Chapter 23: Roles, Mana, and Quiet Resolve
A few moments later, the once-empty classroom slowly filled with students. Laughter, chatter, and idle conversations echoed as classmates gathered in small groups.
In one corner of the room, a familiar circle had formed.
Fate, Kyle, Chloe, Isabelle, and Lisa.
Fate crossed his arms, his expression serious.
"How are we going to beat Jake and his friends?"
He shifted his gaze toward Kyle and Isabelle.
"Any ideas from you two?"
Isabelle spoke first, her voice calm and analytical.
"If we fill the important roles properly, we'll have a much higher chance of winning."
Kyle nodded and took over, explaining carefully.
"When fighting with familiars in teams, there are three essential roles."
He raised three fingers.
"Damage Dealer. Tank. Support."
He continued, making sure everyone understood.
"The Damage Dealer is responsible for dealing consistent and heavy damage to the enemy."
"The Tank protects the team, especially the support, and draws enemy attention."
"And the Support provides utility—healing, buffs, battlefield control, and awareness."
Fate listened closely.
"So in short," he said slowly, "the support controls the flow of the match?"
Kyle nodded.
"Exactly."
Fate exhaled and spoke with certainty.
"Then I'll take the support role."
He glanced down at Soo-ah's faintly glowing form within his mana.
"My Aether Jellyfish, Soo-ah, is perfect for it. She has sustaining skills—and she can change size."
Isabelle followed.
"My familiar is an Aurelyth. His name is Heracles."
She continued, pride clear in her tone.
"His specialty is protection, and he also has Body Size Manipulation."
Kyle smiled slightly.
"Then I'll take the Damage Dealer role. Scar, my Shadow Tiger, excels at dealing damage."
Fate clapped his hands together once.
"Alright. Roles are set. Now we just need our formation."
Chloe, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
"How about this…"
She gestured lightly as she explained.
"Fate and Soo-ah stay in the rear. Isabelle and Heracles protect them from the front. Kyle and Scar take the lead."
The group paused, considering it.
Then—
"That works," Fate said.
Isabelle glanced at Chloe.
"You're more intelligent than I thought."
Kyle nodded in agreement.
"That's a solid formation."
Chloe smiled shyly, clearly unused to the praise.
Before more could be said, Professor Al entered the classroom, her monocle catching the light.
"Good morning, everyone," she said immediately.
"Today, we will be learning about mana."
She picked up a piece of chalk and began writing on the board.
At the same time, students opened their textbooks and started copying.
As she wrote, Professor Al explained.
"Mana is the fundamental life-force energy used to cast skills, perform supernatural feats, and power magical tools."
She continued without pause.
"Mana can be absorbed from the environment—nature, atmosphere—or generated internally from one's own life force."
She tapped the board lightly.
"The passageway of mana in our second body—also known as the Astral Body—is called Mana Circuits."
Her voice grew firm.
"These circuits act as a pseudo-circulatory or nervous system for magical energy."
At the words Mana Circuits, Fate instinctively opened his Status Window.
(Status Window...)
Status Window
Name: Fate Kindspring
Race: Dragon (Crystal Dragon)
Level: 30
Class: Warrior
Unique Skill: Memory Of The World
Skills:
– Flowing Butterfly Sword
– Gluttonous Aegis
– Barrier Creation
– Heal
– Tame
– Crystal Spikes
– Swift Wind Steps
Passives:
– Magic Circuits
– Pain Resistance
– Poison Resistance
– Pain Reduction
– Venom Resistance
Stats:
Strength: 55 (Colorless)
Agility: 65 (Colorless)
Endurance: 55 (Colorless)
Intelligence: 55 (Colorless)
Mana: 65 (Colorless)
Fate's eyes lingered on Magic Circuits.
(When I completed my rebirth… this passive was already there.)
(Father said Dragons possess superior mana capacity, regeneration, and control.)
His thoughts were cut short.
Professor Al spoke again.
"Can anyone tell me the three Mana Organs in the Astral Body responsible for storing mana?"
Three hands rose.
Lisa Astryx.
Chloe Serfort.
Fate Kindspring.
Professor Al adjusted her monocle.
"Fate. Answer."
Fate stood.
"The three main Mana Organs responsible for storing mana are—the Brain, the Heart, and the Mana Core."
Professor Al smiled in satisfaction.
"Correct. Well done."
The lesson continued until the bell rang.
Professor Al gathered her materials.
"Good work today. You may now take your break."
The classroom erupted into motion.
Fate and the others headed to the cafeteria.
"Let's grab food," Fate said.
Kyle shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Before everything runs out."
Chloe beamed.
"Let's go!"
"I hope the snacks are good today," Isabelle added.
"We missed lunch yesterday."
Lisa stayed close to Fate, quiet as ever.
The Cafeteria was full of students who is buying different kinds of delicious foods.
After grabbing food, Fate spoke again.
"How about we eat in the Library instead?"
Kyle considered it.
"Sure."
Chloe nodded eagerly.
"It's quieter than the canteen."
"And we can plan at the same time," Isabelle added.
Lisa smiled faintly.
Fate noticed.
(I knew she'd prefer a quiet place.)
They headed to the Valhalla Academy Library.
While eating, Isabelle spoke.
"I gathered information on Jake and his friends."
She explained carefully.
"Jake's familiar is a Damage Dealer—Red-eye Gecko. It specializes in stealth."
"Thomas has a Steel Ram—fast despite its steel fur."
"And Andrew's familiar is a wild boar—aggressive and reckless."
Kyle frowned.
"Thomas and Andrew aren't the problem."
Fate nodded.
"Jake's Red-eye Gecko's stealth is."
Isabelle smiled confidently.
"That's where I come in."
Fate looked at her.
"How?"
Isabelle briefly said.
"Heracles has a skill called Vibration Detection."
She explained:
Vibration Detection
Rarity: Rare
– Detects ground vibrations within surroundings
– Usable as long as ground exists
Kyle glanced at the time.
"Break's almost over. Let's continue later."
They returned to class just in time.
After a few minutes passed, the classroom door opened once more.
Professor Dylan entered with steady footsteps, his presence immediately calming the room.
His sharp eyes briefly scanned the students before he gave a small nod, satisfied that everyone had returned to their seats.
"Good afternoon, everyone," he said in a firm but warm tone.
"We will now begin our next lesson."
He paused, letting the silence settle.
"Today's topic," he continued, "is something far more important than combat techniques or raw power."
The students leaned forward.
"We will be discussing the bond between a master and their familiar."
Professor Dylan walked slowly across the front of the classroom.
"Many of you believe familiars are merely tools—summoned beasts meant to fight on your behalf."
His gaze sharpened.
"That belief is wrong."
Some students stiffened.
"When a master levels up and grows stronger," he explained,
"their familiar grows stronger as well."
He raised a finger.
"But strength alone is not what determines a familiar's true potential."
He continued, his voice steady and clear.
"There are moments when familiars undergo a process known as Beast Evolution."
A few students murmured in surprise.
"Beast Evolution does not occur simply because of levels," Professor Dylan said.
"It is influenced by compatibility, emotional resonance, trust, and how the master treats their familiar."
Fate listened carefully, instinctively thinking of Soo-ah.
"If a familiar is trained solely as a weapon," Professor Dylan said,
"its growth will become rigid, aggressive, and unstable."
He then softened his tone.
"But if a familiar is raised with care—if it is understood, respected, and treated as a partner—then its evolution will be smoother, more balanced, and far more powerful."
He stopped walking.
"A strong bond allows a master and familiar to act as one," he said.
"To sense danger, intent, and emotion—even without words."
Fate felt his chest tighten slightly.
(That explains why Soo-ah always reacts before I speak…)
Professor Dylan concluded,
"Remember this well. Power without trust will eventually collapse."
Professor Dylan continued discussing his lesson until the end of his period.
The bell rang shortly after.
Professor Dylan glanced toward it and nodded.
"That will be all for today. We will continue this discussion tomorrow."
He gathered his materials.
"Take care of your familiars—and they will take care of you."
With that, he exited the classroom.
Fate and his friends also left the classroom.
As they left, Kyle noticed Kara Westhallow glance at him—then turn away.
(What's her problem?)
"Hey," Fate said.
"You alright?"
"Yeah," Kyle replied.
"Nothing."
They parted ways.
Back in his dorm, Fate sat at his desk as sunlight streamed through the window, reviewing his notes quietly.
Chapter 23 end