"Open it. Stand up and Open it...D.." I felt my heart race, but the place I was felt foreign.
'Ah!'
I sprawled on the bed, my eyes fluttering open as I stared through the single window ventilation that drenched the room in moonlight syncing perfectly with the studio apartment's ivory colour.
At the head of my bed lay a black marble panel—the same material used in the door, wardrobe and floor, though it felt like wood, I knew otherwise.
"A dream huh?" I murmured, using my hand to block the moonlight streaming from the window to my left.
It wasn't unusual that I had a dream but it felt too vivid.
Clenching my fist firmly, I put on the new red tracksuit that was handed to us by the school, my eyes glancing briefly at both the white blazer uniform and the new navy blue one that was clearly our main uniform while the white served for a more formal occasion.
"Let's go meet Neko-sensei for now." Moving towards the door knob of the rather roomy apartment, I spared a final glance at the room.
From the bed space I rose from which had a television opposite the window, a holographic clock by the bedside, a wardrobe, a kitchen near the door and a bathroom door close to where the television sat.
All in all, it far exceeded my expectations—with an inbuilt heater, an air-conditioner and even some features I hadn't figured out yet.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I glanced at the time which read—'7:23PM' before slipping it back.
Sending Gobo to scout the environment and make sure I didn't get lost, my mind drifted as I stepped into the elevator.
In Noctis Academy dorms weren't separated male from female, since I obviously wanted more dramas, but each year still had their separate dorm buildings.
And the dorm allocated for the first years—a large 42-story glass structure with 85 studio apartments, a modest gym and other major facilities.
But out of the numerous buildings in Noctis, I was heading for the second training facility.
Crossing paths and bowing slightly to some upperclassmen, I finally reached my destination.
It didn't take me that long to ascend the four-story building—since it didn't have any other means to get to the upper floors without using the staircase.
Knocking twice, I pulled on the knob of the second door on the third floor.
"Good evening." I said, nodding slightly.
"Oh, Kai you made it on time—did you have a good rest."
"I doubt we need to be discussing my sleep, but either way yeah."
With a gentle smile, Neko-sensei signaled me over.
She was dressed in a snug tank top which exposed both her stomach and part of her chest, on her feet were leggings and sneakers.
Dragging my mind out of the gutter, I moved closer to where she stood.
The room was wide, but apart from that there was nothing—just white.
"Did we really have to do this today?" I asked, dropping the headset I hung on my shoulder—music was indeed the best way to soothe oneself from nightmares.
"Yes, but why wear such a baggy outfit?" She asked, her gaze fixed on my tracksuit as she dropped the tablet in her hand.
"Isn't this just what the school issued me?"
"Well I guess so."
Seeing that she wasn't about to start up any other conversation, I unzipped my top and tied it around my waist, wearing only the T-shirt and joggers.
"So can we begin?"
"You sure are eager to leave." Her hands circled in the air activating a simple noise cancellation spell—it seemed she didn't want people interrupting us.
"Don't forget I'm a student, so I need my rest." I said, readying my stance.
'I need to be ready for tomorrow, the first combat training.' I sighed, my gaze locked on the figure who had barely moved.
"Kai." She began. "Do you know what mana is?"
Her words were simple to grasp but also easily misread.
Mana was a life force just like humans had theirs—but unlike normal lifeforce, mana was an amplified version that wasn't confined to the body.
This meant both soul energy, Qi and every other form of supernatural power, stemmed from the same source so are more or less alike.
But that wasn't what she wanted to hear—
"Mana is the expendable energy in the universe." My voice was composed as I uttered those few words—it wouldn't be until two years before this theory was to be validated, but it was enough for her to think I'm a genius.
Neko-sensei's smile softened. "I knew I didn't see wrongly... And yes, I too think mana is the expendable energy in the universe, because as you know everything originated from a single source and after that source created all things energy escaped to the universe, that is the energy that keeps all things in motion—"
"Mana."
She nodded, stepping closer to where I stood. "And when a being is able to access this energy it is called magic."
"But that's what everyone already knows, isn't it?"
Her mouth opened as if wanting to say something but then shut. "Yes... The truth is that energy is the amount we were originally meant to use, so theoretically every human is meant to use mana."
"Even if that's true doesn't that mean if a mage goes beyond using the expendable mana they would be overpowered." I asked, confusion painted on my face.
"Hmm, I suppose so... It would mean there won't be need for a core or mana pool."
After a while she added. "We can explore that another day, for now let's focus on your training... Now can you show me your talent."
'Is this safe.'
It wasn't like I didn't trust Neko-sensei, but it felt odd revealing something so private to someone else except Hari who I was sure wouldn't betray me.
But still... I designed her character to be someone trustworthy, so I doubted she would try and expose her disciple, since in the original story she died protecting someone who wasn't even her disciple but just a member of her class.
"Don't be shocked if I tell you."
"Hmmm...."
I went on to explain the details of my abilities to Neko-sensei without holding anything back—the more she knew the more she would be tied to me which would reduce the chances of betrayal.
"Are you serious?" She asked, her face pale.
Sighing, I made my shadow spread and in an instant my three saints materialized. "See."
Gumiho clung unto me, rubbing her energy-like fur on my skin while the other saints stood behind.
"Wow! Sorcery." Neko-sensei murmured.
"What?"
"No, this isn't magic in itself. It is sorcery."
'Sorcery, I never wrote something like that... It seems another variable has occurred.'
"So what do you think." I asked Neko-sensei, who was inspecting Gobo.
"It is a rather rare talent, even among shadows—having multiple abilities that is." She added. "But you really are a sly fox, can't believe you fooled me too." Her gaze was fixed on Gumiho.
Now that she knew the whole story it would be strange if she didn't feel like I was a bit cunning.
"But I wanted to kick that jerk out either way." She continued. "Come closer."
As soon as she grasped my arm mana surged through me.
[YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE VESTIGE: REGULATOR.]
"A vestige?" I asked, summoning a simple bracelet made of gold to my arm. "It looks pretty plain."
"For now I can't train you properly... But with this you can keep your surroundings at room temperature which would allow you to generate more ice."
My eyes shifted from her to the bracelet, it seems she was thinking further than I was. "Thank you."
"Don't be like that, I'm your instructor right?"
Smiling widely I replied. "Yes, Neko-sensei."
Neko-sensei tilted her head and asked, her voice laced with confusion. "Neko... Sensei?"
"Any name remember." I muttered, my finger in the air.
"You brat—but I can't go back on my word." She then added. "Just don't call me that in public."
"Okay Neko-sensei." A smile forming on my lips.
"Damn!..." Holding in the urge to yell, she lifted Gumiho and addressed me. "Tomorrow is your first day in class don't embarrass me... And better start thinking of your eight subjects and club activity."
'Oh right, there was that.'
Since I was more than ready for the next day's combat training, I chatted a bit more with Neko-sensei and left for my dorm room.
It didn't take long for me to fall asleep, though the dream I had earlier was rather unsettling.
The night passed quickly and it was time for the first classes of the semester.