Mana and Magic

Helen rushed in a hurry. Talking with Sera made her forget about time and now, she had to run to her school.

Fortunately, her school was not that far away --at the southeast of the Central Garden in the middle of the city. And her home was further east of the city.

After passing through the familiar paved paths near the city center, she finally saw the school building.

It was not that big, tattered even, with signs of cracks clearly visible on its brick walls.

The city did not provide much fund to primary education, after all, a primary school would not require specialized facilities for magic studies since no one had received their Mana Blessing yet.

Additionally, many nobles preferred to teach their children privately on basic norms and ethics of the higher status.

When Helen got close to her classroom, she saw her teacher opening the door then went in.

"Ack!" she knew that she had to increase her speed now.

Just before the door closed, she managed to enter the classroom.

'Whew, made it in time!'

"Good morning, Helen."

"Eek!" The voice caused her heart to jump. She turned around quickly then saw her teacher right in front of her.

The teacher was a middle-aged woman who dressed in a maroon dress. Although she had an average look, her gentle smile and calming voice never failed to soothe the nerves.

"Good morning, teacher Alison!" Helen bowed down in a hurry. "Sorry for being late."

Seeing Helen's flustered look, Alison could not help but laugh a bit. "Don't worry, go ahead and take your seat."

Helen looked around at the classroom and noticed that it was rather spacious compared to the usual days.Today, all the tables were nowhere to be seen.

The 30s students sat around on wooden stools placed in a shape of half a circle, making the space in the centre of the classroom available for the teacher to go into.

"Helen, over here!" A girl waved at Helen.

The girl had two noticeable hair buns on her head. Her blond, wavy hair fell smoothly like an expensive piece of silk that draped over her shoulder, whereas two pieces of sapphire made out her eyes.

When she spoke, her round cheeks will give way for her pink lips to part.

If Helen was a rare village beauty, then this girl would definitely be a royal princess.

"Catherine!"

Helen dashed over and caught her best friend in a hug.

"Uuu~" Catherine squirmed under her fierce attack, then hugged her back anyway. "You spoiled girl."

"Ehehe!" having done her little ritual, Helen took her seat right next to Catherine.

"Okay," Alison said, clapping her hand once. "Now that everyone is here, let's start with the lesson.

"Since today will be your last day of school. Teacher will give you a glimpse of what you will study in higher education!"

Immediately, sounds of gasps could be heard, which in turn incite excitement and cheers between the students.

Everyone understood the implication of their teacher's words --she will teach them a bit about Magic, soon!

Magic…

No legends and myths were without its involvement.

No heroes were born without it.

But, most importantly...

No human civilization were formed without it!

Magic was just an everyday thing, albeit not a single one of them has ever used one before.

This was because other than risking the crippling of a child's body, intake of Mana into the body may also cause an under-developed brain retardation. It was the same reason on why the earliest one could receive their Mana Blessing was at 10 years old.

"Okay everyone, make sure you remain seated throughout the process," Alison said.

She lifted her hand in a relaxed manner. Soon, a dim reddish glow appeared on her index finger, which she then used to draw a certain pattern in the air.

It was red in color and somewhat resembled a rabbit, and sure enough, an ethereal rabbit came to life.

"Wah!"

"Cute!"

Stars were glittering upon the students' eyes as some of them began to approach the hopping rabbit. Fortunately, Alison dispelled her magic just in time before anyone got hurt.

With a flick of her finger, the rabbit disappeared like a wisp of flame. Having done so, she clapped her hands to get her students' attention again.

"Okay, that was a demonstration of the simplest runic art that you will learn the first time you get to higher education..."

She paused a bit, a teasing smile on her face. "NOW WHO WANTS TO TRY?"

"ME!"

"ME!"

"MEMEME!"

All of the students raised their hands like there is no tomorrow. (, no one wanted to miss out on such a rare chance to fulfill their fantasy.)

"Looks like everyone is in," Alison chuckled lightly after seeing the flustered look of her students. "But since you can't sense and control Mana on your own yet, teacher has prepared these catalysts!"

Alison took out a pouch then flipped it upside down to pour out its content onto the desk at the front of the class. Tens of white smooth spheres rolled out. They were not big, only a bit smaller than the size of the children's fist.

Engraved on top of them was a rune with a shape resembling that of a Greek gamma letter. Occasionally, they would flicker in blue glows that beats like a heart.

"Come and take one," Alison smiled. "This will be the temporary vessel for you to store Mana outside your body!"

One boy at the front row approached the desk. Just as he picked one up, he immediately exclaimed with widened eyes.

"Whoa!" The boy looked around excitedly as if he was surrounded by his favourite toys.

"Can you tell us what you see?" Alison asked.

The boy paused for a second before he said, "Colorful balls are floating around, they looked fluffy and translucent like clouds!"

"Good," Alison nodded. "What you saw were Mana. The very essence of Magic!"

"Really?!" the boy shouted as he jumped around. "Hahaha, I'm finally able to sense Mana! The next step is-"

"Bernes!" Alison yelled, her face serious. "Please behave. Get back to your seat and wait for your friends."

"O- okay…" the boy turned back to his seat quietly. Although Alison was a gentle teacher, everyone knew that she really meant it when she reprimanded them.

After that, the students took turns to pick up the catalyst stone. Some students were still talking around, but no more unruly acts were seen.

Soon, it was Catherine and Helen's turn. When Catherine reached out the stone, she felt that something was a bit different.

"Helen, I think I got a clearer view compared to what Bernes described. I saw them in solid colors! Do you think I got a better sense of Mana?"

Catherine turned to Helen, still trembling in excitement.

"How about y-" she paused abruptly, the word stuck on her throat.

Catherine noticed that her friend was acting strangely. When Helen touched the stone catalyst just now, her expression turned blank for a second.

Right after, she heard a subtle crack from the stone in Helen's hand, which caused her heart to jump.

Once, her father said that all catalyst materials are harder iron, such that it was impossible for a child to break them with their bare hands. Yet, Helen seemed to split it into two with just her grip.

"He…len...?" Catherine slowly waved her hand in front of Helen's face, yet she showed no signs of responding as if Helen had turned into a statue.

Her heart instantly fell as she got a scare of her life. The situation was well beyond her understanding.

"Teacher! Something is-"

Before she managed to say everything, a sudden ashen grey aura burst out all over Helen's body in a light pulse. Right after that, Helen collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

"Helen!" Catherine screamed in horror.

"Oh no!" Alison finally react as she quickly dashed toward them.