Chapter 26: Morning Stroll

Meanwhile the girls were having fun on their shopping trip, Matthew had a little fun of his own.

Matthew went out early that morning to have a stroll around the city. He only wore normal casual clothes with blue black being the main colour.

The morning street was not yet crowded with people. In fact, the stalls were just about to open. The sun was only slightly above the hills.

The birds perched on the buildings chirped harmonically. Clatters of cooking utensils from the kitchens of people making breakfast. Random "good morning" from the people Matthew came across.

"This is peaceful." Matthew took a deep breath of fresh morning air. "Mmm~ people said that morning is when the air is freshest."

Matthew kept walking down the reddish granite road. He was not really thinking of anything. Just enjoying the view.

He then stopped and sat on a bench by the street. He observed his surroundings, the sun, the wind, the people and even the animals.

For no reason at all, Matthew suddenly wanted to feel his surroundings even better. Matthew closed his eyes.

"[Astral Sense]"

With [Astral Sense] activated, he could feel, he could even sense the movements of people around him. However, he still could not get past one thing.

"I still can't see or hear anything."

When using [Astral Sense], one is basically focusing all of one's senses into sensing the flow of astra much like [Magic Sense] sensing the flow of mana in the surrounding area. As a result of focusing astral senses, one is also blocking other senses such as sight, hearing, smelling and feel.

In other words, Matthew was unable to see with his eyes or hear with his ears or smell with his nose when using [Astral Sense].

However, there is a way to get past this fault.

"I need to train more." Matthew muttered to himself. "And soon if I want to get stronger."

Training all he needed to do to bypass this problem. A master would have no trouble using all the other senses while also using [Astral Sense], in fact they can even heighten all their senses with it. That was the level Matthew wanted to reach.

"To survive out there against all odds, I need to be stronger." Matthew said while clenching his fist.

Just then, he thought of it. "Actually…" Matthew closed his eyes again. "I'll try it."

He activated [Astral Sense] again. He took a deep breath.

'I'll try hearing first'

With his [Astral Sense] still on, he tried to focus on hearing. He put his mind into hearing and also maintaining [Astral Sense].

He kept at it for a while but it failed. He was still unable to hear anything.

'Okay, let's try seeing'

Matthew repeated his actions as before. He focused and focused. He tried to open his eyes, however he could not even tell if he was opening his eyes or not since all his senses were blocked. And so, it ended with a fail also.

'Then, smelling'

He repeated once more. But as the others, he was unable to as well.

He relieved his senses all together and returned to normal. "Hah… This isn't gonna work. How can I do it? How do those 'masters' do it?"

He gave it a thought. He scratched his memories for something, anything. Then he remembered something. Something a teacher back at the academy said.

…..

"Astra is unique as how magic is. Magic is mastered by understanding the flow of mana in your surroundings and in your bodies. By understanding it, you control that flow and structure that mana into the circle of symbols we call a magic circle." The teacher explained in front of the class while sketching a person with arrows showing a mana flow and a magic circle example. "Then, we project that mana that we gathered and structured by calling upon its name. This projected mana is called a spell."

The teacher stopped for a moment to look at the students before continuing. "However, astra is different. Unlike magic that basically involves the mind to understand and figure out the structure of certain spells, astra involves more of the heart." He pointed to the middle of his chest.

"Astra is basically the soul energy from within you that you harness as pure energy. Now how it works is a bit different from magic. Instead of using the mind to harness and structure it, astra requires the heart to feel the energy within you. Feel the flow."

The teacher moved his hands around as if to show something that the students cannot see, but he kept going.

"Then after feeling it, you focus the flow, per say my right hand. After focusing, you then push that feeling outside of your body." A flame appeared in his palm which made the students awe. A moment later, the flame disappeared.

"This may be hard for you to understand, but that is the point. Astra isn't about understanding, it's about feeling that energy inside you, feel the flow, control the flow, harness it and burst it out. You all may try to at least feel that energy. Remember, it comes from the heart."

…..

"It comes from the heart…"

Matthew recalled those important words from his teacher. He closed his eyes whilst taking a deep breath. After calming himself down, he reattempted this feat.

'Feel the flow. Control it. Focus it. All with the heart…'

Matthew activated his skill once more. He then felt the flow of energy within him.

'Control… Focus…'

He focused that energy into his ears. And slowly but surely, it was successful.

"Come one come all!"

"Fresh veggies at low price!"

"I'll take that one."

"Have a look at my merchandise!"

It was a bit muffled and unclear, however, it was a success. Matthew was happy with this result and he kept at it. Improving and sharpening his hearing every second.

While he was busy with his 'training', a man suddenly yelled loudly.

"Hey! Stop right there! Thief! She stole my apples!"

Matthew immediately lost focus and turned to the man who was still yelling. Matthew got off from the bench and jogged towards the man.

“What happened mister?”

“A girl stole some of my apples.” He said with a very unsatisfied expression.

“Where did she go? I’ll catch her.”

“Thank you very much. She went that way.” The man pointed down the road.

Matthew nodded in confirmation. “Alright, be right back.” After that, Matthew ran in the direction that was pointed in.

Matthew looked around for any signs. ‘A girl stole apples, not money. She wouldn’t be able to run fast while carrying apples.’ Matthew tried to peek through the people in front of him for the girl.

‘This won’t do. I can’t see past them.’ Matthew then looked to the roofs, selecting the perfect one and leapt up on it. ‘Now it should be easier. Where are you…’

Matthew watched the road but there were still too many people to see. It was at that moment, Matthew thought of something.

“[Astral Sense]”

He put the improvement he made to the test. He activated his skill and channeled his energy into his ears. He tried to listen for any chatters that might give him a clue. Only a moment later, he got one.

“Ah!”

“Watch it!”

“Hey!”

A commotion was coming from the left. Matthew switched his brain to focus on his [Astral Sense]. He caught something. A small body was squeezing through the crowd the other much larger bodies.

Matthew relieved his senses and opened his eyes with a smirk. “Found you.”

…..

“Hah! Hah! Hah!” The girl breathed at a fast pace as she ran through the crowd. Her legs strode as quickly as they could.

She took a turn into an alley between the buildings and leaned against the wall, catching her breath. She peeked back on the road to see if the old man or anyone was following her. After confirming that no-one followed her, she exhaled.

She rummaged through the paper bag she was carrying, checking the apples that she just stole. “This should be enough.” She said with a smile, but her smile didn’t last long.

“Well well well, what a coincidence running into you here.” A young boy suddenly appeared from the alley, followed by another two boys behind him.

The girl immediately got off the wall and took one step back. “Of all places…”