*br-br-br-bring*
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Amanda closed a book she was holding and said, "Well, that's all the time we have for this class. Please take some time to learn some basic mana techniques and how to control mana, as we will be going over that next class."
She paused and added, "I'm sorry all of you are stuck with the same students in most classes. This academy annoyingly doesn't like mixing commoners and high nobility, despite mixing the two being the standard for the other academies."
She glared at the nobles in the class, clearly signaling them not to tell anyone what she just said.
I smiled and thought about what we talked about.
We went over what mana was, the importance it has to mages, the side effects of running out of mana, and, surprisingly, a more risky method of expanding your mana.
It's the same principle as building muscle. Stress the system, let it recover, and it comes back stronger.
Basically, you expend as much mana as possible, and when it has fully refilled, it is slightly larger. And by completely expending it, you maximize your capacity.
I knew about this method and did it when I was younger, but as my life got more chaotic and I started climbing the mountain of power, I found it wasn't a very safe method for me. At least, that was the case before I entered the academy, as it was a lot safer here... even with the number of people here who want me dead.
But even if I don't use this method often, it is a good idea for Araki, who, like me, has a low mana pool, and Ark, so he can learn how to measure his own mana level.
I looked around the room and saw several students getting up and leaving.
We had 15 minutes until our next class. Amanda was the teacher for our Geography class, but around half the class had Crafting class next, so they were heading there.
I looked over at the Brat-sicle and the three girls and saw them trying to pull him out of the room as they had a class somewhere else.
Frey looked to be staying in this class, and I noticed Amanda walking over and sitting down next to her sister.
I set up a soundproof barrier around them to allow them some privacy, even if they didn't need it or know what I did.
"Is everything ok?" Ark asked.
"Hm? What?" I said, confused.
He looked confused and said, "You used your spirit magic. Is something wro—"
I covered his mouth quickly and said, "Don't mention it out loud." I set up a second barrier so we could talk.
"Ark, you can't mention my spiri—... Wait. You can tell when I use spirit magic?!"
Ark nodded in confusion. "I could always feel something weird around you, and that weird feeling just moved. Plus, I can't hear what the teacher and that girl are saying, so you did something.
I didn't know what it was at first, but after you explained you are a summoner, I just figured it out."
I nodded and took a moment to think.
I hadn't realized I was that obvious when using it, especially to people with heightened senses... but Ark could always feel my passive aura... that's not normal... could it be because he is the descendant of another Primeordial contractor?
I shook my head and said to Ark, "No... everything is fine. I was just giving them some privacy... but Ark, please never let anyone know you can sense my spirit magic. That isn't a normal skill and could lead to people investigating and finding out about your... more furry side."
Ark went wide-eyed as he heard me say that and nodded, understanding my warning.
I sighed. "Just so you know, the presence or feeling you felt around me is known as a passive aura. Everyone has a passive aura that they release all the time, but it's almost impossible to sense a spiritual aura like mine.
You know about the aura that people let out during a fight, right?" I asked.
Ark nodded.
"That is an active aura, but most people just call it aura. It's the aura you control and exude during combat or when your emotions are heightened, while passive aura is always present.
Most people's passive aura is caused by Ki and mana, but mine is spirit magic, so it follows different rules. But one thing that is always common among all is that someone's passive aura can detect someone else's aura or even attacks aimed at you."
Ark was wide-eyed again and was about to say something before I interrupted him.
"It's a lot for now, but I can explain it another time. Right now, Orin is trying to ask us something," I said and pointed behind Ark at Orin, who was waiting for us.
Ark turned around and saw Orin and embarrassedly waved back as I dispelled the barrier.
"You two done with your private talk?" Aaron asked snarkily.
I nodded and asked, "What's up?"
"I wanted to know what you thought about the lesson. Although it wasn't very useful to me, I figured it was good for you guys," Orin said.
I nodded and said, "I know most of the basics, but I did get some ideas after getting the refresher. Though the display with the brat was an added bonus." and smiled.
Ark nodded and said, "I don't know much about magic, but it was a good starting base."
Orin nodded and said, "You're not wrong. So anyone have any plans before next class?"
They all shook their heads.
"I was planning on helping Ark learn how to use mana a bit more," I said.
Ark's eyes shone with excitement.
Zek said, "I will join you," and walked over and hopped up on a chair and sat next to Ark, and we began teaching him.
Orin and Araki started talking about the Mixed Combat class later today while Aaron slipped out into the hall without anyone other than me noticing.
I decided it wasn't the best option to talk to him, as his aura has been off lately, and I was getting concerned.
~15 minutes later~
*clap-clap*
"Hello everyone," Amanda said while standing at the front of the room.
"I hope everyone had a good break and all, but we do have a class to get through."
Everyone quieted down and turned to her.
"Good. Now, I see a few new students. Can you please give your names?"
Three of the 14 currently in the room stood up.
It was one girl and two boys.
They each introduced themselves and explained they were commoner second years and they are retaking this class as they failed last year.
Amanda nodded and told them, "It wasn't a problem. Mr. Evanders is strict and wasn't a very good professor to commoners."
She didn't have to fear noble students telling on her now, aside from her sister, who clearly loved her, so she could talk how she wanted about the hypocrisy of this school.
"Now, to today's lesson. I am going to keep today short, so today I will give you the major kingdoms around the world and ask a few questions. Does that work ok with everyone?" she asked.
Everyone nodded, and she began.
She turned to the chalkboard and started writing, "Overall, there are 10 kingdoms or countries you should be aware of: Elfira, Bestia, Solaria, Aquarius, Atlantis, Dwargon, Dragoria, Zenisa, Rumia, and Findalia."
She paused and turned back to us. "Can anyone tell me the other names the kingdoms are more commonly known as?"
One student raised their hand. "Solaria is the Holy Kingdom?"
Amanda nodded and said, "Yes. The Holy Kingdom." She turned and wrote that down next to Solaria. "Can someone tell me the rest?"
Ark hesitated before he raised his hand and said, "Bestia is the Beast Kingdom, the home of the beastfolk and beastmen."
She nodded and let the class continue.
A dwarven boy in the front said, "Elfira is the High Elven kingdom, and Dwargon is the Dwarven Kingdom."
Amanda nodded and added it to the board.
The boy smiled, and I noticed that behind his hair his ears were pointed.
'Is he a Dwelf?' I thought to myself before turning back to the class.
We continued like this for a bit until each one was done.
Bestia: The Beast Kingdom. A more savanna/desert-like kingdom ruled by beastfolk, beastmen, and similar races.It has stood as one of the strongest kingdoms in the world for years after rising from nothing, thanks to the current queen, who has gained immortality after enlightenment.
Solaria: The Holy Kingdom. The kingdom is ruled by the Holy Church of the Sun God, Sol. It is a kingdom that goes against the world's rule and has heavy discrimination against anything non-human or elf.
It is unknown why this kingdom only likes humans and elves, but what is known is that they are the main faction that produces Heroes and hunts down Primogenitors and other similar beings, so I do my best to avoid them.
Elfira: The Elven Kingdom. A forest kingdom populated mainly by high elves. They are very guarded and don't let outsiders in, but they are also one of the most powerful kingdoms out there. The royal family are also known to be powerful Spirit Summoners like me and is rumored to have a portal to the Spirit World.
I know this rumor to be true, but I also know the kingdom is built around the World Tree, Yggdrasil, the God of the Elves and the source of all mana in the world.
Aquarius: The Ocean Kingdom. A kingdom completely underwater, ruled by the sea god { }. It is populated by mermaids and other aquatic races that live underwater.
It is one of the major fish-trading kingdoms and has also been given permission from many kingdoms to sell the resources they gather from sunken ships and lost treasures found in the depths of the ocean.
Atlantis: The Atlantian Kingdom. A half-underwater kingdom populated by human-like people, but they have gills on their necks and are known for being powerful water mages.
Dwargon: The Dwarven Kingdom. This is one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world, as it exists underground and, although never confirmed by outsiders, is suspected to have been expanded under at least 20 other kingdoms.
Dragoria: A military empire founded after a war against the dragons. It covers half of the entire continent and is considered the strongest empire in the world. Dragoria is also where the main Mages Tower is located.
Zenisa: A small and peaceful kingdom that exists on top of the mountain, the Dwargon capital is on.
Very little is known about this kingdom other than the royal family being able to use a power said to be able to kill a god. It is unconfirmed if this is true, but many believe this is the reason why Drawgo, the dwarven Primogenitor—now god—lets them remain on the top of his mountain.
Findalia: The Avian Kingdom. Avians are similar to beastmen but have bird-like wings coming from their back rather than tails or ears.
Findalia is built on massive islands floating in the sky, connected by bridges and magic. It is one of the wonders of the world, as no one can figure out how the islands are floating.
Rumia: Our home and one of only two land masses that allow safe ground travel between the main continent and—
(A map is in the works and will help explain this one better when posted. It will be available in the Discord.)
[1]: A Dwelf is a hybrid of a Dwarf and Elf and is called a Dwelf. They are very rare, as dwarves and elves don't like each other and see themselves as opposites.
Abnormally, they have the same lifespan as humans, while dwarves can live to 200 and elves are... unknown.
Dwelves don't have the natural-born skills of either parent races. Instead, their skill set is more like humans.In truth, aside from appearance—being short and bulky while also having defined, cat-like features and pointed ears—they aren't any different from humans.