The Magic Theory classroom was abuzz with chatter as I slipped into a seat near the back. The less attention I drew to myself the better.
To my surprise, the person at the front of the classroom was Seraphina, the examiner from the tests yesterday.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope you've had a chance to get to know each other and recover from yesterday's tests," she started, her gaze sweeping across the classroom as she greeted us.
"Today, we'll be diving into the basics of magic, which I'm sure most of you are familiar with to some degree. Can anyone here tell me how we're able to use magic?"
A girl in the classroom raised her hand.
Seraphina pointed toward her to answer.
"By using mana that's around us," the girl said.
"Yes, but not quite. To be more precise, we're able to use magic by absorbing mana, the energy source of all life, into our bodies."
I furrowed my brows. I already knew all of this since I was the one who created the magic system in the book.
Seraphina looked around the class. "Now, here's the interesting part: each individual person has a higher affinity to a certain element of magic." She paused, her face had a hint of mischief plastered all over it for some reason.
"While some elements are more common, like fire, earth, water, and air, there are also more obscure ones like light and dark. Some individuals even have affinities to completely unique elements such as gravity or lightning."
As if to punctuate her words, Seraphina opened her palm, and a crackling spark of electricity danced across her skin. A collective gasp filled the room as students leaned forward, captivated by the display.
"Now, you're probably wondering how this relates to you," she continued, her voice returning to its normal, calm tone. "Each of you in this classroom, regardless of your overall class has an affinity to magic. Some of you may already know what element you have the most affinity with, while others might still be discovering it."
She paused, allowing everyone to digest her words.
"Today's exercise is twofold. First, we'll determine your primary element of magic. Second, we'll practice the most basic mana absorption technique that the academy teaches you."
With a flick of her wrist, Seraphina snapped her fingers, and a series of small metal bowls, each filled with a fine, shimmering powder, floated through the air and landed gently on each student's desk. I eyed the bowl in front of me.
"This powder," Seraphina explained, "will react to your mana. Depending on how it reacts, we'll be able to determine your elemental affinity."
With a hesitant hand, I reached out towards the bowl and focused my meager amount of mana into it.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then a flicker of light appeared above the powder, quickly transforming into a small, dancing flame. It hovered there as I continued to pour my mana into it.
Fire.
It was an ordinary as it could be, but I had to admit it made sense. After all, Caspian was a nobody-character I had never written about.
While I was lost in thought, Seraphina moved around the room, observing each student's bowl and announcing their elemental affinity.
"Water," she said to a girl with long, flowing hair. "Earth," she declared to a boy with a big build. "Wind," she told another.
As she approached my desk, I quickly glanced away, hoping to avoid any unnecessary attention. But she didn't miss a thing.
"Caspian," she smiled, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Fire. A good element for someone with your… potential."
'Right, my potential as an F class that embarrassed himself at the evaluation tests,' I thought as I watched her walk away.
Still, I mumbled a halfhearted thanks. As I looked back at the bowl, I noticed something strange. There seemed to be tiny dents forming in the powder, as if something had pressed against it.
Had I somehow put my fingers into it while I was… distracted?
I blinked, unsure of what had happened, but before I could think on it any further, Seraphina announced the next exercise: the mana absorption technique exercise.
…
"For those that don't know the mana absorption technique, pay attention. Those that do know and have been taught, you can sit back and relax," she said as she waved her hand, dismissing some of the students from doing the exercise.
I couldn't sit this one out. I needed this. Every little bit would help me survive the story.
"Now, everyone that's still participating, close your eyes and take a deep breath in… and slowly let it out."
I followed her instructions.
"As you continue to breathe in and out, visualise something entering into your body. Let it circulate toward your heart."
I visualised little particles of mana floating around me and then entering into my body. But it wasn't working, I wasn't feeling anything.
"It's a bit hard to get on the first try, just be patient and keep trying. Children as young as 5 can learn this technique if it's taught to them."
I tried again. Nothing.
"What am I doing wrong?" I muttered to myself.
"If you're struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help," Seraphina announced.
I raised my hand and Seraphina walked over to me.
"Having trouble?" she asked.
"Yes, it feels like nothing's working," I answered.
Seraphina moved behind me and put a hand on each of my shoulders.
"Close your eyes again, take a deep breath in, and visualise mana entering your body," she said softly.
I felt her warm breath on my neck which made me slightly blush for some reason. I decided to focus.
I closed my eyes again. But this time I could feel the mana around me better as if something was guiding it toward me.
I felt the mana enter me as I pulled it toward my heart.
"Good. Now hold it there for a bit and then circulate it around your body," I heard Seraphina whisper.
I did as she instructed then opened my eyes. A system message appeared in front of me, similar to the one I would get when I called for my status, then another telling me I gained a new skill.
[You have gained 1 point of mana!]
[You have obtained the skill: Basic Mana Absorption Lv. 1 (★)]
'Huh, so this thing tracks my progress too,' I thought, as I looked over the messages.
Seraphina gave a slight nod. "Good, now keep practicing." She then left and moved to help the other students.
Time passed quickly as I practiced the technique over and over again. Every time I managed to absorb a bit of mana, I felt a little stronger.
By the end of the class, I had managed to gain an additional 3 points of mana.
'Status,' I thought.
[Status]
- Name: Caspian Grey
- Age: 16
- Race: Human
- Mana: 6 (F)
- Physical Abilities:
- Strength: F
- Agility: F
- Endurance: F
- Dexterity: F
- Charm: F
- Skills:
- Basic Mana Absorption Lv. 1 (★)
Class: F
6 points of mana wasn't bad, but I was still ranked F everywhere, even with my charm.
'Was I really that bad-looking? I couldn't be, could I? I mean, I knew I was average, but still…'
"Alright everyone, that's it for today. We'll continue learning more about Magic Theory in the next class," Seraphina announced as she clapped her hands together. "You're dismissed!"
Students started getting up from their seats and chatting amongst themselves as they left the classroom. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lucas leave.
'Huh, so he did manage to make it to class," I thought as I packed my things into my backpack and joined the flow of students exiting the room.
I glanced at my watch as I left the classroom. It was 12 PM. The class lasted a total of 3 hours.
I made my way to the cafeteria, my stomach rumblng with hunger. I looked at the menu board, scanning the prices and decided that despite how good all the other options look, they were way too expensive.
So, I chose the cheapest option: a simple salad with a glass of juice for 1,000 zelis. I was left with 7,500 after I placed my order and paid.
I found a secluded table in the corner of the cafeteria and settled down with my salad and juice. I was alone again, but I didn't find a need to make any friends here since they'd just be deadweight and I didn't have time to waste on friendship.
As I ate, my thoughts drifted back to the events of the story I wrote. The first major incident involving demons was approaching. It was a devastating attack on the academy during their annual gala, six months after the start of the semester.
'I need to get stronger,' I told myself. I didn't know what would happen if I died: would I wake up back in my apartment, or would that really spell the end for me?
Ping!~
I glanced down at my watch and saw a notification pop up. It was a message from the academy:
Attention all first-year students. The training room is now available for use. Please be sure to follow all safety guidelines and regulations.
'I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out,' I thought, pushing the last bit of salad around my plate with my fork.
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