Chapter 24

This time we came back from our dorm after a little detour to buy ingredients. I had a sudden whim to cook. Of course I didn't make it too hard or long to cook. I made some sandwiches with venison and cheese. Quick and easy. Lunch was quiet. Until Anna decided it would be fun to steal my fork and hold it above my head without me being able to reach it. Both girls giggled pretty hard while looking at me jump to catch it back. So I decided to ignore them for the walk to the classroom.

They did try to attract my attention but I simply pouted, arm crossed, without looking at them. Not until we finally sat on our seats.

Right now is the class for 'manipulation of mana'. For some reasons the teacher didn't introduce himself. It's a wingkin with wings that seems to come from an eagle. But I may be wrong. I'm not really knowledgeable about that after all.

"Mana. That ressource we are all using in life to cast magic, or even use our physical reinforcements as melee fighters. That energy is essential for anything remotely connected to the elements. But there's also pure mana spells existing. I think you all saw Headmistress Virina fly on your exam day right? That's an exemple of application of pure mana."

So, it means maybe one day I'll be able to fly? That may not be a great idea for the world actually. So many pranks available once I can fly! My tail is swishing in joyful anticipation. I feel like Eliza will have a headache in the future...

"Let's talk about how to manipulate mana. You all got an instinctive method when you awakened. Otherwise you wouldn't have been able to use your weapons at all. It may not seems like it, but those are constructed by your mana. We just never understood how it doesn't consume any when summoning and maintaining them. They just... Exist." He shrug, like he gave up trying to think of the reasons long ago. "Anyway, the way your awakening makes you use mana isn't perfect. And mostly instinctive. I'm pretty sure nobody in this class, or even this year, noticed how the mana flow through you."

In one wing flap he reached the blackboard where the figure of a human was drawn. He pointed to a spot near the heart.

"Here. Your own mana comes from this spot. There were never any official name for it. I guess old scholars didn't want to bother with it. So call it whatever you want. For simplicity I'll call it a 'Core' for now. Maybe one day we'll get a real name? Who knows. So, whenever you use an element or reinforcement the mana comes from your Core. Do try to summon your element. Not a lot please. I would really like to not destroy furniture."

Instantly the air is charged with different elements scent.

Wait. Do I smell the elements used? What the heck?

Whatever for now. All around me the students try to use their powers. Anna is having fun with all four of hers too. Meanwhile Eliza simply conjure a very small barrier. Curiosity win me over so I lift my hand and make a few spark of electricity run around my fingers. I don't forget to check what the teacher said. And I do feel that 'Core' like he called it. But for some reason I can't sense any limit or even just forms.

"Did you feel it? You must be curious why it doesn't seems to have a form? That's normal. They don't have any. That may be the reason why scholars never bothered to name it. It's actually just the spot where you can sense the most magics. Your 'Core' doesn't "hold" magic for real. Your whole body does. And that's why you can feel when you are too exhausted to continue. Now there is some ways to increase the output of your body's mana. But for now we'll focus on how to better use it."

"To avoid internal injuries, our mana has no elements when inside our bodies. It takes the characteristics only after leaving us when we draw on it. Now try to move your energy around but do not think of your own element. It's hard to do, because you do it unconsciously. What will leave your body is pure mana."

I do what he say and try to concentrate on the mana inside my body while not thinking of anything else than pure energy. It works, for a few seconds. Then I catch a flame flickering in front of me, a student that didn't manage to expel pure mana. And now I have a similar flame in my hand. I stare at it, head and ears tilted.

Uh. I don't use fire? Oh. The test! Welp.

Eliza glance at me for a second, then her head snaps back toward my hand. I just give her a sheepish smile. I did tell them the results of my test and all the colours that appeared. But I guess she's as surprised as me. Her reaction is fast thought, she almost instantly put her hand on mine to shut the flame off.

"We'll try more later on." She leans toward me and whisper.

I simply nod. I'm already pretty eye catching, so I'd rather avoid another reason for people to look at us. It'll start to get annoying.

"Don't worry students. It's very normal to not succeed in the first tries. Usually people can barely expel pure mana after training for days."

The rest of the lesson is mostly spent with us trying to do this exercice. It's quite entertaining. And I'm sure it'll be very useful. I can already imagine multiple way to apply a finer control to my lightning or even space element. Of course my tail is betraying my inner thoughts out loud by energically swishing behind me. This makes Anna giggle in her hand. I shot her a withering glare while grabbing the offending tail. The tip is still moving though.

I guess I'll ignore that... Maybe next class will teach me how to avoid getting read easily? I doubt that though... I'm still looking forward to it. After all we'll learn about various races characteristics. While it won't talk about mine, I think a fox isn't that far from other beastkins. At least in the behaviour of our tails and ears.

We were sitting in the classroom when the teacher entered. I immediately tensed, ears folded back, tail puffed up and still. A low growl rises from my chest. I hope he doesn't hear it. Because that was a pure instinctual reaction. Why? It's a vampire. A male vampire with his red eyes and fangs bared for everyone to see. He remind me too much of our 'father'. A hand find itself on my ears almost the second Anna hears my growl, petting them slowly and gently. Meanwhile Eliza took both my hands so I don't stab my palms with my claws that lengthened without me noticing.

"Shhh... Jane, it's okay. It's not 'him'" Her voice is barely a whisper, full of coaxing.

"I... I know. That was a reflex. Sorry I'm fine now..." I answer, my voice trembling a little.

I squeeze Eliza's hand slightly, sending a smile her way. My tail slowly settle in a curl on my lap as my ears regain a bit of vitality. While I was calming myself the teacher reached the podium and started to speak. Sadly I didn't catch his name then.

"... Races are numerous. And their characteristics are too. Today I'll talk a little about my own race and about beastkins in general." He shows his fangs and eyes for a few seconds. "Vampires, like me, possess very sharp fangs and red eyes. They can be hidden. Actually they are hidden most of the time. Even in a world like ours, seeing those traits can be a little unsettling. Our goal isn't to scare people around us. So we retract our fangs, it's also more confortable for us. Imagine having to pay attention to not bite your tongue every second."

He give us a light chuckle as the rest of the class laugh a bit with him. My eyes find Anna's lips for a second. Indeed, having her fangs always exposed would be inconvenient for her at some point. And... I can't believe I'm thinking that, it'll be quite hard to kiss... I guess... My face warms instantly as I shake it to try and get rid of those thoughts. She notices the movement and looks at me with confusion written on her face. I just ignore the question she'd like to ask and focus on the teacher.

"We do need to drink blood. We can sustain ourselves with 'normal' food. But there's always a moment when we have to get blood or we enter a period of weakness. And that's absolutely not pleasant at all." He grimaces as he seems to recall less-than-pleasurable days. "Now. I must tell you this. A vampire bite is made to bring pleasure to the one bitten and the vampire. It's not something we control. It's to numb the pain that should come with it. Please. Be careful with that. Plenty of people got addicted to that, vampires included. Those drained died. And the Vampire choose to kill themselves out of anguish."

Oh... Oooooh! That's why Anna's bites always feels... Very good! I should have known...

I stop myself from looking at her this time. But I'm pretty sure her face is as red as mine... Should I... Still let her drink from me? Well. Of course. The idea of her feeding on someone else repulses me a lot. I'm even surprised how much. I shouldn't think like that. She's free to do whatever she wants. Maybe she'll even see I don't deserve her.

Okay stop that for now. Class.

"Also, little bonus for my kin. Different part of the body produces different tastes. Nobody knows the mechanics or secrets behind this. But I find that pretty fun. Oh. I should also mention 'noble' vampires. This term doesn't mean they are above other vampires. Not really. Their race is just... 'purer' in a sense. It's easy to recognize them, they have wings growing out of their lower back. Just like Miss Denki here."

He points at Anna with a ruler, a smile on his face.

"Be careful Miss. Your wings are very sensitive to touch. You may react violently if someone do touch it suddenly."

Anna nods with understanding, she didn't react weirdly when I did touch them last time if I remember correctly.

"Now onto beastkins. I'll talk about the most common traits. There's various races under the name 'beastkin'. The most common trait are their ears and tails. Of course there's also Wingkins without either, but that'll be for another time. So, ears and tails are fragile. All beastkins have that instinct to avoid wounds on them. It's extremely painful, more than almost anywhere else. Why? Those are very sensitive. Be it for injuries or even simple touches."

"If a beastkin lets you touch their ears, you won their trust. If you can touch their tails, you won their love. Romantic or not. Do not ever try to pet those without their consent. I think you will find yourselves missing a limb or two. Maybe even your life. Also. Something not every beastkin knows on instinct: avoid biting their ears. That can have... Herm... Repercussions. Not in the 'you will die' kind if you already won their love."

My eyes widen instantly as my head snap toward Anna, staring at her. So this was what I felt when she bit me last time! My eyes narrow at her. Surprisingly, not, she doesn't meet my stare at all.

I think I'll have to be careful around h-

My thoughts are interrupted when I feel a wet warmth around my left ear accompanied by a little nibble, sending a shudder through my whole body. My head snaps toward the source of the trouble, only to see Eliza flashing me a smug smile.

"Eliza! What are you doing?!" I whisper, hoping the teacher doesn't hear me.

"Me? Nothing why?" Her voice and face are the incarnation of innocence.

I can't very well start a tantrum here. But I still narrow my eyes at her, flattening my ears on my head. No. No more touching for now. For both of them... Okay except for scratches. Those are too good to pass.

"There's something that I forgot to say earlier. Vampires are stronger and faster than humans. Their eyes and ears are also better. But that's actually not that much. It's the same for beastkins. But please students. Do not think that because you have another race you are better than a classic human. The stronger you become, the closer the limits are between the various races, including humans."

And other races are less numerous than humans too. So there's no point in thinking we are better than them. A harmonious relationship between us all is always better. Well, there is some people like Philip and his goon. Those despise other races. That's quite sad now that I think of it. It almost feels like it stems from jealousy they didn't change at all when they awakened, bar the weapons and elements of course.

The rest of the class passes with a bit more informations on beastkin and vampires.

Today was quite interesting. Between the various uses of elements, mana manipulation and race characteristics. I did enjoy the classes. Of course I will not mention that very first one this morning. Nope, it doesn't exist at all. Except for Eliza and Anna I guess. Tomorrow should be quite interesting too. Even if, sadly, they won't be able to accompany me. They took their own electives after all. I still do look forward to tomorrow. Even if the awakening gave me knowledge about daggers and Katanas, having professionals teach you is always better. And will better our odd of survival in Dives.

A yawn escape me as we make our way to our dorm. Paying attention still tire me for some reason. It's surely mental fatigue. Or the fact that I slept in the first class.

I don't have the time to ponder much more. Anna sweep me in her arms in a princess carry, making me freeze for a second. When my brain reboot and I realise what she did I blush intensely.

"Anna! Why?!" I whine slightly.

"Didn't you say you are smaller and shouldn't carry us? Then I'll carry you!" She answer matter-of-factly.

"B-but!"

"Nope, denied! Let me do that for my beautiful and marvellous fox girlfriend!"

Yeah. Right. Girlfriend. Still not convinced I'm the one for them. Not at all. Far from it. But the term still sends my heart ponding so hard I could think the whole corridor hears it. Heck, maybe the whole academy... Okay maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. But still.

I suddenly feels nails lightly scratching the base of my ears. When I look toward the offending hand, I see Eliza offering me a tender smile.

"She's right, that's our privilege to do something for our dear girlfriend." She says, her voice overflowing with love again.

I shrink a little in my dear twin's arms. I know I won't be able to win in this argument. So I let her carry me without more complain. My tail is slowly swaying in what I guess is contentement.

Traitor.

After a short, but embarrassing, walk we are finally 'home'. Weird how I already see that place as a 'home', when the preceding one was more of a prison...

Anna finally let me go and I jump on the sofa, melting on the soft cushions.

"So, Jane, will you explain how you managed to make a flame in class? When you don't have the fire element?" Eliza settle besides me before asking.

"Oh! Right. I... Uuuh, don't know much. You know he told us to avoid thinking of any elements when trying to manipulate pure mana? Well, I was trying and saw in the corner of my eyes someone with flames above their palm... Then the next thing I know I have the same above mine! I guess the test before the exam wasn't false..." I answer after sitting properly. "Felt a bit weird though. And seems like it drained ton of mana."

I actually didn't notice at that moment. I was too stunned for that. But now I do remember feeling a little sluggish before Eliza snuffed the flame. It should be the price for trying to use something I shouldn't, I guess?

"So, you may be able to use more elements like the tablet showed you? Do you think we should talk about this to Virina? She seems like someone trustworthy." Anna ask us.

"I agree with you. Headmistress Virina shouldn't be a problem to talk to. Maybe when we all have the day in free study? So we don't get distracted for the rest of the classes?" Eliza answer.

"Hmm. That sounds good yes. I do feel Virina won't betray us. Well, let's just talk about the elements. For now. Not the rest about dungeons. Maybe.. Later. Anyway I'm hungry I'll cook!"