Haneul Yoon:
"Just don't dirty my sweater up or anything."
Mujin Daeho:
"I won't."
Haneul Yoon:
"Okay, well I'll wait out here."
Mujin Daeho:
"Right."
"I'll be at the dorm when you're finished."
Haneul resumed his place in line, while Mujin strolled away down the large hallways.
Mujin Daeho(INT):
"?"
Suddenly, Haneul felt a tickle at the back of his neck, a feeling of being watched. He turned his head, and he immediately recognized the same violet-eyed girl with the same soft smirk on her face from days ago, staring back at him before slowly disappearing around a corner.
He felt a slight uneasiness from the violet-eyed girl even after she disappeared from around the corner. He narrowed his eyes, shaking off the feeling, before resuming his walk back to the dormitories.
Timeskip(½ Hours Later).
Somewhere within the mountains.
On a cold, damp and misty morning, amid grassy and rocky mountains enveloped by trees, a group of first-year students, accompanied by a professor, gathered near an open space with a large lake and a beautiful waterfall. The professor stood with his hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture and his eyes closed.
The students stood silently, awkwardly looking at the professor. While everyone appeared quite bored and increasingly impatient with the professor, who seemed to be meditating, Mujin was unbothered and continued to wait.
Huo Hao(INT):
"Please please please! Just start! You're killing me here!"
Hei'an Wu(INT):
"What the hell is up with this old fart?"
"I can't tell if he's still meditating, or his wrinkly ancient heart bailed on him."
Kagetsuki Aya & Kang Daewon(INT):
"Can this old man hurry already?! It's so cold out here!"
Kaimana Kuro(INT):
"Y'know... I feel like it's time for me to have a little ol' nap."
"This rocky ground... will work..."
*Yawn*
Ren quickly but silently tapped Kuro on her forehead, startling her awake. Then, Ren whispered loudly to her.
Sato Ren:
"Kuro! Stop trying to fall asleep!"
"You just had eight hours of sleep, and then an hour nap just before!"
Kuro sighed tiredly, then Ren and Tokiko helped her stand up straight. Haneul shivered, hugging himself for warmth, the air so chilly that their breaths became almost visible.
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"It's a bit cold out here, I should've brought my jacket."
And then suddenly, the professor took a breath, then exhaled. He stood upright, opening his eyes to look at the class.
Professor Heonil:
"Thank you and good morning, students."
"I am Rayan Tasneem, your professor for the time being."
Chiara Ricci:
"Uh– uhm, sorry, sir? Why do we have to be out here? I– it's super cold..."
Professor Tasneem:
"Hm? Well it's the best time for us to be out here, the cold and damp weather is great for the mana around us."
Aya whispers to Daewon.
Kagetsuki Aya:
"Psst! Daewon! Is that true?"
Kang Daewon:
"Not that I know, but he seems like one of those spiritual nut heads, so probably not?"
Professor Tasneem:
"Now! Today's lesson will focus on exploring the basics and techniques involving the utilization of mana."
"Whether for combat or other purposes."
"As of now, we're going to understand how to direct and control our mana to a specific area of our bodies in order to enact—"
With a simple motion, he raised his fist to the level of his face. The inner surfaces of his arm and fist ignited with a mergence of beautiful hues: white, blue, light blue, and bright blue. The outer areas of his arm emanated with frosty vapor.
Professor Tasneem:
"Physical Imbueation."
Mujin's interest piqued, Wu's attention drawn as he straightened from his relaxed stance against the rock. The rest of the class looked at the professor, in excitement.
Ayumi Tokiko:
"Finally."
Huo Hao:
"So cool!"
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"Woah, so this is what Physical Imbueation looks like from up close? Normally it would come up in a flash and then it's gone."
"Now that I look at it, it's abit different than what Suhohja and Shi's P.I looks like."
Haneul Yoon:
"Uhm, professor? How come yours looks different?"
Professor Tasneem:
"?"
"What do you mean?"
Haneul Yoon:
"I mean, your P.I is glowing from the inside."
Professor Tasneem:
"Oh, it's quite easy to explain, really."
"You see, this—"
With a smooth gesture, he raised his fist to the level of his face, the surface of his forearm and fist glowing a light blue color. And cold vapor emanated, even more densely than before.
Professor Tasneem:
"Is False Physical Imbueation."
Kagetsuki Aya & Kang Daewon:
"Cool! Uh–"
"...What's the difference?"
Professor Tasneem:
"Well, the false version merely layers potential damage over your skin, and it consumes large amounts of MP."
"While the real one, greatly enhances the strength of a body part by utilizing natural and personal mana reserves, without wasting any of it."
The magic emanating from his fist and forearm dissipates, and he lowers his arm.
Mujin Daeho(INT):
"Interesting."
"So that sparks of lightning from my fists back when I was fighting that brat and his girlfriends, wasn't true Physical Imbueation."
"And yet my false version still did alot of damage to that mutt pretty severely."
Ayumi Tokiko:
"Hey, Professor, I heard that P.I can also come out of nowhere amidst fights, why is that?"
Professor Tasneem:
Well of course, P.I is a technique that generally requires a great amount of focus and control over one's mana."
"When a person is highly focused during a fight, their mana can sometimes instinctively respond to their thoughts, leading to the use of the technique in surprising situations."
"Though, once you have learned how to use Physical Imbueation and have become accustomed to it—"
"it will become second nature to channel mana into specific body parts, making it an natural ability rather than a conscious effort."
Kaimana Kuro(INT):
*Groan*
"All I heard was talking, and more talking."
"I might aswell fall asleep right here, right now."
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"Okay, well I totally got none of that."
Haneul Yoon:
"Well, sir..."
"How do you actually control and direct mana in general?"
Professor Tasneem:
"Well, I was just about to get into it."
Haeun Ara(INT):
"Yeah, maybe after another twenty minutes of nonstop blabber."
Professor Tasneem:
"Who here, out of everyone in this class, is the most proficient in mana control?"
The class stood silent, all exchanging looks at eachother and debating in internal contemplation. Then, Mujin lifted his hand and straightened up from leaning on the boulder.
Mujin Daeho:
"I'd say, it's Shi."
"From what I've seen, he is the first one out of all us who is closest to attaining true P.I."
Yan Shi:
"?"
Huo Hao:
"That's true! He would've probably killed Tokiko if it weren't for the bell!"
Ayumi Tokiko:
"Yeah..."
Hei'an Wu:
"Tch, it's whatever."
"But I can admit, he is the most impressive in this class."
Professor Tasneem:
"Well then, Mr. Shi."
"Please step forward and face your class."
Shi sighs softly, stepping closer to the lake. He joins the professor's side and turns to face everybody.
Professor Tasneem:
"The words I'll share with you may seem complicated upon hearing them, but you will surely know the meaning upon my explanation."
"For the sake of illustration, I shall use Mr. Shi here as an example."
"First, raise your fists. That's where we'll be directing our mana to."
The class stood firm, lifting their fists to eye level.
Professor Tasneem:
"Now, imagine what I say."