“A straight line is not the shortest distance between two points” ( part 2 )

"Magic... this is the most commonly used form of Energy. It represents the use of nature's forces through various catalysts. The use of catalysts is not always necessary in special situations."

The professor drew two humanoid figures on the board. One on the right, the other on the left.

"You see... some individuals are born with the ability to control certain elements of nature from birth without needing catalysts."

On one of the figures, he added two horns and bat-like wings on its back.

"For example... take demons—they are born immune to fire and can also control it excellently, while creatures like mermaids can only use catalysts to wield fire magic."

Thus, the figure on the left became a mermaid. Around it, he drew an object, a stone to be exact, then a magic circle, then two hands making a sign, and finally, he wrote a line of words in the ancient language.

"Catalysts can be categorized according to legal norms and the Rules. You can use artifacts, runes, signs, and incantations to influence the energy around you. Now we reach the important part: Energy."

The drawings on the board disappeared, and now the word 'Energy' stood at its center. From it, six lines extended in total.

"These energies are the foundation of any magical act. Whether it is incantation, summoning, healing, or even a curse. There are six energies in the world, but the magic we are studying now will be focused on only one or at most two of these energies."

The professor wrote words at the end of each arrow, along with a term describing their domain of application.

"... we have Golden Energy, which deals with life; Black and Red Energy, which deals with Death; Green Energy, which operates in the realm of Time; Blue Energy, which belongs to the domain of Space; Black and Violet Energy, which is specific to Shadow; and lastly, White Energy, which is used in Magic."

The professor in front of them spoke quickly but made pauses, allowing for questions, yet no one said anything. Still, he did not give up... he continued with vigor.

"White Energy. The most common among energies and at the same time the easiest to use. It has minimal control criteria but can be refined to perfection only by a strong mind. It can be manifested naturally or through any kind of catalyst..."

A student from the fourth row raised his hand. He was a nigris named Aso (number 13).

"Professor, what do you mean by perfection?"

"I'm glad you asked! Perfection in magical arts, whatever they may be, is achieved by eliminating catalysts, meaning you no longer need catalysts to influence the Energy around you. But that is only the first step—perfection means that your very body is considered a catalyst, capable of influencing the Energy around it."

The nigris boy nodded in understanding. Then, an elf boy from the back of the class raised his hand as well. His name was Tenin, and he ranked 29th in the class.

"Will we only study White Energy in this class?"

"Yes. Primarily, yes. Sometimes we will touch on elements of Blue Energy, but not too often. We will study all the energies later. You are not ready for them yet."

Then there were no more questions.

"Good. Where were we? Ah, yes... White Energy is what we will study, and our goal is to use magic without catalysts. Well, that would be ideal, but if you all do not manage to, it is not a problem. Now, I want to tell you about the darker side of catalysts. Things that Alocanai does not accept as valid practices..."

Then the board became empty again. The professor drew another figure, then beside it what appeared to be an animal, and next to it a plant.

"I want to add to your knowledge that white energy naturally enters living beings of any kind—intelligent species, animals, plants, or insects—and remains there as deposits. Energy also has deposits. To visualize it... think of it as being attracted to our life force, which is golden energy. White Energy usually revolves around it, so the longer you live, the more white energy accumulates in your body."

A few hands were raised.

"I understand you have questions, but let me finish."

Then the hands lowered.

"... so, the longer you live, the more White Energy you have in your body. The same applies to animals and other things considered 'alive.' That is why some use these beings as catalysts. A tragic but not non-existent practice. Using these reserves of white energy is much more powerful, but it is consumable and directly opposes the rules imposed by Alocanai."

The professor then rubbed his hands together, shaking off the chalk dust.

"Now, are there any questions?"

There was silence for a few seconds, then someone timidly raised their hand. It was a delicate boy, a mermaid named Orm. His rank in the class was 23.

"Sir... when you perform magic without... catalysts... do you use the white energy from the surroundings or from within yourself?"

'Clap' 'Clap'...

The professor clapped his hands happily.

"Wonderful observation! I'm glad you asked. The answer is both yes and no. As I said: magic without catalysts means that you yourself are a catalyst. That means you can use the energy within you to attract the energy around you. You cannot consume the White Energy that surrounds your vital energy. It is very dangerous and shortens your lifespan, remember that."

The professor drew another humanoid figure on the board. In its chest, he positioned a heart in a conventional shape; around it, he drew a small circle, which he filled with white, making the heart golden.

"In your body, around your vital energy, which is located in the heart, there is condensed White Energy, but in liquid form, unlike the surrounding white energy, which is more of an essence. This liquid circulates easily throughout your body to some extent, often acting as the means through which life energy reaches wounds more quickly."

The professor drew thin lines extending from the condensed circle, traveling throughout the body, though primarily towards the head.

"This condensed White Energy is very pure. It constantly attracts the surrounding energy and refines it as it circulates through the body, then stores it in places chosen by the mind. This process is usually unconscious, but recent studies have shown that our mind and will are closely linked to the White Energy in the heart."

He drew another circle around the head and something resembling a sack in the abdomen.

"Most people unconsciously store energy around the stomach, for obvious reasons, while others store it in the lungs, head, or other parts of the body. What matters is not how big the sack is but how refined the energy within it is. That often determines the difference in battles."

A girl in the first row, a vampire, ranked 8th in the class—Nicola—raised her hand.

"By using magic without catalysts, do we use the energy stored in that place?"

"Funny enough, the answer is again both yes and no. You use it, but little by little. You take, for example, a 'drop,' and it attracts external Energy while you visualize the spell, incantation, or magical act you intend to perform. That 'drop' gathers Energy, and the quality of the 'drop' matters."

"Understood."

"One thing to remember is that the body never stops absorbing Energy, so even during battle, Energy will continue to enter you. Depending on the purity of your blood and the white substance, energy gathering might be so fast that it is considered 'unlimited.' Ha ha ha..."

The professor laughed cheerfully alone while others took notes. His messy hair, which had fallen over his eyes, cast a shadow over his expression. He glanced over the students and then turned to the board again.

"Now we move on to the description of the first catalyst. By understanding the types of catalysts, you can choose the best way for your body to circulate magic and where to store it when the time comes."