Chapter 104 - First Day (3)

"What did he want from you?" asked Trent once Arya returned to the group.

"Nothing much, just small talk,"

"I see, anyway I got to go. I have combat training next," said Trent, looking at the class schedule projected from his student card.

'Magic theory huh?' thought Arya, looking at his own schedule.

"Nice, we have the same class next, let's go together," said Abby as she grabbed Arya's arm and rushed of with him to their next class.

"Better watch out Yuuki, or pretty soon Arya might become your brother-in-law," laughed Trent as he and the rest of the group walked off to their classes.

"That might not be a bad thing," whispered Yuuki as he walked off to his next class as well.

'Why is she suddenly so touchy?' wondered Arya as Abby pulled him along the school halls, drawing the attention of all the other students they passed by.

'Hmmph, that's right, he's all mine,' smirked Abby as some of the female students began making their own assumptions when they saw Abby's arm wrapped around Arya's.

The two finally made it to their class and took their seats, instructor Reylin stood at the front of the class, waiting for all the students to walk in.

"So who can tell me what the three fundamental ingredients are when casting magic?" asked instructor Reylin once the class had started.

"Yes you there," said Reylin, pointing to one of the students who had raised her hand.

"Mana, the mana network, and chanting,"

"That isn't entirely correct, anyone else?"

"The mana core, the mana network, and chanting," replied another student.

"Close but both of you are making the same incorrect assumption," said Reylin as she sat on her chair with a wide smile on her face.

The class was at a loss for words, no matter what answer they gave, all of them seemed to be wrong.

"This is boring," whispered Abby from beside Arya as the class waited in silence for an answer.

"No one? It seems that this year's batch isn't that bright," commented Reylin, the smile on her face wider than ever.

"How about you?" asked Reylin, pointing to Arya.

"Me?"

"Yes you, tell me what the three fundamental ingredients are when casting magic," 

'Pfft, this is easy. The mana core, the mana network, and world essence,' replied the Sauron.

"The mana core, the mana network, and world essence," answered Arya out loud, much to Reylin's surprise.

"It seems that someone's family taught them well," commented Reylin as she got of her seat.

'Thanks' replied Arya.1

"Anyway, he's right. The assumption that all of you made was that chanting was a necessary requirement to cast magic, however, you forgot that there are mages capable of silent casting."

"I didn't expect you all to know what world essence was, as this isn't something you need to be aware of to cast first-tier magic, however as you learn higher tier magic then it will become increasingly important," 

"Anyway, world essence is the raw energy that radiates from the depths of Merrum. Currently, researchers are still debating over what exactly produces this essence, with some saying it's a by-product of Merrum's core, while others claiming that it's produced by a higher being. However all that aside, all you need to know is that world essence is everywhere, all the time."

"Now why exactly do we care about world essence?" questioned Reylin, looking at Arya as if expecting an answer from him.

"World essence contains the mana required to cast spells, and is the substance required to mature our mana cores," shouted a student from the back of the class.

"Mr. Anclara, thank you, but please raise your hand next time," replied Reylin as she read his name on the class list.

'Hmmph, show off. I knew the answer as well, I just wasn't confident enough to say it. I'll show the lecturer that he's not the only one with a brain between his shoulders,' thought Anclara as he stared at Arya with a determined gaze.

'And queue disturbance to my life number one,' thought Arya as he felt the heat from Anclara's glare burn into the back of his head.

Anclara raised his hand at every chance he got, trying to show off his vast knowledge to the instructor, much to the other student's annoyance. As the class was ending and the students were packing up, happy to finally move on to their next class, Reylin asked one more question.

"What are the other components of world essence?"

Anclara who usually raised his hand the second a question was asked was at a loss for words. Some of the students giggled at his confused expression.

'How the hell are we supposed to know that?' questioned Anclara, as he turned to see whether Arya would raise his hand to answer.

'Hmmph, of course, if I don't know it, then he obviously has no idea as well,'

"I want you to do research on this for homewor-" Reylin was about to say before Arya interrupted.

"Apart from mana, world essence consists of the world's energy, and small traces of divine and demonic energy," answered Arya without raising his hand.

"V-very good. It seems that someone is quite knowledgable," Reylin was so shocked that she didn't even bother scolding him for not raising his hand.

As the students were leaving, instructor Reylin called Arya over to her desk.

"You know quite a lot on world essence theory. Are your parents perhaps researchers of some sort?"

"N-no, I just happened to come across a book on world essence," replied Arya, scratching his head awkwardly.

'Pfft, he was just lucky that the instructor happened to ask questions he had knowledge on,' thought Anclara as he walked past Arya.

"What did the teacher want from you?" asked Abby, who had been waiting for Arya to finish talking to Reylin.

'Why is she still here?' wondered Arya, annoyed that she was being so clingy.

"She just wanted to know where I got my knowledge on world energy from and recommended a few books to me."

"Yeah, you're really smart, are you sure you're not from a noble lineage?" asked Abby.

'It would be easier if he was. Father might be hesitant if he hears that he's from a common household.'

"I wouldn't know, my parent's died before I was old enough to ask," answered Arya in an annoyed tone.

'Maybe that will stop her incessant questioning,' thought Arya before walking off.

'Fuck, I have no idea where the smithing lecture hall is,' realized Arya, once he had walked a few steps.

"I-I didn't know. Please forgive me," said Abby as she walked back to Arya.

"How about we go to our next class together? I promise not to ask any more questions," promised Abby, as she tried to apologize for her mistake.