Chapter 19: Didn’t I say?

Chapter 19: Didn’t I say?

Although there are some theories, we dont exactly know why the ability to use magic manifests itself in the body at the age of eighteen. While there are some late bloomers, magic never appears at an earlier age, Tauri walked to the starting line on the race track. My point is that all 21 of you are quite young. Your bodies have the ability to adapt and grow accustomed to intensive physical training.

A human student raised her hand.

Tauri nodded, Name.

Nora of house Azol. Professor, while I understand what you're saying I dont understand why you are saying it. This isnt the martial academy, why do we need to train so hard? Norah brushed her hair away from her face.

You are one hundred percent correct Nora. This isnt the martial academy. While you will have some basic weapons training, you wont ever be expected to master the sword. Tauri began doing stretches. But, warriors and magi have something crucial in common. We both rely on our bodies. Whenever we magi cast a spell our bodies use mana. Where does that mana specifically come from, anyone?

Our blood, Kithina voiced.

Good, someone has done their readings, Tauri smiled. Our bodies absorb the ambient mana in the environment around us and that mana normally resides in the core of our body, our heart. But when we cast a spell, that mana travels through our blood to the rest of our body. Now, you may not feel mana while it lies dormant in you, but I guarantee that isnt the case when you're spellcasting. The act of casting a spell makes the mana within you move, quickly at that. The force of that active energy is very taxing on the body, too much of it will kill you. The energy will also kill you if your body is too feeble.

Stryg remembered the feeling of heat coursing through his arms when he ripped through the ropes at the city gates. His arms felt like they were on fire.

Tauri removed her black robe to reveal a similar outfit as the students. She had an athletic build, her body was skinny save for the muscles in her wide thighs. Stryg couldnt help but stare at her butt as she stretched her legs. Stryg looked away, what was he thinking? She was an orc for Lunaes sake, the historical enemy of all goblins.

Which is why we magi strive to stay in shape. The stronger your body is the more active mana you can handle. In other words, the fitter you are, the greater spells you can cast. The quantity of spells you can cast increases too, Tauri explained.

Nora seemed miffed but stayed quiet.

Quality and quantity, Kithina murmured to herself.

Never forget my young magi, your body is a conduit for power. A very fragile conduit. But, if you can master your body and mind, Tauri took a long relaxed breath. Her veins darkened and became perfectly visible on her red skin. Then you can channel that power to achieve incredible results.

Before anyone could speak Tauri dashed away in the blink of an eye. Her feet barely touched the ground as she sprinted across the track. Strygs mouth hung wide open. Not even the animals in Vulture Woods could compete. Her speed was unnatural. In a dozen seconds she had finished her lap. Students began clapping at her performance.

Tauri laughed in joy, her veins reverting to normal. I love a morning run. With enough practice some of you will be able to run like me.

Only some of us? Kithina asked with uncertainty.

Tauris cheerful voice took a solemn tone, Indeed. All spells are relegated to the chromatic color of mana used to cast them. Each color creates different spell forms with different effects. The spell I just used was a high level agility spell. Agility enhancement is an orange spell form and therefore requires orange mana to cast.

Noras brow furrowed, Wait, are you saying that we dont all have orange mana?

Tauri glanced up at the sky, Thats exactly what Im saying.

The majority of mages only have one color of mana, Callum, the half-vampire, added.

Only about 1 in 10 mages have two colors. Anything beyond that is incredibly rare. Your colors were tested when you came to the academy. The chrome-probes, remember? Whatever color appeared on that magestone is the color of mana you possess. Tauri confirmed.

That cant be, Kithina whispered. She had dreamed of casting all different kinds of spells, like professor Rimes creation of a lily or Tauris incredible speed. Now she worried about what spells she was limited to.

Stryg recalled the magestone test. He had gotten the magestone to turn black. So, I have black mana then? Stryg looked at his hands in contemplation.

Dont worry too much about it. Youll learn more about chromatics in your other classes. Ill say this though, all colors are balanced, not one is greater than the other. So, dont worry over what color you may have. Now, my job is to train your bodies. I want everyone to line up, Tauri said.

The group shuffled around in embarrassment.

Um, Prof. Tauri. What is a hybrid? Stryg asked with uncertainty. He had felt uncomfortable at how she had pointed out all his odd features.

Tauris eyes widened, You dont know what you are? Are you serious?

I dont know what a hybrid is if thats what you mean, Stryg said impatiently.

Tauri smiled sadly, A hybrid is a child born between parents of different species. You are a half-goblin. My guess is your half-drow, too.

What? Thats, thats not possible, Stryg denied, shaken.

Tauri walked over and patted his shoulder, It can be a lot to take in. Your parents never told you?

My mother died when I was born, Stryg mumbled.

Thats pretty common in hybrid births. My mother... she passed away when I was born, as well, Callum said, sadness clear in his eyes.

Tauri nodded in sympathy, And what about your father Stryg?

I... I never knew my father, Stryg said with dawning realization.

Tauri sighed, Thats a pity. It seems you get your speed from your dads side of the family though. You managed to outpace everyone, even the pure vampire over there.

Clypeus looked away. At least it explains why theres a goblin in the magic academy and how he won the race. Hes not even a goblin, Clypeus grumbled.

Stryg was still trying to take in the situation. Wait, I won?

Yup. By a long shot. Judging from your muscles I bet you exercise often, unlike any of these rich kids.

...But Ive always lost every race, Stryg whispered.

Tauri tilted her head, Did you race against a bunch of other hybrids?

Stryg shook his head, No, they werent freaks like m- He stopped himself. They were normal.

Hm. When was the last time you raced against them? Tauri asked.

A few months ago, I guess.

Your body could just be beginning to show signs of your hybrid nature. Its rare, but some hybrids only develop traits of one parent until the later stages of their life, Callum explained.

The stragglers finally arrived at the finish line. Kithina was struggling to catch her breath. She looked at Tauri and the others surrounding Stryg. What was going on?

Tauri grinned, Youre all finally here. You took longer than I hoped. Not to worry, Ill have you fit in no time. Do another ten laps, feel free to jog this time.

Kithina could feel her legs wilting at the cruel sound of the orcs laughter. Forget flunking and getting kicked out of school, Kithina would die right here on this bloody track.