Reincarnation: A New World

Nora spotted Percy waiting patiently for her in the hall. Although she didn't want to avoid him, his confession made things rather awkward. She didn't fully know how to respond to the whole ordeal yesterday.

"How's it going?" Percy asked as Nora approached, pausing while anticipating a response, the lack of said response prompting him to ask another question, "How was Language Studies?"

At least Percy was putting in the effort to connect while Nora not really being a social person in the first place was rather disconnected, even more so than her she had been before. Noticing her own lack of contribution she tried to respond but all she got managed to say was, "Good..."

"Nora I know what I said yesterday was a lot, and my actions before that were even worse... Let me just say, I truly am sorry and for my actions. I swear on my life that I will never make the same mistake again."

In silence, Nora and Percy began walking to their next class. Still lacking a response from Nora, Percy continued,

"Here, let's start anew. My name is Perceval Stonebraid, but my friends... well... I call myself Percy, and you are?" Percy's attempt finally breaking Nora's shell, she responds in turn, "I'm Nora Redblood, nice to meet you, Percy."

As they approached their third class of the day, Pre-Initiate Fire Class, a far more jovial air surrounded the two as they entered the class. Exchanging in small talk as they found their seats.

Soon, Great Mage Mirlie started her class,

"Welcome all to your second day in my class. Due to some recent developments," Great Mage Mirlie's gaze briefly glancing at Nora, "Today I will explain the purpose and use of a Mana Pool. As most of you may have witnessed already, Mages have the ability to do marvellous things. The first few stages of becoming a Mage are the preparatory stages for being able to cast such spells. Currently, you are all of you are Pre-Initiate Mages, you are all in the stage of acc.u.mulating Mana to form a Mana Pool. After which once you've formed your Mana Pool you will become Initiate Mages. The difference is monumental. A Mana Pool's purpose is to provide a reliable source of Mana for which to be used to cast spells. Any questions?" a series of hands instantly sprouted into the air,

"Why can't we use the Mana already contained within our bodies?" Nora too wondered this, according to her 'Status' she already had a sizable amount of Mana, why wouldn't that Mana also work?

"The Mana Pool acts as a channel and refinery, you'll be able to use that Mana as a surplus on top of the Mana Pool only once it has gone through the Mana Pool. Otherwise, the Mana is far too unyielding to be simply drawn from."

At this answer Nora was beyond perplexed, she had easily manipulated Mana outside of her body. Even creating intangible constructs from said Mana. Yet, Great Mage Mirlie claimed it far too unyielding? Compared to Qi, Mana was as malleable as clay. Seeking an answer Nora too raised her hand, Great Mage Mirlie noticing her disciples hand, in an act of favouritism let her disciple ask her question first, "If someone were to tame the unyielding nature of the Mana, would they then be able to use it?"

"Well... hypothetically yes, although it would still be far harder than going through the traditional process of channelling it through their Mana Pool. Even so, such a feat would require on to possess mastery over Mana. Something that normally takes a lifetime to accomplish."

A mastery over mana? Nora already had achieved 'Mana Mastery: 2'. Something that takes a lifetime, more like a few afternoons!

Following Great Mage Mirlie's request to avoid dragging unnecessary attention, she withheld the rest of her questions for their afterschool tutoring.

Nora's mind began to drift as the remainder of the class time passed with the students asking questions that pertained more to the acc.u.mulation of Mana, something that Nora had no problem doing, than to the subject at hand, the Mana Pool.

Once the other questions had been answered, the class began to continue their acc.u.mulation of Mana. Noticing the change of direction, Nora joined in.

The progress she made in acc.u.mulating mana seemed rather small but if anyone knew at what an absurd speed she was gathering mana compared to the other students, they'd have a heart attack.

Soon enough, class began to wrap up and before Nora and Percy could make it out the door, Great Mage Mirlie personally offered to escort them to Great Mage Sev's classroom for 'Defence Against the Dark Arts', ensuring that Nora and Percy didn't cause any more trouble.

Although being escorted ensured that Nora and Percy wouldn't cause trouble, it didn't help prevent rumours from spreading. The fact that Emilee and the Headmaster had begun spinning the previous day's altercation in their favour by spreading misinformation wasn't helping the situation. The sight of Nora being 'protected' by a teacher only fueled the rumours that Emilee had completely defeated Nora and caused her to seek protection from Great Mage Mirlie. Although many of the first years doubted the authenticity of these claims, they didn't dare voice it. No one wanted to offend the young miss.

Nora, Percy, and Great Mage Mirlie swiftly made their way to Great Mage Sev's class. To both teachers surprise, Nora's first words upon entering the class were, "Great Mage Sev, would you happen to have some paper I could use?"