5 Missed

"Remember what you did, yesterday? The plasma-like ball you formed by gathering the mana in your surroundings. That is called Mana Manipulation. All magicians uses mana but there are exceptional people who can freely manipulate mana. Magic is at it is when casted, no changes could be applied but if you can manipulate mana, you can change the spell "Flame" into something more hellish."

"I have that kind of ability?!"

So she is not aware of what her real ability is. Perhaps she used it yesterday because she knew they would be killed by me.

"People who are expert in mana manipulation can manipulate mana without even extending their hand."

I formed big plasma-like balls in the air in an instant and sent them towards Amelia.

"Wait!"

Luckily, she managed to avoid all 10 of the balls I sent her.

"You always boast your strength so, you must be capable of things as simple as this right?"

I formed a small plasma-like ball in my hand and sent it to Amelia.

She did not dodge it because she thought its explosion wouldn't be strong but she's wrong.

She was hit by the ball and it created an explosion and shock waves strong enough to make a crack on the arena's walls.

"The smaller you compress the mana, the bigger its explosion will be."

For her to learn how to do so, here's a little test.

"I'm going to cast Shooting Star. Shoot all of the stars using the plasma-ball like you formed yesterday."

"A heavenly body spell?! You're joking right?!"

Amelia looked pale again and her classmates are very worried about her.

The stars started falling and Amelia tried her best to manipulate mana but she still can't.

"There's no choice huh."

I used one of my ultimate spells, Gluttony, which can consume any kind of magic to protect her from the falling stars.

"You okay?"

I asked her while shielding her.

She just nodded while crying as she thought she'll die from my spell.

"I have the attitude that pushes my students to their limits but I don't intend to let them die on my watch. So, rest assured!"

Amelia lost consciousness and was brought to the Academy's infirmary while me and my 30 students went back to the classroom.

"Teacher, I wouldn't be shocked if you are the most powerful individual in this academy."

Jessica talked to me while we are walking.

"Why is that?"

I asked.

"First, it takes at least 100 mages to cast a heavenly body spell yet you did it like it's child's play and second, your spell, Gluttony is very much like magic nullification."

So she noticed those. I invented my spell Gluttony, to outmaneuver people with Magic Nullification skill.

"I guess I was just born with talent. Hehe."

Everyone pouts at me when I said those words.

Before we enter the classroom, Amelia rushed towards me.

"Teacher!"

She shouted while panting.

"Please teach me how to manipulate mana."

"Mana manipulation cannot be taught but, I can give you a tip for you to master it."

"What tip, teacher?"

"Fight me. Skills such as mana manipulation can be drawn by putting one's life at danger. I told you that emotions make magic stronger, right?"

"I'll come at you, teacher!"

What braveness. Audacity and prowess combined in one person, such talent.

"Come at me anytime!"

Both I and Amelia entered the classroom and I gave them instructions about what will be tomorrow's activity.

"Tomorrow will be individual battle. Use any means necessary to defeat one another."

"But teacher, isn't it will be difficult for us?"

Wise is worrying for there are less powerful magicians in her classmates.

"Overcome your weakness by experiencing real terror. In battlefields, there'll be no one to protect you but yourself. Remember that. That's all. Dismissed."

All of my students went straight home and Ms. Emilia, an 18 year-old teacher with crimson hair, red eyes wearing white blouse and black pants.

"Sir Arthur! Good day!"

She greeted me with a warm smile.

"Likewise, Ms. Emilia. What brought you here?"

"Just checking on who's the new teacher of this class. These girls you know, are very stubborn but they're talented."

"Yeah, they are. Especially Amelia. She's got talent for mana manipulation. They even imprisoned me in Prison Fire in my first day here. What mean kids."

We laughed as I tell Ms. Emilia what kind of treatment I'm getting from my students.

"There's this quote that my great-grandmother used to say, 'Thy power art meaningless if thou cannot help the deprived.' When I was a kid, I am not that good at magic. Even the spell "Flame" I cannot cast so, my parents ostracized me but my great-grandmother took me in. She taught me the very essence of magic and the very basics of it. Now, here I am. I may be teaching the kids who are slowest at learning but, I treasure them because I was once like them."

Ms. Emilia told me a very brief story of her childhood.

"That's what my mother always tell me."

I cannot help but cry for I miss my mother so much. If I was there at that day, may be, I wouldn't be like this.

"Shhh. What a troublesome adult."

Ms. Emilia put my head on her lap and pat my head.

"You know, Ms. Emilia, my mother is the only one who loved me truly. I was born with a great magic power and the priest in all of the country refused to baptize me, saying I am a child of the devil. I remember every little detail, every single harsh words that have been said to me. My father left me and my mom for he fears what misfortune I might bring but my mother stayed by me. Everyone at our neighborhood gossiped about her, raising a monster, a mother of the monster but she endured all of it for me. Even though she's hungry, she always satiate my hunger first. She always put me first. When I reached the age of 4, I became a scholar at the magic academy. I studied here for 7 years. My mom never forgets to visit me every week in 7 years, always bringing food that she cooked for me to relieve my homesickness. At the age of 11, I graduated the magic academy and the kingdom used me as a tool to win wars. The war lasted for 4 years. After the war, I was granted a mansion here at the capital. Of course, me and my mother moved in. A week later, I was summoned by the king to send me to a mission but while I'm in a meeting with the king, an unknown assailant entered my house and killed my mother. It is my biggest regret in my life that I put my duties before my mother. The only person that believed in me died because of me. Sorry to make you listen to my boring story, Ms. Emilia. You even let me lie in your lap."

Ms. Emilia was really touched by my story that she dropped a tear out of her beautiful eyes.

"No worries, Sir Arthur. I know you're carrying that burden with you for so long but I'm glad that in this single moment, you let it all out."

"Thank you for listening to my story, Ms. Emilia."

I got up from her lap and sat beside her.

"You also listened to mine so, it's win-win."

Both of us laughed as we heard the burdens of one another.