Wizard: The Emperor of Magic.

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Chapter 18

I moved from student to student, correcting their stance, guiding their breath, and helping them refine their control over their Mana.

The lesson was flowing smoother than I expected—perhaps my earlier display of raw power had set the tone, silencing doubts and opening their minds.

My main focus was on teaching them how to prevent mana from leaking.

A subtle process, but essential.

When mana leaks, spells become unstable, inefficient, and draining.

But if one can lock that flow—seal it within the body—then every spell cast becomes sharper, denser, and less costly in terms of energy.

That's the secret to powerful magic, and also its greatest burden.

It wasn't an easy thing.

In fact, it was one of the hardest things to master in daily life.

Mana doesn't like to be still—it pulses, it seeks use, and for the average mage, controlling that instinctual leak is like holding back the tide with bare hands.

But for me... I never struggled with it.

Stopping the leak was second nature to me—instinctual, like breathing.

My control over mana had always been absolute.

I didn't think about it.

I didn't need to.

It was simply who I was.

I stood at the front, arms folded behind my back, as I scanned the field.

My eyes—still stuck in their Mana Eyes form ever since I invoked [Understanding] on them—gleamed with soft light.

I hadn't been able to turn them off, not since that day.

But in exchange, my sensitivity to mana had grown sharper by the day.

I could now see the world in lines and currents of raw energy—each student outlined in the flickers of their own power.

Some students had nearly stopped their mana from leaking; others were still struggling, trembling with effort but improving nonetheless.

I began to speak, my voice calm yet firm.

"Mana is the core of every spell—the command to the elements and the fuel they obey. But it is more than just a tool. Mana is our fuel, too. Mana is life."

My eyes drifted across the room, watching the students listen closely, sweat on their brows, determination in their postures.

"And in life, no matter how cruel it may be... no matter how soul-crushing its weight might seem... life is also fair. Nothing in life is truly impossible. And mana proves that truth every day."

As I said this, I raised one hand to the sky.

A swirl of fire bloomed in my palm—vibrant and alive—followed swiftly by a curl of water dancing alongside it.

The two should have fought.

Should have canceled each other out.

But instead… they fused.

What formed in my hand was a flame that rippled like liquid—fire shaped like water.

It shimmered with fluidity and flickered with warmth, a perfect harmony of opposites.

"For those of you who wield dual elements, Analyze this and see the endless pool of advancement you can do." I continued,

"Our next session will focus on deeper control. True control. Not just casting, but shaping. I'm showing you this fusion not to boast, but to ignite your curiosity. Let your minds wonder—let them question. That's how you grow. Do you remember what I told you in our first lecture?"

Eyes widened.

Some mouths hung open in disbelief.

They all knew the truth—I had no elemental affinity.

And yet here I stood, wielding fire and water in perfect harmony, a feat that should've resulted in The mist Element, or worse, a chaotic clash of incompatible forces.

But instead, the fusion was clean.

Balanced.

Elegant.

"Now listen well," I said, letting the liquid fire swirl around my arm, shaping it into abstract forms—a phoenix, a spiral, a floating sphere of dancing heat.

"The best way to control your elements isn't through chanting or incantation. It's by feeling them. Making them flow around you. Making them listen. All without needing to cast a single spell."

I let the fire-water wrap around me, forming a cloak of soft warmth.

It had no bite, no destruction.

Not in my presence.

So long as I continued to feed it my mana, it would remain passive.

Harmless.

"This is why I chose this element combination," I explained.

"It's the safest way to demonstrate control—raw control—without endangering anyone. Yes, I can do the same with other elements, but you must understand… this level of harmony takes extreme mana control. Especially without affinity. Do not attempt anything like this without me present. Or someone of equal skill."

Students nodded, though their eyes still shimmered with amazement.

This exercise wasn't about fancy magic.

Many of them could already cast spells.

What they couldn't do was control them.

That's what this training was for.

Precision.

Flow.

Balance.

And it all began with a theory I came up with…

Like me, the others would grow stronger too—at least, that was the theory I wanted to test.

Ever since I activated my Mana Eyes, my connection to mana had deepened with each passing day.

It was more than just sight now.

I was linked to it.

Every movement of mana in the air, every fluctuation in someone's control—I could feel it all.

And through that constant link, my own control and power kept growing, little by little, like breathing in deeper with each sunrise.

That's what I wanted to test today.

If this link was strengthening my mana, then what about those with an elemental affinity?

Wouldn't the same concept apply?

The more they surrounded themselves with their element, the more they linked with it—and the stronger, more refined their spells would become.

That was the idea, at least.

The theory still needed refinement, but the core was there.

Ava sat cross-legged on the training mat, eyes narrowed in focus.

She was trying to do exactly what I asked—extend her mana outward and connect with the light element in the atmosphere.

Yet despite her affinity for light, she couldn't do it.

And she wasn't alone.

Across the field, every student struggled.

Faces tense.

Brows furrowed.

Hands trembling.

They tried and failed, again and again, to reach into the surrounding mana—to pull on their element as I had demonstrated.

I watched it all unfold with my Mana Eyes, silently observing the subtle flows—or more accurately, the blockages—in each of them.

Finally, Mike asked the question they were all thinking. "Professor… why can't anyone do it?"

I looked up, Then, I answered.

"Mana flow," I said simply, letting the words settle before continuing.

"When we cast a spell, the process begins with an image—a mental vision of the result we want. Then we chant the incantation, which helps us focus and triggers the mana to flow outward. That outward flow reaches the element we're trying to command… and finally, the spell manifests."

I walked toward a student and knelt beside her.

"After enough repetition, that chant becomes unnecessary. The mind adapts. It knows the pattern and begins to cast the spell with thought alone. No words. Just intent."

Standing back up, I continued. "But what we're doing now is different. We're not casting a spell. We're holding mana outside the body—controlling it without releasing it. It's like holding your breath underwater while trying to swim freely. Most of you aren't used to it."

I tapped my chest lightly and began thinking out loud—just enough for Mike, who was beside me, to hear.

"Now, imagine if our bodies had internal mana pathways, like veins that carry blood. If mana could travel effortlessly to every part of the body, casting spells would be as simple as moving a hand. Mana would flow, circulate, return… just like blood to the heart."

I paused, then smiled faintly. "That's an amazing idea. Note that down, Mike. And remind me about it after I finish the Mana Stone project."

Mike grinned and gave a small nod. "Yes, sir."

I turned my gaze back to the students. "But even without a natural mana network, this isn't impossible. It just requires greater focus… and far stronger mana control than their used to."

Mike has a hesitant smile on his face. "But professor… none of them can reach your level of control."

It wasn't flattery—it was said like a fact. Something he believed to be set in stone.

I chuckled softly. "That might be true," I admitted.

Then I met his eyes. "But you've always wanted to become a mage, haven't you?"

He blinked, clearly not expecting that question, but then nodded. "Yes, I have."

I smiled gently. "Good. Then remind me of this conversation when the Mana Stone project is complete."

"Yes, professor. Anything else?" Mike asked, straightening his posture.

I paused for a moment, thinking. Then something came to mind. "Yes. I need you to find any information you can on Runes."

"Runes?" he repeated, tilting his head. "You mean those ancient symbols?"

I nodded once. "Exactly."

He was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It'll be done. But… would you be willing to join me and my sister for dinner tonight?"

That caught me off guard. I raised an eyebrow. "This is the first time you've asked me to dinner. What a surprise, Mike."

He gave a sheepish smile. "She's been wanting to meet you."

I smiled back, warm but playful. "Then I suppose I should come. Do you mind if I bring my wife?"

Mike beamed. "She's more than welcome, sir."