Ryoumi
— First, you will have to learn about mana, and how to control it. — Hajba spoke in his deep, almost hoarse voice, raising his hand and infusing mana into it. A green aura enveloped his hand. — From what I learned about you through the collected data, your body has a very unique way of using mana. Almost similar to mine.
— And how do you use mana, exactly? I mean, your body? — I asked, since my understanding of mana was still very superficial and theoretical. — I can sense mana, but only in very specific places, like your hand.
— I'll show you. It's faster than explaining. — he said as he approached me. — When I'm done with you, you'll be able to use all your mana and may even be able to sense it in the atmosphere. Just like Guapho.
He grabbed my hand and infused his mana into me. I could feel the mana entering through my hand and merging with my own mana. It flowed into my veins and meridians, passing through my entire arm and heading toward my core in my chest. I felt my core being filled with mana, and then, finally, the mana spread throughout my body.
My body began to glow and ache intensely, and then, as if I heard a clicking sound echoing inside me, my mana was purified, and I could feel my core and body becoming stronger.
— Congratulations, you advanced to the early brown level. — said my new master as if it were nothing. — Thanks to my demonstration, you were able to advance. Hmm, you have talent, boy.
— But... what about the training? When does it start?
— Now. — he said, staring at me as if trying to shoot me with his eyes. — Your advancement will be put to good use in your training. Listen and do as I say.
— Alright. Let's do it! — I said excitedly.
— Sit the way you see us sitting.
— Cross-legged? — I asked curiously. — It can't be that simple, can it?
— No. — he replied bluntly. — After sitting down, bring your hands together near your solar plexus. Take a deep breath and exhale all the air from your lungs.
I sat down and inhaled and exhaled countless times, my hands in front of my stomach.
— Now feel your mana. Focus it in your core, then focus on spreading it through your body, pushing it out and pulling it back in. — he said softly. — Focus, feel, and repeat.
I did as he said. I concentrated the mana in my core at first and then spread it through my body. I could feel my entire body. I pushed it outward; my aura rose around me and dispersed into the atmosphere.
I felt weak. My mana had been exhausted from my body. I exhaled more air and strained my body and core a little, pulling atmospheric mana into my body and then immediately into my core.
— You're doing well. Now you'll have to practice this until you no longer struggle with those difficulties. — Hajba interrupted my concentration.
— What difficulties? What did I do wrong?
— Didn't you notice? — he said as if he had already expected my mistakes. — Didn't you notice that you forced your body and core both to exhaust your mana and to gather it again? Still, you're the best beginner so far.
— Really? — I said, my eyes sparkling. — And now?
— Now? — he raised one eyebrow, bringing his fingers to the bridge of his nose near his eyes, and said: — Seriously, children.
He walked over to me and placed his hand on my head.
— You'll train here for a bit and then at home. In your culture, don't you have to attend a place to learn everyday things?
— Ahhh, school! That's right! — I laughed at what I had forgotten.
— Until you can absorb mana without forcing your body and core, we'll start physical training.
— So you are the niño from yesterday? — The terrible accent alone made it obvious that Guapho was nearby. He entered the tent and looked at me.
— You barely started your training and already advanced? What talent do you have?
— Came to fight again, you tongue-tied duck? — I said to him.
— Non, non. Don't misunderstand. It was a test for you. — he spoke gently. — In truth, I like you very much. We are alike.
— Alike how? You're a duck.
— Not in that way, but in the use of mana. — Guapho said softly. — In that aspect, we are the same.
— It's true. I was able to analyze your magic. — Hajba helped him out. — Don't pick on the poor duck.
Guapho approached Hajba and hopped onto his shoulder.
— He's not a bad duck. And together with him, we'll train you. — Hajba said calmly, his harsh expression softening, even as Guapho climbed higher and settled on top of his head, messing up his brown hair.
— Alright.
The cloth covering the tent entrance swayed, and Neses appeared.
— Ryo, time to go home. You have class today. Leave the practice for after school. — she said hurriedly, waving for me to come and signaling me to move quickly. — Your mother asked us to come back early so you could get ready without rushing this time.
Quickly and nimbly, I got up from the ground and went over to her.
— See you tomorrow, Hajba!... Guapho. — I said goodbye to the two of them and received silence in return.
We returned fairly quickly. Neses dropped me off at home and left with a solemn farewell, which I eagerly returned.
The creak of the door announced my arrival. My mother and brother came over to me. Both excited, though for different reasons and in different ways.
— Hey, how was your first day of training?! — Damian shouted, grabbing me, pulling me around, and looking me over from every angle with an excited grin. Maybe he was searching for something different. — Can you already use magic, Ryo?
— More or less. — I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. — I'm still learning how to control it.
— Straight to the shower! — my mother shouted after hearing the details. — You're taking your brother and Seray. Go on already.
I jumped back in surprise and noticed Seray from afar. Just as quiet as the day she arrived, backpack on her shoulders, standing near the couch waiting.
— I said go take a shower! — my mother shouted again, grabbing my ear, dragging me to the bathroom, and locking the door.
Not wanting to waste time, I took a quick shower. Mom had left my clothes hanging from a nail in the wall, as always.
I dried myself off, put on my school uniform, grabbed my towel, and hung it on the nail where my clothes had been.
Then I ran to my room and grabbed my backpack.
— Alright, let's go!
I joined the two waiting for me at the door.
— Finally. Next time, Seray and I are going ahead like always instead of waiting for you. — Damian said.
Seray, as usual, remained expressionless and silent.
We started walking. Damian and I in front, Seray behind us.
— What do you think? — Damian whispered so Seray wouldn't hear.
— Think about what? — I whispered back.
— What do you mean, what? — he whispered angrily. — I'm talking about Seray, you idiot.
— Seray? — I glanced at her from the corner of my eye so she wouldn't notice. — What do you mean?
— You hardly stay inside the house since she and Nyana arrived. You might not notice, but she's kind of weird and stays alone all the time. — he whispered and subtly looked at her. — I tried talking to her, but she barely answered me.
— And you think I'm supposed to do something about it? — I asked with some doubt and indifference.
— Don't talk so loud, dummy. — he said, smacking the back of my head.
I didn't feel a thing, and my head didn't even move.
— I'll keep an eye on her and try interacting with her, but I'm not promising anything. — I said nervously.
While walking down the road to school, we ran into Helen, who joined us.
The two of them stayed glued together at the front while I ended up walking behind with Seray. I looked at them with a smile. Damian and Helen were already dating, and everyone knew it. Their friends knew, though I wasn't sure about their parents. I figured that if they were still dating once they came of age, there wouldn't be a problem.
— Um... How are you, Seray? Settling in alright? — I asked hesitantly.
— Yes.
As direct and straight as a door. Her expression didn't change...
Looking more closely, she was actually pretty cute despite her blank face. Her features were soft, but her crimson eyes conveyed nothing. No happiness, joy, sadness, or anguish. None of it.
She was almost like a machine, without any will of her own. She simply functioned as she was supposed to. As I lost myself just staring into her eyes, she turned her face toward me and looked me straight in the eye.
— Did you lose something? — she said mechanically, without any emotion.
— N-no. I just... I... — I stammered, embarrassed because she wouldn't stop staring at me. — Well, this is the first time I've really stopped to look at you up close.
— Is that so. — she simply said before turning back forward again.
— I wonder what's wrong with her? — I thought to myself.
Ahead of us, the hand-holding couple was looking back, paying attention to our conversation.
As soon as I looked at them, they pretended nothing had happened and turned their attention forward again.
We arrived just in time to hear the final school bell ring and made it to our classrooms without any trouble.