Chapter 3 — A Lazy Shadow and the Nature of Mana

The day’s first class was Magic Studies.

Professor Miren Althea, a strict woman with sharp eyes and a flowing purple robe, stood at the front of the room explaining the basics of mana flow and magic circles.

Half the students were taking notes diligently. The others were pretending to listen.

Kael?

Kael was sleeping.

His head rested on one arm, his soft breathing almost rhythmic. Julius sat beside him, half amused and half impressed by how boldly his friend could nap in front of a teacher.

“Mister Kael Valenhart,” Professor Miren said sternly, noticing the dozing student.

No reaction.

She narrowed her eyes and flicked her wrist.

A small water spell—a sphere about the size of an apple—shot toward Kael’s head.

In that instant, Kael’s body shifted slightly, the water bursting harmlessly against the back wall.

He didn’t even open his eyes until after it hit.

The class went silent.

Miren blinked. “You… dodged that?”

Kael yawned. “Wasn’t aiming too well, professor.”

Her eye twitched. “Up. To the front. Now.”

Julius leaned back in his chair, whispering, “This should be entertaining.”

⸻

Kael walked lazily to the front, hands in his pockets, still half-asleep.

“Since you’re clearly so awake,” Miren said, crossing her arms, “why don’t you explain something to the class?

Can someone with no aptitude for magic use a magic circle—even one drawn on paper or in the dirt?”

Kael sighed. “Do I have to?”

Her look said yes.

He scratched the back of his neck, stepped up to the board, and began speaking in that calm, almost bored tone of his.

“Technically… yes, someone with no aptitude can still use a magic circle. Everyone’s born with mana—some more than others. Even if it’s barely there, it’s still mana.”

The class stared.

“Mana isn’t just inside us,” Kael continued. “It’s everywhere. In the air, in plants, in monsters, even in the dirt. So if someone with almost no mana uses a magic circle in a place where mana density is high, the circle can still draw power from the environment.”

Professor Miren blinked, clearly caught off guard.

That explanation was far more advanced than what she’d planned to teach.

“However,” Kael added, glancing at her, “I guess the answer you wanted was no. Someone with no aptitude for magic can’t use a circle. It’s impossible, right?”

He turned away before she could reply and walked back to his seat.

The room was silent. Every student was either stunned or trying to process what he’d just said.

Even Lelia Valium, the Ice Queen herself, was staring at him.

Her thoughts were calm but curious: Who exactly is this boy? He doesn’t even look like he’s trying.

Julius caught her gaze and, of course, waved at her with a grin.

She ignored him completely and looked away, flipping her hair in quiet annoyance.

Julius chuckled to himself. “Cold as ever…”

Kael leaned his head on the desk again. “Wake me when class is over,” he murmured.

The professor turned, hiding a small frown. She wasn’t sure whether to scold him—or give him extra credit.