"Something's wrong here. I'm feeling strange and a little dizzy."
"Me too. What's happening?"
"Both of you are feeling what is generally called magic but since your rank is lower we'll call it mana for now. I forcefully increased the ambient mana density in this room to the point where you can physically feel it. Try to pinpoint where that feeling of discomfort you're experiencing is coming from."
Their discomfort seemed to heighten so I lowered the pressure on them until their face became a little too relaxed, then I increased it again. They lasted around three hours before showing obvious signs of fatigue. I retracted all my magic and stood up.
"That's enough for today. Remember the feeling and go back to the orphanage to rest. I'll be seeing you tomorrow."
It was already evening and Aurelia had returned so we met up for dinner. Aurelia had a sour expression on her face and
"Did you get the B-rank quest you were looking for?"
"Do I look like I did? I already had a hard enough time getting out of that place. They were mass recruiting adventurers all the way down to the E-ranks and they wouldn't take no for an answer."
"So they got word of the Galli kingdom's movements and are now recruiting adventurers to make up the numbers. In other words, the adventurers' guild is basically shut down until this crisis is over."
"I swear those guys are overreacting no need to drag the adventurers into this they can all die by themselves."
"It won't be good for us if too many of them die. Using the casualties to rapidly expand our influence is fine but we should prevent any senseless killing. All these people will become part of our defense line against the light alliance after all."
"Right, right. Please tell me that things have gone better on your side at least."
"Found two acceptable girls to learn potioneering. If you have nothing to do tomorrow you can help me train them or get some more ingredients for potions."
"Don't worry about herbs for the time being. I went to a bunch of stores and purchased a whole lot for a total of 3000 gold coins."
"You really want to kickstart our merchant guild as fast as possible. If you are bored you can also go and take a look at the other orphans. They all seem motivated and oddly altruistic so they will make for loyal subordinates."
"I might do that but for tonight I just want to relax and have some fun."
"Fine by me but keep it down, will you. I had to set up a noise barrier yesterday because you seemed to seriously try to keep up the whole house."
"Didn't you enjoy it? I made sure to have her sing especially loud."
"You are incorrigible when it comes to your fetishes."
"And you aren't? You are just as bad as I am! Only that you are better at hiding it."
"Anyways, give me all the herbs. I'll busy myself tonight."
"You truly are a workaholic. You should get yourself checked."
"I've consulted Rose on multiple occasions but she said that there's nothing that can be done. See you tomorrow then."
I walked back to my room and spent the night in a noise cancellation formation making health potions varying from inferior to superior quality. Finally, dawn came and I went down to greet the two potioneers in training. They had come early but not dared to enter. If I hadn't called them in they would have probably stayed there.
"Look here, you are here to learn so don't just stand outside. Next time come in by yourself."
I led them to my room and told them to sit down again. I once again released some of my magic into the room but not to the point where it would cause them discomfort.
"Today I'll explain a little about mages. You are currently trying to sense mana. Mana is what we call magic at its lowest possible density. Once you can feel and move it you be considered beginner mages and have the ability to cast spells though they will probably cause you to lose consciousness."
They both seem to be more attracted to my words than to the idea of trying to sense the mana around them.
"If you want to get anywhere you will first need to sense the ambient mana. Currently, I'm helping you by using my magic to increase the mana density to the point where you can physically feel it."
We spent a few hours like this and they actually began to make some progress. According to my estimation, they would need three more sessions like this before they could practice without me. Then, after lunch, we started making health potions.
"Health potions are in all honesty one of the most crappy types of potions but since they are widely used their price is quite high. All potions can be of inferior, intermediate, and superior quality but to get above the inferior quality you need the aid of magic. Whether you use an additional ingredient suffused with magic or use your own doesn't matter."
"Excuse me but why do you keep switching between using mana and magic?"
"Good question. Generally, all mages use the term for the density of magic they have condensed within themselves. Beginner and apprentice mages refer to it as mana, mages talk about magic power, and so on until you have reached the required density for it to be called magic."
"Isn't that confusing?"
"At first yes. However, in discussions between larger groups of mages, it helps to estimate both the rank as well as the depth of their knowledge. You'll acclimate over time and in a few months, it will seem natural to you."
I show them the various steps to making inferior health potions. Now came the daunting task of watching them practice without blowing up about how badly they failed. My standards were after all way too high for an ordinary person to reach.