Let me cool off

After the match, I just lie on the bench. My legs hurt so much! I have to find a way to fix this problem. In the future, this kind of problem could possibly cause my death.

Girls already started to play, almost everyone focused on the match. So, when I heard footsteps I was startled. I opened my eyes and looked at the person.

"I got some ice for you."

"Thank you, Jason. But how did you..."

He put the ice bag in his hand on my legs. I didn't think anyone would look at my legs.

"I thought it was weird that you can be faster when you want but aren't using it. Then when you were leaving the field, you walk weirdly."

"Thanks again."

"What are friends for."

The coldness of the ice relieved some of my pain. I can feel my muscles starting to relax. Albeit slowly. While I was focusing on my legs Jason sat down right next to me.

The best solution to my problem is somehow to strengthen my body. Make it strong enough to endure the strain mana puts. For now, I have no idea. Maybe I can work out with that strain... If something bad happens mana would heal me. Let's try it later.

"How did you do it?"

"How did I what?"

"That speed trick. How did you do it?"

Now, this is hard to answer a question. I can't say I used mana. But I can't remain silent either. Despite his foolish acts, Jason is clever. He will understand something is not normal.

"I am trying a new technique. It puts a huge strain on my legs."

"But how tho?"

"...by breathing."

I could see his face become puzzled. Is it working?

"Where can you get something like that?"

"...Animes."

"Oh..."

He had a face saying, Now it all makes sense. Safe! But I have mixed thoughts about this. His expression was weird. I am not an anime addict! But from his perspective, I am trying what I saw in animes in the real life. Yeah, it sounds weird and childish.

There was an uncomfortable silence between us. While looking around I saw the field. Now that my mind is clearer I remembered the match. Of course, I didn't forget it before but I couldn't put much thought before.

Lydia plays at defense. She has good physic but apparently, she isn't good at playing football. So she chooses to stay back. She can't use mana the way I use it. But before teaching that I need to fix the strain problem.

Her team is balanced. They have a good forward who can easily defeat most of the boys while playing. But the other team has Fern. She looks like a cool beauty but when she steps inside the field turns into a predator.

Sure enough, she already scored two goals. Seeing her inside the class might be the thing that made me lose all of my motivation first day. I can't forget the past.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I was just thinking."

"...You can't blame everything on her."

"I know. But she is already guilty."

I know that Fern isn't responsible for everything that happened to...Nora. But it feels wrong to forgive her. Like I am betraying Nora. I don' want that.

"She should have told us about it. Maybe we could have changed something."

"Don't do this to yourself. We can't change the past, Oscar."

I know that. I can't make every bad thing ever happened to disappear. But mana can create miracles. It did change my life. Maybe it can give Nora her life back.

I don't know if I should go with this thought. Life is sacred. Playing with it is something unforgivable, at least it should be. That's what I have been told. Then why people can kill each other so easily?

"Oscar. Let your head cool off."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Right now thinking hard or blaming yourself won't bring her back. You know... I miss her too."

I can feel sadness in his voice. This is one of the rare moments he shows his real emotions.

He is right. Nothing brings her back. Not now. I have to get stronger first. I probably need an enormous mana pool for that. I am not stupid to think that mana alone would be enough to bring her back.

Perhaps I should listen to Jason's advice. Let my head cool off...

"Alright, the match is over! Good work, little ducklings. Our next lesson will be next week. You are free until the bell rings."

I didn't even understand how two hours of PE is over. It finished in a blink. It seems like after talking with Jason I truly lost myself in the match.

Fern's team has won. Lydia's team couldn't fight back properly. Fern's team is stronger, so they naturally crushed the other team. Now that I looked closer Hope was also part of Lydia's team.

After leaving the field they come near us. Hope was a little dejected but Lydia was totally okay.

"It was a good game. You played great!"(Jason)

"She crushed us! How can she be so good at this game?!"(Hope)

"She did crush us. But it seems like she gets pushed herself."(Lydia)

"Seems like it."(Oscar)

She is right. Fern is tired and it obvious. This and last year she is pushing herself so much. I know the reason but... forget it. Nevermind.

I took off the ice from my legs. They are fine now. I guess mana healing did help me in the end. But this much isn't enough.

"Are you okay?"

Lydia asked me. As the only one with mana eyes besides me that is, she can see the true condition of my legs. There are mana remnants on my legs. They are like scars but made of excess mana.

"Yeah, just pushed a little too far."

It was true. I pushed too far. Next time I need better control and a strong body. Mana enchantment is more dangerous than I thought.

After school will be training time with Lydia. I should teach her what I learned today.