I held back on talking with Annabelle, I’ll wait for a better opportunity. Would be a waste of time if I got interrupted in the middle of our conversation, so currently I’m just watching over her actions. Without possessing her, I can’t access the Book of Ages, and I wouldn’t do so anyway – the toll would be too much on that frail body.

She is a hardworking woman, giving her best to deliver useful information for other humans. Aware of her own capacities, she is not jealous of those with higher potential, neither disdainful of those below her. All she does is devour books in the library, going to a nearby town by the evening to buy groceries and talk to other people.

Her classes are the only interesting piece of her life, in the sense that they bring conflict to it.

- Teacher, you’ve said yesterday that we should forget everything about magic that we’ve learned so far. So come on, I’m waiting for you to impress us!

That voice came from a dignified young man, in his thirties I think.

One useful thing I’ve learned about spirits is that they can read thoughts, and what’s passing through Annabelle’s mind right now is likely despair. ‘When did I say such thing? If I don’t provide an answer, I might lose the job… Worse, my credibility as a teacher and as a mage! Is he being mean to me because I am a lowborn?’, so on and so forth.

Since I’ve started the issue, I’ll end it. Cycles that are initiated must be finished. That, and I’m getting bored.

I reach my hands to her arms and slip inside the vessel.

- Indeed I said so. It is because you don’t understand the basics behind words of power and incantations. You humans advanced into an era where it is more “convenient” to learn voiceless magic, as it requires a lot more knowledge of intuitive principles than of reality itself. While mathematics is still very interesting to learn for the purposes of magic and many other things, you lack what is fundamental. And before you all leave the classroom in blatant ignorance of what is thrown at you, I will tell you what you need to know.

I pick the white chalk from the table and write down a long list of calculations. Most of the classroom is dead silent, and only a few murmurs can be heard, which is of little importance aside from the fact they are paying attention. I've never tried to explain anything, and wouldn't like to explain twice.

- This is all the knowledge and numbers you will need to make a wooden ball. This ball is made of what you call mana, but I will call it energy, being a more general and encompassing term. The energy is manipulated in such a way that so long as you know how to make it, you will be able to do so. However, this will drain your own energy, thus why it causes fatigue.

I then use an incantation to summon the ball and start to feel very tired. Astonishing, the fact that Annabelle has so little spare energy.

I then cleanse the black board and think of asking a simple question to incite them, but I quickly refute the idea.

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- Now watch me make a wooden ball with just a single word – with these last few words, the entire classroom faces me with doubt, some with awe, some with mockery. It doesn’t matter, so long as they understand.

- Materialize.

At the same moment, that wooden ball turns into reality right in front of me, then it disappears.

- Huh? What happened to the ball?

- I’m surprised there even was a ball to begin with…

- Wait, which ball? I’ve seen nothing!

- Quiet, students – I mutter, and they hastily silence themselves.

- Now let me make this ball yet again – I proceed – Materialize.

Again comes the wooden ball, but this time, I draw energy towards it and keep it around. It’s something anyone can do, but they look at me as if it was the most amazing thing they’ve seen in their entire life. Foolish humans…

Now, still surprised, they bombard me with questions one after another, forgetting themselves in the presence of new knowledge.

- You may feel a bit cold, and that is natural – I collect the object and put it on top of a case, where everyone can see – now, for the explanation.

- When you use a word of power, you take into account possibilities. What is the possibility of this environment to generate a wooden ball of equal materials and proportions?

- That’s zero, right?

- It would be… Under normal circumstances. However, the fact is that I’ve shown you how to make that ball with incantations, so either of those who took notes, have very good memory or have a talent for the field should be able to make it, as long as they have energy. By doing so, the odds of the environment generating a wooden ball in this room increases exponentially. In fact, just by knowing how to do it myself, the possibility will never be zero.

- But then what’s the point? Both processes require the same energy and also require someone to know how to make it, and also…

- The point is – I interrupt – the word of power takes into account the possibility of something happening and manipulates the surrounding energy so it happens. However, if you don’t give that something enough energy, it will just be a “fluctuation”, disappearing shortly after and returning the energy to where it was drawn from. This property doesn’t seem very useful, but later you will find that it holds devastating effects over reality, so exert caution. On the other hand, if you draw enough energy towards it, the process will be complete, and it will hold the same effect as an incantation while taking no toll on the magician. That is the basic concept.

- But then… Does it mean words of power can use the energy of another living being as fuel?

I squint my eyes. I didn't think they would stumble upon this question so soon. If I don’t answer it, they will search for it themselves. No… They will do so regardless, exactly because they have doubts yet to be quenched.

- Yes, they can. This sect of magic regards life and death. You should be very careful if you decide to research it… And I’m not talking about laws and ethics, as I’m not here to judge anyone. The energy of a living being is very different from the mana you’re acquainted with… Mana is something like stamina, you can replenish it. Vital energy… - I stare at the student with a dreadful look in my eyes, it should be enough to tell him what awaits those who sink too deep in that sea.

- That is enough for today, you’re dismissed.

- But classes are just starting! – they moan.

- Then consider the next hours self-study. If you have any doubts, know that I’m not available for the rest of the day;

- Didn’t you say to make questions after you explained?

- I lied.

I feel like the cycle I’ve started is far from ended… It doesn’t matter, I guess. Once again I start to fade away… She’s coming back.

- Argh… What is…

- Hello, Annabelle. I’m Carthe – she glances around trying to find me, and in no time reaches her eyes over my horrid look.

Her face turns from a pale grey to a dying blue tone. I’ve seen many people scream at my sight, overtaken by an indescribable fear. But that is not what’s happening, as her thoughts are currently none.

She is shocked by the immediate knowledge of what I am.

- We have business to discuss.