Raziel started scratching his chin with a thoughtful expression while analyzing the broken tree, recalling the mana theory he had studied over the past two days.
He learned that mana in this world is a type of energy that operates differently from the other two types.
Those born with a natural aptitude for mana are taught how to efficiently absorb, store, and release it.
Novice mana users typically possess an low capacity to absorb and store mana, which can be enhanced by increasing their Mana Circles.
The Mana Circles are blue circles that spin around a mana user's heart without touching each other, and the more circles you have, the stronger you become.
Theoretically, increasing Mana Circles isn't a difficult task for mana users. They simply need to create another circle spinning independently, without touching the existing ones, while ensuring it remains connected to the heart.
But to achieve this feat, your mind must be in a relaxed state, your mana reserves must be sufficient to generate another circle, and your heart must be able to support the number of circles you desire to attain. Because if you don't meet any of the requirements and try to force another circle on your heart, it will just stop, and of course, you will die.
The benefits for mages with more Mana Circles include greater destructive power, increased mana storage, and faster spell release, as they can shorten recitations to launch magic more quickly.
For a mana user to shorten their recitations, they must have at least four Mana Circles and possess a very high mastery in a specific element or spell. This means only capable mages can achieve such a feat, potentially reaching higher classes.
If someone tries to shorten a recitation without meeting these requirements, they will only experience slight discomfort in their mana absorption, and the spell will not be activated.
Because he didn't meet either of these conditions, Raziel tried to think of something that could help him understand how he achieved such a feat.
"That was so fucking cool! How did you do that, little master?" Eve asked excitedly while approaching Raziel, who maintained a thoughtful expression.
Raziel just sighed and glanced at Eve, who was holding a plate piled with cookies.
"I have no idea," he said while picking one to eat.
Eve stared at him in confusion while chewing another cookie, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's.
After Raziel finished eating, he stepped away from Eve and began reciting another simple earth spell.
Again, before he could finish reciting, a three-meter-tall earthen wall appeared in front of him.
This made him recall that the original Raziel always needed to complete the recitations to use magic, so why were things different now?
This led him to form several theories, with the one he believed made the most sense being that when the system granted him the capacity to use aura, his body somehow underwent a mutation, giving him the ability to cast spells without needing to complete recitations.
It was still too early for him to confirm this, but if it were the case, things would be both dangerous and interesting at the same time.
"Hey Raziel, how can you use magic without finishing your recitations? Even Master Cyntia still can't do that so smoothly!" Eve asked curiously while tugging at his shirt.
When the girl was about to ask again, Raziel picked up her plate of cookies, set it on the ground, and then suddenly grabbed her shoulders tightly, gazing deeply into her icy blue right eye.
Eve is strong enough to break free from Raziel, but the intense look on his handsome, villainous face causes her to freeze, a slight pinkish hue appearing on her cheeks.
"L-little master, w-what are you doing?" the girl asked timidly, trying to maintain her composure.
"Eve!" Raziel exclaimed, tightening his grip.
"Y-YES!" she shouted nervously at his calling her name.
"I know that my father sent you to spy on me and reveal everything I'm doing, but please don't tell anyone about it," Raziel said, his tone pleading.
Eve, already surprised, widened her right eye in shock. She had never expected him to know the true reason for her presence there.
"H-how d-did you know I was sent to s-spy on you?" she asked, trembling and fearing that he might hate her for it.
"It doesn't matter how I know, but don't worry, I don't hate you for doing this. I understand it was my father's order. Just promise me that if you report anything to him, you won't mention what you've seen here."
Raziel was genuinely concerned about his father discovering his newfound "ability". Mikael would undoubtedly make a fuss in the capital, putting him in the spotlight as the young genius among geniuses capable of using spells without finishing recitations, bringing a lot of unnecessary attention.
The truth is, he just didn't want to be forced into becoming a bargaining chip by his father, who would try to use him to gain benefits from other families.
"But if I tell Master Mikael, he's going to love this news," Eve said, not understanding why Raziel didn't want her to share such good news with his father.
"I know, but I want to make it a surprise. So, can you keep it a secret for now?" Raziel asked, looking deeply into her right eye.
She tried to say something, but no words came out. Defeated, the girl simply nodded her head in agreement.
"Thank you, Eve. I owe you one!" Raziel said with genuine gratitude.
He then released his grip on Eve's shoulders, picked up her plate of cookies, and handed it back to her, flashing a sweet smile that had a hint of a manic gleam, resembling someone staring at their prey.
With that, Raziel resumed his training, asking Eve to alert him if Clarice approached the backyard. She agreed happily, giving a thumbs-up while sitting in a chair near the door with her legs crossed, munching on some cookies.
A few hours later, Raziel, having finished his training, was now relaxing in a bathtub. As he soaked in the warm water, he reflected on the tests he had conducted earlier to better understand how magic truly worked.
Some doubts were answered, while others remained unresolved. What surprised him the most, however, was confirming that he really didn't need to recite anything at all. As long as he truly intended to execute a spell, simply thinking about it was enough for it to work.
In his view, this was incredibly useful, and he hadn't even started training aura yet. With Eve around, it would be difficult, but he thought renting a private room in the school's training facilities might make it possible.
After finishing his bath, Raziel went to the kitchen to grab a bite before heading to his room for some much-needed rest.
When he arrived, Eve was already there. Just like in the morning, she served him while Clarice watched with a neutral smile, giving Raziel a strong sense of déjà vu.
In his room, he decided to lay down on his bed to rest a little, but he quickly fell asleep, feeling how comfortable his bed was.
***
It was already morning when Raziel opened his eyes, still feeling a little exhausted from yesterday's training. Even though he didn't exercise physically, using mana consumes a lot of stamina for mages with low Mana Circles like him.
Before he could get up to follow his normal routine, with the exception of not going to the academy due to it being weekend, Raziel noticed a slight heavy feeling coming from under his white blanket.
As he slowly lifted the blanket, a gracious vision greeted his eyes. He noticed someone with very familiar long orange hair resting on his stomach, their smooth white arms tightly wrapped around his waist like a sloth embracing a branch on a tree.
The person clinging to him and sleeping so peacefully like an angel was Eve, which prompted Raziel to remove the blanket completely, revealing what she was wearing.
She was wearing a light blue nightgown that was soft and flowy, perfect for a cozy night in. The lace details at the top gave it a nice, easygoing touch.
Eve, noticing Raziel's movements, woke up as well. She stretched and yawned, freeing her arms from his waist.
"Oh, it's morning already?" Eve asked, appearing to be still half asleep.
"Yes, it is. But let me ask you something... why are you sleeping on my bed?" Raziel asked with a curious expression.
As he spoke, he remembered that this was somewhat of a normal occurrence for them however, he still wanted see what she would say.
"I came to your room yesterday to wake you up, but when I saw you sleeping so peacefully, I felt tired myself and decided to stay here," she explained, rubbing her eyes.
Raziel then gave her an understanding look, reflecting on the contrast between her innocent behavior and her reputation as a dangerous assassin responsible for cleaning up his family's mess in the underworld.
'I have no reason to be mad at her. After all, I'm still a man, and I've even fantasized about something similar, so why not enjoy it?'
As Raziel thought about the situation, he took a quick glance at her chest, noticing that she was more developed than he had imagined.
Suddenly, he felt another part of himself waking up as well. To avoid any misunderstandings, he quickly jumped out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom, which was inside his room.
Eve tilted her head, not understanding the reason for his sudden reaction. She even felt a bit sad, thinking that she might have upset him somehow.
But poor Raziel didn't notice what he did as he took a cold shower trying to calm his fully woke-up friend.