Basic Breathing Technique

Max woke up and went to his lecture classroom where quite a number of people were already there along with the teacher. They were asking him multiple questions, mostly related to information about breathing techniques as they weren't able to find one of the fifty books that were inside the library.

Max went to his seat and waited patiently, which proved to work as after a couple of answers he was given the opportunity to ask his question.

"Where are we supposed to find actual breathing techniques? I found a book but it only talked about what is happening and different types of breathing techniques. There wasn't information about any actual breathing techniques." Max said with an annoyed tone.

"Haha! You actually thought that the academy will just give everyone the breathing technique that they desire? Just one Junior-Level Breathing Technique is a strong weapon, just think about the academy leaving treasures all around the place." Alexander said in a mocking tone after hearing Max's question.

"Now leaving the mocking out of the way, the only way a student is allowed access at any breathing techniques is through the competition that happens at least two times a year. Until then you will have to learn if you wish, of course, the one and only basic breathing technique."

Max flinched at what Alexander said. In the book Max read, the basic breathing technique was the worst technique ever made as it was the first-ever breathing technique invented. All of the more advanced techniques built up from it, easily surpassing it over the years.

"If you truly read the book then you are also aware of the fact that the basic breathing technique is the primordial technique, am I right?" Alexander asked and when he saw Max nodding he continued.

"What the book didn't specify was the fact that this technique doesn't mess with the progression of any of the other breathing techniques that you might learn in a bad way. In fact, it does the opposite. It helps you with learning your first breathing technique since you can use it as the foundation of the new and more advanced technique." Alexander smirked, and as he saw Max's expression change into one of surprise he finished his speech with a question.

"Now, doesn't it sound quite familiar?" Max looked up at Alexander which was grinning.

'It sounds exactly like learning a more advanced technique of the same kind. Use the already learned technique as the foundation and then build on it.' Max had formed a smile on his lips as well. Information such as this, even though apparent, were key factors toward understanding.

"And where are we supposed to find this basic breathing technique?" Max asked bluntly, he roughly knew the personality of the teacher now, he wouldn't feel offended by dropping formalities with him.

"Oh, that..." Alexander looked around him, searching for something. He reached his hand and grabbed his bag. He got up from his seat and walked over to Max while getting something out of it.

"The technique is handed down by me. You are the first pupil that I have acknowledged from this class, congratulations I guess" He handed the book towards Max which was able to see the cover of the book. It was a blank, grey book.

"This is it?" Max asked doubtfully.

"Well yes of course, do you want gold-lining for something that is produced with the hundreds every year?" Alexander snapped at Max.

"Just anticlimactic I guess. I will take my leave then, please excuse me." Max left right after, ready to try the technique out.

***

"It's not even working!" Max shouted at no one inside his room.

He felt really frustrated, he was patient at first but after a few hours of trying, it was already stepping on his nerves. He didn't have any idea how to circulate the magic particles inside his body, he could gather them inside but moving and circulating them in a certain pattern was almost impossible for him.

'Max, can I get a word in?' It was Matt's voice. He had an idea of why Max is not able to circulate his magic through his bloodstream.

'What is it?' Max, feeling defeated, let Matt address himself.

'I don't think that the particles don't circulate, I think that they do but at a really slow pace. Can we try this later when night falls? You are already aware that during the night your darkness element is a lot more powerful, and that the opposite happens during the day, your darkness element is weakened right now. With zero experience with magic circulation I don't think you will be able to achieve anything during the day.'

What Matt said was indeed logical but also true. Matt has been filling Max on the way the darkness element works which of course included its strength and weakness. Max knew what Matt was talking about.

"Am I supposed to wait now?" Looking through the window, at the sun that slowly descended towards the horizon, Max softly muttered as he closed his eyes.

He didn't know how much time has passed, his consciousness faltered for some reason but was awoken by the sound of a door shutting. It was a familiar noise now and Max knew what was going to happen.

He opened his eyes and looked towards the bathroom door. Right at that moment the door slowly opened, revealing Mark behind it.

"So how are you doing? You didn't come to the library so after about an hour or so I thought that you actually went to ask the teacher a question. So I went towards the classroom... just to meet with the teacher along the way telling me that you left already." Mark began telling his story of how he ended at his dorm with noticeable displeasure in his words.

"Mark perfect!" Max suddenly thought of an idea.

"Read this and memorize the steps. After you do then utilize the technique." As if he was done with the book, Max threw it slowly at Mark which swiftly caught it.

"What is-" Mark wanted to question about the book but Max hurriedly interrupted.

"You will find out if you read the book. Don't ask how I got it either, it's a long story which even I don't understand"

Mark got to reading and about an hour later he reached the end of the book. He sat down on the floor, moving his body into a meditation position then began utilizing the technique written in the book.

He got back up after some time, Max was just staring at the meditating Mark wide-eyed, he was waiting for him with expectations the whole time he was concentrating.

"It's so cool, it gives this feeling of sudden power flowing through you," Mark replied to Max which was waiting eagerly.

"How many circulations have you done?" Max asked, impressed by Mark, he wasn't even able to complete one-tenth of a circulation but Mark was at least able to do at least a full one.

"Just one, it broke my concentration when the flow of power started so I got up..." Mark scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Alright now! I should be concentrating as well on my circulations. Use the basic circulation technique and practice it enough so that you can move while circulating, if you do then your position in the competition will surely rise." Max looked at the window and saw that the sun was right now almost below the horizon line, the night was swiftly coming and he was excited to try circulating himself which is why he tried to chase Mark back to his room.

"Alright then, thanks a lot for sharing the technique, I'll not forget that... talk to you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow Mark" Max replied.

The door then closed with a clicking sound. Max stretched himself all over the bed, getting into a comfortable position then began trying the basic circulation technique out.