Chapter 5 : Mana Control

I woke up before sunrise.

Even though I still felt tired, something in me reacted—like my body sensed someone nearby. I sat up and saw a dark silhouette sitting on a chair across the room.

I jumped up, heart racing, and grabbed the first thing I could reach—my wooden practice sword.

"Who are you?" I asked, pointing the sword at her.

The figure stood and stepped out of the shadows.

There was something strange about her. Her presence filled the room with mana so strong, the air felt heavy. I held my stance, waiting for her to attack.

But she didn't.

She just looked at me with calm, dark green eyes. Then she nodded once and turned to leave.

I stayed frozen, confused. My breathing slowed, but my thoughts didn't. I couldn't sleep again. My mind kept spinning, trying to figure out who she was and why she came into my room.

Eventually, the sun rose. Warm light came through the blinds and lit up my neatly folded, now repaired clothes.

I got dressed and put on my shoes. They were dry now. My body still ached a little from training, even after the healing spell.

I rushed out the door and into the hallway.

Right away, I ran into someone—hard. We both fell to the floor.

"I'm sorry," I said, still dazed.

"It's fine," a female voice replied.

I looked up—and froze.

It was her. The woman from my room.

I quickly stood and pointed at her, speechless.

She chuckled, clearly knowing what I was thinking.

"Sorry about the visit this morning," she said with a small smile. "I'm Edith."

She offered her hand.

I hesitated, then shook it.

"I'm Helios," I said. "Though I guess you already know that. Why were you in my room?"

"I wanted to see you," she said without hesitation. "I heard another special grade had arrived at RavenCrow, so I came to meet you."

Her words caught me off guard. She seemed honest, but something still felt… off.

"Another special grade?" I asked.

She smiled. Her mana flared gently, and the air around us shifted.

The atmosphere shimmered—and in an instant, everything changed.

I turned and saw the massive metal gates of the guild behind me.

We had teleported.

I spun around to face her, but she was already walking away.

"Wait! How do I get back in?" I called out.

"You don't," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "Not without me, at least. Come on."

She gestured ahead.

"Today, you're with me."

I looked back at the gates, unsure. But after a moment, I ran to catch up.

"When will we be back?" I asked, a little nervous. "I'm supposed to be training."

Edith raised one brow and glanced at me before looking ahead again.

"You're not training today," she said. "Frey's been given the day off from training you."

I stopped in my tracks, lowering my head. I already knew why.

It was because of what happened last night.

She didn't stop walking. Her pace stayed steady.

"Keep up."

I sighed and ran to catch up, my breath already getting uneven.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"The capital," she said, like it was nothing.

I blinked. "Wait… what?"

The capital? I'd never been there. And it was at least a four-hour walk according to the map.

"Can't you just teleport us there?" I asked.

"Every special grade has drawbacks," she said. "I can't just teleport anywhere I want."

I raised an eyebrow. That didn't sound quite right—especially since she just teleported us here without breaking a sweat.

She must've noticed the doubt on my face, because she smiled.

"I was showing off back there," she said. "Besides, there are other ways to travel."

She stepped off the road and walked onto the grass. I followed.

"Have you learned anything about magic?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Frey won't teach me," I said, trying not to sound bitter.

She laughed softly. "That sounds like her."

Then she stopped and turned to face me.

"Okay. I'll teach you a little today. The first thing you need to learn is mana skin. Do you know what that is?"

I shook my head again.

"Mana skin is one of the first things a mage learns. You wrap your body in mana. It makes you stronger and faster—and it protects you."

She stepped back and lifted her hand.

"Let me show you."

Her body began to glow. A soft, pale light wrapped around her like armor. It looked thin, but felt strong—like it could stop a blade.

"Most people just make it a glow," she said. "I like mine to look like armor."

I stared, wide-eyed. I'd never seen anything like it.

"Now you try," she said. "Close your eyes and focus."

I closed my eyes.

"Mana is around you," she said. "Like wind. Quiet your mind. Feel it."

I breathed in slowly. Then again. After a few seconds, I started to feel it.

Tiny threads of warmth touched my skin. Like sunlight. Gentle, but real.

"I feel it," I whispered.

"Good," Edith said. "Now call it to you. Let it wrap around you. Don't force it."

I let the warmth come closer. I felt it on my arms, my chest, my legs. My whole body started to glow—just a little.

"Now shape it," she said. "Make it yours."

I imagined a soft layer, like a glow that followed the shape of my body.

When I opened my eyes, I saw it. A faint blue light covered me.

Edith smiled. "Not bad at all."

I looked at my hands. They shimmered faintly. My chest felt warm and steady.

"It feels… peaceful," I said.

"That's a good sign," she replied. "It means you're in control."

She took a step forward.

"Now with this, we can move faster. From here, we run. It'll help you learn how to hold your mana skin while moving."

I nodded.

We hit the road again—running this time. And something changed.

My body felt lighter. Like I wasn't just running—I was gliding. A four-hour journey was cut in half.

Finally, we reached the capital.

A massive wall stood before us. Soldiers patrolled the top. At the gate, there was a long line of merchants waiting to get in.

"Follow me," Edith said, tapping my shoulder.

I stayed close, eyes wide, taking in every detail.

We walked straight to the front of the line. I felt everyone's eyes on me—sharp and cold.

"Halt!" a soldier barked, stepping in our way. "Back of the line."

I froze. Embarrassed. But Edith calmly pulled out a card and showed it to him.

Immediately, the soldier stepped aside and bowed slightly.

As we walked through the gate, I couldn't help but ask.

"What was that?"

She pulled out a black card with the RavenCrow symbol on it.

"This is our guild card," she said. "It gets us into any kingdom we're partnered with."

She paused, then looked at me.

"But you don't get one yet. Not until you're officially registered."

"And that," she added, "only happens when Frey decides you're ready."

"So never," I said sarcastically.

Edith didn't respond. She just turned and kept walking.

We moved in silence for a while. The path from the gates led through a long tunnel—cool, dim, and echoing with our footsteps. I could see the light at the far end, growing brighter with each step.

And then we stepped out.

My nose was hit by smells I couldn't even name—sweet, spicy, earthy, and sharp, all at once. My eyes widened. The city stretched out before me like something from a painting. Bright fabrics waved in the wind. Street performers flipped through the air. Laughter echoed from every corner.

I turned my head in every direction, trying to take it all in. I'd never seen anything like it.

"This is the capital?" I asked, barely able to keep my voice steady.

Edith nodded. "Welcome to Rhenmire."