The sun began to dip toward the west, casting long shadows across the interior of the old church.
"Alright, Student Johnny," Aerith announced, clapping her hands together once. Her face shifted into 'Serious Teacher' mode—which, truth be told, was still undeniably cute. "Materia 101 is now in session!"
Johnny sat cross-legged on the wooden floorboards, his Scrap Greatsword lying dormant beside him. He felt like a kindergartner being lectured on quantum physics.
"Ready, Teacher," Johnny replied firmly.
Aerith held up an unused green crystal orb. "First, the basics. Materia is naturally condensed Mako energy. Stored within it is the 'Knowledge' and 'Power' of the Planet's Lifestream. When we hold it, that knowledge flows into our minds, allowing ordinary humans to wield magic."
"Correction," Ivalera fluttered forward, adjusting a pair of tiny glasses—which had appeared from thin air—on her nose. "Not just any magic. Materia is categorized into five distinct colors, Sir Warrior."
Ivalera waved her small wand, creating illusory colors in the air to demonstrate.
Green (Magic): "Offensive and defensive spells. Fire, Blizzard, and the Cure you purchased."
Red (Summon): "Calls forth powerful entities like Ifrit or Shiva. Extremely rare."
Yellow (Command): "Combat techniques. Like Steal or Assess."
Blue (Support): "Linking Materia. Usually paired with Green. For example, making fire spread to all enemies."
Purple (Independent): "Stat boosters. Like the Cover materia you possess, or ones that increase HP and MP."
Johnny blinked. "That's... a lot."
"That's just the basics, Boss!" Puck interjected, rolling around on a lily petal. "Basically, you can be a Magic Knight if you're smart enough to arrange them right!"
"But Aerith, Ivalera," Johnny asked, confused. "Can everyone use Materia? I mean... even a fool like me?"
"Everyone can, Johnny," Aerith answered gently. "But... it all depends on MP."
"MP?"
"Magic Points," Ivalera explained with a professorial tone. "It is mental and spiritual energy. Think of Materia as an engine, and MP as the fuel. Without gas, a car won't run. Without mental focus, a fire won't spark."
Aerith equipped the Fire Materia she was holding. She closed her eyes for a moment.
FWOOSH.
A small ball of flame manifested, hovering above Aerith's palm, warm and controlled.
"Fire," she whispered. Then, the flame vanished.
Aerith sighed softly. "See? Every time I ignite this, I feel a portion of my mental energy drain away. It's like the fatigue after thinking really hard."
Then, Aerith offered a mysterious smile. She put the Materia away and spread her empty hands. White light gathered at her fingertips—not from a crystal, but from within herself.
She fired a small projectile of light at a distant wall. BAM! A burst of pure magic.
"That..." Johnny gaped. "You didn't use Materia for that. Why?"
"That was a Sorcerous Storm," Aerith explained. "That's different from Materia. That is... natural talent."
Aerith's expression turned melancholic. She looked at Johnny intently.
"Johnny, I haven't told you directly. But perhaps the Lifestream has already whispered it to you." Aerith pointed to her own chest. "I am a Cetra."
Johnny looked down. The echo of the ancient voice in the cave returned to him. "Protect the Cetra..."
"The Ancients..." Johnny murmured.
"Correct. An ancient race of humans with a direct connection to the Planet," Aerith continued. "We can 'hear' the Planet's voice. We can manipulate life energy without the medium of crystals for certain things. And... I am the last one, Johnny."
Johnny's eyes widened. Now he understood everything.
Why Shinra hunted her. Why Reno and the Turks watched her. Why she was so valuable. She was the living key to the 'Promised Land'. And because of that, she was the loneliest woman in the world.
"I understand," Johnny's voice grew heavy. His resolve hardened like steel. "That is why I am here."
Aerith smiled, bringing the cheerful atmosphere back. "But back to the topic! As a Cetra, my MP capacity is huge. I'm like... a giant gas tank."
Suddenly, Puck flew right in front of Johnny's nose, staring at him with a mocking look.
"Whereas the Boss..." Puck shook his head in pity. "I can see your spiritual aura, Boss. Your MP is... pathetic. About the size of a teaspoon."
"What did you say?!" Johnny bristled.
"It's normal, Johnny!" Aerith giggled, intervening. "You are a physical fighter. Your body is strong, but your magical spirit isn't trained yet. Right now, you won't be casting massive spells like Firaga or Blizzaga."
Johnny looked disappointed. "So I'm useless with magic?"
Aerith shook her head firmly. She held Johnny's hand, the one clutching the Cure Materia.
"Listen, Johnny. No matter how small your MP is... healing magic (Cure) is still magic. A single cast can be the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Don't underestimate that teaspoon. And don't forget, Johnny, there are 'MP Up' Materia out there that can increase your capacity."
Those words sank into Johnny's heart. He didn't need to be a grand sorcerer. He just needed enough magic to survive, to keep protecting this girl.
"Thank you, Teacher," Johnny said sincerely.
The sun had almost set completely. Orange light gave way to the purple of twilight.
Aerith stood up, brushing off her dress.
"Class dismissed! You passed the theory exam," Aerith said cheerfully. Then her voice softened, turning slightly shy. "It's too dark to walk back to Sector 7 through those monster tunnels."
Aerith looked at Johnny with shining eyes.
"Tonight... sleep at my house again, Johnny. Tomorrow morning we can practice magic in the yard. And..." Aerith twisted the end of her ribbon. "The house feels safer with a shield like you around."
Johnny's heart beat faster. "A-alright. If Mrs. Elmyra permits it."
"Mom will be happy!"
In his jacket pocket, Puck whispered, "Oho... another sleepover. Watch out, don't snore, Boss."
Johnny flicked his pocket lightly. "Quiet."