Chapter 72 - Decision (Patreon)

Possible Skill Specialization: Mana Manipulation, lvl 25

Aspect Magic: increases understanding of magic, increases the chance of discovering additional Aspects, grants a wider selection of future specializations.

Crafter: increases understanding of magic, allows the creation of artifacts. Limited number of future specializations.

Mind Magic: increases understanding of magic, increases the effectiveness of mind magic.

Ward Magic: increases understanding of magic, reduces mana costs when creating wards and increases their effectiveness. Limited number of future specializations.

Magic Researcher: increases understanding of magic, allows a deeper comprehension of mana and spell structures.

Two-Minds Magic: increases understanding of magic, reduces the concentration required to cast spells.

Spell Magic: increases understanding of magic, increases spell effectiveness and mana cost.

Battle Magic: increases understanding of magic, significantly increases damage dealt by magic.

He hadn’t felt this good in a very long time.

For a moment, Arien considered asking Lamaral for advice on both Specializations. She was far more experienced than he was, after all, and choices like these could shape years of future development.

Fire was the problem. As far as he knew, Lamaral had only Life and Death assigned, so whatever she knew about Fire Magic would probably be limited. In the end, he trusted his own judgment and selected Fire Mage. It fit what he wanted and, more importantly, did not restrict his future options.

Mana Manipulation was different.

Several Specializations looked useful, and after going through them repeatedly without reaching a decision, Arien gave up on trying to choose alone. Mana Manipulation was something every mage depended on regardless of Aspect, and Lamaral would have far more experience with it than he did.

This was exactly the kind of decision he had come to the Academy to get help with.

He had spent the entire day rehearsing his questions and arguments, waiting for an opportunity to catch his Mentor alone.

That proved difficult, since Lamaral was almost always followed by a crowd of excited students and equally excited adult Healers from outside the Academy who had been granted the privilege of observing her genius at work.

His weekly visits to the Infirmary usually consisted of observing specific healing procedures, most of them performed by Healers other than Lamaral. Afterward, she would question him about his observations, though so far she had not allowed him to heal patients without supervision.

Lamaral’s attention toward him had initially caused some curiosity and resentment, but most students lost interest once they realized he spent his lessons observing treatments rather than performing them. Ferien was the exception. She still watched him suspiciously and somehow always found a reason to keep him from being alone with Lamaral.

Even so, Arien couldn’t complain. With classes, homework, group sessions, and his own practice filling most of his time, Healing lessons had become one of the quieter parts of his week.

"Good. We'll stop here for today," Lamaral said, withdrawing her mana from the sleeping patient whose heart she had just repaired. "Arien, stay for a moment."

The gathered students and Healers murmured their thanks for the opportunity to observe the procedure before dispersing throughout the ward, forming small groups to discuss what they had witnessed.

Arien had been the only one physically touching the patient to observe Lamaral's magic. Everyone else had relied on a specialized spell which, as far as he understood, functioned similarly to his own Life Aspect perception.

"Ferien, go to Room Three and check on that patient whose wife poisoned him for years."

"I checked on him two hours ago. No change in condition," the girl replied.

Lamaral merely raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going," Ferien muttered, shooting Arien a resentful glance.

"Now then, Arien. What did you want to talk about?" Lamaral asked once Ferien disappeared through the door.

She casually waved a hand. The sounds from the ward immediately dulled, and Arien recognized the spell Malbek had used aboard the barge when they had wanted privacy.

"How did Master know I wanted to talk?"

"You've been fidgeting all day like you've got worms somewhere I won't mention. Am I right?"

"Yes, Master," he answered before quickly adding, "I mean, I don't have worms. I really did want to ask you something."

"Arien, I will allow you to use healing magic when I believe you're ready. Not before and not after. Rushing things can harm both you and others."

"Uh... that's not what I wanted to ask about, Master. I don't mind not treating patients yet."

"You don't?"

"No, Master. I know the body is a complicated system, and honestly, you scared me a little when you explained how improperly used magic can cause serious harm. I'm already learning a lot."

"Oh." She seemed genuinely surprised. "That's good. So what did you want to ask?"

“I’d like your advice regarding a Specialization, Mentor. I recently managed to obtain one in Mana Manipulation and...”

Lamaral stopped him. “Wait. Let’s discuss this in my office.”

She headed toward the door before he could answer.

They passed Ferien on the way out, though one raised hand from Lamaral stopped her from following. Arien ignored the glare aimed at his back and followed his Mentor upstairs. He had never visited the second floor before, but the spacious private rooms visible through several open doors matched what he had heard about it being reserved for complicated cases and wealthier patients.

Eventually Lamaral stopped before a set of wooden doors, turned a key in the iron lock, and stepped inside. Arien quickly followed.

Lamaral’s office was bright and carefully furnished, with carved furniture, landscape paintings, and a white desk topped by neatly arranged papers and fresh flowers. Two deep armchairs stood on a beige carpet beside a glass table.

Master removed her shoes and settled into one of them. Arien followed her example, though he kept his socks on. He had bathed that morning, but he was still a little intimidated by his Mentor.

"Your office is beautifully furnished, Master," he complimented the woman as he sank comfortably into the armchair. It was so deep that his short legs barely extended beyond the edge of the seat.

"Thank you. It's nice to hear that," she replied with a smile. "Now then, another Specialization? You shouldn't talk about such things in public places."

"I didn't know, Master. I thought your spell was protecting us."

"It protected us from most people, but if someone really wanted to listen in and possessed the right skills, they could have broken through it without me ever noticing. My office has much stronger wards, so we can discuss such matters here. And the Mentor–Student Secret will remain safe."

"The Secret, Master?" he asked, confused.

"You didn't know? Every Mentor must swear an Oath that they will never reveal, in any form, the abilities of the students under their guidance. The Academy's reputation depends on it."

"And that Oath is magical, Master?"

"Yes. Of course, there are ways around it, but they are quite costly and time-consuming. And if discovered, the penalties are severe, including imprisonment or even death.”

Lamaral stretched comfortably in her chair, and Arien caught himself watching for a moment before returning his attention to the conversation.

"So you're saying that you're only in your first semester and you've already managed to obtain a second Specialization?"

"Yes, Mentor," he replied, bending the truth slightly. He had already chosen a Specialization for Fire, but saw no reason to mention it when he was asking about Mana Manipulation, Oath or not Oath. Besides, he doubted Lamaral would have much useful advice to offer about a combat-focused Aspect anyway."The problem is that there are eight options to choose from, and I'm not entirely sure how the choice will affect my future possibilities."

He quickly recited the list of Specializations and their descriptions, explaining how he understood each one and which options he was considering most seriously.

"I'm glad you came to me with this. A Mana Manipulation Specialization is extremely important for any mage. For your Life Aspect, you chose Healer, correct?"

"You can determine that, Master?" he asked in surprise.

"For the Life Aspect, yes. The others would be more difficult. Tell me, what guided your decision back then? The other Specializations must have sounded appealing as well."

"I didn't want to accidentally close off future paths before I knew what lay ahead of me, Master," he answered truthfully.

"That's a very responsible attitude," she praised him with a warm smile. "During our first meeting, you said you wanted to travel the world and discover magic. Has anything changed?"

"No, Mentor. If anything, the last few weeks have only reinforced that desire."

“Good. Then tell me, what levels do you have in Meditation, Words of Magic, and Spellcasting?”

"I haven't assigned any of those skills yet, Master," he said after a moment's thought.

"You haven't?"

"As for Words of Magic and Spellcasting, we haven't had any classes related to those skills yet. From what I know, they'll begin in the second semester."

"Forgive me. You're actually the first student below the third year that I've ever personally mentored. And what about Meditation?"

"I don't intend to assign it, Master. To be honest, I haven't even discovered it."

"May I ask why?"

"It seems somewhat useless in the long run, Master. It's also a Common skill, so the number of points gained from leveling it is very low."

"And what about the increased chance of discovering additional Aspects and the faster mana regeneration?"

"I already have two Aspects, and I'm confident I'll discover more over time, Master. As for regeneration, I'd rather invest in Vitality. Please don’t misunderstand me, Meditation can certainly be useful for mages. But I imagine that while traveling and facing dangers, I won't always have the luxury of sitting down peacefully and restoring my mana."

"Meditation can do considerably more once it reaches higher Specializations, but I understand your reasoning."

"Additionally, I don't intend to assign Spellcasting, Master," he continued, pressing forward.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm not sure how to say this without sounding arrogant, but I intend to become an Archmage someday, Master. From what I've learned, Spellcasting becomes useless when dealing with higher-circle magic. At that point, you have to rely on Mana Manipulation and Words of Magic anyway."

"It is very... ambitious of you," Lamaral said carefully, and for the first time Arien saw that he had managed to throw her slightly off balance. "However, without that skill, it will be very difficult for you to remain at the Academy. And there is no guarantee that it will actually provide any long-term benefits. I would advise you to think it over carefully."

"Please believe me when I say I have thought about it for a long time, Master. This is simply my path as a mage. Given that, I would ask you to advise me on the Specialization."

"Arien, in the end, this is always an individual decision. But believe me, almost everyone chooses Spellcasting and there is a good reason for that. Time matters. Perhaps it is a shortcut, but it allows students to develop their Aspects, map their mana, study theory, and learn hundreds of other things you must master before you are ready to face the world and the Portals. Achieving a first Mana Manipulation Specialization at your age is impressive, but what if you become stuck there because you refused to assign Meditation and Spellcasting?"

"Almost everyone, Mentor?" he asked suddenly, intrigued.

Until now, everyone had claimed that everyone chose it.

The Healer watched him for a moment, apparently considering her answer.

"This is not common knowledge, so for your own sake, do not share it with anyone. Besides, very few people would believe you, and I would deny everything." She sighed. "Most members of the Old Houses, and the more talented children who unlock their Systems early, follow a path similar to the one you're describing. But remember that the resources and time required for such a path are enormous. Without the support of an entire House or Faction, it is practically impossible."

Arien went still. If the Old Houses deliberately avoided those Skills, then his suspicions had been closer to the truth than he realized. He immediately wondered whether Malbek and the others already knew, but that question could wait.

"What exactly does this Oath cover, Mentor? What information falls under its protection?" he asked, watching her closely.

"Everything related to the System. It was specifically designed so it couldn't be circumvented. Any information you tell me, but also anything I deduce on my own. Otherwise, the nobility would never have agreed to send their children here."

Arien hesitated, then decided Lamaral needed more context.

"I first used Life magic when I was six years old. My village was attacked by soldiers from the Tyranny, and my sister was on the verge of death."

Lamaral's eyes widened as she immediately understood the implication.

"I've had a lot of time to develop my foundations where mana is concerned. Additionally, when I reached Level Ten, I was able to start immediately with the Mage profession, so my Attributes are somewhat higher than those of most students."

He took a breath.

“What I’m trying to say is that I know this path will be harder, but I’ve already spent years building the foundations for it. I started with almost nothing, Master. If I want to reach the level of people born into Houses and Factions behind them, I can’t afford to choose only what is easiest now.”

His last words came out louder than he intended, and he realized he had let himself get carried away.

Lamaral sat silently, staring into his eyes.

Her usual casual demeanor had vanished, replaced by thoughtful concentration, as though she were trying to see straight through him. Arien shifted uneasily in his chair but did not break eye contact.

“If you’re truly certain...” She leaned back in her chair. “I admit, seeing how far you could take this would be interesting.”

She nodded. “Very well. I’ll help you.”

Her gaze sharpened.

"Have you considered Magic Researcher?"

End of Arc 2.

Hey! I mentioned this before, but since quite a few of you are new here now, welcome! :)

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