The professor snapped his bone fingers, and a stack of 'Magic for beginners' floated into the room, distributing itself to each table in the room, including the teacher's desk. A piece of chalk floated into the board and started writing by itself.
'Professor Arthas Gravitan, Greater Lich. First experience as a teacher, pardon for the lack of experience.'
Anton's eyes snapped open. In front of him, as his teacher, stood one of the greatest mages of all time. This was the renowned Arthas Gravitan, one of the four great Liches in existence, undead and eternal beings who were known for advancing all forms of research decades, if not centuries forward. This Lich, in particular, was the creator of the Varýmancy path, the magic of gravity, and creator of the Astras-Krow casting methods. This was one of the most influential beings in Gaia, and it was teaching him Manamancy, another path he had never even heard of. Perhaps there was a new path created? Did the great Arthas Gravitan or one of the other four liches create another path? What-
"Anton, you are currently drooling. It would do you well to remember that many of the teachers at A.M.U. are important figures." Amir said in a plain tone. "Now shush."
"I-I-I-I know, I'm just surprised, I-" Anton cleaned the drool with his gigantic robe, without removing his eyes from Arthas, and shushed.
"I shall present you with a warning before we begin." The Lich's voice sounded rather young, and it didn't quite fit the figure imposed in front of Anton. "This class, which currently has 48 students and 3 of which have not shown up, will be harsh. Some of you might lose the ability to cast spells at all. You can remove yourself from the class at any time, and walk away from that door."
Anton's mind froze. When he heard 'lose the ability to cast spells at all', he felt nothing but truth coming out of the Lich. A mage that couldn't cast spells was as good as a common human, and even they knew how to cast the most basic of spells. How would participating in a class remove your ability to cast spells?
"But if you persist, and are able to truly understand this class, you shall attain knowledge and power that today is restricted to seven mages in this entire world. If you don't have the perseverance required, and the discipline of practicing every day, you are throwing away your future career, do all of you understand? I have lost the ability to cast spells myself. If you don't believe you are ready for this class, you can leave the room."
'He... lost the ability to cast spells? But...'
A couple of students, mostly Elves, stood up, bowed at the professor, and silently left the room.
"Ah, a pity, but understandable. Now, for the perceptive here, what is the most interesting thing in this room at this exact moment?" Arthas dragged the tip of his finger against the crystal orb, a black flame trying to brush against it from inside.
"Your presence, great Arthas?" one of the beastfolk asked, his fluffy long tail whacking excitedly at an Elf behind him.
"It is remarkable, but not interesting. Many of the other teachers are just as accomplished as me. Next."
"I find the crystal orb quite peculiar. What artifact would that be? It is rare that there is something I have never seen before, and it is even rarer that there is something I have seen twice but have no knowledge of it." Amir's form seemed to burn brighter, and his aura had become noticeable again.
"Good guess, Kaedra, but no. I'll get to the artifact later. Next."
"The composition of this class? We are mostly non-humanoids, and there is only one human in this room." Sha'tham, the shadow demon, pointed to Anton. "Usually humans are the ones more thirsty for this kind of knowledge."
"It is a pit that humans are abandoning the search for knowledge, but alas, they are more interested in their politics." Arthas tone dimmed. "Would you try having a guess, young human?"
Anton did not respond. His eyes were widened, still staring at the board. Arthas took a step closer to Anton.
"Young Anton?" Amir asked, floating closer to Anton.
Anton's mouth opened and closed. He gulped.
"T-The chalks and the books... They are being affected by magic, but there is no spell circle around them! How is that possibly possible?!" Anton shouted, standing up. "It goes against everything I've ever learned about magic!"
Arthas cackled, the rattling of the bones echoing across the silent classroom. All the other students looked at the chalk, dumbfounded. It continued to write on the board.
"That is correct, young human-nim, 10 points awarded. You have gained expectations from me, and I believe you will be able to surpass them." Arthas approached Anton, the balls of flames staring right into his eyes. Arthas walked back to the board, and the chalk floated to his hand. "Listen closely, students. This year, if you dedicate yourself enough, you will lose the ability to cast spells, but the truth about magic shall be revealed to you. The knowledge, nay, the true understanding of what Mana is will be bestowed upon you."
The silence was deafening, but it could be seen in the student's faces. One that comes to Astra Magic University comes in search of knowledge. Of bettering oneself, or coming to understand the world. Who could stay still when such an enticing offer was set forward?
"So, how many of you have read the book that sits on your tables?" Arthas clasped his hands together. Every time he moved, rattling could be heard.
Anton sat back down, and lifted his arm, alongside some other students. The book in front of him suddenly lit up, black flames consuming it entirely, leaving no remains of it. He looked around, and all the other books were blazing in black fire.
'No spell circle, again...'
"As much as I love books, and static knowledge and lessons, this class will not be able to receive assistance from books. You will come to understand this later. Now, one last question before we truly begin our first class, does anyone know what this Artifact is?" Arthas tapped twice on the crystal orb.
"A Manaector. My father is from the Winged Rays, and he says they use it to investigate crime scenes." The Pseudo-Dragon announced, a magic circle in the shape of a triangle appearing on his forehead. Pseudo-Dragons had to use telepathy to communicate, as they were one of the few dragons incapable of speech.
"Correct. 5 points to you, Pseudo-Dragon-nim. Now, this is a Manaector, one of the most expensive artifacts in Gaia." He slapped the crystal orb with force, making the Pseudo-Dragon flinch. "Made out of empty hrystals refined throughout a process that lasts 5 years, it currently takes the place as the best method for advanced mana detection. When the Winged Corps use this,"
Arthas's hand crackled with electricity, and a small lightning bolt flew out of the tip of his finger and struck the ground, creating cracks on the wood. He took out the crystal orb from the golden stand and placed it on top of the cracks, where the lightning just hit. The flame inside the orb changed colors, becoming a yellow flame that roared, then turning into a lightning bolt, which ricocheted inside the orb.
"They are able to detect the type and strength of the mana used in the location and detect the direction from which it came from. Magic leaves traces behind, and the manaector is perfect to see those traces clearly. That, or a Kaedra of the same element as the mana used."
Arthas snapped his finger again, and the orb floated back into the golden stand. While floating, a black 'light' shone from inside the orb. As if a hole in space, it seemed to absorb light from around it.
"But we shall utilize it for a different purpose. My students, before you can begin to study Manamancy, you first must master controlling your own mana. Every being on this planet is aligned for a particular kind of Mana. Mine used to be Air Mana, but now the Death Mana reveals itself when I touch the orb, the reason being clear." He touched the orb again, and a black flame roared from inside. "Now, I will call each of you, and we shall detect your alignment."
"Let's do this by alphabetical order? Agath Elothian, present yourself." Arthas stepped back, and the flame returned to a calm, blue form.
An Elf with red skin stood up and walked to the teacher's desk proudly. Elves were all mostly the same, as far as Anton could remember. Their skin tones, eye and hair colors, and mana alignment would depend on where they are raised. Besides their pointy ears and usually beautiful appearances, their demeanor was usually the same: pride, elegance, and grace were the hallmarks of an Elf. Most Elves that came to A.M.U were from prestigious families, and this one seemed no different: the tattoo on her neck seemed royal, somehow.
She touched the orb, and the flame's color changed to a crimson red.
"Fire Mana. Very well." The chalk floating by the board quickly wrote down an 'Abbaeth-Fire' and drew a cute, smiling flame. "Next, Amir... no surname? Present yourself"
The Kaedra floated close to the orb. The blue flames extended, and brushed against the crystal orb. The flame inside started to roar, and increase in size, until the inside of the orb was nothing but blue fire. Anton had to look away from how bright it was.
"Interesting. It is the first time I see this. Very well"
'Amir-Pure' was quickly noted on the board, alongside a surprised face.
"Next, Anton Kur..." the Lich stopped, and his skull seemed to frown as if distorting. Anton felt a shiver creep up his spine. "Anton Kurona Voya. Present yourself."
Anton stood up, his heart pounding. He walked to the orb and extended his hand towards it. Arthas stared intently at Anton, and they locked eyes.
He could feel the death emanating from inside the Lich. The emptiness and darkness in Arthas's eyes were an infinite abyss.
"Proceed, Anton-nim."
Anton gulped and touched the orb. The flame disappeared, the orb becoming empty.
All students gasped.
"Nothing? How could there be nothing? Are you alive, human?" one voice sounded from inside the classroom. Anton looked back, seeing an Elf with disbelief painted in its face
"Of course young Anton is alive, you fools," Amir exclaimed. "professor, how come Anton doesn't have a mana alignment?"
Anton looked back at Arthas, and let out a yelp. Arthas was grinning. The mouth bones of the skull had broken and snapped, and an incredibly menacing smile was staring straight at Anton's soul. The abyss had looked back.
"I'm afraid.... that for the first time in two centuries, I don't have an answer."
Anton nervously stepped back, letting his hand go from the orb. The Blue Flame returned.
'Anton-?' was quickly noted on the board.
"Anton and Amir, stay after the class ends, we shall discuss this in private." Anton nodded, and returned to his seat, sweating. "Very well."
"Next, Bathalor Sha'tham Daemra, present yourself." Arthas said, as his skull returned to its normal shape.
--- --- ---
"Now that this is done with." Arthas snapped his fingers, and Manaectors floated inside the room, distributing themselves on every student's table. The students were surprised but didn't have enough energy remaining to act on it. "You should all know your alignments now. You have three objectives to fulfill, and three months to do so."
The chalk started writing on the board at the same time Arthas spoke. On the board, there were a myriad of notations, with every student's alignments, and many cute drawings.
"One. You shall learn to manipulate your main alignment inside this orb at will. You should be able to make it brighter and dimmer on a whim's notice."
"Two. You shall acquire a new alignment. Yes, it is possible. You must be able to switch between your main alignment and a second one at will."
"And finally, three. You shall learn how to feel mana. In the last class of this quarter, if you haven't achieved these three objectives, you will be forcefully removed from my class. You will receive the Manaector's in order to practice, and if you give up, return the Manaector, it was expensive. Very well, class over."
Arthas clapped his hands, and all students but Anton and Amir started to leave the room with their Manaectors. Anton had a Beast Taming class in 15 minutes, but the professor had asked to see him.
After some minutes of waiting, Anton, Amir, and Arthas were alone in the classroom. A silent dread filled the room. Arthas waved his hand, and all doors and windows closed, the room illuminated only by the blue flames from the neversmoke and Amir.
"Amir. You are a pure Kaedra, am I correct?" Arthas approached Anton as he spoke these words, the grin appearing on his face again.
"Correct, professor Arthas."
"What mana does Anton have flowing in his body? Those eyes of mine must be growing old, as they can't. See. It." the Lich was staring Anton down. Anton couldn't help but stay silent, a million thoughts running through his mind.
"I... don't know. I can feel and see it, it is one of the essential manas, but I don't know what mana is it."
Arthas chuckled. And then started laughing.
"To witness such an event, oh, such a blessing I have received!" Arthas cackled, his jawbones breaking and grinding against each other. "Oh, my dear Anton-nim. I thought your father was an extraordinary being, who would have known his son would be even better!"
Anton froze. "You... knew my father?"
"Knew? I was a close companion of his during the war. Ah, the good old days..." Arthas continued to cackle. "Kurona... Do not carry that surname lightly, Anton. Some might try to kill you for it."
"Tell me! Tell me more about him!" Anton pleaded. He took a step forward, almost touching Arthas's robes. He looked up, his face a mixture of dread and determination.
Arthas went silent. The room once again was filled with a dreadful silence. His bones reformed into his usual face.
"No. I'm afraid I can't tell you anything yet. Prove yourself in my class, and I shall reveal more. Dear Anton-Nim, I have great expectations for you. Amir, retire yourself from the room." A window swung open with a wave from Arthas's hand.
"Understood." Amir once again turned into a majestic, burning eagle and flew away from the room.
Anton shook his head and smashed his staff into the ground. "I'm tired of only having questions, will you tell me what is going on, professor?! I've spent 15 years of my life only asking, asking, and asking, and never receiving any answers! Why don't I have an alignment? When will I learn who my parents were?! Wh-"
"Shush." Arthas's 'eyes' turned black, and stared down at Anton. "I'm afraid you have to learn all of the answers yourself, Anton-nim. But know this: your father was a reckless, outrageous, stupid, impatient, impulsive man. And nonetheless, the greatest human I have met in my life. As for your alignment, that is a journey you must make alone, and alone only."
Anton nodded and wiped off tears from his eyes. He took his staff, but the Manaector in his bag, and left the room without looking back at Arthas.
Arthas glanced at the door and waved his hand, closing it. He sat back down at the chair and snapped his fingers. A small distortion in space appeared in front of him, and a photo flew out, falling on his table.
Arthas looked at the photo.
'I shall keep my promise to you, Levi.'