Mastering the Basics
I strode confidently to the front of the classroom under the students' gazes.
Let's see. My first period.
Basic Mana Lecture. A class to understand what mana is and learn how to handle it.
It's in here, good.
I sat back down quietly in my seat.
Jayyan confirmed everyone had received their schedules and opened her mouth.
"Has everyone checked their timetables?"
Classes at Sky Academy were a bit different from my previous life.
Each class lasted longer, but there were only two or three per day.
Interesting. Well, subjects like these can't be mastered in just fifty-minute sessions anyway.
Even in my past life's schools, fifty minutes often felt too short.
That led to emphasizing rote memorization over true understanding.
But magic and swordsmanship didn't work that way. Memorization mattered, sure, but understanding was far more crucial.
"Yes."
Jayyan nodded and pulled another sheet from the folder she carried.
Pop.
A small sound came from the paper, and it instantly transformed into a thick book.
"Then everyone, open your books. We'll start class right away."
"?"
"?"
Eh?
I blinked. Starting class immediately?
...No way?
Jayyan seemed to notice the stares and added,
"Oh, right—I forgot to mention. I'll be teaching Basic Mana Lecture. Nice to meet you all."
...Oh.
Every professor here seems a little off from the norm.
* * *
Basic Mana Lecture.
In truth, many in S Class—packed with students already at Low Knight or 1-2 Circle Mage level—argued it wasn't essential.
But Jayyan was firm on this.
She insisted Basic Mana Lecture be a required course.
"Basic Mana Lecture must be mandatory."
"You could teach other subjects instead."
"It's not about losing my class—it's because the students need it."
Whatever you do, you need fundamentals.
Swordsmanship? Useless if you don't know how to hold the sword.
Magic? Pointless without knowing how to wield mana itself.
"But there'll be backlash."
"I'll handle the convincing."
In that sense, Jayyan was the perfect professor to explain why basics mattered most.
At 25, she'd reached 5 Circle Mage.
Not from a prestigious house or noble blood—just a commoner with no last name—yet she'd outshone blue-blooded nobles.
Rumors said she might hit 6 Circle Mage in five years.
All from mastering one thing: the foundation of foundations, mana control.
"Everyone got their books open?"
"......"
"No enthusiasm, huh? Fine, we'll ease in. How about quick introductions first?"
Introductions?
Did colleges even do that?
...This is high school level, right?
Even modern high schools skipped them. Sure enough, someone raised a hand—sharing my thoughts.
"Professor, we're all familiar faces. Do we really need to?"
"We should consider the students who don't know each other."
The non-nobles were just me, Ash Blue, and Jenella. So naturally, all eyes locked on... me.
Why me?
Ash Blue and Jenella are right here!
"......"
The golden-haired girl who'd spoken—Banasi Madcond—stood with her hand raised. Unlike Adria's blue eyes, hers were a sharp silver; her straight, neatly styled blonde hair fell without curls, and she was a touch shorter than her sister.
"...Banasi Madcond. I'll be joining your class. Nice to meet you."
Damn, she's actually doing it.
One by one, students followed her lead.
"Yahan Horain."
A black-haired, orange-eyed pretty boy—looking every bit the arrogant noble—gave a cocky nod.
"...Bulria Arishion."
Green hair, green eyes, draped in deep green robes screaming "I'm a mage"—Bulria spoke with lazy arrogance.
"Andeman Purplic. I barely scraped second in the entrance exam."
His face hidden, only purple hair and a sturdy build visible, he spoke politely.
"M-Mazel Mavra."
A bespectacled girl, the spitting image of a timid class rep, stammered it out.
"...Ash Blue."
Ash Blue, her sky-blue hair contrasting dark blue eyes, said it flatly.
"Adria Madcond."
Curly blonde hair, striking silver eyes, taller than her peers. The imperial princess shared her sister's blood but a different vibe, speaking tensely.
"...Jenella."
Purple hair, purple eyes, plain clothes—Jenella stuttered mid-sentence, like she'd bitten her tongue.
Then it was my turn. With so few people, it came quick.
All eyes on me.
Let's see if the priest can hack it.
I stood.
"Eugene Ar... I mean, Eugene."
Almost said Arcana. Damn, tongue-tied.
I grimaced slightly and sat, frowning. Eodukshini, fiddling with my book on the desk, looked up at me.
—Why'd you bite your tongue like an idiot?
'Shut it.'
—Gah!
"Faces familiar now? The principal insisted on intros to build character... er, familiarity. You'll bond over assignments anyway."
Clap clap!
Jayyan clapped.
"Now, class time?"
Flip, flip—
Pages turned; she smiled, satisfied.
"Good. This semester: Basic Mana Control. We'll cover it all term."
"?"
Mana control?
That's it?
I checked the book. Table of contents: packed with mana control basics.
What about the rest?
"Lots of confused faces. Simple: it's not about knowing tons of spells—it's how solid your foundation is."
"......"
Everyone but Ash Blue looked baffled.
Like telling high schoolers to relearn addition when they're tackling calculus.
Who'd bother?
"Not convinced, huh?"
Yahan Horain raised his hand.
Arrogant as ever, he questioned her.
"Professor, a question."
"Yes, Yahan?"
"I'm a swordsman. Do I really need to focus only on mana control? I wield aura, not mana."
"Great question, Yahan. Others are wondering too."
Banasi, the green-haired guy, and the bespectacled girl nodded faintly.
But I stayed blank-faced.
Didn't matter what we learned.
Why? I suck at basics and techniques.
My fights so far? Pure instinct, War God's Blessing, and brute physicality—no real training.
Without the blessing? Weaker body? No mimicking Ash Blue's swordplay?
I couldn't have smoked that black mage or taken the vampire boss unscathed.
So whatever she taught, I'd gobble it up with a "thank you kindly."
No complaints. Mana control? Divine power was a mana-like energy anyway.
Bound to help.
I sat quiet, but the elite nobles looked lost.
"Alright, let me show you."
She shrugged off her blazer, setting it—and her professor badge—on the podium.
Standing casual, she beckoned Yahan.
"Yahan?"
"Yes?"
"Attack me for real from now on."
"?"
What?
Even Yahan froze, confused.
Jayyan clarified lightly.
"I'll use only basic mana control. Should be fair. Go all out."
"But—"
"If you so much as scratch my skin, full marks this semester."
"!"
Yahan's eyes widened.
Low Knight vs. 5 Circle Mage.
Huge gap, but no spells? Winnable.
"...Fine."
"Don't hold back just 'cause I'm a professor. Badge off—no liability for injuries."
Teaching students like this okay?
Yahan didn't nitpick, drawing his sword and charging.
"Hah!"
Jayyan didn't budge.
She just flicked a finger upward.
Instantly, Yahan's charge faltered.
"Wh-what?"
Thud!
He tripped like caught on something, sprawling forward.
Bewildered, he scrambled up, regripping his sword.
"A-again!"
"Come at me anytime."
"Hah!"
Thud!
"Haaaa!"
Thud!
"Raaagh!"
Crash!
"D-damn it!"
Same result every time.
Each finger flick, and Yahan ate dirt.
Once, too pissed, he hurled his sword—only for it to halt midair at her flick.
"Th-this is impossible...! Y-you're using magic, right?!"
"I swear on my mana: just mana control."
True.
I narrowed my eyes, tracking the mana flows at each flick.
...Tiny wisps tripping his feet. She's reading his balance, stride—everything.
At 25? Insane.
Not just her mana—the room's ambient mana danced to her tune.
Yahan missed it, but the mages caught on.
"How...?"
Jenella gaped beside me.
Banasi, green-hair, glasses girl—same shock.
Only Ash Blue scribbled notes, impassive.
"Done?"
"No!"
Yahan rose, grinding his teeth. Aura surged—raw, but impressive for his age.
"Haaaaah!"
Aura-clad, he charged again.
This time, I saw it clear.
His aura destabilizing.
"...Huh?"
Control fully hijacked by Jayyan.
She flicked impassively.
"N-no, this can't—!"
Smack!
The betrayed aura balled up, slamming his forehead like a cannonball.
A clean crack, and he flew back, nose gushing blood.
"Oops. Hit too hard."
"......"
"......"
She casually staunched his nosebleed, sat him upright, then donned her badge and blazer.
"You all saw. Pure mana control. Common misconception: swordsmen don't need mana skills. Wrong."
She spread her palm wide.
Mana Control
Whoooosh—
Mana gathered, visibly shaped above her hand.
No wind magic.
Just raw control.
"Swordsmen must master their mana like mages. Or stronger foes—mages especially—will unravel your aura. Only solid control keeps it intact and bound tight."
I compared: her control vs. my divine power.
...She couldn't steal mine.
Divine power was god-given.
Mana-like, but alien to outsiders—especially from my god.
Still, plenty to learn.
"And swordsmen must know magic. Why?"
"N-no idea!"
"To fight mages. Beat equals or superiors? Know your enemy. Attend diligently."
"Yes!"
I nodded, deeply impressed.
Every word hit home.
Especially "know thy enemy"—stirring this War God's priest.
Spot on.
She's excellent, top to bottom.
Basics-first mindset, combat philosophy, attitude...
...Personality's a bit much, though.
I saw it clear: fighting Yahan, her lips twitched—like barely suppressing a grin.
...Favor from her, sure. But not that kind of treatment.
"Now, eyes on the board. Move your mana like this."
Planetary orbits to constellations.
Chalk tap tap on the board.
"Mana holds infinite possibilities, like the cosmos. Start with shapes, but later? Adapt to the moment. You! Focus—no slacking!"
"...Professor. Yahan's not getting up."
Glasses girl spoke; Jayyan looked mildly awkward.
"...Too hard? I'll take him to the nurse. Study hard—check the book for questions."
"Yes!"
I quietly released a thread of divine power, mimicking the board's planetary path.
Not quite...
Practice makes perfect.
Focusing, I sensed precise mana ahead.
Green-hair nailed planets to constellations, then orbiting stars around them.
Whoa...
How?
Watching intently, he noticed, glaring murderously.
"...?"
What're you staring at?