3
Chapter 3
Efficiency varies depending on where mana is accumulated.
For instance, imagine a magic-type Awakened storing mana in their heart.
Such an Awakened would have to draw mana from the heart to the head before manifesting a spell.
'Why on earth would they do that?!'
They could have just drawn it from 0.1cm away.
Why run ten whole meters to fetch it?
Storing mana in the head allows for immediate use whenever needed.
It also prevents any loss during transport.
'Anyone could figure that out with a little thought!!!!'
Enoch held his throbbing head and stared blankly at the laboratory ceiling.
After a night of deliberation, his thoughts had led him back to the same conclusion.
"I really should start by teaching them how to accumulate mana. I can handle Edelyn myself... but I need to find someone capable of managing Benny."
The notepad on his desk was covered in various scribbles.
Diagrams of the core's position, mana flow by type, and marks erased here and there.
Honestly, even as a former Archmage, Enoch didn't know everything.
'I simply don't know the things I don't know.'
The important thing was accepting that ignorance.
And seeking help from talented others for the areas where he was lacking.
Having organized his thoughts, Enoch called the children to the empty lot.
#
"Edelyn! Look at this! Teacher! Look at me!!"
Benny hadn't stayed still for a single second since arriving at the empty lot.
He would create imaginary enemies in the empty space to deliver Side Kicks, or pick up a fallen branch and shout Dimensional Slash!!!! at the top of his lungs while swinging it wildly.
In short, he never just stood still.
He even tried to drag Edelyn into the fray, only to be quietly ignored.
Edelyn shifted restlessly, glancing at Enoch.
Enoch watched with arms crossed, wondering how long Benny would keep this up.
'Ah... should I just quit everything, make some magic tools, and make money...?'
He had thought this more than ten times, but there was a reason he wouldn't.
First, magic tools are expensive to produce.
Incredibly so.
They are pricey not only because the crafting process is complex, but because the raw materials are so costly.
Second, he had to prepare for the invasion of the Demon Realm.
Honestly, who would believe someone like him who didn't even have mana anymore?
If he were to act cocky toward current Adventurers or Knights, saying:
"Do this and that!! Not like that!! I said do it this way!!" he wouldn't end up in a good spot. Even at the Academy, no one would treat him as a teacher unless he were in F Class. Third, he wanted to pass his knowledge only to those with the right character, without making it public. To be honest, that was his own greed. He wanted to stop the Demon Realm's invasion with his knowledge, but if he wasn't careful, the information could leak to collaborators or people intoxicated by power, increasing civilian casualties. People easily succumb to power and act wrongly. He didn't want to fight both monsters and humans at the same time, like in the war before his regression. In that sense, leading Academy students to be morally and skillfully upright aligned perfectly with his goals. 'But why did I become a teacher again... I don't think I joined to become a professor like the assistants... I can't quite remember?'
"So... *pant* *pant* what... *whew* are we learning today?"
Benny had approached him at some point and was now catching his breath with both hands on his knees.
The little rascal had finally worn himself out.
The branch had disappeared from his hand at some point.
"Today, I'm going to teach you your own methods of mana accumulation."
"Oooooh!"
Both of their eyes widened.
Benny clenched his fists even while panting, and Edelyn lightly tugged at the edge of her sleeve.
'I really like this level of passion.'
"First, Benny. I told you yesterday to gather mana in your heart instead of the lower dantian, right?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Edelyn glanced at Benny with a hint of envy.
"First, empty all the mana below your navel."
Benny tilted his head in confusion.
"How do I empty it?"
What on earth is he talking about?
"What do you mean, how? Use your mana for physical reinforcement and run in circles around here until it's all gone."
"Gasp!! If I just rest for a moment..."
Benny, still looking exhausted, made a cautious suggestion, but Enoch didn't accept it.
"Off you go!"
With a light push on his back, Benny bolted.
His legs had moved before he even had a chance to complain.
Seeing how Benny obeyed my every word, I could guess how much those six months of neglect had hurt him.
It weighed heavily on my heart to see a child so happy just to be given something to do.
"Teacheeeeer!!"
Leaving Benny to his mana-running as he called out to me in a tearful voice.
"Edelyn, do you remember what I taught you yesterday?"
"Yes. You... you told me to gather mana in my head, right?"
After answering, Edelyn's eyes turned toward Enoch.
Then, she began to fidget restlessly.
What's this? Why can't she stay still, writhing like a Death Worm?
'She's staring at me... it looks like she has something to say.'
Edelyn's lips twitched, and after taking a deep breath, she spoke.
"So, I tried practicing by myself in my dorm room. How is it?"
Unbelievable!
To think she remembered yesterday's lesson and even reviewed it.
How wonderful!!!
I was deeply moved that such a child was my student.
I wanted to tell everyone that this child was my student.
I felt like bragging about her to the entire academy.
"Teacher?"
'Oops. I drifted off into my own world again.'
It seems to be getting worse lately... well, it's fine.
"Sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment."
Enoch focused and observed Edelyn's mana.
While it hadn't taken a definite shape, the mana was certainly lingering in her head.
'The amount of mana is too low, but that's fine since I can gradually increase it.'
"You're doing great. Let's try it together. Can you show me how you gathered your mana?"
"Yes!"
Edelyn smiled, clearly pleased with Enoch's response, then closed her eyes and began to concentrate.
Natural mana scattered in the air began to flow slowly toward Edelyn's head.
She released her own mana back into nature, filling the empty space with natural mana.
The mana flow was smooth, forming a natural cycle.
However, the mana couldn't stay in her head and kept dissipating.
'As expected...'
It's impossible to even attempt the next step without knowing the secret.
"Okay. That's enough."
"Phew."
At Enoch's words, Edelyn took a deep breath and stopped accumulating mana.
Her face was slightly flushed when she opened her eyes.
"You're doing really well!"
"R-really?"
"Of course. It's impressive that you got this far on your own."
Enoch patted Edelyn on the head.
Her face instantly turned bright red, like a Magma Slime.
"From now on, imagine a regular hexagon while you gather your mana."
"I-I'll try."
Edelyn closed her eyes again.
The blush had not yet faded.
Natural mana began to flow toward Edelyn once more.
The mana in her head gradually began to take shape.
The corners were blurry at first, but they grew sharper.
As the angles set and the lines connected, the regular hexagon structure was completed.
'To be able to follow along perfectly after just one verbal explanation... she has remarkable talent.'
There are students like Edelyn who lack innate mana capacity but possess a great delicacy in handling it.
The world is full of diverse talents.
The Academy's standard of dividing classes by mana capacity was far too outdated.
'Mana capacity isn't everything.'
The mana in Edelyn's head solidified into the hexagonal shape and became etched into her brain.
In that moment.
The quality of the mana changed.
"T-teacher, what is this?"
"Congratulations, Edelyn. That is called a Mana Storage."
Mana Storage.
A mana accumulation method created by magic-type Awakened to fight monsters during the Demon Realm's invasion. It was a technique born on the battlefield.
There are too many advantages to list, but if I had to pick, there are two main ones.
The casting time for spells is drastically reduced, and there is absolutely no mana loss.
"Mana... Storage?"
"Think of it as an upgraded version of a Circle."
"An upgraded version of a..."
She didn't seem to have a grasp on the Mana Storage yet.
But with her level of talent, she wouldn't need a lengthy explanation.
"Shall we try casting a spell now?"
"Yes!"
Edelyn reached out toward a nearby tree.
Her fingertips trembled slightly from nervousness.
"W-Water Ball!"
As soon as she spoke, a water droplet the size of a slime flew toward the tree.
Thump—
The Water Ball left a clear mark on the tree before vanishing.
"W-wow! This is actually my magic?"
"It is."
"Whenever I used magic before, I had to use all my mana, and even then, it usually vanished from lack of mana before it even reached the target!!!"
Edelyn spoke louder and faster than she ever had before, her voice brimming with joy.
'Her speed in visualizing the magic circle must be completely different now. She's probably feeling it more than anyone.'
Whether it was emotion or excitement, Edelyn's cheeks were certainly flushed red.
"So this is the M-Mana Storage..."
Edelyn's eyes were overflowing with admiration.
'Pretty great, huh? A next-gen technology that no one in this era knows about!!'
Beaming at his disciple's respect, Enoch couldn't hide his smug satisfaction.
"From now on, I'll properly teach you about magic. Don't give up even when it gets hard, and just follow my lead."
"Yes! I'll trust you and follow you."
It was a short answer, but there was no hesitation in it.
The laughter of Enoch and Edelyn filled the empty lot.
The distant sound of Benny panting didn't even reach their ears.
"U-um, Teacher..."
"Yes?"
"Why is the Mana Storage made in the shape of a r-regular hexagon?"
"I don't know the details myself. From what the creator told me, it was something about mana tension and how it's similar to water."
'I wonder how that old hag is doing...'
Enoch briefly recalled a face from his distant memories before returning to reality.
"Teacheeeeeer! *pant* *pant*! How long do I have to! *pant* *pant*!"
Benny wasn't running anymore; he was practically crawling.
With lips bone-dry, he reached out his hand toward Enoch.
It was a desperate signal for rescue.
Enoch had been so focused on Edelyn that he'd completely forgotten about Benny.
"Sorry! Benny! You can stop running now!!!"
Enoch rushed over to Benny.
Edelyn followed behind him with a smile.