Mana and Aether

It has been two weeks since Artus and Seers went into the forest for the first time. After the first trip, things stayed awkward between them for some time, but Artus was able to restore their relationship to its previous status.

Then, he went into the forest a few times after that; Artus was hunting One-horned rabbits while Seers was guiding him; there was a significant improvement in his performance in combat; although he had mastered the fireball spell, he lacked battle experience, so these trips were beneficial to him.

He had sold all the gains he had collected in the forest during these trips except for one horn he kept with him. He wanted to study it later when he had time.

Today, he went to the morning class, as usual. The newcomers in the preliminary course had already started understanding the basic principles behind magic, and many of them were beginning to sense the presence of the Aether.

"You see what you look for and recognize what you know."

"As I have already explained to you the characteristics of Aether, it is important to focus your attention on actively seeking the Aether, not merely waiting for it to appear around you."

"It is an active process that you should initiate and maintain yourself, not a passive one where Aether suddenly appears around you."

Professor Elowen was lecturing about Aether; he was still focusing on perceiving Aether as most students are still struggling with this concept. 

"Professor, I have a question."

"Go ahead, Lia"

"What is the difference between Mana and Aether?"

Artus did not like attending classes; after all, the concepts that Professor Elowen discussed in them were too basic for him; he is already a level two apprentice mage, and not only that, but he is getting closer to becoming level three.

So sometimes he asks Seers to cover for him, sometimes he makes excuses, and when he attends, he does not pay attention to the class; he works on analyzing some matter.

Today was no different; he was thinking about learning a new spell, but when he heard that question, it was as if he was suddenly pulled back from his own world. He could not help but raise his head to take a look at the person who asked this question.

She was the same little girl he had seen during the magic division trials, the one with an outstanding performance; her name was Lia, and she came from a noble family. With her talent, she was now able to sense Aether and perceive its existence easily.

For her to ask such a question reflects her deep understanding of the basics of magic and its very nature.

"I mean, sometimes you would use Aether, sometimes you would say Mana at first. I thought they were different things, but I have heard you a few times use them interchangeably, so I was wondering, are they the same thing?"

"Yes and no".

Professor Elowen answered with a deep look on his face.

"Aether is the world's energy; it is in everything around us; objects and living beings radiate it spontaneously. We, as mages, gather it in our inner worlds to utilize it, transforming it into Mana, which enables us to cast spells."

"In short, Mana is another form of Aether, a form that we can use freely and utilize in various ways to cast spells and so on."

"But for someone at your level, you can assume they are the same thing. You also have to know that mana has various types. For apprentice mages, technically, there is no difference between them."

"Professor, does that mean there are forms of Aether besides Mana?"

"Yes. Each Aether practitioner utilizes Aether differently, transforming to a certain form he can use. For example, warriors. They are not just strong people who use physical weapons; they absorb Aether and strengthen their bodies using it, but unlike mages, they don't have inner worlds where they gather it; instead, they absorb it in their physical bodies, legs, arms, hand, chest, back giving them faster speed, more stamina, harder bones and so on."

"With training, they can manifest Aura, another form of energy derived from Aether. It covers their whole bodies. In more advanced cases, it sometimes extends to cover their weapons. Using it, they can perform various techniques similar to the mage's spells."

*************************

In the office, Artus and Seers were sitting together.

"So, Artus, when will you take the promotion exam? It has been almost a month since you joined the academy so the first promotion exam will be held soon,"

"I don't know, Aunt. I am thinking about laying low for some time and don't want to draw attention. I also have some things at hand, so I will delay taking the exam for some time."

"That's what I was thinking about; I suggest you take the exam between the fourth and seventh months of the preliminary course, not too early and not too late."

"Leaving that matter aside, Aunt, I have a request."

"Oh…it is unusual for you to request something in such a manner…. tell me, what do you want?"

"Honestly, it is more of a personal request."

Artus took out a small bag and put it on the desk. A clinking sound was heard.

Seers opened it to see a few coins inside; she looked at Artus, puzzled.

"I want you to send this bag of coins to my family in Pinefall village. Winter is coming, and the house needs some repairs, not to mention that they lack a few household items."

"Oh…why don't you send them yourself?"

"They will never accept them if I were the one to send them, so I want you to send them using the name of the academy…. make up some story…. Like when a student gets accepted to the academy, he and his family each receive money."

"I'll take care of it."

"Thank you. I have some matter to attend to, so I will leave for now."

Artus left the office and closed the door. Seers kept staring at the small bag for a long time, then she extended her hand and slowly opened it. She put all the coins on the desk.

She looked at the coins for a long time. Seers had always accompanied Artus on all his trips to the forest, so she knew exactly how many monsters he had hunted and what he sold them for.

And the coins here equal the money he had made during these trips, not a coin less. He decided to give everything he had to his family. She remembered how their house was when she visited them and its sorry condition.

"Artus can be cold and calculating at times, but when it's about his loved one, he spares no effort and does everything for them. My choice in him will never be wrong no matter what the end result will turn out to be."

She collected the coins and put them in the bag. Then, she opened her personal bag, took out some coins, and tossed them into Artus's bag.