"Princess, what are mages?" Wyge asked.
"We are the ones who break the rules, we bend the world to our will, that is the essence of a mage," Daniela replied, half excitedly.
"Are you writing a poem?" Wyge replied letting out a small giggle.
"Am I wrong?" Daniela replied, her hands arms crossed.
"That wasn't wrong, but the answer is never fixed. The perspective of a mage can change from person. For example," Wyge spoke as she placed a hand on her chest, "my own experiences have given me a different perspective on magic and how I value everything around me."
"My perspective, I need to find my perspective, right?" Daniela exclaimed.
"You don't need to find it, princess, it's always there. Look back and think of your life so far," Wyge explained politely.
"Is perspective important?" Daniela asked. I think so, but even with Daniela's memories I can't learn of it unless I experience it myself.
"It is. This isn't something only us mages have to search for. Even martial artists face such an ordeal."
"They too need to find a perspective?" Daniela probed.
"No, they have to understand what martial arts are to them, but that's all I know. It's not something I can experience," Wyge stated.
"So, I need to find it as soon as I can," Daniela spoke as she rubbed her chin.
"No need to hurry, because if the perspective you believe you have found isn't how you truly see, then it's useless," Wyge cautioned.
"Alright I understand," Daniela nodded, more determined.
"Onto the main lesson—"
"Spellcasti—"
Ahem "Mana flow and pathway construction," Wyge clarified.
"Aww, I thought I'd learn spells today," Daniela sighed in disappointment.
"Really? Without the basics, the spells aren't even activating."
"But I could use Aurelios Burst without any difficulty.
"It's the most basic spell, that's equivalent to walking" Wyge replied flatly. "Here eat this." Wyge said as she handed a black pill over to Daniela.
Without hesitation she swallows the pill.
"The consumption should have been slow and gradual... prepare for the backlash," Wyge advised Daniela as she stepped back.
"What do—" Huh, what's this, is time slowing down? I can see everything much slower than they are, and what is this cool feeling of something flowing? Is this mana, this feels so good.
"Pr...inc...ess, ar...e you... alrigh...t?"
I can hear her in slow mo, should I try controlling mana? Daniela closed her eyes and braced herself as she tried to get a feel for the cold energy within her. It's moving all through me, should I focus it in any specific spot? Breath in, breath out, Huh? It's all moving towards the heart.
"Are you okay, princess?" Wyge leaned in as she placed her hand on Daniela's shoulder.
"That was quite the ride," Daniela replied as she shook her head clearing her thoughts.
"That was a mana pill meant to be consumed slowly. The sudden burst of energy doesn't really affect anyone but for princess who has always ignored mana training... well that happens."
Daniela narrowed her eyes, "it's not bad, right?"
"If the mana didn't flow right, you could have possibly had a mana feedback and shut down right here."
"Oh, it's bad," Daniela sighed. "I'll be more careful next time."
"That's why we need to create a better mana pathway," Wyge said as she tapped her Vördr. A blue hologram of a human body appeared, with bright yellow lines running through it, converging at key points marked in white.
"The whites are meridians, right?" Daniela queried.
"Yea, and the yellow are the pathways. Now we just need to find the perfect pathway for you, princess."
"So, are we going to make a build?"
"Yes. I have been doing some research and found one that even beginner mages can use."
"Ooh, an original. So am I your first victim?" Daniela teased.
"It seems so," Wyge chuckled. "I wasn't able to use this myself since I went with my family's technique but this is derived from it."
"Derived? How so?"
"The one I used went along with the Steinfeld family talent, Reflux. But this follows only the basic principle behind it. The build itself is different."
"Yeah, makes sense."
"Please be patient, and this is one that could help my lady the best because of your talent, I have it all."
I have it all, a semi-A-grade talent that grants the user access to the four basic elements; Terra, Aqua, Pyro and Ventus, Daniela thought. "But how can you create a construct for someone with a talent like mine?"
"Knowledge, research and Enlightenment."
"Enlightenment. Having become a four-star, what kind of enlightenment did you achieve?"
"I can't explain it, it's like..."
"Is it linked to the perspective of a mage?"
"Mm, Yes, it is. But all I can tell you princess, is the epiphany I experience won't be similar to anyone else's," Wyge answered softly.
"So back to the topic, my construct?" Daniela promoted.
"Yes, this will be the one for you princess," Wyge replied as she slid her fingers on the Vördr's screen and the hologram changed.
"This is the construct?" Daniela probed.
"Yes," Wyge spoke as she pointed to the abdomen of the hologram. "From the Dan Tian to the brain, move down to the heart and the lung meridians which will help you manipulate mana via your breathing and oxygen intake. This is where the real work begins."
"So, after this do I guide the mana into the pericardium and end at the ren meridian?"
"Yes, that's the gist of it, but in order to receive a proper output there is one more step, and that is the governing vessel."
"I get it, I start off by bringing the mana from the Dan Tian to my brain for processing then move to the heart and lungs for circulation," Daniela recapped. "From here to the pericardium and ren for stability and precision and finally the governing vessel for an output."
"Let's get to it shall we," Wyge spoke as she stepped behind Daniela, placing a hand on her back. "I'll follow the circulation, try to control the flow through these paths."
"Already? My control isn't great."
"Don't worry, I'll imbue some of my own mana to guide it through the right path."
Daniela begins after closing her eyes, Sense the mana in the dantian and move it u—, her thoughts were cut off by Wyge's words
"Princess, breathe. Without breathing it's not going to work."
Daniela gives a resolute nod, Alright breath in... breath out... Now feel the mana. I can feel it. It's like a liquid I can control.
She's pretty slow. Even with talent, if she did not train with mana she would have a difficult time, maybe I should nudge it a bi—, huh? What's this reaction?
I can feel it, it's cool, this feels great.
"That's it princess, now let it flow to your heart," Wyge encouraged.
Imagine a waterfall, and let it flow.
"Slowly, there is no need to rush, you must be imagining a waterfall but that is wrong because a waterfall lets the water down without restraint, instead think of a dam and how it lets out water in a controlled manner."
"Dam, got it," Daniela repeated, her eyes still closed.
"Now let it flow, but just enough, not too much not too little."
A sense of euphoria washed over Daniela as the mana filled her heart, This feels great.
"Now spread it to your lungs."
"I'll try."
Huh, not again. The spike in her mana is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Did she always have such a large supply of mana? She won't be able to control it properly.
"Wyge, Wyge?"
"Yes?" Wyge replied as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"It failed," Daniela replied sheepishly.
"It's alright we'll try again in a few minutes, take a break."
_________________________
Why did I get dragged along? Finn thought to himself.
A few moments ago...
"Are the dormitories for the kids open yet?" Jack asked, tucking his shirt in.
"Yes, they are. I'm guessing you want to take the boy along with you?" Shia replied, glancing at Finn. "Well anything for you Mr Jonathan."
"Yes, right kid?" Jack said with a grin.
"You want me to come along?" Finn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What're you going to do when I leave? Who's gonna protect the pale-looking kid when this old man leaves?" Jack replied mockingly.
"Ugh, What's up with you boomer?" Finn retorted, feigning disgust.
"Yeah, you better come with me kid."
"I need to go home and get my clothes."
"I'll buy you new clothes."
"I want to see my home one last time."
"You're not going to die, you can come back later."
"Just leave without me old man."
"You know I can't do that," Jack said with a smirk
"This is pretty cute but I have things to do back at the academy or my assistant is going to kill me," Shia cut in.
"Come with me Finn," Jack spoke as he held out his hand.
Bleh, "Fine I'll come, just stop with the drama," Finn grumbled.
"It's not bad getting used to the campus early on, I'd say this is a good chance to get yourself acquainted with some of the children at the academy. Even seniors," Shia added.
And that's how I ended up here.
"Coordinates confirmed, Nexarion receiver gate preparation complete. Initiate teleportation in four, three, two, one..."
...
"We're here, welcome to Nexarion."
"Whoa, this is..." Jack's words trailed off as his eyes widened, taking in the campus before him. The grounds were polished marble, the paths flanked by neatly placed lanterns and benches. The buildings were breathtaking, with multiple towers built together into an amazing architecture. Vibrant green grass stretched across the grounds, adding a natural touch to the otherwise polished space.
"Come on, really, is this all it takes to leave you speechless?" Finn jumped in.
"Why are you back to being an old man?"
"This is good, but come on the view outside Citrina beats this," Finn shrugged
"No way! You think a few trees and grasses can outshine this architectural marvel? This is pure art."
"Only the outside is clean, the inside is rotten," Finn commented as he glanced at Shia, their eyes meeting for a moment.
"Miss Shia," Templeton called out as he walked towards Shia.
"Mr Jonathan, Finn this is my assistant, Templeton," Shia introduced them as she gestured at Templeton.
"Mr Jonathan, a pleasure to finally meet you," Templeton spoke as he extended his hand towards Jack.
"The pleasures all mine," Jack accepted his hand in a firm handshake.
Templeton continued, "I've heard lots about you Mr Jonathan, the principal here wouldn't shut up about you, she would ramble on about how amazing you were."
"Are you talking about me?" Jack returned a glance as he looked confused.
"Who else?" Templeton chuckled. "Anyways you have a few visitors Mr Jonathan."
"Me?"
"Are you a goldfish, Mr Jonathan?"
"Hahaahaaa, he called you a pushover Jack," the count laughed out loud behind Jack.
Why are you always there to laugh at me? Jack thought as he glared at the count, before turning back to face Templeton, "Hehe, forgive me, I'm not used to such words and may I inquire about these visitors?"
"Let's just go meet them," Templeton gestured with a smirk, "they've been waiting for some time."
_________________________
"Calm down Hailee, why are you scared," the man spoke, his voice soothing.
"I know daddy, it's just... it's been so long since I've met him," Hailee replied, nervously biting her nail.
"Hey no biting nails," he gently reminded her.
"No fair, I'm not your little girl anymore."
"Does it matter? You're my big girl."
"Really?"
"You'll damage your nail if you do that."
"I'll take care of that."
"Why are you so nervous?"
"I don't know, it's just I still remember how he used to try and cheer me up when I was sad but then see him getting bullied by his brother, I'm scared if the Jonathan that protected me like his sister might be... gone."
Her father smiled softly, "I remember the frail little boy running up to me, he always had that smile on his face."
"Yes, that smile. He never stopped smiling when we were around."
"Well if you do remember them stop worrying."
"Yeah, I will."
...
"Hailee, remember the time he climbed up the tree for an orange?"
"Yeah, he was too scared to come down, do you think he still has a fear of heights?"
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
"I will."
"One more thing to talk about."
"Yes."
"So what are you going to do when you meet him first?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Is this going to be an emotional scene where my daughter runs up to him and hugs him and the two of you fall to the floor and wet his shirt with your tears?"
"Daddy, stop with the embarrassing talk! I did that to you one time."
"And then you'll proceed to wet his face with your tears."
"Ugh, What's wrong with you?"
"Your mother's been asking that for years, I wonder why?"
"Why are you wondering? You're broken in the head."
"Thanks."
"The only person who takes that as a compliment."
"Thank you again. Besides, that's just who I am."
KNOCK KNOCK
"They're here."
_________________________