"First things first, I am Professor Lars and would be referred to as such." The man said, his eyes sweeping over the rows of students.
He placed his hands on the desk at the front, and leaned forward with an air of authority that immediately commanded attention.
"Magical Theory is the cornerstone of your education here at Mythreach Academy." He said without preamble. "It is where you learn not only what you can do, but why you can do it."
Kai leaned back in his chair, turning his attention to the professor. He had been looking forward to this class. It wasn't everyday one gets to learn magic.
This would be where he'd get a better understanding of his abilities and how to wield them.
Professor Lars continued. "All humans are born with elemental affinities. These affinities determine your connection to the four primary elements."
"Fire, Water, Earth, and Air."
"While luck does have a part to play in determining what affinities each person will get, most of what you get can be attributed to your genetics. Your lineage, your bloodline, these are the primary factors."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"As you all already know, there are three levels of affinity. High, Mid, and Low. These levels signify the size of your elemental energy pool for each element."
"A High affinity means you have a large pool of energy for that element."
"Mid affinity indicates a moderate pool."
"And Low affinity represents a smaller one."
"Understand this. Your affinity level is fixed from the moment you are born. It does not grow, nor does it diminish. What you are born with is what you will have for the rest of your life."
Kai nodded to himself as he absorbed the information. So, the size of my energy pool for each element is already determined? I was hoping there was room for growth.
Professor Lars began pacing the podium, his hands clasped behind his back. There was a pin drop silence as every student was focused on him.
"Now, while your energy pool cannot change, it does replenish naturally over time. You may exhaust it during combat or spellcasting, but with rest, it will refill."
"This is both a blessing and a limitation. It means you can never permanently lose your magical energy, but it also means you must manage it wisely during prolonged combat."
He turned to the blackboard, picking up a piece of chalk and drawing four circles, each labeled with one of the elemental symbols.
For the fire symbol, it was a simple and stylized scribble of a fire.
For the water symbol, it was a teardrop.
For the earth symbol, it was a simple drawing of a tower.
And for the air symbol, it was a simple scribble of a whirlwind.
Beneath them, he wrote the words 'High,' 'Mid,' and 'Low.'
"Your affinity level also determines the types of spells you can cast." Professor Lars explained, underlining each term.
"Spells are categorized into three levels. Low, Mid, and High."
"A mage with a High affinity for an element can comfortably cast spells from all three levels."
"However, a mage with a Mid affinity can only cast Low and Mid level spells with ease and one or two High level spells."
"And as for those with Low affinity, they are limited to Low level spells, with the occasional ability to cast a Mid level spell, though it will come at great cost to their energy pool. High level spells are beyond their reach."
So even someone with a High affinity can be defeated by someone with a Mid or Low affinity, as long as they manage their energy efficiently and exploit their opponent's weaknesses. Interesting.
Professor Lars turned back to the class. "Now, let us move on to the practical part of today's lesson. Sensing your energy pool."
"Before you can wield your magic effectively, you must first learn to connect with the elemental energy within you. Close your eyes."
The students obeyed.
"Focus on your breathing." Lars instructed. "Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly."
"Turn your attention inward and imagine a wellspring of energy within you. Picture it as light, or heat, or whatever form feels natural to you. This is your energy pool."
Kai closed his eyes, following the professor's instructions.
He took a deep breath, then another, letting his mind quiet as he turned his focus inward.
At first, there was nothing but darkness.
Then, faintly, he began to feel it. A warmth spreading through his chest, radiating outward in four distinct directions.
The sensation grew stronger, and he could almost see it in his mind's eye. Four pools of light, each glowing brightly and pulsing with energy.
Fire. Water. Earth. Air.
He could feel them all, each one powerful and abundant. The energy seemed to hum, waiting for him to draw upon it.
"If you can sense your energy pool, take note of its size and intensity." Lars continued. "This will give you an indication of your affinity level for each element."
"For some of you, one or two pools will be more prominent than the others. For others, all may be equally balanced."
Kai opened his eyes, a sense of awe washing over him. He had felt the strength of his connection to all four elements, each one as large and vibrant as the other.
It confirmed what he they all already know. He had a High affinity for all four elements.
The room was filled with murmurs as students began to share their experiences.
Some were excited, others uncertain. Kai noticed Arlo glancing at him, a lazy grin on his face.
"Let me guess." Arlo yawned quietly. "All four pools are massive?"
Kai smirked. "You could say that."
Arlo chuckled. "Figures. Don't let it go to your head."
Professor Lars clapped his hands, drawing the class's attention back to him. "Now that you have sensed your energy pool, remember this."
"It is not the size of your pool that determines your success as a mage. It is how you use it."
"Strategy, discipline, and knowledge will always outweigh raw power. Keep that in mind as you continue your training."