Aena could easily feel the mana within her body, but seeing the faces of her peers, she was taken aback by their apparent difficulties. She had expected them to struggle somewhat, but above all, they were still generational talents. Contrary to her expectations, Aena was surrounded by contorted faces and grimaces. Some students even had visible beads running down their pale faces as they strained their senses.
Aena then curiously turned her face sideways towards the girl seated beside her. Cassidy had a calm expression on her face as usual, but Aena thought that it looked a bit more relaxed, almost serene. As expected of the best.
Aena tried to assimilate the feeling into her soul as she tried to sense that latent vigor in her body again. This time, she kept her eyes open.
After a while, she was able to get a natural grasp on the natural flow of her mana.
"Good. Now try to gently circulate the mana around your body. Pay attention to the paths it travels and the channels of divergence."
Everyone who had mana in their bodies was able to intuitively circulate and manifest mana, but not everyone had the innate talent to sense the mana itself. Circulating her mana, Aena realized that the mana was being expended, and an immensely pleasurable sensation flooded her body; it felt as if she was being caressed by a warm glow.
Aena reveled in the sensation for a while and following that focused on the movement of mana. She was surprised to discover that mana flowed within her blood vessels along with her blood. She had heard they traveled through "meridians," separate channels formed specifically for the travel of mana.
'Interesting,' she muttered. Perhaps the specially structured pathways would only open up when actively manipulating mana.
Aena recognized how the class would be able to significantly boost her magical abilities. Just by meditating in this way, her meridians would be strengthened incomparably as she focused on the feeling as opposed to circulating mana mindlessly.
Instructor Willowsage looked at the class approvingly as she saw some students successfully following her advice.
"Great! You've all now achieved the basics of spiritual attunement. Next, please hold hands with your partner, facing each other. Concentrate the circulation of your mana into your palms and funnel it into each other."
Aena didn't see why such an action was necessary, but she reluctantly held out her hands for Cassidy. The girl looked at her, and simply took her hands without protest. Aena was glad the girl wasn't so pretentious as to oppose the professor, but she couldn't help her hands from sweating as they were being held roughly by Cassidy's hands.
Even with their awkwardly clasping hands, Aena couldn't help but notice the texture of Cassidy's hands. She had long delicate fingers that looked fairy-like, but the fairness was juxtaposed by rough callouses that rubbed against the back of her hands.
Aena could roughly deduce that Cassidy at the very least was a front-row combatant.
Listening to the instructor's words, Aena carefully began pouring her mana into their outstretched hands. She could feel mana flowing from her hands, and conversely, she could also detect a foreign force trying to enter her body.
"Don't resist the force, and let the opposing mana slowly flow into you," Instructor Willowsage advised.
Aena loosened her body and let Cassidy's mana flow in through her right hand while she did the same through her left hand.
She mentally examined the other mana flowing into her with detail and first observed how it felt inherently different from her own. Aena knew that each person's mana was different—influenced by a variety of factors like genetics and affinities—but this was her first time directly examining someone else's.
Cassidy's mana moved slowly, like thick sludge, but it was exceedingly dense, packed with terrifying power. It was very enigmatic compared to Aena's smooth-flowing mana. If Cassidy's mana could be compared to a rich, fragrant syrup, Aena's could be described as a revitalizing shot of citrus.
Everyone spent a few more moments experiencing this odd state. They were suddenly broken out of the dream-like trance by the piercing claps of Instructor Willowsage.
Aena quickly jerked upright, fluttering her eyelids open.
"As you might have felt, each mage has a unique mana trace that serves as their identity. By effectively circulating mana together, you can get a clearer sense of the properties of your own mana. Additionally, the flow of unfamiliar mana will enable your body to become more proficient in adapting to mana movement."
Aena paid rapt attention; she was fascinated by such an interesting and beneficial technique. As she was absorbed in Instructor Willowsage's explanation, she felt tugging from her hands. Looking down, she finally realized that she was tightly grasping Cassidy's hand.
'Ah.'
"Are you going to let go?" Cassidy tilted her head to one side and asked.
"Y-Yes, sorry," Aena stuttered out, turning her head away quickly. The tips of her ears were red.
Cassidy thankfully didn't seem to be displeased, but it was impossible to tell with that face of hers.
Aena saw that Instructor Willowsage was sending a stern look their way, and Aena unconsciously sat up straighter.
"As I said, the principle of this exercise is similar to dual cultivation."
Aena was again shaken to the core by this bombshell. What?!? Dual Cultivation?! THAT Dual Cultivation?!?! Could her perception of the technique be wrong? Was it not what she thought it was? Did this mean that the exercises would eventually lead to… that?
"We will continue to practice such exercises in the future, but please do not practice this method outside of class… as there are certain caveats that require expert supervision."
Caveats? Supervision?
Aena couldn't help but blush furiously at that statement. Flashes of future scenes flipped through her mind. Sneaking a few glances around her, she noticed that everyone else remained impassive.
'What? Why is everyone so carefree about such topics?' She knew she wasn't thoroughly educated in prurient matters, but she felt that this was too extreme.
It was clear that she had made a big misunderstanding, but she couldn't figure out where it lay. And since she didn't know anyone besides Cassidy, she didn't have anyone to ask at the moment.
Aena didn't like not knowing something. It was one thing to be ignorant, but it was another thing to have a question but not know the answer. A question like that would devour other thoughts with a vicious hunger until she couldn't concentrate.
The class ended with Aena feeling more than a little bothered.