I was a bit impressed—well, at that age, I guess it didn't take much to impress me—but that beautiful two-meter sword really left me in awe. Just holding it cracked the ground.
Professor Kuro began to explain how to handle mana:
This sword in my hands is the materialized form of my soul. If my mana reaches zero, it will disappear, – explained Professor Kuro.
My sister Nora must have been very curious, as she was the first to ask.
Professor, if this is your soul, what happens if it breaks or cracks? – For a child her age, she was quite intelligent.
I would die. As I said: this is my soul. Anything that happens to it, I would also suffer such damage, – replied Professor Kuro.
Then, the professor chose one of us, and of course, he picked my brother Heith to demonstrate first, as he controlled his mana precisely from a young age.
"Heith: A snobbish boy but with talent. The tallest among the children his age, with his blue eyes that frightened any child who feared his clan, not to mention his short black hair."
Close your eyes, Heith, feel your soul, and then feel your energy, – explained Professor Kuro.
Suddenly, a blue aura emanated from Heith; he looked like he was wet, there was definitely something thick surrounding his body.
Now, extend your hand, imagine something you can use as a weapon, and give shape to your mana, – said Professor Kuro.
Then, some photons of light started to gather in his hand, and it took the form of a bow—a long black bow that I had never seen before in those days.
So your mana is black, just like everyone from your family, – revealed Professor Kuro.
What do you mean, sir Kuro? – retorted Heith.
You've been training mana control for so long and no one ever told you? Then I'll explain it to you. Pay attention, everyone. Mana has two singularities, it can be "Black" like our friend Heith's, or it can be "Light", – explained the "Old" Kuro.
What does this have to do with our family? – asked Nora, who seemed very curious—poor girl with all the questions.
I've trained many Shisui, and they all had black mana. This is a peculiar trait of your lineage, but of course, there have been exceptions, – replied Professor Kuro while looking down and stroking his long beard.
Then, Professor Kuro called Nora to the arena, and Nora performed the same steps as her brother Heith.
Is this how it's done, professor? – asked Nora, she seemed so focused, yet she was failing. It was really difficult.
Focus, you're almost there, – replied Kuro.
In that moment, Nora concentrated all her mana in her left hand until a long, thin sword materialized. It resembled a needle.
I was impressed; that sword was beautiful—or could I say, it was Nora's soul?
I've never seen anything like this, but it's very beautiful. Congratulations, you executed it perfectly. – said Professor Kuro.
As soon as Nora left the arena, I was called by the professor.
Come on, Zenoir, give it your best – little did he know, my mana control was nonexistent. In fact, I had never tried to feel the mana inside me. – Just like your other siblings, feel your soul, feel its energy, and try to concentrate it in your hand, – said Professor Kuro.
It seemed easy watching, but when I tried to do the same, I realized it was much harder than it looked. I wondered if there was some "trigger" I could use to feel this so-called "Mana."
I closed my eyes and tried for several minutes, focused as much as I could, and nothing happened.
After a while, the professor dismissed me from the arena to continue my mana training, but as I looked from afar, I noticed that everyone managed to materialize something... except me.
"I felt anguished. Trying with all your might and failing? It's a horrible feeling." - I thought at that moment.
Time passed, maybe months, I had lost track of time, and I still hadn't progressed with the mana training, until one night, someone called me at the dormitory.
Wake up, Zeno, there's someone calling for you outside the dorm, – said Heith while waking me up.
But I think I already knew what it was about. Good things never happen to me, right? A guard was waiting for me outside the dormitory, and as soon as he saw me, he came toward me and said.
Boy, come to your family's mansion, the Lord wants to see you, – said the guard, who didn't even seem to be wearing armor.
I felt like something was wrong...
To be continued...