Kothar watched eyes wide as the Beginner Fire Mage extended tendrils of mana to the fire ball, it was as if the fireball was tethered to his body, and they were one being.
[So that's it Silane, that's what separates Novice Mages from beginners, being able to extend your mana beyond your body and utilizing it to direct one's spells.]
[Yes, I presume the higher tier mages have even more control over their mana, and at even greater distances.]
[Let's go see Professor Daredale right now!]
"Come on in, Kothar." Professor Daredale was perched on a tall chair, dwarfed by the massive desk that dominated his plush office. He gestured to one of the heavily upholstered chairs in front of the desk.
"Please, take a seat. What can I help you with today?" Professor Daredale shut the heavy tome he had been inscribing runes in.
"Unless this is a social visit?" He chuckled at his own joke.
"No, Professor. I was hoping to learn more about the difference between Novice and Beginner Mages."
"Come now, Kothar. That is something that the Academy encourages students to discover for themselves." Professor Daredale lowered his spectacles and peered at Kothar, giving him a gentle smile.
"Look, I understand you are talented. God knows, Krieg is always hounding me for updates on you, but I can't tell you. You'll have to figure it out for yourself."
"No Professor. I'm already aware that a Beginner Mage's mana control extends beyond their body, and they can direct their spells. But, where exactly is the difference between a Novice and Beginner Mage?"
"Not so loudly, Kothar. Before we discuss anything, I want to warn you not to divulge the distinction to your peers. There is a good reason we don't tell every young mage of the difference. Learning of it before one has the awareness to detect mana so beyond their immediate vicinity can lead to young mages being much too reckless with their mana."
"Of course Professor."
"Truth be told, the difference is a truly arbitrary one. The difference between each level of mage is dependent on their range and precision of mana control and the ability to execute more complicated spells. That is why you see some disparity when mages face one another."
"A Novice Mage with a massive mana pool and superior strategy may defeat a Beginner Mage, and this applies to any rank. Of course Advanced Mages are a whole different realm, what chance does a lower ranked mage stand against an individual who can impact a whole battlefield" Professor Daredale leaned back in his chair, tapping his desk with his wand.
"What about beyond that Professor?"
"Hahaha, no need to worry about that Kothar, but a little hint, what they are capable of is far beyond your imagination."
"Hmmm, I might have a clue…" Kothar smiled at Professor Daredale, also attempting to be mysterious.
[What in the world was that Kothar? 'I might have a clue.' You want us to be stuck in a lab somewhere, being poked and prodded?]
[Well, we're not in our world anyway, are we? I guess I'm just trying out humor.]
[Well, well, well. I see how it is, I get myself an attitude, and you get some emotions.]
[I guess we've both changed huh?]
[True.]
[Now then Kothar, about what he said, I think it may be the key to actually leaving this world.]
[It must be, mages beyond Advanced must be capable of interstellar transport. Or something very similar.]
[Kothar, you are assuming that we're in the same universe...]
[You mean, wow. We could be in another plane entirely, I did suspect, I mean. What the hell even is mana?!]
[Hahahaha, yes. But since this world defies all logic, it stands to reason that we may be able to return to our own world.]
[You're right. I guess there's nothing to it then, I shall have to attain the mysterious level beyond Advanced Mage.]
[I guess you will.]
Loud cracks resounded through the training rooms, as Kothar shot out bolt after bolt of lightning. He was attempting to learn the Beginner Mage spell, Ball Lightning. Sweat dripped from his brow as he charged up yet another spell, sparks filling his hand.
Up till now, he had only been able to shoot out more powerful variants of his Bolt spell, evident from the massive scorch marks dotting the walls and smoldering practice dummies.
A fizzling, spitting ball of lightning formed in his hand, and he continued to channel mana towards it, but reduced the intensity. The ball of lightning slowly rose up in the air, floating away from his hand. Directing his mana he managed to make the ball slowly circle his palm, then aiming at the dummy directly in front of him, he sent the ball spinning towards it.
The ball of lightning exploded upon hitting the dummy, decimating its entire top half.
A smoldering wreck remained, small flames burning at what remained of the dummy. A grin spread across Kothar's face.
[That was something, you had me holding my breath.]
[You're an AI Silane, you don't breathe.]
[My metaphorical breath, okay.]
[Alright, you know anyone else would be slamming their head into a wall by now. An AI with an attitude, how ridiculous.]
[Yes, I know how lucky I am. What now?]
[Well, I guess we're ready for the first year examinations, doesn't leave us with much to do at the Academy though. Should we head back to Balin? See how Mother and Father are doing?]
[Yes we should. Mother and Father, hmm that sounds nice.]
Meanwhile, in the Nobles' Quarter of Trinquile, a blackbird flew into the window of a room in one of the finest taverns of Trinquile. It perched on the shoulder of a man with ashen skin. Swirling black mist swirled around the ankles of his tall leather boots.
"Hmmm, an excursion to the Fidour mountains, and he defeated a Cave Lion so easily, that is curious. Aright, head back towards the Academy and alert me if he leaves the city. I guess master was right about him after all."