Chapter 15: Mana control

Kyle immediately found Riya after the class ended.

"How the hell were you guys with writing materials?" Kyle asked as soon as he met her. "I didn't even see one at Frulia."

Riya facepalmed before saying, "You didn't explore the map, did you?"

"The map?! There's no way I can explore that gargantuan map!" Kyle remarked.

"I'm pretty sure you didn't even try," she looked at him to see the defeated look on his face before continuing. "Well, there's a mall barely two kilometers eastward of our Dormitory."

"Ohh, thanks for sharing," Kyle said as they walked on to the Mana-core formation class.

"No problem. Let's work faster, you ain't gonna make me late." Riya replied as she hastened her pace.

The duo continued to chit-chat as they approached the Mana-core formation class.

The room was very spacious, with walls lined with shelves filled with glowing crystals. At the front, a large blackboard bore complex diagrams and equations related to a mana-core. A soft hum of magic filled the air, making Kyle's skin tingle.

The awakened academics were already seated, chatting excitedly among themselves. Kyle spotted an empty seat near the middle and made his way there. As he settled in, the door at the front of the room opened, and their instructor entered.

She was strikingly beautiful, with long, flowing hair that seemed to shimmer with a life of its own. Her curves were accentuated by her form-fitting robes, and her presence commanded immediate attention.

Her eyes, a deep and mysterious shade of violet, scanned the room as she moved gracefully to the front. The room fell silent.

"Good morning, class," she began, her voice smooth and melodic. "I am Professor Seraphina, and I will be your guide to forming your mana core and discovering elements."

Kyle paid rapt attention to her and silently hoped he wouldn't need to jot anything.

"Mana core Formation is the fusion between your inner energy and the forces of the universe," Professor Seraphina continued. "Today, we will start with the basics, understanding the essence of mana and how to feel it."

She waved her hand, and a large crystal orb floated to the center of the room. "This, my students, is a mana core. It is the heart of many magical constructs and the source of immense power. To form one, you must first understand the flow of mana within your own body."

Professor Seraphina began to demonstrate, her hands moving gracefully through the air, tracing invisible patterns. The crystal orb responded, its glow intensifying and pulsing in rhythm with her movements. The class watched in awe as streams of light danced around her, illustrating the flow of mana.

"Now, I want each of you to close your eyes," she instructed. "Feel the energy within you. It is there, waiting to be harnessed."

Kyle closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He tried to sense the mana within him, but he felt nothing.

"It's quite easy to sense your mana. Don't just look. Create! Your mana will reveal when your thoughts depict it."

Kyle tried once again, he imagined his mana and tried to sense it. He saw a pool in his mind, he tried to catch it but it felt elusive, like trying to catch smoke with your hands. Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Imagine a river flowing through you," Professor Seraphina's voice guided them. "Mana is that river, and you are its master. You must learn to direct its flow, to shape it according to your will."

Kyle pictured the river in his mind, a stream of shimmering light coursing through his veins. He willed it to move, to gather in his hands. Slowly, he felt the warmth grow stronger, pooling in his palms.

"Good," Professor Seraphina's voice broke through his concentration. "Now, open your eyes."

Kyle did as he was told, and to his amazement, a faint glow emanated from his hands. It was weak, but it was there. He glanced around and saw that some of his classmates had managed similar results, while others still struggled.

"Excellent," Professor Seraphina praised them. "You have taken your first step toward forming your mana core. Remember, this is just the beginning. With practice and dedication, you will learn to channel and shape mana with precision and power."

She spent some time explaining the intricacies of mana flow and how to control it. Kyle listened intently, absorbing every detail.

After explaining and practicing for a while, Professor Seraphina came again.

"Now you've known the basics of controlling your mana. We will now proceed to the main goal of this class— your mana core formation," she paused before continuing. "That river inside of you. I want you to try to mold it, in the shape of a spherical orb, condense it and make it as small as possible. The smaller it is, the better."

Once again, Kyle closed his eyes, feeling the mana within him, he tried to condense it as instructed. It was like an elastic material that returned to its original state after being distorted.

He kept on trying but made no progress. Like others, he looked at the instructor to be showered by her wise words.

Professor Seraphina gave her signature radiant smile and began, "It's all about your intent. You're to use your willpower to be able to command it. It's yours and you can control it," she clapped and commanded, "Keep on trying! Until the end of the class, I want you to be able to make your mana submit and bend to your will!"

Kyle bit his lips and heaved a tired sigh. He thought this class would be better than the history class but he was having none of it.

*Rumble*

The sound of his hungry stomach made it even more difficult to concentrate. 'It'll be a miracle if I make it past this class alive,' he concluded.

As the class drew to a close, Professor Seraphina gave them an assignment to practice channeling their mana and forming their cores.

"Do not be discouraged if you struggle," she advised. "Mastery comes with time and patience. I will be here to guide you every step of the way."

The students, all tired, filed out of the classroom. They were beginning to doubt becoming a mage a day into the academy.

Kyle dragged himself to the next class, General Weapon Training. 'I hope there's food at the next class, like this, I can eat a whole goat.'