Kael did as he was told, and soon, darkness enveloped him.
"What do you see?" Elira asked, her tone gentle.
"You told me to close my eyes. What am I supposed to see?"
Elira's lips twitched. Soon, however, she just sighed and continued.
"Do you remember how you found your Mana Core and learned to control your Mana?"
"Good. Do the same thing, but this time, try to find the Mana outside your body."
"Outside my body? How would my Mana even be outside m—"
"Just do it, you brat," Elira snapped, cutting him off.
Kael instantly turned silent.
Recalling the sensation of drawing Mana within himself, he let his focus drift outward. At first, he could see nothing but darkness, which made sense since his eyes were closed, but then...
Faint sparks flickered into existence—tiny pinpricks of red light, like embers floating in a sea of darkness.
The more he concentrated, the more they appeared. Soon, thousands of red sparks illuminated the darkness, so bright and numerous that it was almost blinding.
Elira repeated her question.
"Some red sparks… they are glowing and uhh…"
"What you're seeing are fire elements,"
"Their presence depends on your affinity. The higher your affinity, the more of them you would see.
Seeing ten in your first attempt is considered exceptional."
He could spot ten of these 'elements' at any random corner.
How was this 'exceptional'?
'So this is what it means to have high affinity, huh…?'
Soon, he couldn't help but question.
'I wonder how many of these Igni sees.'
Oblivious to his thoughts, Elira continued.
"Your task is to take control of these elements and pull them into your body. Once inside, circulate them through your Mana Circuit and store them in your Mana Core. This will expand your Mana pool and allow you to cast higher-level spells."
"Start with the closest ones," Elira instructed.
"They'll be easier to control."
Kael nodded and focused on a spark hovering a few inches away from him.
He willed it to move.
The element trembled, almost like it was resisting. With effort, Kael managed to nudge it toward him, but just as it came close, it slipped from his control and drifted away, returning to its position.
"It will be hard at first, but continue trying and you will eventually get used to it."
Elira's voice was heard again.
It was almost as if she could tell what Kael was feeling.
Kael nodded, he tried again, but he failed.
Then again, and again.
The spark or the element was like a slippery eel that got away no matter what he did to catch it.
On the fifth attempt, however, he succeeded.
As the element entered his body, Kael felt a faint warmth spread through his body. As he circulated the element through his Mana Circuit and stored it, the warm feeling became stronger.
It was unlike anything he had felt before. He felt more active, more refreshed.
But the feeling was faint, much fainter than when Althea used her magic, not to mention it was very short-lived.
"Now repeat the process."
He heard Elira's voice again and repeated the process.
This time, he was able to control the element in just three attempts. On the next try, he only needed two attempts, and after a couple more tries,
Kael could do it in just a single attempt.
Kael's smile widened.
The process felt exhilarating. Each element he absorbed filled him with warmth and power. He lost track of time, focusing solely on the glowing fire elements.
But soon, an unfamiliar feeling interrupted his rhythm—fullness.
For now, Kael decided to ignore it.
He was too focused on the fire elements to think of something else. He couldn't let something break his rhythm.
However, something changed.
Just like before, he was able to control the element, circulate it through his Mana Circuit, but when he tried to store it in his Mana Core, it didn't work.
He attempted again and again, but no matter how much effort he poured in, the result was the same. It was as if his Mana Core had reached its limit.
'Is my body resisting because my Mana Core is full?'
It seemed logical. But if that was the case...
'How am I supposed to expand my Mana Pool if I can't store more Mana? Wasn't that the whole point of this training?'
Kael mulled over the possibilities, but unable to solve the problem on his own, he decided to turn to Elira.
Opening his eyes, Kael glanced toward the Court Mage and there she was, lounging on her chair, that came out of god knows where, attempting to read a book titled "Supreme Harem God System".
The key word being "attempting," as Arlan stood beside her, persistently trying to cover her eyes with his hands.
"Arlan, stop that or I'll burn your butt again,"
Elira threatened without even looking up.
Naturally, Arlan ignored her, only to let out a yelp as she bit his hand.
Kael's mouth twitched at the scene as he questioned every life choice that had led him to this moment.
How did he end up with a mage who read novels mid-training and an overly cheerful knight who couldn't take a hint?
Also, what was that novel's title!?
What the hell was she reading!?
He turned towards Althea, but the Almoner of Services remained expressionless.
In the end, Kael decided it was better to ignore everything he was seeing and,
"Teacher Elira, I can't store the elements inside my Mana Core."
He stated the problem.
Elira, who was currently holding Arlan's hand, paused and turned toward him.
She acted as if that was obvious.
"You have just been learning for what? An hour? Of course, you can't do it yet.
You think Magic's that easy?
It takes weeks or even months to master the art of medita—"
"I am saying that I could do it before, but I cannot do it any longer.
I feel full...? I do not know if that is the way to describe it. It is as if my Mana Core cannot store any more Mana."
Kael explained, and this time, both Elira and Arlan stared at him with their mouths opened wide.