Ch 39 - Spirits

Today was the start of a new class. A class that was put on hold so everyone could learn the basics of magic. The class, spirit magic. The test for it was pretty weird. The teacher testing him found out he was part spirit as soon as he walked into the room. The test was just to see if spirits liked him. That is the main part of Spirit magic. Comparability with spirits on a personal and magic level. Spirits are much more keen to mana than other races. Even being able to smell the difference between two people based on their mana alone.

???: Ok class. After you've had a couple of classes about magic now spirit magic starts. I'm Haneme! All human! But I have a rare class that gives me an affinity for spirit handling. The magic class Spiritmancer.

Albion made it to Class A on the account he was part spirit and the spirit assessing him took a strong liking to him.

For the lesson Class A took a field trip. Using the teleportation hub to move to a large open field far away from the city. The class then took a 15-minute walk into a nearby forest and near a river that ran through it. Spirits preferring to be around nature than in developed cities where schools are located.

Haneme: So what are spirits? Spirits are embodiments of elements in nature. The natural affinities. Fire, water, air, earth, nature, demonic, dark and holy.

Albion: What about positive and negative?

Haneme: What's that?

Everyone looked at Albion like he was crazy. Everyone knew there were only 8 affinities. Some people slightly giggled as they thought he was stupid. Others said that's exactly how a commoner should be.

Albion: {Lily I thought you said there were the positive and negative affinities? The only person that could use positive is the saint.}

Lily appeared floating over Albion's right shoulder. Her chin resting on his shoulder.

Lily: I did say that. But other people don't know that. Look. Only two things can use the positive element. The saint or saintess. And the goddess. There are only a few things that can use the negative element. Liches are an example of this. But even the saints think their power is "holy" power and they don't know what they can actually do. No one really knows of the negative element as they think liches are vengeful ghosts that possess corpses with great lingering power. No one besides the angels, the goddess and the demon king know well about the other two affinities as it is beyond unique. Comparable to something legendary that has yet to be discovered.

Albion: {How do I learn more from you in a minute than all the history lessons I've been taking?}

Lily: Awwww. Thanks, sweetie. But you should concentrate.

Lily kissed Albion on the cheek as he started listening to the lesson again.

Haneme: And while spirits are naturally formed phenomena. There have been people who have tried to create spirits themselves through magic. Using the same process that happens naturally. But even if you filled the air full of dense elemental mana and threw in a disembodied soul you would either destroy the soul or the soul would float away. No one knows how to make spirits. That's why they are a species that are naturally forming and can hardly reproduce on rare occasions.

???: What are these rare occasions? I mean half spirits and hybrids are a species, aren't they?

Haneme: Good question. A way a spirit can reproduce with another is by possessing a body. While there is magic that can make a body or can change the shape of a body. Spirits can't use either even if they wanted to. What they need to do is to fuse with the soul of a living body to get full control. And the only way to do that is if the living person willingly gives up their body and soul. That's why it's so rare. Most people wouldn't willingly give their lives for another like that.

???: So the spirit becomes a hybrid?

Haneme: No. The body slowly adapts and becomes a part of the spirit. Giving them the ability to change between a spirit form and a physical form. Their physical form still being able to use spirit magic. In fact, it gives them better control over it.

???: Can half spirit hybrids do that? Change in between a physical and spiritual form?

Haneme: Yes. They need the racial skill and with this, they don't need to possess a physical body since they are already born with one. But let's hold the remaining questions till the end. Now let's see what spirits look like and get to know them.

Suddenly a spirit appeared from thin air as it did a little twirl in front of Haneme and the students.

???: HEY! I'M AQUATINA!

The small water-like spirit energetically introduced themselves.

Albion: {Do all spirits have elemental-like names?}

Everyone gathered around the spirit as they crowded it. Asking it questions. So fascinated that a spirit was here with them. However, the spirit seemed quite overwhelmed. Albion was standing back unamused. He didn't really want to do the spirit lessons, already being able to manipulate the elements. Again this was something he had already seen. He wasn't fascinated by the spirit as he had seen hundreds of them before. Albion just daydreamed bored of yet another class. But suddenly the spirit rushed at Albion hiding behind his head as everyone quickly looked at him. Glaring.

Albion: What's this about? {I was slowly getting rid of all the spirits that stalked me. Please don't add another one.}

Aquatina: Please protect me from them!

Albion felt his long blond and red hair getting wet as Aquatina held the back of his head.

Albion: They weren't trying to hurt you.

Aquatina: I know but they were so close and loud. And you're part spirit so you have to be nice to spirits right? Can you please help me?

Everyone glared at Albion as Aquatina squeaked and hit further behind Albion. His hair getting more wet.

Albion: {I'm getting the feeling I'm not popular.} *Sigh* Can all of you not surround the spirit and be so loud?

A certain noble walked in front of Albion. Having an angry look on his face.

???: ARE YOU SAYING WE'RE NOISY?!

Albion: Are you stupid? Your shouting.

Albion heard a giggle from the spirit as the boy who was shouting walked closer up to him. The boy had black cat ears and a tail. Darker brown skin.

???: Call me stupid one more time.

Albion: Oh? Ok. Stupid.

The boy around a similar height to Albion slapped him. But claws came from his fingers as he clawed at his face and Albion winced. Everyone looked and giggled. The teacher looked in shock. The wound slowly regenerated as everyone looked shocked at Albion. Not even leaving a scar as the wound was superficial at best.

Albion: Was that some noble challenge to a duel? {He nearly scratched my eye out like a feral cat. Nothing noble about him. Though he must be strong. A noble position is fought for in the Beast Kin Kingdom.}

???: Me fight you? As if. I may be cruel but I don't beat the weak. But if you want to fight and injure yourself, go ahead. Throw the first punch.

Albion grew a wide smile.

Albion: I just love how you keep giving me permission.

Albion activated his skill as he grew a massive blue aura, injecting a lot of mana into Body Mana. But before the boy could even back away, time seemed to slow. It was as if a shadow of death was dawning on him as Albion raised his hand. His hairs stood on end as his pupils dilated. He didn't have enough time to even shake before Albion slapped him across the face. Sending him flying through the forest and shrubbery. Everyone looked in shock as Albion shot a glare at them.

Albion: So… which dumbass wants to fight? You all seemed to find it amusing. Wouldn't it be more fun to join in? I promise I won't scratch like him. But I may bite.

Albion's aura grew larger and larger covering a small area of the forest as he wore a terrifying smile. The students shook from fear as Albion took a step toward them.

[Congratulations. You have acquired the active skill Fear (F).]

Suddenly stone restraint wrapped around him. Restraining his arms behind his back and holding his legs in place. Albion turned off his Body Mana as he looked at who was doing it. The teacher. Haneme had a stone-looking spirit floating next to her as she held out her hand. Blue lines glowed around her hand. Around and into her hands. Albion could see it with mana sense, the spirit was sharing its Mana Lines skill somehow. The work of being a familiar.

Haneme: That's enough! I'll let what you previously did slide since he struck first. But do not bring other students into it.

Aquatina quickly rushed back to Haneme as she relentlessly apologised. Trying to say it wasn't Albion's fault.

Albion: I had no plan to fight the others. Just doing what every race in this world does, except humans {and elves and angels.} Creating a hierarchy of power, not status. {It's getting tiring getting bullied by people so weak.}

Albion had a small innocent smile as the stone restraints turned to dust, letting him go. Albion had a strong burst of air pulse around him as all the dust that was on him flew off.

Haneme: I have high hopes for you Albion. Please don't ruin it. Now where were we?

Albion gave a small giggle to himself while Haneme continued the class. Everyone forgot the kid Albion slapped across the forest. Albion looked over and the kid was still out cold. Unconscious buried in the dirt. Scratches over his body and covered in shrubbery.