"What do you mean?" Aena asked confusedly. Although she knew Cassidy wasn't someone who lied—she didn't need to—her claims were simply too far-fetched. As Instructor Wilowsage had mentioned during the first lesson, one's mana signature never changed; it could become denser or structured more complexly, but the fundamental nature was indelible.
"Well… " Cassidy swallowed. She looked truly baffled by the situation, her impassive demeanor broken.
"Last time, when I felt your mana, it was different from any other I've felt before." She closed her mouth and pondered for a moment. "It was… cool and soothing, nothing like the crass dominance radiated by other mages' mana."
Aena was surprised once again. If her words were true, then that was awfully surprising. Since Cassidy was immersed in privilege her entire life, she must've been exposed to many venerable teachers and correspondingly, their mana signatures.
"I'll never forget such a wonderful feeling," Cassidy said, pinkness flushing her face as she realized what she just said.
"What about this time?" Aena pressed.
"It felt rejuvenating," Cassidy said. Seeing the blank look on Aena's face, she continued.
"Performing mana circulation together helps sense each other's movement and get a precise feel for your own mana."
"But yours felt like it was nourishing my own, guiding my mana towards normally inaccessible areas. It didn't feel like it was within my own meridians," Cassidy stated.
Aena soaked in Cassidy's words. That was the most she had heard the girl say in a single breath. 'It did feel especially different today,' she thought to herself. But what could've caused it? This was an abnormal phenomenon that broke the preexisting theories of magic.
Ever since the rise of the new age, there hadn't been a single case where a mage's mana signature changed, as far as she knew. Or Cassidy, for that matter.
Seeing that Aena and Cassidy were quietly speaking to each other, Instructor Willowsage rushed over.
"Is something the matter?" she asked worriedly.
"No, nothing much," Aena quickly replied. "It's just that my mana feels different."
"Oh?" Instructor Willowsage said, raising an eyebrow.
"Is the item I gave you already taking effect?" Aena vividly remembered the potion that she had been gifted. The one that caused her to pass out. Aena shuddered remembering the terrible pain.
"Strange. It shouldn't have shown such an immediate effect," Instructor Willowsage said, her index finger lightly tapping her chin.
"Can you hold your hand out?" she offered a hand to Aena which she took, not making the mistake of shaking it this time.
Aena felt mana beginning to accumulate at her fingertips and closed her eyelids.
Instructor Willowsage's mana differed from Cassidy's. It was also dense, but hidden within Aena felt an innate power, like a sleeping beast waiting to be unleashed. 'So this is what an experienced mage is like," Aena thought in awe. She never had the opportunity to see a mage in reality, let alone interact with one.
Comparing the variance of Instructor Willowsage's mana and Cassidy's between her own, she realized just how unordinary her mana actually was. While their mana held many corollaries, Aena's had a whole other form. On top of that, it apparently could evolve into a higher form.
Closing her eyes, Aena began to sink into the familiar trance, just to be jostled awake again. Instructor Willowsage abruptly pulled away her hands in a hasty motion. Aena got a feeling of deja vu. When Aea opened her eyes, she could see the same shock in her eyes. Wait… there was also a hint of something else… was that… recognition? It was so fleeting that Aena couldn't be certain of what she saw.
"I see what you mean," Instructor Willowsage said solemnly.
"Was it like this for you too?" she turned to Cassidy, who nodded in affirmation.
An ashen expression fell upon Instructor Willowsage's beautiful face. She tapped her slender fingers along the desk in a brisk staccato, her eyes unfocused in thought.
Aena grew tense at the action. Was it that bad? That was definitely not a good sign.
Noticing her trepidation, Instructor Willowsage offered an explanation.
"Don't worry, this won't negatively impact your magical progress in any way," she said, giving a forced smile.
"In fact, it will help," she said positively. Aena stiffened. 'What's the condition? Where's the but? It's not like I'll have to eat rocks or something, right?'
"But… you must never tell anyone," she said seriously, placing her hands on Aena's shoulders.
Aena nodded and didn't prod any further—while she was surprised at the sudden situation, she knew better than to share topics she didn't have the full purview of. At least she didn't have to look into any rock cuisines. Additionally, from Instructor WIllowsages actions, it didn't seem like a matter she could pry into easily, or should even try to.
She doubted even Emmy would have the ability to covertly uncover information that even a reputable instructor was wary of. Not that she would tell the girl. She was certain that Emmy wasn't the kind of person to arbitrarily share sensitive information, but then again, they had just met a short while ago. It was better to stay on the safe side.
"It would be wise to hide your powers," Instructor Willowsage suggested, interrupting Aena from her thoughts.
"Yes." Aena understood the implicit message. They were still in a classroom, so they couldn't discuss openly, but the underlying meaning was one with layers of information.
If someone happened to hear it—which didn't seem very plausible because they wouldn't unless they were actively eavesdropping—they would just assume that she had strong mana or a small advantage in terms of talent. Everyone appeared to be in deep concentration with only a tenuous hold on reality.
Instructor Willowsage's words alluded that there were people who would actively pursue her if she was exposed. She didn't know who—magicians, politicians, researchers, she shuddered at the last one—but whatever the reason, the academy's strength wasn't enough to stop them. Or maybe the academy was just another entity, and Aena had been nice enough to serve herself right up to them, a meal on a silver platter.
Instructor Willowsage turned to look at Cassidy. The words were unsaid, but Cassidy got the meaning. As expected of her.
"Of course," she replied.
"Good." Instructor Willowsage smiled in approval.
"See me after class," she said before returning to the front of the classroom leaving Aena with unanswered questions.