Technique

The next day the lessons finally continued as normal.

Before they started, Cyril met with Ophelia.

It turns out she is now working here as a janitor officially.

He strictly ordered her not to call him 'master' on the perimeter and told her she could do whatever she wanted.

When she left, there was a certain shine to her expressionless face; something put Ophelia in a good mood.

Despite the pause, everyone in class I was able to get back into studying with ease.

During the demonology lesson, the professor even asked the people who were in the tower to relay their experience.

Cedric was the most passionate one among them. He described the appearance of a few ghouls he met when guarding the rest. His rendition was rather colorful.

Rose also wasn't too bad; she relayed her experience of using spells against ghouls.

After the Tower event, everyone who participated in it became more famous in the academy.

Though Cyril was still being avoided by other people.

Occasionally he could hear others talk about his usurer family.

For some reason his infamy was only on the rise.

"Why are they like this? You don't do anything at all to deserve it." Rhamn was really dissatisfied and frequently asked him to pay them back.

They are just bored. It's not harming me in any way. Cyril didn't mind all the talk. At least not that many people wanted to bother him.

One of the few who did want that—Leo Arken—now had a different look about him.

Cyril noticed him staring with a certain gloating expression.

"He is probably planning something." We'll see what it is.

Cyril wasn't scared of whatever this guy could throw at him. He proceed with his day without a care.

After the end of the lessons, Cyril wanted to return back to his dormitory for further study. Morpho also needed to learn.

But when he opened the door to his room, Cyril encountered an unexpected situation.

Right in the middle of his room stood Selene with a dissatisfied expression.

Upon noticing him, her face brightened up and returned to usual aloofness.

"We can begin, disciple," she said with a certain energy. It felt like she liked how the word 'disciple' sounded.

"How did you know where I live? How are you here?" Cyril said with suspicion and surprise.

"You were wearing the academy's training uniform when we met. It's recognizable enough." Selene paused and continued.

"The important part is we are about to begin with your training," She said with a nod.

Selene took a look around the room and soon approached a relatively open area.

She sat in a lotus position and pointed with her hand for Cyril to sit in front of her.

Cyril stood there for a few seconds. He was contemplating calling for help and trying to capture her.

But his curiosity and pride prevented these actions from manifesting—after all, he had lost a bet.

Cyril sat in front of her, awkwardly mimicking her pose.

Rhamn also appeared by his side in the same position.

"I feel like I'll get to participate in the training she is offering." She was wearing the academy's training uniform now and looked quite eager.

"Today shall be an introductory lesson," Selene began speaking.

"We'll begin by learning the magic circle written down here. I want you to memorize it and try to apply it according to the written instructions when you have the time." Selene pulled out an exquisite-looking scroll decorated with a flower motif. It looked brand new.

Cyril took it and observed the contents.

"Try to comprehend it while I am here. If you have any questions regarding it, ask, and I will answer," said Selene.

"Alright then, how about..." Cyril began earnestly trying to learn this magic. It looked quite complicated, and its effects might be more than he thought.

From what he understood, the first part of the technique allowed you to 'improve' your flesh, remaking it into something much stronger with magic.

This was the reason Selene was capable of overpowering him physically without a spell. "Technically, it was with the help of a spell."

The second part of the scroll consisted of a different technique. It allowed one to manipulate mana within one's body with various results: be it making an attack or a shield. It also didn't require a magic circle.

Without an enhanced durable body, such an operation would do much harm to the normal person.

It was a very unique and versatile spell. Cyril was truly tempted to learn it.

He spent quite some time asking Selene questions. She answered quickly and in a concise, understandable manner. Selene was a good teacher.

Eventually the two agreed that Cyril could already attempt the mana manipulation from the second part of the scroll.

While there was still room for improvement, his body was durable enough. Cyril was eager to try what the technique was capable of.

By the time they were done, it was already getting dark outside.

Cyril was sitting with a contemplative expression, digesting everything he had heard today.

"We'll end it here." Selene said and pulled out a small crystal and gave it to Cyril.

"I'll come by myself occasionally, but whenever you want another lesson or are ready for the next step, activate this, and I will be here," she explained.

After this she got up from the floor and hesitated for a few seconds before saying.

"Do you practice some kind of spell that requires continuous activation right now?" Selene said something seemingly unrelated.

"What? Nothing of the sort," Cyril honestly replied with confusion.

Selene tilted her head in thought. "Your body is constantly absorbing mana from the surroundings. It's as if you perpetually have a mana shortage." She said while staring at his body with narrowed eyes.

Such words were news to Cyril. He didn't feel like that was the case.

"I suggest you figure out what it is. It could be important," Selene advised with a serious face.

"I'll be taking my leave now. Until next time." Finally, she said and swiftly left.

Cyril was left with a confused expression. After a moment, He got up and went to check the exit.

He was curious how she was going to leave the place unnoticed. But Selene was nowhere to be found by the time he reached the door.

Cyril locked it and switched his attention back to what she said before leaving.

Do you know anything about that? When it comes to his body, Rhamn should know it better than anyone.

"Indeed, there is something. I never really noticed because it feels so natural, but we do consume mana all the time," Rhamn said thoughtfully.

The two stood near each other in a thinking pose.

"It feels like it's used... by me?" Rhamn, added with a hesitant expression. "This mana is going towards your heart."

And what could it mean, I wonder? Cyril thought for a few more seconds before coming up with an idea.

How about I try running out of mana? The idea sounded somewhat dangerous.

"I don't think it sounds good." Rhamn said with some misgivings.

If it's dangerous for me, then that's all the more reason to try it. One day, during a tough fight, I'll inevitably run out of mana—I should get used to how that feels, Cyril rationalized his reckless decision.

"I guess that's true," Rhamn hesitantly agreed.

Morpho, with some worry, landed on the table to get a better look.

During the lesson she also listened attentively. She saw there was a potential for her as well in this technique.

Cyril sat on the bed and started slowly expelling mana from his body into the air.

A barely noticeable shine of blue was visible all over his body.

He spent quite a bit of time like this before finally starting to feel the symptoms of mana shortage.

His face became pale, and his breathing intensified.

Cyril would normally stop casting any spells at this stage, but now he deliberately continued.

His body felt more and more heavy, and he could hear his heartbeat becoming faster and louder.

An ominous feeling appeared, telling him to stop, but he continued with morbid curiosity.

Suddenly a strong, piercing pain appeared in his chest.

"Aah!" "Aah!" He and Rhamn let out a scream at the same time.

Cyril never felt this much pain in his life. It was almost unbearable.

He couldn't do anything aside from lying down on the bed and twisting in pain.

His teeth clenched and nails digging into his flesh, Cyril endured it with all his will.

After what felt like forever, the feeling finally started to weaken.

Full of sweat and with a trembling hand, he reached for his drawer and took out the Black Tulip.

With urgency he began absorbing it. Cyril felt much better after this.

When his mana was recovered, he put the thing back in the drawer and looked around.

"Let's never enter that state again! No matter what!" Rhamn came up close with a scared expression.

Cyril agreed completely with her opinion. This feeling was truly terrible.

Normally mages who spent all of their mana would feel weak at most, but he felt like death was approaching at that moment.

So if I run out of mana, I will die? Cyril thought with alarm.

"Not only that," Rhamn touched his cheek and gently guided him to face a particular direction.

On the table, Morpho was lying in a sporadic manner, twisting her limbs and wings, only barely recovering at this time.

Rhamn had a solemn tone of voice. "If you die, we will all follow."