The sound of rustling paper and scribbling of pen fills the classroom, Simon joins in the academic atmosphere by thinking, writing, and erasing. His pristine paper now is a battlefield where different perspectives, different ideologies fight in terms of defining magic. He thinks to himself, what is magic, and realizes horrifyingly that he has no idea where to even start. Without quoting anyone's remarks or beliefs from books, Simon now is faced with a harsh truth: he knows nothing of his own opinion. Sure he can borrow someone's else definition, some author's ideas but the question is about him and HIS opinion.
Then the paper in front of him lifts up before joining the tens like a fish in a school to lands in a stack on top of the desk. The imaginary bell rings inside Anopto's head, his eyes opening up to see the students' reactions. Getting up and dusting himself gentlemanly, he begins.
" I know that most will use some quote from a book you read, some will make up their opinion based on logical means, but rarely there will be one whose honesty stops them from writing down a conclusion."
Anopto says, his gazes sweep across the classroom, lingering a second longer at Simon's direction. The professor takes in the faces of another generation, another chance to improve the future.
" Now, let this old man share with you youngsters my belief."
Anopto begins to float upward a cylindircal piece of chalk and he also picks up one. He writes on the lower board, the floating chalk writes on the upper one. All students read what is being written in silence, their mind thinking on how different the professor's response can differ from them.
" Magic is but your wish being brought to life. "
That simple statement sends the class into a buzz. It is not what they expect, a lengthy explanation detailing everything out
" Some of you may find my opinion belonging to that of a simpleton, its values remain artistical and subjective. To be honest, most of of colleagues even tell me how non-objective it is. But this is my opinion. Any question?"
Simon is contemplating whether or not to ask for further clarification. The subjectivity of the statement irks him and he needs to understand not only the opinion piece but also the author of it. Bracing himself, he raises his hand. Anopto is very pleased seeing a student daring enough to stand up to ask a simple question no matter how ridiculous it is.
" Pro...Professor, can you please elaborate what is the meaning behind your words?"
" Of course my boy, what's your name?"
" Simon, Simon Erklart."
" Well Simon, let's me be clear. The world's connection with mana is something you have always been clear of. But the mechanism behind it eludes even the masters studying the subject. No one has ever known for sure the method magic, or mana, has manifested spells into our world. So what we have are models and conjectures, to represent the power's interactions in math symbolism. So is it that strange that I considered mana as a wish-fulfilling tool?"
" So its meaning and purposes depends on the user?"
" Yes, we cannot argue against the notion that the position of mana in our world is quintessential, but to our limited knowledge, the true purpose of mana isn't something that far-fetched. In our current limited perspective, it should only be hopeful, non-concrete and opened for inter-utilization and utilizations."
Ring! Ring! Ring!
" Oh, a break is much needed at the moment. Students, you may have a fifteen minute breaks. Then we will getting into the basics of Mana and the history and significance behind some major advancements. Please take your time to rest. "
Some leave the room to attend to their natural demands, some run to another peer and chat with them, must be someone they make acquaintance beforehand. And Simon, he is there in a corner, his pen on his opened notebook. He is trying his best to come up with an answer to the forementioned question. Time is weighing him down, his lead hand lies dormant.
" Are you having difficulty of coming up an opinion from your own perspective, unhindered by others' voices?"
Simon lifts his head off the pages, his eyes meet professor Anopto's. The man has approached his seating and no one seems to care about it.
" Shush.... Just a mere illusionary spell. They are still seeing me drinking a blend of aromatic tea species. I am fond of you with your curiosity to ask me a question when no one seems to even want to. "
" Uh... Thank you Professor Anopto."
" Mister is fine, just keep it between us, Simon. Now, tell me your problem. I may guide you onto something."
" Mister Anopto, if mana is so diverse in interpretations and expressions, wouldn't it leave any meaningful conclusion fictious? What I mean is that some conclusion may be reached by various methods, so how can we reach a conclusive answer?
" You may believe so, but Simon, you are mistaken about something. What you are refering to is the phenomenons happening to the real world, not the mechanism behind it. You are thinking of an apple you just got, not about how it entered your hands. You could have picked it up yourself, it may have fallen from the apple tree you do not know and some stranger may have given you one as a gift. You still have the apple, but not the cause. "
" I seems to get it, but how do we differentiate between the mechanisms?"
" That is my work in the latter part of the school year. I am teaching you how to dissect, analyze and draw your own conclusion. Next year will be your free-study sessions that are spent on self-research if your are interested enough. Now the break is almost over. You have pleased me with your mind Simon, be proud of that."
Anopto quickly retreats back to his place on the podium, his illusion self merge with his real self one to one, transistioning smoothly. The class begins to be packed again and the class restarts, now focused on the fundamentals and early history of mana research and spell crafting industry. Anopto skillfully demonstrates the growth of human's understanding of the power with his spells and illusions. At the end of the class, everyone exits with a smiling face, content with the lesson they received. Only Simon is standing back in front of Anopto, in his hand a list of books the old professor has recommended him. Thanking the man, Simon quickly begins his run toward the Knight Department to find his friend.
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Janus is not really feeling that well after receiving the instructor's guidance on his aura pathways. The man touches his bare back and began using his own aura to removed any blockages in his passages, which resulted in fits of screaming and heaving as the pain settled in. Now he knows why the Knights are often considered mad men when their introductory lesson is this agonizing session. But one thing does lift his mood, the imaginary scenario when the others have to go through the same process later on.
So the whole sessions only last for 5 minutes and Janus is instructed to revolve his Aura continiously to get the hang of it and to do basic exercises of redirecting the flow toward different limbs and muscle groups. Instructor Welt has lent him an anatomy book, which is filled with not only human's but also common monsters' anatomy. Now he is sitting under a shade of a tree, watching the other noticeable student, Emilia, demonstrating her Aura usage and flexibility.
From the girl, he is able to glimpse at how she skillfully use Aura to reinforce and to strengthen her calves and bones before setting off with high speed. The fluidity of transitioning to different muscles and targets draws him to her spar with the instructor. She was about to take a spot near him to start the Aura training when the instructor Welt told her to join him for a light spar to more perfectly grasp her limits. Now, they are sparring quite a distance from his spot, but not far enough to remain unseen.
Calling it a spar is a bit of a stretch as the instructor is basically toying with her. He only dodges and counters with a single hand while Emilia is already sweating and exhausted of Aura.
The athlete bodysuit allows her to attack with wild strikes and sporadic blows utilizing her flexibility. The instructor grabs her kicking leg, give her a spin around before throwing her toward Janus' location. The impact lands a few meters to his left, the travelling person stop by a low bush of berries.
The instructor begins to get up and walk to the pair, his revolving Aura still off despite the spar. Janus gets up, his Aura still following the pathways taught. Emilia get out of the bush, her skin that made contact with the ground bruises up a bit.
" Janus, you pick up things fast and are willing to learn. Good prospect! And Emilia, you have strength, great adaptability in addition to studying other people's weakness before utilizing them. Good! but I recommend fixing the Aura training with my method as yours will hit a bottleneck soon. Drop that patched up technique.
Furthermore, both of you will be allocated to the better class as your skills seem to be enough. "
" What about me? I have not sparred yet!"
" To be honest, I am just a substitue instructor for my junior. My real class is further up there in term of requirements and difficulties. Beside, the passing grade for this introductory class is to getting you guys to use Aura at around your level. "
The instructor susdenly throws a punch toward Janus, fast enough to leave afterimage behind. It stops barely before contacting his nose, a thin red layer separate Janus and him.
" You have already developed instinctual Aura defense, so you are good enough with your combat capability. Beside, the fools are returning."
The marching students return after finishing every laps demanded. They are tired and thirsty. Not giving them a single chance to take a breath, the instructor quickly dashes into the crow of heaving people. Not before long, screaming begins to ring out from all of their mouths, the gut wrenching kind. The scream sends shivers down Janus's spine and he looka to the side to see a surprised Emilia squinting her eyes at the scene. It seems they get lucky with the process.
A few minutes passes before he continued.
" No time for weakling to scream. Get up, Aura revolution technique will be taught. "
The final moment is replaced with grunting as determined students move their protesting bodies. Aura techniques are highly sought after and to be able to learn one for free, what better deal can exist?
" You two, go guide them. Boys, go with the blond; Girls, go with the black. "
Janus and Emilia are forced into guiding the remaining studenta for the remaining duration of the class, they are tired at the end.
" You are good... Janus."
Emilia says after returning from helping the last female students, her complexion is not as healthy as the beginning, her chests rising weaker than before due to tiredness.
" So can I ask a question? "
" ... Go on."
" Do you want to have lunch with us?"
" Why?"
Emilia tilts her head at the sudden invitation. They have just met for the second time, the first was not on good terms. She is thinking of the offer as a trap and is about to decline when Janus speaks.
" Well, to be honest, you look a bit ... lonely and I want to know you better and also to introduce you to my friend. "
Janus is honest, but the direct admission draws Emilia's suspicion. She clutches the necklace, her brown eyes observing for any signs of lying but the results return clear.
" Remeber daughter, a meal is better when shared. "
She unconsciously remembers what her mother has taught her about dining, the commoner's way. She shakes her head to clear it of any useless thoughts. Janus mistakes it as refusal and is getting ready to leave when Emilia speaks up.
"Thur... Thursday is fine, I am busy today and tomorrow."
" Great! See you tomorrow at the dining area. Here is my contact."
Janus throws Emilia a piece of card with his information.
" Handy... Looking to be famous? You already have the looks."
" Thanks for the compliment! See you again!"
Janus sets off, leaving a perplexed Emilia back. That mockery seems to be lost in the parting words. She never knows any kind of friendship but ...
" Try new things, that is what life is about my little jewel. "
She decides to try this new connection out. The blond seems to genuinely wish to be her first friend and to introduce her to more people. So it is fine to let herself loose a bit.
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Midday Break
[ First Step ( Quest)
Mission: Learn 1st Circle Spell [Breeze], [Ignite], [Spark], [Wet], [Rock]
Reward: Access to Stories
Failure: None ]
It's fine, Simon thinks as he drags himself to the hidden room. In his hands a single book " Introduction to Spells with example". The name of the needed spells for the sudden quest are all basics spells for different elements that is going to be covered anyway. He has overheard other students' bragging about the spells they have mastered. Hell, a girl even bragged about learning 2nd Circle spells at 8!
He knows he is getting a shorter straw when he decides to apply to learn at the same place as those with better privileges in life. He wants to face the challenge, to raise to the difficulty. Lucky for him, he thinks, as fighting publicly on school ground is prohibited and strictly maintained. He needs to stronger and better to find employment after graduating.
" Catch! Oh... Sorry, your head good?"
Simon's head is hit by a flying object, an apple. He was lost in his thoughts when Janus threw him the fruit and the result was a resounding bonk.
" Yeah... What's the matter? You seems happier than usual."
" I managed to invite someone to join us the day after tomorrow. You remember that girl who bumped into me on the evaluation day?"
" Her ... Emily or something?"
" Ya, her. Emilia, that's her name. She is strong and quite a good person. She even remembered me and offered me an apology!"
" That's good news ... How is your day?"
Janus, as if awaiting for the question, begins to spew out the details and weirdness of the Instructor Welt. The chatter continues in the music of Janus' expressions and descriptions. Simon begins to doubt whether or not his friend has chosen the wrong profession to follow as a scammer with a silver tongue seems to fit him better. Simon spends the break listening to the yapping of Janus about various things, especially the news of their newly allocated class. Hiding a small shard of jealousy at the news, Simon congratulates and steels his resolve to get better soon, to live in this Academy in the embr...
" What am I even thinking... Strange?"
Facing the intrusive thought, Simon can only sigh internally then leave the matter to the future him. Engineering to go.
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Hangar in the Magic Engineering Development
"Check the center of mass position! Don't let the thing tilts!"
"Already done that, the mana battery is a bit lacking but we will have to make do with it."
"Get out of the way! Explosive rounds moving through!"
The atmosphere is soaked in the passionate screams of delights, demands and forewarning. Sweats from the hot air circulating throughout the buildings drop like rains onto the gray floor. If one takes their time and look closely, they can see various machines, testing patches and piles of material all over the place. A mountable turret made from alchemy and pressurized pneumatic system can be seen standing proudly, its barrel pointed a 45 degree off the ground plane. Beside it, a series of lamp fixtures, which have been running for days to months to test the durability of different filaments material, lights the surrounding in a sun-induced shadow.
Among the hectic of the Department is a single calm space inside the place, the teacher room. In there, many professional engineers and architectures are holding evaluations for their respective students' works and projects. The final stretch that will cumulatively shows their effort and talents is right around the corner. One of the teaching faculty for the Department, whose responsibilities covers a class of freshman this year, is looking intently at the swirling inside her cup of coffee. Her modest height does not help in reassuring newcomers that she is not a kid drinking excessive coffee. Oh how holy and necessary the brown bitter liquid has been for whole her life in the academy. Countless nights staying up late for checking, testing and providing feedbacks for students when they asked her have provided her with plenty of opportunities to treasure the bean soup.
" Let me get going then... Ah, do not go through my students' papers! I still haven't marked them."
"No one has time for that, just go quickly!"
Her colleagues take a glance at the door being opened before returning their eyes back to what they are doing. A normal day in the Magic Engineering Department.