Reincarnation: A New World

With Mage Incanus returning to the class, Mage Glenn ran out of the classroom and down the hall. The serious attitude he had held during his teachings disappeared as he yelled at the top of his lungs, "FREEDOM!"

Nora couldn't refrain from laughing to herself. Mage Glenn really was quite the character... His very weird attitude was growing on her.

Yet, before Nora could attempt to acc.u.mulate Mana, Mage Incanus signaled the end of class. Although Nora wasn't too happy about not getting the chance to practice, she nonetheless headed to her next class. She'd have to wait until after her classes to attempt this new Path.

Nora surprisingly found Percy outside her class, waiting patiently. She could only infer that Percy's class was close to hers.

Nora along with Percy made their way towards their third class. Their Affinity class. Since nearly all the new students had yet to even become Initiate Mages, they would have to attend the Pre-Initiate class. A far more basic class to help the young students learn to sense and manipulate the element that they're compatible with.

The Pre-Initiate Fire class quite far away so Nora and Percy made pace towards their class. In a few minutes, they had gotten to their class. Nora noticed that Percy was out of breath and sweating. She honestly felt rather bad for him. Only now did Nora really notice how frail he appeared and she truly felt sad for him.

They entered the class, Nora now slightly downtrodden. At the front of the class sat Great Mage Mirlie, patiently waiting for her class to fill up. Nora rather liking Great Mage Mirlie decided to sit at the very front of the class. Although Percy slightly disliked the attention, he begrudgingly agreed.

The class size rather small quickly filled with the dozen or so students. Great Mage Mirlie then began, "I believe most of you were just in Magic Theory. Nevertheless, for those who weren't, let quickly review."

Great Mage Mirlie went on to explain the very same material that Mage Glenn had covered except in a more descriptive form. Showing that either Mage Glenn glossed over some minor details or Great Mage Mirlie truly was 'Great' in comparison.

"Luckily or unluckily for you, Fire is one of the more destructive affinities. Quite powerful for offense it often leaves much lacking in defence." rather reluctantly Great Mage Mirlie appeared to be speaking from personal experience.

"Since this is our first class together, we'll focus on getting you started on acc.u.mulating Mana."

Nora was rather pleased, she'd finally get to try out a new path. She felt like this was what she needed to boost her spirits.

Great Mage Mirlie instructed the class to follow the same steps as Mage Glenn had described. "Close your eyes, feel the air around you, pull the mana around you towards yourself."

Before commencing, Nora noticed how Percy was only managing to collect a far smaller amount of mana compared to the other classmates. At this moment Nora decided that she would help Percy. Although he was young, he was far kinder than any other student she'd met at the Academy.

Nora closed her eyes and focused on the air around her. She sensed a vast quantity of Mana in the air around her. Without realizing she ravaged the Mana. The mix between her previous experiences with elemental Qi and her True Mana Affinity truly showing their combined might. The Mana in the air began to be drained at such an unnatural pace that some of the students near Nora stopped being able to sense any Mana around them.

Noticing the occurrence, Great Mage Mirlie called attention to herself at the front of the class, "Everyone, please continue practicing while I step out for a minute" as she made her way out of the class she passed by Nora and said, "Do you mind speaking to me outside?" her tone rather serious, making the question seem less like a question and more like a statement.

Nora knowing that there was no other option simply complied. She made her way outside without many people noticing. Many of them distracted by their attempts to acc.u.mulate Mana.

Nora followed Great Mage Mirlie outside.

In a rather straightforward and decisive manner, Great Mage Mirlie stated, "Would you like to be my personal disciple?"

Nora beyond confused asked, "Great Mage Mirlie, why are you asking me?"

"I'm asking you because your affinity with Mana is far too unnatural. In my long life, I have never seen someone be so inhumanely naturally attuned to Mana." seeming to forgo her status in order to attempt to convince the one in a lifetime student, "I've seen the way Headmaster Thurmond looks at you. I am willing to protect you from his advances if you become my disciple".

With that offer alone Mirlie felt like she would be able to sway Nora to become her disciple. Yet to her surprise Nora simply responded, "With all due respect, why would I need your protection?"

'Uhhgh, doesn't she understand the danger she's in?' Mirlie exclaiming internally, 'Fine, maybe this'll work.'

"If you become my disciple I'll teach you how to do this..." Great Mage Mirlie turned her hand over and summoned a ball of fire in her hand. Nora was rather curious but didn't expect much from this display.

At least that was until the fireball in Great Mage Mirlie's hand changed from a red to blue...