Another Question

Both Max and Mark spent their night improving their use of the breathing technique. Max was surprised at first, the speed at which he was circulating the magic in his bloodstream changed pacing, being significantly faster.

Just as Mark did, once he completed a circulation the power burst he felt for a split second jolted his concentration. He took a while to accustom himself to the feeling but was able to complete a full circulation in a few minutes without his concentration faltering by the end of the night. The sun rose once again and the feeling of helplessness when trying to circulate came back to Max.

'I might be able to complete a full circulation in an hour now though' Max said happily. Yesterday he wasn't even able to see the magic circulating in his body but now he was, it was slow but at least he was able to see improvement in it.

Max stretched and got to his morning routine right after.

Just as Max was about to go back to his room, Mark opened the other door that leads into the bathroom. Max turned around to look at Mark. He saw him smiling brightly, Mark had clear eyes, something that Max wasn't able to see yet during the morning.

"I see someone is feeling good today" Max had a smirk on his face while saying so, he knew that Mark either meditated or trained the breathing technique, otherwise he wouldn't have been awake at this time.

"How can I not? Max, you have tried the technique for yourself, right? Doesn't it feel so good?" Mark said excitedly after Max addressed him.

"Well yes, it feels soothing because after all, it uses your gathered magic to strengthen your body" Max explained to Mark, but it was true that something was happening without their knowledge. He felt stronger even without using the technique and even if the strength increase wasn't substantial, the effects will show over time.

"See me after you are finished over here," Max told Mark before closing the door.

It took some time but Mark finally opened the door that leads to Max's room. He wore leather armor like Max. He wore his chainmail before but after seeing that there is no need to be so cautious about his well-being he downgraded it to the brown leather armor he wore at this moment.

"So where are we going?" Mark asked, he was sure that Max was going somewhere and would ask him to come along.

"I'm gonna go and ask the teacher another question today, want to come? I think it's best that you also clear any questions you might have." Max got straight to the point and told Mark what he was thinking. He also invited him to come along because being alone in that classroom was boring, at least before it was Max's turn he could discuss with Mark.

"I don't really have an important question though... But I'll come along why not, let's go!" Mark accepted, he would find something to ask while getting there.

They left and began walking towards their classroom, and just as yesterday Max sat at his seat in the front row, but this time it was different as Mark was by his side. They whispered to each other, talking about the questions and answers the others got and finally it was Max's turn to ask.

"Teacher, I've practiced the breathing technique the whole night and after completing numerous circulations my body feels stronger than usual," Max said, trying to find an answer.

"Well, every time you complete a circulation you get a temporary power increase while you are still continuing the circulation. Is this what you are talking about?" Alexander asked, he didn't know how to answer the question as there are quite a number of reasons for that to happen, he thought that maybe Max forgot about the temporary power increase one gains while still circulating so he reminded him.

"No, not like that. It's not temporary but it feels permanent. The feeling doesn't weaken which is why I say this." Max explained the feeling more accurately.

"Permanent increase in strength?" Alexander frowned while reverting his gaze towards the floor, looking as if being in deep thought.

"There is one thing that happens which might explain it, it's not written in the book that some of your classmates, and including you, have read as it is more complicated and unnecessary for a beginner mage. When circulating the breathing technique through your body, the absorption of magic particles speeds up. But that only happens with magic particles that are excessive for the circulation. Think of it as using something harmful in a useful way." Alexander explained carefully, he was simplifying the process in the meanwhile for Max and the others that were inside the classroom to understand.

"Harmful?" Max asked curiously. He was never told that magic particles were harmful to humans.

"Not harmful, but some techniques including the basic breathing technique have a maximum amount of particles that they can circulate which is why you want to move on to other, more advanced, techniques. The more advanced the more amount of particles it can circulate at the same time which in turn gives a more powerful increase in power. If the person has more particles than the amount the technique can circulate, when using the technique the excess amount is slowly absorbed by the body, strengthening it." Alexander answered.

"So it means that I have more magic in my bloodstream than what the technique can circulate?" Max asked, grasping the idea of the information Alexander just gave him.

"Pretty much, but how though? I remember that the amount was somewhere about two thousand particles, there is just no way a new mage such as yourself can reach that number in this little time..." Alexander once again began thinking.

"Unless!" And with those last words, he stormed out of the classroom saying "Class dismissed!"

"That is... strange" Mark commented, he was ready to ask his made-up question to Alexander but now the situation completely different from what he had expected.

"I think we should go," Max said while looking around at the people that were already slowly leaving the classroom. They would return a lot quicker to the dorms than he had expected but it wasn't a necessarily bad thing, he already got his answer.