Eve was able to make the connection that she has already acquired these affinities, however she can not use them as she simply doesn't own any mana of that affinity. The blue hue mana, is that. Mana. It is the basic mana that early mages use as their main source of power. However, these different coloured mana, such as the light mana that Lee uses has different properties, and only certain people can use it, although Eve completely breaks these barriers as she has access to every mana affinity.

Eve moved the mana stream towards the green mana, which she can only assume is a form of nature mana mainly due to it being in the atmosphere of a forest.

She moved it in the opposite direction of her mana core, and wanted to see if the mana stream would go outside of her body, so she kept extending it outwards, until finally she made progress.

A stream of mana came out of the right side of her chest where her mana core is located.

Eve's forehead glistened under the moonlight, and she had to stop. Instantly, the stream of mana protracted inwards, however before it did, a small particles of nature mana followed it.

Excitedly, Eve looked inwards, and saw the smallest set of particles integrating into a set mana stream. Eve was just a spectator in this moment, as she currently had no control over this process. The deep blue mana was still there, however a tip of it turned green, just like the mana in the atmosphere.

Then, a familiar ding was heard.

[You have gained experience because of progression made down your path].

'Down my path?'. Eve sat up straight as she read the notification. It was sounded like the system was using a path as a metaphor for progression, however Eve was unsure whether that was the case.

'It doesn't matter, it's obviously a good thing. No need to overthink'.

Eve was still completely chuffed and glad she finally made progress. However she progressed purely on intuition.

'Not to be big headed, but I don't know if everyone would be able to follow along with this process'. Eve, trying to be humble thought that some of the class won't be able to progress a long with the others, primarily those without a mana class as their focus as well as Rose and Grant.

Grant mainly because runes were something completely unheard of, and from the mana particles surrounding him, there isn't much to see. There was the same colour mana particles that he had on his wings, so one could only assume it had something to do with runes.

Rose, well again she was a unique case too. She radiated quite a lot of mana particles, but was only one colour meaning she had one affinity and it was the exact same as what her flowers radiated. It was quite beautiful, but again quite unique, but alas, Eve could assume that it's the same process as anyone else's mana.

Eve didn't understand how Rose only having one affinity was different to an attunement, but she guessed it was.

'Hmm, I guess an attunement has a deeper meaning than only having one affinity'. Eve pondered and only got more curious.

Looking at other people's auras, Eve got curious and wanted to zoom in on her own mana particles that surrounded her. She hadn't really cared before as she assumed it would just replicate what she saw in her mana core, and she was exactly correct.

She saw a bunch of colours that have no real meaning to her yet, but she would soon find a way to utilise all of these affinities.

'The mana particles that surround me are quite different though. They have quite a high viscosity to the point it's almost like slime, as well as the colours being more pure. Though it could be directly related to my innate talent, or maybe I just have a knack for mana?'. Eve's mana aura was inherently different to others, especially because the viscosity, as well as the particles being equally distributed. There wasn't one affinity controlling the other unlike some others like Grace for example. She had three affinities, however one dominated the other two completely. Whereas Eve's affinities were sort of coexisting, there was no competition between them, and they simply existed with the other.

Eve stamped these thoughts out of her mind, and simply moved on, right now she had one objective, and that was to gain a new source of mana. Eve decided on making the tough decision that sleep was for the wicked, and didn't bother waking up Evan.

'I guess by morning I should have access to something new?'. Eve got excited just thinking about it.

Eve plodded along, and heard a consistent stream of dings.

Eve took a break every now and then only for a few minutes mainly to see her progress and give her mind a small break.

But she knew that if she stopped for the morning, that is another day that her class won't be able to explore their powers fully. Sure, they could most likely grasp it within a few days without Eve, but why was that necessary? She had the means to do it in this moment, so she would.

'Well, by the looks of it Rose and Grant had a head start yesterday, they were definitely day dreaming whilst looking at their mana'. Eve simply thought that she had to guide them down this new path. That what her role as a teacher had been for 5 years, and she simply couldn't shake the habit within a day despite these strange circumstances they're in.

With minimal hiccups on Eve's progression she heard consistent dings until suddenly the sun rose and people were waking. She sat there in awe at her developments.

[You have gained experience because of progression made down your path].

[You have gained experience because of progression made down your path].

[You have gained experience because of progression made down your path].

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

[You have gained experience because of your substantial progression!]

[New skill acquired!

Nature Manipulation (F): Because your affinity and your mana core being exposed to nature mana, you are capable of conjuring spells with the affinity of nature.

Nature all emcompasses that of self preservation and natural growth. Is used offensively and defensively ].

[Skill evolution!

Meditation (F) -> Mana Meditation (E): Due to the strives down your newfound path, and using meditation for the progression of mana. You will now be able to see mana particles easier in the atmosphere, and easier to comprehend new schools of knowledge].

Before anything, or even addressing the awoken students, she looked at her status page.

Name: Eve

Level: 5

Race: Human (F)

Class: Mage

Innate Talent: Affinities (B)

Recognised Title:

Skills: Mana Manipulation (F), Nature Manipulation (F), Mana Bolt (F), Mana Meditation (E), Conjured Demonstration (F)

As she looked at her page, Eve suddenly felt like she was in pain. A pain she has never experienced, and could only be described as peculiar. Yes, it hurt, but it also felt satisfying, and the pain was coming from her mana core.

As she looked inward and saw her mana core she saw a connection made, and now there was a mana stream of nature mana going towards her mana core, and also throughout her body just like her base mana. However, the pain started getting worse and less bearable.

She looked inside of her mana core and saw that the nature mana was starting to solidify, but it was disturbing her other affinities. The coexistence started to change, and nature wanted to take over. With obvious reasons, Eve couldn't allow that, or her innate talent becomes useless.

With rash thinking, Eve takes over control of the half solidified mana, and moves it. This was actually a very simple process, and the mana simploy allowed her to do this. The mana was becoming more solid, and Eve was scared that if it completely solidified inside her mana core, disastrous consequences would be upon her.

Eve swiftly moved the mana out, and let solidify just outside her mana core. Eve didn't really know what to do with it. Where could it even go? For now Eve left it as it replicated a smaller mana core, but just with one mana stream coming from it, and instead of having the swirl of colours, there was just the green colour that was hardened, similar to a marble.

With that, the pain completely subsidised, and it was time to get on with the new day and to mess around with her newfound power.

Eve wanted to make a nature version of mana bolt. As she attempted to do this it felt almost wrong. With her newfound ability, she gained a bit of insight of the characteristics of nature, and Eve zoned in on the use of self preservation and natural growth. If one put two and two together, she could probably sprout something like branches from the ground, or even summon a branch bolt.

With that, Eve decided to experiment before even addressing the class, as they watched in awe.

Eve pointed her staff, towards the ground, and urged her nature mana to come forward. She was able to grow branches from the ground, and even materialise branches in the air. However, the strange thing was that Eve never got an individual skill for this. With the systems pattern so far, you'd think she would obtain a skill to do with branches.

However that never came. But Eve wasn't mad or annoyed. In fact it didn't really matter. Sure, if she had a skill the activation would be easier, but that didn't matter for now. She kept practicing with these branches, and even covered Evan in branches which got a giggle out of everyone. But as she did this, she gained inspiration. What if, she wrapped an enemy up in branches, and kept growing them. Would they assimilate with said person? She put that thought on hold, as she thought about using vines instead of branches.

Sure she was able to make these branches malleable, however vines just seemed like they would be way more malleable and usable than branches. As she grew vines from underneath Evan, they instantly lingered on his feet, and with that a ding was heard.

[New skill acquired!

Vine Trap (F): Able to manipulate vines from underneath somebody as they will instantly grab onto whatever is in their radius. These vines are weak and flimsy, however they are easily controlled.]

Eve started laughing out loud, everyone thought it was at Evan, but no.

'Isn't this like very easy?'. Eve was honestly astounded. This all just felt too simple. Magic and mana came to her like walking. It was almost like she was destined from the get-go to become a Mage.

Others would've relished in these newfound powers and instantly tried to make themselves advance. However, this was not the case for Eve as she instantly started thinking on how she can teach her classmates to awaken their dormant abilities.

"Miss Jenkins that was so cool!". Lement looked at Eve with eyes that seemed to idolise her.

"Urm Lement call me Eve now please, we're not in school and frankly I doubt we'll ever be going back to school'. Eve didn't even address what he said and instantly changed Lement's thought process.

Sure, Eve would try and give these teens a headstart by imparting knowledge just like she would in the classroom as their teacher. However, despite their ages, everyone had the same starting point. Eve didn't necessarily know more about this new world more than anyone else, so how could she still expect them to call her Miss?

No, infact Eve would go as far to say that she is a peer now and should be treated like one. Sure she's one of the few adults in this situation, but how would being an adult allow her to be one to call the shots constantly?

"Okay guys can we huddle round please". Although Eve would still try to take a leadership role if possible. Being in a leadership role among your peers was completely different than being referred to as the teacher. The title of a teacher simply held a lot of weight.

With that, everyone listened.

"As you can see, I've able to use another mana form known as nature mana and gained the skill for it. I think it's best for everyone to attempt this, including those of warrior variations. However, I would like people to voice their opinions. What would you rather do. We can stay here and learn more, or we could go out of our way to fight more goblins, and even those hobgoblins". Eve wasn't pleading with them, however she truly did want differing opinions. It wasn't fair for her to always take charge.

Everyone else was deep in thought as some wanted to be selfish and learn more, whereas others wanted to kill the goblins.

One by one, everyone spoke of their opinions.

"I think we should at least try to kill one hobgoblin then learn new skills. Combat may even be more of a learning experience". Jackson voiced his thoughts, and his opinion was viewed quite highly to everyone as he had best of both worlds. Access to mana, aswell as melee combat.

"To add onto Jackson, I believe those with warrior variants would gain more by hands on experience. During the night I tried to advance my Shield Arts skill but to no avail, simply because I have no prior experience with using a shield". Evan agreed with Jackson.

Physical combat was entirely different to the practice of mana, and Eve couldn't help also agreeing. You could progress through the arts of magic simply by sitting there and comprehending different types of manas. However this wasn't the case with combat as one would learn way more than actually fighting something, or atleast sparring.

How would Lement know the best way of killing a goblin with his sabre if he has never killed a goblin before? Sure, he has prior experience with using a sabre and that was shown when he practiced his forms on his own, but it was in no way the same as real life combat.

Eve was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Most of the magic users wanted to stay and comprehend their affinities, whilst those with physical skills and classes wanted to hunt.

"Well, I have a solution to this problem. But it will require people to make sacrifices".

And with that, Kimmy saved the day once again. Eve smiled at the suggestion Kimmy made and couldn't help but smile.

'Gosh she truly is a life saver'. This was the second time Kimmy came up with strategies whilst taking into account people's abilities, and it surely wouldn't be the last.