Azrean and Sumi sat side by side on a wooden bench in the training room, backs straight without even realizing it. In front of them, Invanne stood calm and composed, hands folded neatly behind her back.
"First," she began, her voice steady and clear, "if you want to use magic properly, you need to understand how it works."
She took a slow step forward.
"A person's magic strength depends on how many layers of mana they stack onto a spell. For example... if someone uses water magic with only half a layer, it will be no more than a weak stream—like water from a tap." She paused slightly.
"But if they stack ten layers, that same spell can smash through a large boulder and break it apart completely."
Azrean raised his hand without hesitation.
"How do we know how many layers we're using? And… how do we even know how much mana we have?"
Invanne gave a small nod, as if she had expected that.
"Once you begin using magic and stacking layers, you will feel it. Every time a new layer is added, there is a distinct surge in power. That sensation tells you that another layer has formed."
She walked a little closer, her steps quiet against the floor.
"The strength of each layer is the same for everyone. The only difference is how many layers a person can stack and that depends entirely on their mana capacity."
She stopped in front of them.
"If you want to understand your own mana capacity, you must use your magic. You will feel it draining from your body. The more familiar you become with that feeling, the easier it will be to judge how much you have left."
Azrean and Sumi both nodded, taking it seriously. Sumi tilted her head slightly.
"But what if we want to know someone else's mana capacity?"
Invanne reached into her coat and pulled out a pair of thin, silver-rimmed glasses. She slipped them on, then walked over to a blackboard set against the wall. Picking up a piece of chalk, she began to draw.
"Mana Expansion."
She drew a simple circle first. Then, around it, she added several larger rings spreading outward, like ripples in water. Small arrows followed, pointing away from the center, and tiny dots appeared along the rings.
"Mana Expansion is the technique used to create what we call a magic opening."
She tapped the center circle lightly with the chalk.
"The farther you expand your mana, the farther away you can create that opening. And from that point, you can cast your spell."
She raised one hand. A red rose bloomed instantly above her palm, petals unfolding in perfect silence.
"If I create the opening here, in my hand, I can summon my magic directly."
Her gaze shifted across the room. Near the far wall, another rose appeared out of nowhere, hovering quietly in the air.
"But if I expand my mana farther, I can open it at a distance and summon my magic there instead."
With a faint shimmer, both roses disappeared. She turned back toward them.
"The opening and the expansion itself are invisible. You cannot see them—only sense them. By observing how far someone can extend their mana, you can estimate their capacity." She paused briefly.
"But there is no exact way to measure it."
Azrean and Sumi exchanged a glance, both nodding slowly. After a moment, Sumi raised her hand again.
"Then... how do we actually do Mana Expansion? And how do we create a magic opening?"
Invanne set the chalk down carefully and turned to face them fully, waiting until she had their complete attention before continuing.
Invanne walked to the corner of the training room and returned with two small magnets in her hands. Azrean and Sumi both leaned forward slightly, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
"Before you try it yourselves," she said, holding the magnets up, "you need to understand the advantages and limits of mana expansion."
She held one magnet still and slowly moved the other farther away.
"The farther you expand your mana, the farther you can create a magic opening. But there is a cost." Her voice stayed calm.
"As the distance increases, each layer of mana becomes weaker and less stable."
She then brought the two magnets closer.
"The shorter the distance the stronger and more stable your layers will be."
The magnets snapped together with a sharp click. She paused, letting the sound settle.
"Think of it like holding a piece of paper near a candle flame. If it's close, it burns immediately. Move it farther away, and it only warms. Too far and nothing happens at all."
Azrean and Sumi both smiled, the idea settling easily in their minds.
"So it's actually pretty simple," Azrean said.
Invanne closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again.
"Yes... But there are other factors."
Her gaze shifted between them.
"Almost everyone has only one magic aptitude. They only need to focus on stacking layers for that single type."
She paused slightly before continuing.
"But for someone like Lady Sumi, who has two aptitudes... or Lord Azrean, who has all of them... things become more complicated."
Azrean straightened a little.
"If you want to use multiple types of magic at once, you must perform multiple mana stackings simultaneously. That consumes far more mana and mental focus." Her eyes rested on him for a second longer. "For you... using all aptitudes at the same time would be nearly impossible."
Sumi and Azrean both nodded quietly. Sumi tilted her head, thinking.
"So as long as we have enough mana... we can use as much magic as we want?"
Invanne gave a small nod.
"Yes. But if you exceed what your body can handle you will experience magic burnout."
"Magic burnout?" they both asked together.
Invanne picked up a piece of chalk again and turned to the board. She drew a simple outline of a head, then added wavy lines coming out of it, followed by a thick boundary closing around it.
"It's a safety response from the brain. If you push your magic output beyond your limit, your brain will forcibly shut down your ability to use magic. It protects your body from damage while it recovers."
They both nodded slowly, absorbing it. After a moment, Azrean raised his hand again.
"Then what if someone expands their mana directly into another person's head and creates an explosion there?"
Invanne paused. For a brief second, she didn't move.
"...That's a sharp question."
Azrean scratched the back of his neck with a small, awkward smile. "Just wondering."
Invanne turned back to the board and drew another diagram—a simple figure, a line extending toward the head, and a small barrier surrounding it.
"In most cases, it won't work. Every living being has a natural layer of mana surrounding their body. That acts as a form of protection."
She tapped the small barrier she had drawn.
"However... if the attacker's mana is overwhelmingly stronger there is a slight possibility it could break through."
Azrean and Sumi both went still for a moment, then nodded. Invanne set the chalk down and pushed the board aside.
"That's enough theory."
She faced them fully, her posture sharpening slightly.
"Now... It's time to use real magic."