Reincarnated as a Genius Mage

"Well, I can't really teach you how to feel mana because it's something you have to find out for yourself. It's like an epiphany or something. But.. I can tell you the process and the way to go about it."

His brows lower, face stiffening into a stern expression.

Finally looking like a real adult.

My eyes glow with an expectant glimmer as I stare at him like a puppy waiting for treats.

"Calm down." His soft, calming chuckle echoes in the silent training ground.

"No. I really mean it, you should calm down. When your body is calm, your heartbeat will be properly regulated and the blood in your body won't rush into your mana pathway. That's when you're in the right state to try and feel mana."

As he explains, he taps my shoulder slightly. But it feels like a heavy load was placed on my shoulder, and it sends warning signals around my body. The weight is... Damn.

His hands really are big.

I'm 98% certain his palm can squeeze the blood out of my face.

Is he a mage or an orc?

My head shakes side to side, shrugging off my thoughts.

And I exhale, letting my mind and body calm down.

"Drats, I think I'm a bad teacher." He scratches his head. "I haven't explained what the mana pathway is. And it's a piece of essential knowledge for the next lesson after you learn how to feel mana.

Hmmm... Where should I start?... Okay! Let me start with what the mana pathway is."

His index finger scratches on the space of sand between us, and he starts drawing.

It's a human body.. he's drawing a real shitty drawing of a human body.

Is this part of the training? I think I want to go home now.

In the drawing, he draws a heart in the chest region. And he connects two lines from the heart to.. everywhere else inside the body.

He draws like my little daughter.

"Ahem! Let's say both these lines are– the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the tissues and other organs of the body. And – the veins that carry blood from the tissues and organs of the body back to the heart."

To a certain degree– no, I fully understand, and I nod my head slowly.

Oh, another?

My eyes capture the third line he draws and connects it everywhere in the body like the first two lines.

"The mana pathway which everyone is born with is like the veins and arteries. Except— it carries the mana you breathe into your lungs during mana breathing, and it takes it to every single cell in your body.

The process where mana is transferred to every cell in your body from the lungs is called 'Mana Gathering.' "

Interesting... so the only difference between humans in this world and the ones back on earth is the presence of the biological and mystical vessel called the mana pathway. Really interesting...

"And another thing the mana pathway does is..."

Around the heart of his drawing; He draws a ring.

"When a person finally gets their first circle after much training, enlightenment and mana gathering– the mana pathways automatically connect to the first circle.

And it draws mana from the circle into the body cells.

This is a faster, much easier process that doesn't require much focus like mana gathering, as all the mana you've gathered in your life are stored in the circle and the pathway just needs to draw it out."

My head keeps nodding without my consent.. it must be reflex. But I'll admit that I'm understanding what he's saying though.

"And you need to know... the mana pathways are the only flexible vessels in your body. They somehow act as if they're alive. They connect to your first circle once they sense its presence.

And they'll also connect to your second circle automatically if you form one, and your third, fourth, all your circles. That is the job of the mana pathway."

It seems he's done with his mana pathway explanation. I can tell due to the fact that he's looking at me with a satisfied, comfy grin.

Probably proud of yourself huh.

Honestly, he's not a bad teacher at all. The only thing I can nitpick about him is his loudness, and of course, his bad drawing. Even my seven-year-old daughter could draw better than him.

Maybe Alexander sent him to teach me because he knows that this guy's a good teacher.

A warm smile threatens to widen on my lips.

Maybe Alexander isn't so bad afte–

Wait.

What did I almost say? Did I almost forget the way he wanted to kill me with whatever it was that he did the first time I met him?

Or when he pushed me into that boiling mana pool? No! He's just doing this because he sees potential in me. That's all, he's not a good guy.

My gaze meets that of Klaus, his hazel eyes are staring at me, begging for a compliment. Like a dog waiting for a belly rub.

"Ahem– I understand everything you've explained to me and I appreciate your good and straightforward explanation, Klaus. It has helped me greatly. Thank you."

He folds his arms, raising his head in a boasty way.

"Of course! Hahahahaha! I'm just a good teacher! And you truly are polite Young Master Charles. Your other siblings, especially that naughty girl Kaira, they're all menaces. They were even worse when they were your age. Well, except Master George. He was almost as smart and polite as you when he was your age."

Again with me being polite? I almost feel bad for this guy.

And why's he talking about some kids that I don't care about? Tell me about how to feel mana! And.. just how old is he? I heard that George Flameworth, Alexander's first son is about 28 or 29 or so, and presently, he's not in this residence.

So that means, this man is above 30. Well, not that I care. He should just tell me how I can feel mana so I can start gath–

"Okay, moving on." His back straightens as he slowly adjusts his posture.

"Feeling mana is simple– to me at least, I don't know about you. Just keep trying to calm yourself and clear your mind of every thought. Do it until you can hear everything in your body. Until you can hear and feel your cells, tissues, muscles and your whole body moving.

Because; to conquer the world, you must first learn to conquer yourself.

When you finally start hearing and detecting everything in your body; try to detect everything outside your body.

From very little insect crawling on the floor, to the breeze that blows on your skin.. Meditate and train your perception until you can detect both inside you and outside your surroundings.

And... a hint to know that what you feel is mana and not something your mind made up to make you happy is– you'll start feeling a lingering substance that's foreign yet natural. The air that touches your skin will start will start to feel like it's more than just air. It's an unexplainable feeling. It feels normal yet strange at the same time. Now... try it."

His eyes never leave my body, even as he slowly unfolds his arms.

Everything slowly fades as I shut my eyes.

"Here I go."

A deep breath. I draw it in, slow and steady, and then I breathe it out.

My hands are on my knees, and as my breathing slows down-– so does my heartbeat. Everything melts into this serene calm that I feel.

My thoughts clear and melt, my consciousness searching within me, trying to conquer myself.

***

It's been a while since I've been in this state.

But nothing's happening yet. I can't hear or feel my cells and body.

But it's all absurd.. How is it even possible to hear your cells? Aren't cells like the smallest things that make up the body? That's kind of impossible. I'm starting to wonder how this thing relates to magic.

The darkness desolves slowly as I open my eyes to the creaking subtle golden glow of the sun.

The first thing I see is Klaus..

Of course... He slept off.

The sun is slowly setting to the west. It's been a hell of a day.

"Been a real long day. But my journey from here on is going to be longer."

And with that, my first day of training with this sleeping loud man is ov–

"Oh? you finally opened your eyes, kid?"