'If I remember correctly, Camila always had long hair in the novel.'
'Could this change be due to my intervention?'
The idea that my mere presence could have influenced her to cut her hair made me smile. If that was really the case, then we were clearly not starting off on the best foot.
I let this thought linger for a moment, but suddenly, the door to the room creaked open. Instantly, all eyes turned toward the entrance. A silence fell over the room, as if everyone instinctively recognized the importance of the person who had just entered.
She stood there, perfectly straight. Her curly green hair framed her face with a certain elegance. The students around me seemed restrained — some watched in silence, while others, more nervous, huddled into their seats. They all knew who it was.
She walked slowly, and the room fell even quieter. All the gazes were on her, as though her mere presence demanded respect.
She stopped in front of us, sweeping her gaze over the class. When her eyes met mine, a slight shiver ran down my spine. After a few seconds of silence, an enigmatic smile spread across her lips, and she finally spoke.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Vanessa Clark, your head professor."
Her voice was calm, but there was something theatrical about the way she introduced herself. She almost seemed to enjoy the attention.
Vanessa Clark wasn't just any teacher. A high-ranking officer in the United Army, she had a solid reputation. Yet, in this moment, she seemed more interested in making a dramatic entrance.
She added with an amused smile:
"And not just for this year. I'll be your head professor for the next three years. Let's just say, we'll be spending a lot of time together."
She then grabbed a register and said:
"Alright, let's begin with the roll call. Since the rankings aren't set yet, we'll go in alphabetical order."
She started calling out names.
"Noah Arryn."
I sighed inwardly.
'Ah, great. First because of my last name...'
"Present," I said simply.
Whispers immediately rose.
"Arryn...? Isn't that the vassal family that betrayed the Silvaris?"
"Yeah, they were wiped out. Honestly, they deserved it with all the crap they pulled."
"Isn't he the only survivor? The one who awakened both the space and chaos elements but almost destroyed his core in the process? A talent wasted, really."
"Yeah, that's him. But I heard he managed to keep his core, though it's so damaged that it's almost laughable. Seriously, how did he get accepted here?"
I remained impassive, though their murmurs annoyed me. These idiots thought they were being discreet, but my sharp perception caught every word. The scandal of the Arryn family was still fresh in everyone's mind. House Silvaris had used their downfall to send a clear message: never defy the ruling houses.
But the real reason was something else entirely, something they can't know. They're being manipulated by those at the top, like it always is everywhere.
'Well, it's official. Any chance of having a good reputation here is shot.'
Seeing the situation, Vanessa clapped her hands lightly, and a wave of energy passed through the room, immediately calming all the students.
"Silence. Alright, let's continue."
Once the roll call was done, she turned to us, adopting a more serious tone.
"Today, we're going to start by exploring the manipulation of mana in depth."
A futuristic-looking device then projected a hologram displaying complex information.
"As you probably know, manipulating mana depends primarily on training but also on sensitivity. Some people have a natural affinity with mana, which allows them to manipulate it more easily. But don't be fooled — this matters only in the beginning. In the long run, hard work will always surpass raw talent."
To illustrate her point, she concentrated mana in her hand. A brilliant blue energy emanated from her palm, luminous and controlled.
"The good news about mana manipulation is that even someone with limited potential, say at the Adept rank, can develop exceptional mastery. It's all a matter of concentration and effort. But don't misunderstand — this training is long, difficult, and demanding."
A student timidly raised their hand. Vanessa gave them an encouraging smile.
"Yes, go ahead."
The student asked:
"Professor, doesn't the intelligence stat also play a crucial role in mana manipulation?"
Vanessa nodded with a slight smile.
"Excellent question. Indeed, this is what I mean by sensitivity. Someone more 'sensitive' to mana often has a higher intelligence stat. This trait allows them to manipulate mana with greater finesse and efficiency, significantly reducing energy waste. But, and this is important, intelligence is a stat that's difficult to improve, just like charm and perception. That's why rigorous and constant training is essential for everyone, regardless of your initial potential."
Her gaze swept across the class to make sure her words had been understood.
My intelligence stat was clearly above average, which was definitely an advantage — just not as much as it should have been with my damaged core.
Vanessa continued her explanation, her calm tone capturing the class's attention.
"To improve your mana manipulation, one of the most effective methods is meditation, just like you do to strengthen your mana core and advance through the ranks. You're lucky to be at Eloria, a place where the environment is ideal for this kind of practice."
She paused briefly, scanning the attentive faces of the students before continuing.
"Another way to refine your control is to focus on your elemental affinities. Learning to control your element can have a significant impact on your overall mana manipulation. That said, not all elements are equal in terms of difficulty. Some are harder to grasp, but that doesn't necessarily make them stronger or weaker. Ultimately, it depends on the user and their ability to make the most of it."
Vanessa went on to discuss various aspects of mana manipulation, covering topics like internal mana flows, anchoring exercises, and the importance of maintaining energetic balance. Most of the information she shared was fairly basic, knowledge that every serious student should have heard before. However, some of the details were new and particularly interesting, like tips on minimizing mana waste or the hidden benefits of maintaining proper posture during meditation.
As she spoke, I felt a heavy gaze on me. A gaze so intense it almost seemed to pierce through me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was: Camila.
Still, I pretended not to notice, focusing on the lesson as if nothing was happening.
"For next time I want each of you to prepare a brief demonstration of your mana manipulation ability. No matter your level or your element, I want to assess where you stand individually."
A murmur spread across the class at this announcement, but Vanessa clapped her hands lightly to restore calm.
"Use the training grounds or the meditation room, but be ready. That's all, class is dismissed."
Like the other students, I got up from my seat without rushing.
'Mana manipulation...'
As I was about to leave the room, I still felt that heavy gaze on me.
Ding–!
Suddenly, a notification popped up.
⟨Camila Alves⟩
[Camila: Come to the place I'm going to specify.]
'Huh?'
Ding–!
'...?'
Ding–!
[Camila: Hurry.]