Extra's Path: The Eternal Frost Monarch-Chapter 34: Mana Theory

It was Saturday.

In the blink of an eye, the week was coming to an end, with the holiday being tomorrow.

"Yawn~"

Currently, Noah was in his class, sitting on the back bench while listening to the lecture.

At the front of the class was the ever beautiful Morgana Celestine.

She stood in front of the large digital board, wearing her usual elegant black outfit that perfectly fit her figure. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her sharp eyes scanned the classroom.

"Today," she began, crossing her arms, "we will start with Mana Theory."

Some students immediately straightened their backs. Some looked bored. Some looked excited.

"You all might already know some basics about mana," she continued, "but since this is the first time I am teaching mana theory to you, we will start from the very beginning."

She turned and tapped the board. A diagram appeared showing a human body with a glowing core near the stomach.

"First question," she said, turning back to the class. "What is mana?"

The class became quiet for a moment. Then a student in the front row raised his hand.

"Yes," Morgana said.

"Mana is the energy that allows us to cast magic," the student replied.

Morgana nodded slightly. "Correct, but incomplete."

She walked slowly across the classroom as she continued speaking.

"Mana is the fundamental energy of this world. It exists everywhere. In the air, in the earth, in water, in living beings, everywhere. A person absorb mana into their bodies and store it in their mana core. From there, they circulate mana through their mana channels and use it to cast magic."

’That was a small but very simple explanation.’

Noah had gotten most of the memories of past Noah. And he, being good for nothing, still had studied these basic things.

Then why was the instructor teaching those things again?

It was simple. Since no matter how common some knowledge might be, there always exist some people who don’t know anything about it.

She drew another diagram on the board showing mana flowing from a core through channels into the arm.

"We could reinforced our bodies with mana. Which helps us to move faster and increase our physical strength. But for now we will focus on magic."

Then she continued.

"To cast magic, mana must be moved in a specific pattern. If the pattern is wrong, the spell will fail. If the mana flow is unstable, the spell may explode in your face." She looked at the class seriously. "Which I hope none of you are stupid enough to try."

Some students laughed nervously. Noah leaned back in his chair, listening carefully.

Morgana continued, "Now, second question. What are the methods to cast magic?"

This time, Lyria raised her hand.

"Yes." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"There are several methods," Emma said. "Magic circles, runes, hand signs."

Morgana nodded. "Good."

She turned to the board and wrote those words.

"Magic circles, runes and hand signs. These are the most common methods to cast magic. Among them, magic circles are the most efficient and most widely used method. They are stable, precise, and allow complex spells to be cast."

She drew a circular diagram filled with symbols.

"Runes are usually carved on weapons, armor, or objects. They are used for enchantments and passive effects. But they can be used for support magic or small spells."

She drew a few rune symbols on the board.

"Hand signs are faster but less stable. They are mostly used in combat when there is no time to draw a magic circle."

"Symbols are similar to runes but simpler. They are often used in quick casting or support magic."

She then turned back to the class. "Now we move to elemental affinity."

At this, many students became more attentive.

"Mana allows a person to control elements. Most people are born with an affinity toward one element. Some people have multiple affinities, but that is rare."

She wrote on the board again, this time the names of all basic elements.

"Fire, water, wind and earth. These are the basic affinities. Most people belong to one of these four elements."

"Ice, gravity, sand, sound and some more. These are rare elements. Not many people have them, but they are not extremely rare either. You will definitely meet people with these abilities."

Noah quietly looked at the word Ice on the board. He had an affinity towards ice. Actually, there were many rare elements. Shadow, mist and even poison.

Then Morgana paused for a moment before writing again.

Then she wrote another list. The classroom became quieter.

"These are not natural elements," Morgana said slowly. "They are conceptual elements."

Some students looked confused. Noah narrowed his eyes. He perfectly knew about those elements and who had affinity towards them.

Someone raised their hand slowly. "Instructor... what are conceptual elements?"

Morgana looked at her and replied, "Natural elements control the world around us. Fire burns, water flows, wind moves, earth supports. They are part of nature."

After listening to that, Noah suddenly thought about Lyria, who had Light affinity.

While Damien also possessed light affinity, he had multiple elements.

Then his eyes turned to Kaelan, who had affinity towards darkness.

Then he focused on the lecture again.

She paused and then continued in a slightly more serious tone. "But conceptual elements are different."

She tapped the board where Light and Darkness were written. "Light controls energy and life. Darkness controls death and souls. And some more unique things."

The classroom became completely silent.

Even Damien, who had been leaning lazily in his chair, was now listening very carefully.

"People with conceptual elements are extremely rare," Morgana continued. "And their abilities are often far more dangerous and complicated than natural elements. Darkness element users can even perform necromancy."

She turned around and looked at the entire class with her amethyst eyes.

"So do not think magic is just about throwing fireballs and making wind blades. Mana is the foundation of everything. If your mana control is poor, your magic will always be weak no matter what element you have."

She then smiled slightly.

"And that is why, starting next week, we will begin mana control training."

Many students immediately groaned. Morgana’s smile widened slightly.

"Yes," she said. "You are all going to suffer."