Shatter

Vol. 1: Chapter 14: Nervadellir

The whole class was startled. The idea of being able to form the mana core regardless of age was the wish of many. People would not patiently wait for 16 years.

`The people before could actually cultivate and form mana core at an earlier age?`

"The Elden inquisitors read that the children of that ancient civilization could already use mana essences for combat when they were young. There were also some carvings depicting small figures conjuring mana essences and casting skills. They called the ancient civilization Nervadellir based on the title of one of the archives they saw in the ruins."

"The Nervadellirs had a great affinity to mana. The Eldens estimated that the void creatures would be unable to match up to them because their mana cores would form at their descendants' conception."

`What?! They already had mana cores when they were still in their mother's wombs?`

"However, although the Nervadellirs were unstoppable, their reproduction rates were rather low. Because of their tremendous affinity to mana, it led to problems where mana essences interfered in the conception and killed the fetus. The Elden inquisitors did not reject this thought, since this phenomenon can be observed in the present."

"The Nervadellir soon encountered a huge problem. Another civilization appeared out of nowhere and attacked them. Their numbers grew fast, could cultivate the same as them, and soon overwhelmed them."

"As such, the Nervadellirs was forced to impose a World Rule in Pandragea. They restricted the formation of mana cores to 16 years in order to prevent their enemies from producing too many fighters in a short period of time, and to also allow them to reproduce at a rate that they could keep up with their losses."

"After the imposition of the World Rule, their enemies' strength dwindled over time. There were no records found about the aftermath of the battle between the Nervadellirs and their enemy."

The students were rather confused about it. If the Nervadellirs were that strong, why did they only set it to 16 years? One of the students raised their hands. Instructor Jonas noticed it, but he disregarded the student's inquiry.

"You may be thinking, why only 16 years? This question also baffled the same Elden inquisitors who excavated the ruins. Their continued research led to a vague explanation. The Nervadellirs have a mysterious ceremony that could only happen after strict conditions were met."

"The inquisitors guessed that the strict conditions affect the effect of the World Rule. Additional questions and theories soon surfaced regarding this matter."

"A portion of the inquisitors rested it on the case that the Nervadellirs lacked sufficient strength. The other inquisitors argued, however."

"The imposition of the World Rule encompassed every living being in Pandragea. In addition, the restriction had lasted until now. The thought that the Nervadellirs were weak was an impossibility."

"Another faction of the inquisitors believed that the ceremonial conditions were a huge factor to the World Rule's effects. Being able to extract any part of the conditions would bring them closer to the answers surrounding the mysterious Nervadellirs and their imposed World Rule."

The students were really interested now. They disregarded the fact that he was lost, and were intended to learn more. A knock on the door brought them back to reality. Somebody opened the door from the outside. It was a woman.

She had bouncy black ponytail hair that accentuated her blue-collared neck blouse and smooth white skin. She stepped inside, swaying her slender body in a very alluring way, furthered with her black pencil-cut skirt that showed her smooth slim legs.

"Instructor Jonas, what do you think you're doing here?"

The female instructor was rather confused why a nerd like him was here in her classroom, discussing topics that were rather ridiculous and nonsensical to her. Besides, this was the Great Weaponry School, not the Great Historic School.

"Oh, Instructor Rebecca, I'm currently discussing with my class. It'd be best if you could vacate the room for now."

His reply infuriated Instructor Rebecca. `This smart monkey, it looks like he sleepwalked again.` Many instructors were victimized by his 'sleepwalking', shamelessly barging into their classes and discuss his own topics. She had never thought that she'd be a victim until today.

"Instructor Jonas, this is class W1-A, with all due respect."

Instructor Jonas returned from his 'sleepwalking' state, took a few seconds to realize what had happened, then disappeared from the classroom.

The students felt awkward about what just happened. `What a shameless instructor!`

Instructor Rebecca's dignity took a blow. `You monkey, how dare you escape without saying anything?!` For him to ignore her like that was a blow to her self-esteem. `Am I not that pretty for you to not talk to me? Also, I'm an instructor, not a damn student!`

She walked to the table at the center.

"Eyes front."

The students were taken aback and faced Instructor Rebecca.

"I am Instructor Rebecca Norma from the Great Magic School, and I will be teaching you about the basics of mana manipulation."

The students got bored after hearing her introduction. Instructor Rebecca gritted her teeth and continued speaking.

"We will be going through-"

Some students were already dozing off. `What a boring instructor.` Even if one was a beauty, it did not necessarily mean people would be attracted all over.

`That's it. You've touched the bottom line.`

"Everyone, to the training field."

The whole class was stupefied. `What happened? To the training field? Again?!`

Seeing that the students looked dumbed to the core, Instructor Rebecca sternly reminded them of what to do.

"I said to the training field. Now!"

…

The students laid on the ground, gushing out white foams from their mouths.

`This is a nightmare.` Luiz could not believe that Instructor Rebecca would conduct a test on their mana control in their first class session. They were clearly unprepared for this, and such was the current situation of class W1-A.

"Luiz Carrico, what are you standing there and spacing out for? Conjure your mana essence!"

"Ma'am, I'm already at my limit!" He could really use a sleep now. He was already feeling light-headedness and would pass out at any moment.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" Instructor Rebecca played deaf ears to his complaints.

"Damn it!", he said in a low voice.

They were tasked to conjure their mana essences and release them to their surroundings. The more focused their mana essences were on a specific area, and the longer they could endure, the better their mana control was. Obviously, those with enormous mana essences were required to put more effort into their conjuration of mana essences than others.

If one could not focus their conjured mana essence on one location, that would mean that they could not control their mana essences efficiently. Most of the mana essences would disperse, resulting in a weaker spell and downgraded effects. The regular way to fix it was to add more mana essences.

However, that would lead to a fast consumption of the mana essences stored within their mana cores, and thus, would result in another problem; mana exhaustion. Once a person exhausted their mana essences, they would start to feel light-headed, then pass out.

Sabrina was already feeling the toll on her body. Even if she was a Prospect candidate, there was no way she could endure conjuring mana essence for an hour. She looked to where Zachariel was.

`Impossible! He isn't affected by this?!`

Zachariel stood in the field peacefully conjuring his mana in front of Instructor Rebecca. Dark, fire, and wind essences surrounded him. The scenery was akin to a divine being descending to the mortal world.

Instructor Rebecca had long noticed Zachariel's excellent performance. She ignored him and reprimanded those students who were performing poorly.

"The test has ended. You may stop now."

The students flopped to the ground. `Finally, after 1 hour… I could finally rest in peace.` Luiz felt that he had finally achieved inner peace.

Sabrina knelt on one knee. She panted heavily and wiped her face.

"Zachariel Strom, Iria Usenko, Sabrina Rossi, Luka Alaze, Kaela Jeldane, Ksenia Saralze, and Narek Mher. The names I have called out are the students who have passed the test. Those who didn't will have to take the test again in our next class session. Am I understood?"

"Yes Ma'am!"

"Good. Class dismissed."

Before leaving the training field, Instructor Rebecca casted a spell.

"Rejuvenate!"

A large volume of life mana essence engulfed the students. Those who passed out regained consciousness, and the rest no longer felt tired as before. Instructor Rebecca was nowhere to be found before they could thank her.

They left the training field.

"Man, what a scary teacher!"

"Do you think so? I think she's like that because you were drooping in her class earlier."

"As if you were not yawning either. Stop acting like an innocent victim, tch!"

The students pointed their fingers against one another. It was clearly their fault for behaving in such a manner in front of Instructor Rebecca.

"Say, we no longer have a class for this morning, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Let's go check out the other classes!"

"Oh yeah, that's a nice idea."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Some of them went to other classrooms and chatted with the other students, while the rest waited in their classroom until lunch. The alarm bell rang, it was lunchtime now.

"Hey, want to go to the canteen with me?"

Luiz invited Zachariel out. Going alone was awkward, and Luiz knew nothing much of the other classmates except for him. Vargas was out of the question, however.

"You're going to the canteen? Let me join in on the fun!"

Lia Milelli excitedly jumped out after eavesdropping on their conversation. She placed one of her arms into Luiz's shoulders. Luiz was taken aback by the sudden development. Those mountains were spectacular to look at.

"Hey, let's go together too." Luka approached them. He had the same thoughts as Luiz.

"Uhm…"

The three of them looked at the source of the voice. It was Diega. She was shyly holding onto her uniform with her head drooped down, blushing.

"You don't mind me joining in, do you?"

"Well, I guess that won't be a problem."

Seeing that they were enthusiastic about it, Luiz accepted their company.

"Thank you so much!"

Diega took Luiz and Luka's hands and shook them. They both felt they were going to die. `This strength! You're a shy girl and you're that strong? Stop screwing with me!`

"Alright, let's go!" Lia went ahead. "Hey, what about-?" Luiz looked to where Zachariel was. "Uh, where is he?"

"I think he left earlier and sister Lia followed him."

Diega continued with her shy expressions. Although her drill hairstyle, large eyes, and short stature made her look cute, the strength hidden in that cuteness was something one could not fathom to comprehend.

"Damn it, those two! Diega, Luka, let's go!"

Luiz hurried after Zachariel and Lia.

"Uhm, yes!"