Chapter 177 - Irregular Mana

Mana is something that cannot be stolen nor can be made artificially. Mana is something that resides in each and every person. The only difference that separates mages from the general populace is that mages have compatibility on the elements and convert their mana into matter.

But it was not as simple as that. 

People who were born with average mana and no compatibility to be mages cannot be mages. It is widely believed that their 'souls' have something to do with it. 

Sorcerers are known as humans with magical prowess—people who can use incantations in various forms such as battle, healing, and research. They say on ancient texts that sorcerers are born from a reincarnated soul of an Elf, an undying creature. Books of older origin suggest that the souls of elves who are perhaps murdered found their way to inhabit a human baby's body.

However, these principles are not entirely accurate. On the contrary, existing "exceptions" to the rule exist; blood relations, for instance, disobeys the said belief.

There are sorcerers born from lineages with a family tree only comprising people who exhibit a magical prowess. If the souls of the elves choose at random, then blood relation is not a factor to consider. The ancient books claim that the soul of elves are only randomly distributed, meaning that even if two sorcerers produce an offspring, there is a good chance the child will be a normal human.

Sorcerers are required to choose what kind of path they want to take the moment they enter their first senior year at the Academy. The path is classified into three groups: mages, conjurers, and clairvoyants.

First, the mages. Mages are those who possess compatibility with the 'four elements' namely fire, water, air, and earth. Mages are usually those who aid in the battlefield because their magic is brazen and bold due to increased physical strength and stamina. Sorcerers who choose this path typically join guilds, embark on quests, or apply to the Imperial Sorcerer Army.

Second, the conjurers. Conjurers are those who are talented in the art of taming magical creatures. They can summon different kinds of elementals and critters to their liking. Choosing to be a conjurer requires a sorcerer to be above average in mastering the four elements. Being a conjurer also pertains to exposing one's persona, since the creature a certain conjurer summons reflects their physical and mystical strength.

Lastly, the clairvoyants. Clairvoyants are sorcerers able to tell fortune, do incantations like rituals, and are able to create a contract. Clairvoyants have zero compatibility with any of the elements; therefore, they are weak in physical strength. However, clairvoyants are adept in deciphering ancient scriptures, reverting a curse, and are in charge of creating a magical barrier. Clairvoyants, after graduation at the Academy, are sent to a specialized organization that works directly at the order of the king himself.

This was why the 'soul' belief was entirely believed by the masses. People, who do not have the ability to even partake barely average mana, tame magical beasts, or even be like clairvoyants who do not possess an ounce of compatibility to the elements, but still have above-average mana and could foretell prophecies—can not be mages. And they believed it has something to do with their souls.

Magic is complicated and contradicting. It is ever-complex as its law and structures seemed to change from time to time. This was why Magierstadt, and other schools of magic, are doing their best to conduct research.

In the past, people believed that nothing can ever steal 'mana'. This was still true, but then a crystal arose from the market. A 'mana revitalizer' which could steal the mana around it. This certain crystal caused heaps of problems across Earthland—until Magierstadt put a stop to the unease by presenting the research they conducted.

The mana revitalizer does not steal mana; it steals the byproducts of it. The leftover.

"You see, mana at its purest form cannot be stolen." Says the Magierstadt researchers. "But mana that is a leftover—mana that is emanated by the body in small portions—can be converted by this 'crystal' which is made by dark magic. However, if you think that this is something that is brilliant to preserve your manas—no. It is not. A byproduct that is revitalized using dark magic is deemed as corrupt and could prove fatal if mixed with pure mana. If you want to have your organs bursting from within, then you should not use this crystal."

**

The last trial…

Faustina clenched her fist.

This was the only examination that didn't change. Faustina had heard it about from Orwell. The last trial of Magierstadt's examination was the test for mana—or the amount of mana potential one contains. Faustina bit her lips as she stared at Professor Zoe Klein, who was holding a golden bracelet that had a firefly imprinted on its surface.

"Worry not if you get into the lower Ianuas. The trial would only mean that as of the moment this is how your magic can hold. This ceremony is held every year, so do not fret if you get into a lower Ianua. You have three years to prove to yourself—and to everyone else—that you can improve your magical potential." Says the gentle Professor Zoe Klein. She smiled at all of them charmingly. "Now, please come forward as I call your name. We will be doing this per batches. Now then… please come forward, Susanna Jones."

**

Faustina fidgeted as she anxiously waited for the other examines to finish being called up.

"So our mana is examined by how large the light can be unleashed by the bracelet being put on your wrist," Leviticus whispered beside her. "That's amazing, don't you think?"

Faustina nodded. It was indeed amazing. Other students appeared a single form of lights as they wore the bracelet. Some students, when they wore the bracelet, had the light form into something similar to animals, elements, and some even objects.

"This bracelet is called Mana Armilla. The light is your very own mana materializing to your individuality. For instance, if your light is just sheer light, it means you are yet to find your talent. If you have the light materializing into an element, or anything—that signifies something that only I, Professor Zoe Klein, the Dean for both Clairvoyant Studies and Charms, could interpret."

The last batch of examinees was Faustina and the others. She sauntered towards the aisle, meeting the eyes of several mages looking at them in awe and wonder. And Faustina knows why. They were the batch that was able to summon all the undead royals and the one who was able to defeat the undead hermit and claimed the first spot to Ianua I came from their batch.

Faustina took a deep breath as one by one they were being called by Professor Zoe Klein. She stared at Leviticus who was the only one who didn't look anxious. Faustina bit her lips. Sheila said that she had a seal on her mana. Faustina was worried about how it would look into the Armillas' light.

"Leviticus," called Professor Zoe Klein. Leviticus took several steps forward and then he propelled his arm forward. The professor then placed the bracelet around his wrist. Faustina marveled as the sight. Up close, the bracelet actually wrapped around the wrist of the wearer, and then the lines around it filled with warm light. That warm light gradually transforms into something else that all those in the hall would be able to see.

Appearing before all of them was Leviticus' mana materialized. It was a small, baby dragon who had flown and circled around Leviticus as it sat in his shoulder.

"Ooh. A dragon. You are a potential tamer." Says Professor Zoe Klein. "That is quite rare these days. Looks like you made Professor Gimli fired up."

Faustina and the others turned to Professor Gimli, who had risen to his seat to peer at Leviticus.

"But it is a very small dragon, nonetheless. You still have to develop your potential more." Says Professor Zoe Klein. "Ianua VI!"

Leviticus took a step down and then went towards the table of the 6th Ianua.

"Claire Fortunatorum,"

The entire hall silenced as they watched Claire amble her way towards the professor. Her air was entirely different than the rest. Perhaps, it was because they knew she was the descendant of Magierstadt's prodigy, Eulalia. But Faustina believes otherwise.

Claire had her own appeal.

Her own power.

The armillas wrapped around Claire's wrist and then it unleashed a warm light; that warm light transformed into a phoenix that flew to the air. Faustina parted her lips in amazement as the phoenix flew around the table of each Ianua and then came back to Claire.

"Impressive. A golden phoenix; this signifies you are a person who strives for deep healing and power." Professor Zoe Klein thumped her staff. "Ianua II!"

"Next is Faustina Feuerlon."

Faustina gulped as she walked towards Professor Zoe. Her heartbeat was erratic; and anxiety could be traced all over her face. Faustina, with her tremulous fingers, propelled her hand forward. Professor Zoe Klein then placed the Mana Armillas around her wrist.

Light emanated from the surface of the bracelet—light that was bright enough to blind the eye for a moment.

Faustina's eyes widened as the bracelet burst into a large flame-like light large enough to send the students gasping. The light was akin to fire but it was getting distorted, making everyone unable to discern what it was.

The Professor recomposed herself as she drew away the armillas from Faustina.

"You have an irregular mana that will need to be fixed." Professor Zoe exclaimed. "Therefore, you shall be in… Ianua VI!"