Elemental Mana

Elanor shifted gears once again, moving from the intricacies of mana capacity and purity to the elemental forces that shaped the world and its magic. She turned to the board, sketching symbols that represented the foundational elements and their derivatives, her chalk moving swiftly as if each stroke was second nature.

"Now, let's delve into the essence of how we harness mana, as you know some people are innately drawn to a certain type of manas which we call elemental mana, there are other types of mana too but those are rare cases like the sage of times mana, although it defined as attribute less mana, it in fact has a unique characteristic that allows the sage to peer through time itself. " she began, her voice resonating with authority. "For the elemental mana, there are four basic elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind from which all other elemental mana attributes originate from. These elements form the core of most mana-based abilities and are the most easily accessible to mages due to their prevalence in nature."

Elanor's voice softened, taking on a more reflective tone as she pointed to the symbols etched across the board. "In ancient times," she began, her words steeped in a sense of history, "before the discovery of complex spellcasting and the precise harnessing of mana, humans interacted with the elements through their most primal forms. Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind—these weren't just sources of power, but extensions of nature itself. Fire was the essence of destruction and transformation, a force that could both consume and renew. Water, ever adaptable, symbolized healing and the ebb and flow of life. Earth was the bedrock of all things stable, defending and fostering growth, while Wind embodied speed, freedom, and the unseen forces that moved the world."

She paused, letting the gravity of the ancient roots of magic sink in before continuing. "In those days, mana was understood as an intrinsic connection to the natural world. Humans didn't manipulate it through spells or channels as we do now—they became it, drawing directly from their elemental surroundings."

Her finger traced over the basic elements once again, but this time, her attention shifted to the derivatives below. "As our understanding of mana grew, so did our grasp of its nuances. Beyond the core elements, derivatives emerged. Ice, Lightning, and Nature—derivatives that are still some of the most widely recognized, although there are others like Metal and Magnetism, which are gaining attention. But these three," she tapped the board lightly, "are common and considered as an element because of their respective elemental domains."

She stepped closer to the snowflake symbol. "Ice," she said, her voice carrying a cold edge, "is born from the manipulation of water, but it carries its own unique properties. Ice is about control, freezing opponents in their tracks, and erecting defenses as solid as any wall of stone. Users of Ice are known for their precision and unyielding will, able to shape their surroundings to their advantage."

Then, her finger hovered over the jagged lines of a lightning bolt. "Lightning," she said with a sharp, electrifying undertone, "is a force of nature—chaotic, fast, and utterly destructive. Unlike Fire, which can consume slowly, Lightning strikes in an instant, its power contained within a moment. Users of this element are feared not only for their raw speed but for their ability to unleash overwhelming power before anyone has a chance to react."

She moved to the symbol representing Nature, a winding vine. "Nature, or Wood, as some regions call it, is the embodiment of life itself. This element is a derivative of Earth, but it holds a gentler, nurturing power. Those who command Nature tend to be healers, cultivators, and researchers. Rather than destroy, they seek to foster growth, encouraging life to thrive. Their power is often used for non-lethal purposes, focusing on creation rather than destruction."

Elanor stepped back, folding her arms as she addressed the class. "In recent years, another derivative has emerged: Metal, which some theorize is a form of Earth mana. Though still classified under Earth, its properties are unique, allowing users to manipulate materials in ways previously thought impossible—shaping metals, controlling magnetic fields, and bending the very structures of the world around them."

Elanor's voice deepened as she paced in front of the class, her gaze sharp as she began to explain the intricacies of elemental mana.

"Most humans," she began, "are born with at least some affinity for one of the four basic elements: Fire, Water, Earth, or Wind. No matter how weak their connection to mana may be, with enough practice and discipline, anyone can harness at least one of these elemental attributes. It's the foundation of how we interact with the energy of the world." She paused, letting the significance of these words sink in. "However, mastery of the basic elements is just the beginning."

She moved toward the section of the board displaying the derivatives, pointing to the snowflake, the lightning bolt, and the vine symbol. "Derivative mana is far rarer. Only about one in every hundred are born with the natural ability to wield these types—Ice, Lightning, and Nature being the most common. Others, though, have spent years honing their basic element to such a degree that they can eventually manifest its derivative. But it's a long, difficult road that requires focus and dedication. So, before any of you get foolish ideas of mastering these derivatives without the natural gift, let me advise you now—it will likely be a waste of your time. Especially if you're not planning to become an elemental mage."

Elanor's tone carried a warning, her eyes flickering briefly in my direction before returning to the class. "The rarity of derivative elements directly correlates to the status of those born with them. Individuals who possess these abilities are highly sought after. You'll find that those capable of wielding Lightning, Nature, or Ice are often given more importance in the united military forces or rise to great prominence in society. Other, more obscure derivatives—like Metal, Magnetism, and Lava—are even rarer and more difficult to control."

One of the students raised a hand. "Professor, have people tried to artificially harness these rarer forms of mana?"

Elanor nodded. "Indeed, some people have ventured to places where the highest manifestations of these derivatives are found, hoping to absorb or harness them. But the success rate is extremely low, and it comes with great risk. Few return from such quests with any success." Her expression hardened. "Those who do succeed are either naturally aligned with the base element from which the derivative stems or are able to push the boundaries of what we understand about mana. For instance, someone born with an affinity for Water and Earth can, in some cases, eventually wield Nature. Similarly, Water and Wind users might be able to create Ice."

She paused, her brow furrowing slightly as she moved to Lightning. "Lightning, however, is much more complex. For centuries, it was believed that no amount of training could awaken Lightning unless you were born with it. It requires the ability to generate a potential 'charge,' a balance of energy, which is difficult for the average caster. However, in recent times, the Templar Knights have developed a method to replicate the effects of Lightning using a combination of Water, Fire, and Earth."

She glanced at the class, piquing their curiosity. "Their method involves separating water particles, rapidly heating them, and using a conductive material—often Earth-based—to create a controlled charge. But it's an unreliable technique, too slow and complex to use in actual combat. True Lightning users, those born with it, have an inherent mastery that can't be replicated through artificial means."

Another hand shot up. "Professor, what about those who can wield all the elements?"

Elanor's eyes narrowed slightly, as if contemplating how to answer. "Elemental mastery of all four elements and their derivatives is a special, incredibly rare case. Historically, it was said to be possible only once in a century. However, this belief has been challenged recently. In this generation alone, we know of at least three individuals who can wield all elements. They require specialized training, as managing multiple elements can lead to imbalance if not handled carefully. That's why the Headmaster himself oversees their training. It's not just about growing stronger; it's about synchronizing their elemental forces simultaneously. Otherwise, their growth can be stunted—or worse, they could lose control entirely."

The room fell silent, a heavy weight settling over the students as they considered the enormity of what it would take to wield mana at such a level. Elanor's gaze returned to the front, her presence demanding nothing less than full attention. "Mastering mana is not just about power—it's about understanding. And in this academy, you will learn that mastery requires more than just talent."

She paused, looking around the room. "But this is just the beginning. In our world, elements go beyond what you see here. They evolve, intertwine, and react in ways we are still learning to understand."

Elanor paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "These derivatives are not as primal as the core elements but are widely utilized due to their unique properties. They require more refined control and an understanding of their elemental components to wield effectively."