Day 1, Lesson 1: Basic Mana
Phantom drummed his fingers on the thick tome settled across his lap, eyes skimming the content in record speed while the quill positioned over the piece of paper laid out over the right page furiously churned out words.
Mana is a continual stream of energy originating from some region deep within the mind. As a person grows, so does their apparent amount of mana which might imply that maturity of the mind plays a role in the development of this substance. It might also result from experience with handling stress and pressure in different situations enough so that the flow of mana comes easier.
The specific mechanisms of where, how, and what are still being investigated but since mana is an insubstantial substance, it's difficult to study in ways other than indirectly. There may also be exceptions for those who do not use or do not have mana.
He flipped the page and shuffled the paper to the left, switching the quill over to his other hand and continued.
Pure mana doesn't seem different amongst individuals but as they grow more specialized in using certain spells, they eventually grow so proficient at their area of expertise that they eventually lose the ability to use any other spells. The weapons they use also act as conduits to enhance their abilities, further emphasizing the differences between classes.
Phantom finally looked up from his work and blew out a breath.
Tasked with summarizing the basics of magic from the entire book, it was unsurprising that he was starting to feel tired.
A quick glance over at Freud told him that he was still finishing up. He sighed and cracked his neck before setting on his task once again.
The stuff was long, somewhat dry, and admittedly disheartening but he'd already committed himself to Luminous's challenge and he'd be damned before he'll let that bastard get smug satisfaction of being right. Backing down was simply not an option.
Steeling himself, Phantom poured over the text with renewed vigor and time seemed to squeeze by both remarkably fast yet slow when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and Phantom looked up.
Freud had a smile on his face and his eyes crinkled slightly as though he were keeping in a small bit of laughter but his expression was soft, almost fond.
"How are you doing?"
"Alright I'd say. Here, the summary you wanted," Phantom replied wearily, handing over his workâseveral pages of it.
Silence reigned in the room for a long while as Freud's eyes darted across the work Phantom had managed to conjure during the time he had been concluding his studies before finally, oceanic irises looked up at him and a bright smile graced his features.
"Very well done," he praised softly and Phantom felt a sudden swell of pride and the confidence that maybe, just maybe he could do this after all.
