"Well, it might seem a little hard to understand and somewhat complicated, but it's actually very simple—especially when you focus more on magic itself and strengthening yourself through it, rather than fixating on its definition.
For now, just remember: magic is a form of energy. But of course, you'll still need to memorize the full definition for the exams."
With a charming smile, Viviana said, "Any questions?!" while scanning the classroom.
It was the perfect moment for Arsene to ask about something he had heard before.
"I do have a question! But it's more of a clarification about something you mentioned earlier."
Viviana looked surprised, "Oh! I see! What would you like me to clarify?"
Arsene began, "Earlier, you mentioned that we're here at the academy because we can sense mana and use magic. But then you spoke about reshaping mana, altering it, and converting it into elements—yet you also said we don't know how to actually use mana for those things.
So I want to understand: what are the things we can use mana for, at our current level?"
Viviana let out a soft laugh and whispered, "I didn't think anyone would point that out, but alright."
"That's a very valid question. What I meant when I said you can use mana, but don't truly know how to use it—
Let me ask you personally—what's your name?"
Arsene replied, "My name is Lav!"
Viviana smiled, "Alright, Lav. I noticed you have a storage ring on your right-hand ring finger.
A storage ring is a magical tool that only works when mana is injected into it. That alone involves two uses: drawing mana from your surroundings, and then injecting it into the ring.
It may seem instinctual to you—like anyone can do it. But that's only because you're awakened. Knights who awaken late can't even sense mana, let alone move it or inject it.
Do you see what I mean?" Viviana smiled at him.
"But isn't that strange? How can we move mana freely, feel it, and even use it with magical tools—yet we can't reshape it or modify it—"
Viviana interrupted him with a grin, "Of course it's strange! Everyone finds it strange at some point. That's why, many eras ago—thousands of years back—they discovered something called Affinity.
"You can think of affinity as a unit of measurement for how close you are to mana. This attraction and familiarity help you learn how to use mana more efficiently.
Let me give you another example, Lav. Your ID card—the one you got when you entered the academy—it holds your information, but also includes other details you might not know the purpose of.
There's something written on the back with the abbreviation 'Aff' next to a number. Can you tell us what that number is?"
Arsene looked at his ID card. Indeed, it had several pieces of information he'd never paid attention to, since he didn't know what they meant—and new singulars weren't allowed access to the library or archives to find out.
The number next to "Aff" was 89.
Arsene replied, "The number next to it is 77."
Viviana randomly exclaimed with a smile, "My score is 95! So if we both started training to use mana the same way, it would take you about one and a half to two months.
But it would take me at most two weeks. That's why affinity is important—it determines your potential ceiling in the future, especially in magic promotion, mastering high-level spells without failure, rune inscription, magic circles, schematics, and even linking your singularity to magic."
"Do you understand now, Lav?"
Most of the students had never heard this before, and they all began pulling out their ID cards to check their own affinity scores.
Several expressions colored the students' faces—disappointment, a glimmer of hope, joy, and even the sense of failure before they had even begun the task.
The classroom was in chaos, and everyone had forgotten about the lesson.
Viviana kept her eyes on Arsene, her face carrying a cold look of reproach, softened by a faint smile, as if saying: "Look where your questions have led us!"
In truth, there was some hesitation surrounding topics like affinity—especially among first-year students—because learning too much too soon could break them before they even had the chance to try.
But on the other hand, the sooner you learn the truth and accept it, the better it will be for you.
For several minutes, the classroom buzzed with conversation about affinity and everyone's results.
Viviana was flipping through some papers. Her fingers were pale and slender, her nails painted white, and two rings adorned her hand.
A voice brought the room back to its usual calm, as everyone waited eagerly for the answer to this specific question:
"Is there a way to increase affinity?"
Viviana looked up with a smile, locking eyes with Arsene and holding his gaze for a long moment.
"Yes, there is a way to increase affinity!"
Viviana answered while watching the sudden changes wash over the students' faces. It was as if that one answer had breathed life back into the room.
They had been cursing Arsene in silence—blaming him for asking too many questions, for speeding up the heartbreak that had hit them all.
But now Viviana had revived them, and a wave of gratitude washed over the class.
"Like what?" Arsene asked.
And for the hundredth time, she smiled… and smiled… and smiled.
"Why are you even asking? Your result is good—you don't need to raise your affinity," Viviana replied.
Arsene glanced at his classmates. His look said it all: I'm asking for them—not for myself. They need a way.
Every student fixed their gaze on Viviana, waiting for her to speak again.
"Hmm… alright."
Viviana leaned back in her chair slightly and took a deep breath.
"Magic Promotion."
They were waiting for more—what exactly was Magic Promotion? How did it work? But for a long while, Viviana sat silently in her chair, saying nothing.
"You're constantly dragging me away from the main topic of the lesson."
Everyone knew exactly who those words were directed at.
"I don't think so. This question-and-answer method is effective—everyone's paying more attention to the core of the lesson than something else. Besides, it follows the natural flow of events."
Arsene defended himself.
Viviana scoffed. "More like skipping ahead!"
"What was it again? Magic Promotion? Alright, let's do this."
Viviana interlocked her fingers and flipped her hands forward in one swift motion, as if cracking every joint at once