...
As I walked off the training field, my breath still heavy from exertion, a realization struck me I didn't use a single spell.
Not because I chose not to, But because… I don't even know how.
Throughout that entire fight, I relied solely on my physical prowess, my instincts, and dirty tricks.
Not once did I channel mana, cast a spell, or even attempt to wield magic. And that wasn't just a tactical decision, it was because I had no idea how to.
'How Did I even win?'
I had mana, That much I was sure of. But how do I use it? How do I draw it out? In the world of Lumina Academy, magic was everything.
Strength alone could only get me so far.
If I truly wanted to rise, if I wanted to control my own fate, I needed to learn magic fast.
After class, I changed back into my normal uniform and made my way to the library.
The library stood like a grand monument in the heart of the academy grounds.
Massive pillars lined its entrance, giving it the air of an ancient temple dedicated to knowledge.
As I stepped inside, the scent of aged parchment and arcane ink filled the air. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched endlessly, creating a labyrinth of wisdom waiting to be uncovered.
The academy had divided the library into ten floors, each with strict access levels.
The first three floors were open to all students. They contained low-tier common Spellbooks basic incantations, elementary magic theory, and general class study materials.
These spells were so mundane and weak that the academy deemed them free for all.
Most students ignored them, knowing they wouldn't provide much of an edge in battle.
The fourth and fifth floors, however, were different.
Only Class Leaders and class A and B had the privilege to access them.
These floors contained uncommon spells, and on rare occasions, a few valuable and practical rare-tier spellbooks.
The upper floors of 6 and 7 of the library were where the true treasures of knowledge were kept the Academy Archives.
Unlike the lower levels, which were open to students of varying ranks, these floors were strictly off-limits unless one had earned the right to access them.
There were only a few ways to gain that privilege.
Winning in the Class War A large-scale competition between classes, where strategy, skill, and power determined one's worth, Winning the Academy.
Clash A more personal duel-based tournament where only the strongest individuals could prove themselves.
Accomplishing something extraordinary Whether it was an incredible feat of magic, a groundbreaking discovery, or an exceptional performance in an official academy event.
These archives weren't just a collection of powerful spells and techniques—they held secrets, ancient knowledge, and records of past heroes.
Some whispered that the academy's most forbidden and dangerous texts were hidden within those floors, locked away from unworthy eyes
Beyond that? I didn't know much.
The higher floors were shrouded in mystery, reserved for headmaster and The council.
And right now, I was stuck at the bottom, surrounded by commoner-tier magic books.
I exhaled sharply. "Might as well start somewhere."
With that, I walked deeper into the endless corridors of knowledge, searching for anything that could help me unlock my magic.
------------------
I spent about two hours searching through the library before finally settling on three books to borrow. The rental fee was 30 Rile, which wasn't much, but considering my financial situation, it hit harder than it should have.
The books I picked were:
Fundamentals of Mana Movement – A guide to controlling and directing mana within the body.
Spell Flashlight – A simple introductory spell, meant to help beginners learn how to externalize their mana.
Basic Mana Understanding – A theoretical approach to how mana functions in living beings.
As I handed over the fee, I sighed. I was running low on money. Barely enough left for food.
Homeless, powerless, and now broke.
Could I be any more down bad right now?
I shook my head and made my way to the training grounds.
The academy had an impressive setup of private training rooms, a firing range, pressure chambers for endurance training, and more.
Yet, I ignored all of that. I wasn't here to use any fancy facilities.
Instead, I entered an empty training room, sat down on the cold floor, and flipped open my books.
I read through the instructions carefully, making sure I understood every step.
After a while, I exhaled and muttered.
"Okay… I think I got it."
Sitting in the lotus position, I followed the book's guidance.
I closed my eyes, steadying my breath. The book described mana as something living yet silent, a force that moved within but never revealed itself unless called upon.
I tried to focus inward, following the book's instructions.
Step one locate the core.
Step two feel the mana.
Step three pull it outward.
At first, I felt nothing, Just the steady rhythm of my heartbeat, the slow rise and fall of my chest.
But then something shifted.
A faint sensation, like a small ember burning deep inside me.
It wasn't fire, nor was it heat. It was something more subtle like a thread, woven into every inch of my body, pulsing in sync with my heart.
I focused harder, reaching for it.
The moment I did, it reacted.
The mana twitched, like a startled animal. It was faint like a thin current of water seeping through cracks in a stone but it was there.
I tried to pull on it, to bring it to the surface.
The moment I did pain.
A sharp, twisting agony spread from my chest, tearing through my veins like molten iron.
My body rejected it. The mana resisted, surging back toward my core like it was being forced into a space it didn't want to leave.
It felt like trying to pull something buried deep within my bones, something not meant to move.
I gritted my teeth and forced it forward again.
For a brief second, I felt it rise. A thin, barely perceptible tendril of mana reached my fingertips, tingling against my skin but then, my body snapped back.
Pain exploded in my chest.
I coughed violently thick, red blood splattering onto the floor.
My breath came in ragged gasps. My limbs trembled, my vision blurred. I collapsed onto my back, drenched in sweat.
"Haaa…" I panted, staring at the ceiling. "That was so much harder than I expected."
So that was mana circulation.
"If I didn't Have My immortality."
No wonder everyone at this academy had been training since childhood.
For someone like me someone starting from zero it felt like trying to force open a locked door with my bare hands.
'I Wonder How The My Classmate Doing, Haven't seen them like a Week.'
I tilted my head toward the clock. It was already late.
"...I should probably head to my dorm."
My body screamed in protest as I stood.
The first day at this academy had nearly killed me.
And yet, as I limped out of the training room, one thought lingered in my mind:
"If I keep pushing myself like this… I just hope I don't die."
"But I really need to fix my money situation thos..."
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