14 Chapter 12: Mana language

Several moments later, Nolan placed the sheets on his table and looked at the students.

A moment later he nodded to himself, seeing all the students with different books, belonging to minor departments.

"Looks like you found other things you want to learn, that's good, I suggest you learn as much as possible, you never know which skills and knowledge can save your life," said Nolan, looking at his students.

"Today we will talk about such fundamental thing for everyone prior to Great mages as spell-chanting, and would touch the topic of "Mana language". Please prepare to take notes, and listen carefully," said Nolan, giving several moments for them to prepare, "Some of you might already know how mages chant spells, and what the spell consists of. It's mana, mana words, and chanting structure. These three factors are fundamental parts of every spell," said Nolan, creating a fireball on his hand, momentaneously.

"Today any mage can quickly get information about mana words, chanting structures, and other things from the Mage's guild, he can also choose the way he chants spells; be it verbal chanting or silent chanting. Today, the society of mages communicates using Mana words because it's already well studied and every mage on the Continent is familiar with it. However, in the long history of magic, in the distant past, there was a time when mages had only partial knowledge of mana language, they were experimenting a lot by implanting many words with mana to see the result, then they were trying to combine different words into structures, and in that way, new spells were added to their spell arsenal. Mages from that era knew only about verbal chanting as the only way of creating spells," explained Nolan dispelling his spell, and beginning telling words, implanting mana in the process.

Moments later, the ball of orange flame appeared on his hand.

"This is verbal chanting. This is the only way our predecessors knew how to transfer their mana to create spell structure. As you have noticed I used several mana words, my mana, and combined them to create an invisible verbal structure of the spell. The thing you should pay attention to is that such method depends on your mana words, their order, and the fact that you don't stop along the process, If you chant them differently, you might get totally different spell or it's also possible that your spell would get dispelled during your chanting because of losing balance, or if you get distracted and your chanting gets ceased, it would dispel. So, if you want to use this method, I suggest you learn how to cast your spells whisperingly, and train yourself to chant even during movements, it will help you to get ready for certain situations that might happen on the battlefield. This is one of the lessons our predecessors learned the hard way when they met opponents that could create distractions, making them dispel spells or situations in which they couldn't say verbal words." explained Nolan, approvingly nodding to himself as he watched students write down on their notes.

"At a certain period of time, the possibility of making mages' spells dispel by themselves just by distracting mages became quite a vulnerability, especially in battles against knights, so several thousand years ago the 2nd way of spell casting was created. It allowed mages to empower their thoughts with mana as a replacement to words, and demanded the same things as in verbal chanting; mana, mana words in the form of thoughts, and spell structure. That method solved the liability and was called the silent chanting, but it also created a certain type of disadvantage. When a mage creates a spell using such a method, an illusionary manifestation of spell forming appears above his hand. It helped to solve one weakness but created another when your opponents could see the progress of your spell, and get ready for your attacks. So, if you want to use this method, I suggest you start training with casting spells in your thoughts while you do other things in the same process. It will help you to get used to such a method, and would help you train your mind." explained Nolan, dispelling the previous spell, and beginning chanting, creating a spell manifestation in his hand.

Several moments later, a fireball appeared on the place of manifestation.

"Regardless of the method, they have their own advantages and disadvantages, but I would suggest you learning both, sometimes an extra effort can result in your victory. Besides, learning mana words and learning how to empower your thoughts with mana will be useful anyway in the magic society. Now do you have any questions?" asked Nolan, looking at the class.

A moment later many students raised their hands, Nolan pointed at a simply-dressed girl, letting her ask.

"Teacher Nolan, you said that our predecessors knew a bit about mana language, had their own spells, and already knew about verbal casting. When and how did they learn about it?"

"Well, it's quite a hard question. If only I knew the answer to it. I, my colleagues, and even stronger mages don't know the full answer to your question, we know more about legends and tales about the distant past than actual facts. Only the highest members of the Mage's guild and elite members of Magic kingdom might know the answer to your question." answered Nolan with a bit apologizing smile.

While the teacher continued answering many different questions, Leonardo turned and looked at Theo.

"Which method will you use?"

"Both, our teacher is right about benefits from extra efforts, if a mage learns how to cast spells using 1st method, he will increase his vocabulary of Mana language while if he uses 2nd method, it will help him create an ability to communicate with mana thoughts in the future. So, it's worth - learning and spending time to master both methods." explained Theo, watching after the changing expression of his friend, "Yes, it's possible to communicate with thoughts, but a person should be very strong in magic and should have a strong mind, I can tell you about it later, but keep it a secret."

Leonardo nodded and moved his glance back at the teacher.

"So, now let's talk a bit and touch a tip of such topic known as "Mana language". As I have already explained to you, all spells, be it elemental or attributed, consist of mana words. Besides the fact that having a big vocabulary of mana words can help you in mages' society by giving you the ability to understand more things, it can also help you to copy or recreate certain attributed or similar spells." said Nolan, creating a certain light attributed spell in his hand. "You all know about this basic light attributed spell from the previous lesson called the "Light luminaries". It was also once recreated with the help of "Mana language" when a certain mage found a way to replace the light attribute with a bit more mana and more mana words, creating a weaker version of it. As a result, today many mages can use it, and it's useful in many situations.

Nolan showed his small ball of light to the class, letting everyone see it.

"Now, I think everyone in here attended at least once in their lives a city festival, right?" asked Nolan, looking at the students that were nodding their heads. "Then, you can compare my spell with the version of the spell, they show when they release many small balls of light to the skies. Then, it becomes obvious that my spell is 2 times weaker than theirs, it's less illuminating, smaller, and slower, but don't forget that it was created with "Mana language"."

Nolan gave some time for students to think his words before moving to his table and taking the sheets in his hands.

"Now, let me give you something to look at," said Nolan, giving the sheets to the students.

Several moments later, when he finished and returned back to his table, he cleared his throat and took one of the sheets from his table.

"In the previous lesson, I gave you scrolls with meditation techniques, now I would give you this sheet with several basic spells, their spell structure, and mana words used in them. It's just to give you practice material regardless of the method you would choose." explained Nolan, looking at the students that were nodding to his words, "Now, let me tell you some information about the changes that would happen with you when you make a breakthrough to the 2nd rand of adept."

"When an adept finishes mana gathering and fills his mana heart to the brim, he can make a breakthrough to the 2nd rank. The amount of the efforts, time spent on mana gathering, and probability of success depend on the talent, body condition, and the methods that were used before the breakthrough. If an adept is successful, he will become 2nd rank adept and would get bigger mana reserve, his body would slightly improve together with his mind to adjust to mana usage." explained Nolan, watching after students' reaction, "You must have already realized that you can only feel and control your small amount of mana right now, but when you become a 2nd rank adept, your mana would increase body and mind change, and you will be able to use 5 different basic spells for several times before running out of mana, or before the exhaustion of your mind. So, I suggest you choose only 5 basic spells from the sheet and focus on mastering them as much as possible. Your skills with spells are much more important than the number of spells you can cast. Besides with the further progression of your rank or realm, you would get access to more spells that can be used before mana or mind exhaustion, but your skills with spells will always be important in battles."

Nolan gave some time for his students to finish writing notes, or think a bit about his words.

"The sheets contain many spells that can be used in both combatant and non-combatant ways. Some of them will protect you in battle while others will save your life in dessert or wasteland." explained Nolan, putting his sheet back on the table, "Remember, each spell is your weapon, there are no spells that are weak or not effective, there are only weak mages that can't use them properly. You should know that during the long battle of mages when two sides run out of mana, they eventually come to attack, using these basic spells, and then the difference in spell usage skills can decide the outcome. Just a single mistake is enough to die."

Just as Nolan finished talking, a bell resounded across the academy.

"Since that's it for today, take these sheets with you, practice, and meditate, I hope some of you will become 2nd rank adepts on our next lesson. Besides, look at all those basic spells and write down as many possible usages as you can imagine, the more the better, I will give you points based on the amount you wrote and based on how unique your way of using a certain spell. So, strain your minds and think about it, that's it for today." said Nolan, taking his stuff, and leaving the class.

"If you have any questions, you can ask," said the teacher, approaching the table.

At the end of the lesson, Theo talked a bit with Leonardo before leaving the academy and returning back home.

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