthroughs.
Because of this, the people were led to the belief that mana and qi were basically the same things only under a different name. But various researches and tests conducted throughout the years proved they are indeed somehow different.
Even though both are energies but their application differs from one another. In normal cases, mana is used to cast spells and qi to supplement the human body. And that assumption led to the result that mana is best applied outside the human body and qi is inside, vice versa.
Because of the qi's gentle nature, it could be used to augment the body. It also easier to control. On the other hand, mana is wilder but has powerful potency. As such, through spells that mana is used and directed outside to create a manifestation.
"But this is not the case for everything. Qi can also be used to be cast outside and mana to improve the body. As seen by a cultivator's talisman and a mage's healing spell."
A student suddenly raised a hand.
"Can someone wield both energies?"
"Normally it wouldn't be possible. But some geniuses would be able to do it."
"But what about other classes outside cultivators and mages? How does their form of energy work?"
"Mana and qi is the most generalized version of energy. The other classes tend to have variations of the two. But the rule of thumb is that, if it's physical, probably qi. Outside of that, probably mana."
"That is rather vague."
"Don't blame me, that's what the predecessors said. Even the study about energy is not as conclusive as you think. And this info is the most major breakthrough for the past thousands of years." Then his face turned smug. "I forgot to tell you that I'm a rare dual wielder and is part of the Research Institute."
The students felt collective amazement for the teacher. To think that a gorilla-like him is an intellectual. He did just not have brawns but also the brains. Truly remarkable.
"So, let me formally introduce myself."
'Shouldn't he have done this during the first meeting?' A student thought.
"I am Ferdinand Calico-"
But suddenly a student intervened with his introduction. "Also known as the War God's successor and elder of the Combat Temple. He is also a 3-star scholar of the Research Institute."
"Miss Bryn, I know that you are a brilliant student but interrupt me one more time and you'll suffer the same fate as him." His face looking somber pointed at the section of the wall with a massive hole on it with a leg sticking outside. That leg belonging to Ye Han, who was earlier flung towards there because he caught him sleeping. And he decided to stay there while listening to the lecture.
Realizing that she might have irritated the gorilla, Bryn chose to bow her head in apology silently vowing to keep silent in his lessons.
His head nodded in satisfaction seeing Bryn learned her lesson.
"The usual combat lessons will resume the next meeting. That will be all for today, goodbye."
"Goodbye." They all responded.
***
"Oh, hello there."
"Hi!"
Even with a new hobby, Ye Han still retreated to one of his bases. But instead of simply sleeping, he is now preoccupied with his new phone and is playing games. The sleeping lounge he created, officially became a gaming lounge.
But a peculiar persona lingered in his base. It was the same little girl he tossed out the window and the very same person he made an agreement with.
After they created the bogus sounding pact, he thought that the girl would simply go away since she just might be someone's kid. But boy he was wrong.
A day after their encounter, he was once again surprised to find the same kid already lounging there. At first, he ignored her presence, simply sleeping the time away. But there was a time that both of them were awake and uncharacteristically, Ye Han decided to make small talk with the girl.
From their conversation, he realized that the girl was not just a stray beggar or something. It turns out that her origins were much mystical than he could imagine. A fairy that became the guardian spirit of Central.
What might that entail? Nothing. Even in his time, fairies were an incomprehensible creature. In other words, the concept of fairies did not exist during his time. 'The world sure evolved weirdly.' He thought.
"So you were here ever since the school was built?"
"Un!"
"So what's a fairy?"
"Eh?" The girl's cheerful expression turned blank. The man's lack of knowledge severely diminished her brain cells.
"Fairies are creatures of nature!" She angrily said. "We act as guardians to places with enough natural energy."
"Ahhhh. I still don't get it but sure, let's have it your way."
Even with her immature and innocent attitude, the urge to kick the crotch of the creature in front of her is slowly blooming into a nasty flower. Hate does not discriminate against gender and age.
"I shouldn't have asked about yourself, this is making me more confused. Treating you as a stray child is much easier ad simpler."
'I'm the guardian of this place! If this place gets attacked, you're the one not getting any protection from me.'
"Hey, kid. Try rolling for my gacha."
"You mean click something?"
"Yes. Now come, quick."
As the girl adorably trotted his way, he has now brought up the menu for the gacha.
"..."
As the crisp sound of currency draining into a depraved abyss, Ye Han eagerly waited for his prize. But as the images showed up one by one, the lovely flash of rainbow signifying a high rarity servant did not even appear. And as the summoning came to an end, and so is Ye Han's excitement.
"What?! This is the worst result I got. Not even a gold card! I thought fairies were supposed to bring good luck? You must be a scam!"