After ending the classes on the same day, I went back to my dorm room. Forming a mana vessel has become a priority because if I don't then people will soon start looking for trouble with me.
I didn't want to rush before, as there were high chances that I might fail, however, I was feeling impatient after today...
The way everyone kept looking at me was infuriating just like the last time.
Mana is like blood flowing through your veins that is the reason why not everyone can form a vessel, Only people with the blood of a mage family can form a vessel.
However, there are also some cases where people who are blessed by a deity, can form a vessel and become mages.
The current Patriarch, even in my previous life was sure that I was not the son of my father who along with my mother was killed by a mysterious enemy.
' If anything, in this life I don't want to be ridiculed for that...I am an Augustine.'
I tried channelling my mana but it wasn't flowing as planned.
' Damnit without a vessel, it's hard...No, it's impossible.'
I stopped after realising that it was truly impossible...
' Last time she helped me, come to think of it...It was because she helped me form the mana vessel that I started hanging out with her and then also fell in love with her...I am never going to be like that ever again.'
I remember loving that person so much...and thinking about her now only made me feel disgusted.
' I need someone to help me...Someone who will not reveal my secret of having different types of mana...Should I ask Luna?'
I quickly dismissed the thought as I had been thinking about her a lot since the time I had regressed. She is a genuine person who might help me if I ask nicely...
But lately, I have been doubting whether getting closer is the right option or not. Maybe it's better to not approach her at all.
Having a close relationship with her, even as friends was too much to ask for...She has a vast amount of talent, enough to make her an Archmage which is a title given to the greatest mage in existence. Whereas, I am just somebody who is going to remain the average person, their entire life.
'...But who should I ask for help from?'
Just when I was thinking that the door of the dorm room opened and Davis walked inside. After taking off his shoes, he directly jumped on his bed.
" Hey, Watcha doing?" I shouted because he left his shoes in the middle of the room.
I got up and kicked them under his bed and then went to sit on my bed again.
"...Weird, You are not studying today?" Davis spoke and then added, " You didn't study yesterday as well, did something happen?"
" Nothing...I just feel tired nowadays."
" If it's about people talking bad about you, then simply ignore them. You can tell me if anyone tries to cross the line." Davis was a good friend...It was thanks to him that I was able to survive the academy despite being criticized by everyone in my previous life as well.
'...I forgot, he taught me 'How to not care about what others think?', Should I thank him for that?'
A smile appeared on my face and for a moment, I thought that I should ask Davis to help me...but will it be alright to trust him with something as delicate as my mana vessel.
" Hey, Davis." I started the conversation.
" Yeah?"
" How good are you at controlling your mana?"
" I am the worst, didn't you already know that?"
' Lier...You are one of the bests among anyone I know, Just why are you holding back.'
If Davis wasn't willing to even accept that he was good at controlling his mana then there was no need to ask him to do it. Come to think of it, he is hiding that fact even from his family for some reason.
" Why did you ask by the way?"
" Nothing."
" ...Come on, Tell me."
" Go to sleep...And don't set an alarm, I will wake you up myself."
" Alright, But no kicking."
. . . . . .
Part 2
" The Runes 'Sor' and 'Sac' aren't meant to be written together since they absorb opposite types of mana. That is why we use 'Roo' which absorbs a third type of mana that supplements both 'Sor' and 'Sac'..."
The professor explained the theory behind rune formation using the primary runes. I listened carefully despite knowing everything already.
" Ethan, Are you able to keep up with a lesson?" Suddenly the professor asked with a worried face.
" Yes sir," I replied.
"Then, why don't you have any doubts? Do you already know about all of the 53 runes?"
" Yes sir,"
" Then tell me, what are the seven primary runes of mana?"
This was an easy question that anybody would have been able to answer. It shows that the professor wasn't expecting much from me as his student. He just didn't want a student in his class to fail so he tried to at least care.
" The first is 'Sor' which represents mana originating from the deities associated with fire, stars, and galaxies."
" Second is 'Het' which represents mana originated from the deity associated with Sun."
" Third is 'Sac' that represents mana originating from the deities associated with ocean and thunderstorm."
" Fourth is 'Roo' that represents mana originating from the deity associated with Earth."
" Fifth is 'Tha' that represents mana originating from the deities associated with Sky and Medicine."
" Sixth is 'Tye' that represents mana originating from the deity associated with space."
" Seventh is 'Con' that represents mana originating from the deity associated with Happiness and Liberation."
I finished explaining the seven primary runes of mana, The Professor's expression and the way he looked at me changed.
" I apologise, for looking down on you even when you are the pure blood of the Augustine family. You must have been interested in runes even before coming to the academy...I thought you chose to study runes as a secondary option but your knowledge proves that you are truly passionate about this."
The professor was making it dramatic for me without any reason... which lead to many whispers in the class.
" Professor I have a question!" One student, in particular, rose from her desk. I gulped seeing who that girl was.
She sat on the opposite end of the class and looked at me from there without showing any signs of recognising me.
She was taller and skinnier than other girls, nobody would call this type of girl attractive. She had dark circles under her eyes and dishevelled blonde hair. Seeing her like this, I realised how hard she must have been working to learn magic. She looked physically tired but at the same time enthusiastic to learn for some reason.
" Yes, Luna." The professor spoke.
" When he explained the fifth rune 'Tha', he spoke about deities associated with Medicine. Is there such a deity?" She asked.
' Ah...I misspoke.'
Only a few mage families knew about all of the deities and it's supposed to be kept a secret from the ordinary students. I am sure the professor knows and being a member of the Augustine family, I also know.
"...I am sorry professor, I shouldn't have."
I apologize for putting him in this kind of situation. He will not answer but his image as a good teacher to every student will be shattered.
" Ethan, You don't have to apologise...I take the blame for it... And Luna, I will tell you about the deity that is associated with medicine...But it's not something that everyone is allowed to know, however since I believe that I am a good teacher, I will give you all an opportunity. Those who can create a basic illumination ring for me by the end of this week, I will tell it only to those students."
The professor cleverly avoided answering the question...Contrary to what I had expected the students were not dissatisfied.
' Even if the professor says he is going to take the blame...I fucked up big time.'
I regretted not thinking carefully before speaking.
The Class ended and Davis approached me with a sarcastic grin on his face.
" Good Luck Ethan..." He spoke.
' You bastard...How can you call yourself a friend?' I gnashed my teeth after seeing his expression.
. . . . . .
Part 3
The class ended and after eating the food from the canteen, I separated myself from Davis. It was weird that Janice didn't join us today and ate separately.
Maybe she didn't want to hang around me...what other reason could have been there? I didn't know but I was sure that Davis might hate me if Janice continues to ignore him because of me.
I roamed around the botanical corridor, to reach the alchemy class. One other student was walking in front of me...That was Luna. She has a bunch of books in her hand but despite that, she walked faster.
However soon she glanced behind and spotted me. Seeing me follow her she stopped...
" Why are you following me?" She warily spoke to me.
The girl looked tired...Just how much effort she puts into her studies to get those black circles.
" I am going to the alchemy class," I answered her.
" You are in that class? I have never seen you there before,".
"I've just recently changed classes...I didn't see you in that class yesterday. Your name is Luna, right?" I spoke and then added, " May I help you carry your luggage?"
" These are not luggage, these are books that we need in the alchemy class."
" How come? I was only told to carry this one." I replied.
"I need more and...Sorry, but I don't want others to touch my books." She refused and added. "Don't blame me because I am following what is the norm among the mages...I need to protect my knowledge too from getting stolen."
"Cute..." He chuckled and started to walk again. "Let's hurry otherwise we might be late for the Alchemy class."
I hoped that I didn't leave a bad impression on her, I wanted to help her as much as possible so that she can also have a better life this time...For A reason, I wasn't aware of.