novelraw Chapter 63: Teacher
Chapter 63: Teacher
Light radiated from between her hands - pure, bright, and gentle. It illuminated the entire classroom, casting away every shadow.
"Amazing!"
"It’s so pretty!"
"Lina is glowing!"
Lina opened her eyes and looked at the light she had created. A smile spread across her face.
Lunaris stepped forward and patted her head as well.
"Excellent work."
She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
Looking at her now, she’s doing well.
He observed her carefully as she basked in the praise.
The injuries to her soul that were affecting her body have been resolved. Her condition has fully stabilized.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment.
That said... giving her that core really transformed her...in more ways than one.
Even though she isn’t exactly a beastman, it’s hard to call her human anymore either.
The amount of mana she holds is simply impossible for a normal human.
Though it’s hard to say for sure as I haven’t seen many humans.
His thoughts drifted.
I should really start my talks with other nations. Get myself acknowledged as a sovereign state and form proper relations.
That way, she would be able to return to her mother.
Luckily, Lina’s mother was still alive. Mira had confirmed this during her mission a month ago.
His expression grew serious without him realizing it.
"Mister?"
Lina’s voice pulled him back.
She was looking up at him with concern, still being patted.
"Is something wrong?"
He blinked.
"Ah...no. Nothing."
He cleared his throat and withdrew his hand.
"Both of you did very well. Return to your seats."
"Yes, Mister!"
"Yes, Dad!"
The two girls hurried back to their desks.
...
Lunaris turned to the board and wrote beneath MANIFESTATION.
Creating something from mana
"As you’ve seen, that is called manifestation. Luna created lightning. Lina created light. Neither of those things existed before - they brought them into being using their mana."
He set down the chalk and faced the class.
"Now, a question for all of you."
He crossed his arms.
"You’ve seen both forms - manipulation and manifestation. Which do you think is better, and why?"
Hands shot up immediately.
He pointed at a rabbit boy in the middle row.
"Manifestation! Because you can make anything you want!"
"Interesting. Anyone else?"
He pointed at an orc girl near the back.
"Manipulation! Because you don’t get tired as fast!"
"Good observation. One more."
He pointed at a goblin girl near the window.
"Um... both? Because... they’re both magic?"
Laughter rippled through the room.
Lunaris smiled.
"All good answers."
He uncrossed his arms.
"The truth is, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s hard to say which is truly better than the other."
He began pacing slowly at the front of the room.
"Manifestation is more creative and versatile. You can create almost anything if you have the skill and imagination. But..."
He raised a finger.
"...it drains mana very quickly. Use too much, and you’ll exhaust yourself."
He raised a second finger.
"Manipulation, on the other hand, is more restricting. You can only work with what’s already there. But it’s much cheaper in terms of mana consumption."
He lowered his hand.
"That said, these are all surface-level observations. Someone strong enough can overcome these limitations entirely."
The children nodded, absorbing his words with varying degrees of understanding.
"Now then."
He looked at them.
"Did anyone notice anything else when Luna and Lina used their magic?"
The classroom fell silent.
The children looked at each other, confused.
Then a small hand rose near the front.
A cat-eared girl with large curious eyes.
Lunaris pointed at her.
"Yes?"
"Um... they talked? Before the magic came out?"
Lunaris smiled.
This kid is smart.
"Exactly right."
He walked to the board and wrote a new word.
CHANTING
"What Luna and Lina spoke before activating their magic is called chanting. It’s a series of words that help focus your intent and guide your mana."
He tapped the word.
"This is one of the key differences between magic and skills. Skills activate instantly through will alone. Magic - especially for beginners - requires chanting to shape the mana properly."
A small orc boy raised his hand.
"But Lord Lunaris!"
"Yes?"
"You didn’t chant when you used magic! The floor moved and the plant grew without you saying anything!"
The other children murmured in agreement.
"Yeah! Lord Lunaris didn’t say any words!"
"How come?"
Lunaris smiled calmly.
"That’s because I’m strong."
The room went silent for a moment.
Then the children’s eyes went wide with admiration.
"If we get stronger, can we do that too?" the orc boy asked eagerly.
"But of course."
He nodded.
"With enough practice and power, you can cast magic without chanting at all."
Though internally...
He wasn’t so sure about that. This was actually an effect of his Chant Annulment skill.
Well... letting them have a little hope isn’t bad.
At that moment...
A bell chimed from somewhere outside the building.
The children groaned.
"Aww!"
"Already?!"
"I want to learn more!"
Lunaris chuckled.
"Well, that will be all for today."
He walked toward the door, then paused and looked back at them.
"When I have the time, I’ll come by again."
The children’s faces lit up.
"Really?!"
"Promise?"
He smiled warmly.
"In the meantime, remain obedient children. Listen to your teacher."
His gaze shifted to Lina, who had returned to the front of the classroom.
"And don’t give her a hard time."
The children straightened in their seats.
"Yes, Lord Lunaris!"
He nodded in satisfaction and walked out the door.
...
Lunaris stepped out of the school building.
The moment Lunaris stepped out of the school building, his expression turned serious.
It’s time to make my move.
He began walking, his gaze distant.
There’s no need to keep everyone waiting.
For Lina who wishes to be reunited with her mother, and for the promise he had made to the beastmen.
His people were scattered across human nations, treated as property. Bought and sold like livestock. Worked to death in mines and fields. Displayed as exotic curiosities in noble households.
He had promised to change that.
Speaking of, how exactly am I supposed to go through with this?
He frowned as he walked.
Even after establishing relations, was he supposed to force this rule upon them as a condition?
Tradition was hard to abolish.
Slavery had existed in human nations for centuries. It was woven into their economies, their social structures, their very way of life.
Demanding its immediate end would be met with resistance. Possibly hostility.
Maybe I should approach it differently.
He stroked his chin.
Argh, who cares.
First, he would make it illegal within his own nation. This would show his stance on the matter.
Then, when forming alliances, suggest the same be done for allies.
And if they refuse...
His eyes narrowed.
He reserved the right to mobilize his own forces to free his people.
He turned the idea over in his mind.
They shouldn’t find much trouble with this, actually.
All those slave traders... they’re probably troublesome for the governments to deal with anyway.
Criminal elements. Black markets. Underground networks.
The nobility might publicly support slavery, but the crown likely views the unregulated trade as a headache.
They might be willing to leave the dirty work to me.
He nodded slowly to himself.
Well... I’ll see how it goes.
Diplomacy first. Force if necessary.
He stopped walking.
"Mira."
The shadow at his feet stirred.
A figure rose from the darkness.
Mira knelt before him on one knee, her head bowed.
"My Lord."
Lunaris looked down at her.
"I have a mission for you."