Lyris stood before a dense forest.

Magic powered lamps and monster fences surrounded the area.

The mountains lyris had to climb for the training is the famous [Sword Peak]

Rumours that all that climbed it turned into capable swordsmen.

I don't know if that's true though.

There was only one path leading upwards into the mountain.

It was a stone trail.

Lyris stared at the path, contemplating.

Why use a mountain when there's already training facilities?

I can't understand the mind of adults.

Lyris shook his head and walked.

...

Lyris saw mutated animals on the way.

Horned rabbits, oversized boars, blade feathered birds, carnivorous plants, and others.

They were repelled by the magic infused fences, so no harm came to Lyris.

The longer he walked, the narrower the path is.

Although it concerned him, he treaded on.

...

At the end of the trail is a broad area that stretched in a circle.

On the side is a house that looked like a small Inn.

Rocks, stones, rocks, stones, grass, some badly managed Inn, grasses again.

Lyris stared at them, dumbfounded.

And my polar opposite is here...

Lyris stared at a single spot.

Strands of snow white hair followed the direction of the wind, floating.

Sitting on a large rock is a girl wearing gray bikini armor.

She's a beautiful girl, but she wears such erotic clothes. What a pity.

Lyris shook his head.

It doesn't matter. I'm here to fulfill my contract, she's here to train.

We're not compatible.

Lyris thought, finding a smooth rock to sit on.

He closed his eyes and went still.

Just a few seconds passed, and he could already feel a gaze at him.

Ignore her.

Lyris didn't budge.

He could feel the gaze get concentrated, but Lyris was still.

...

"Hey."

Lyris shivered.

He didn't dare open his eyes, lest he be blinded.

"Stop ignoring me."

The voice sulked.

"What?"

Lyris felt slightly guilty for some reason.

"You're late."

Lyris squinted one of his eyes and saw her pouting.

She could be cute if she doesn't bother me everytime.

Lyris thought.

"I'm five minutes early. Go away."

Lyris said.

"Why do you always avoid me?"

Maria sat beside Lyris.

"You're always invading my personal space."

Lyris felt his skin being burned, he frowned.

"Because you're ignoring me!"

Maria stood up.

"That's not a valid reason."

Lyris scoffed.

"What is?"

Maria looked at him.

"Just go away from me. That's a valid reason."

Lyris closed his eye again.

"Hmph. You're a big meanie."

The voice sound hurt.

"I am. Now go mind your business."

Lyris ignored the uncomfortable feeling in his chest and answered.

"I will!"

...

"Why aren't you moving?"

Lyris can't stand the constant burning in his side and spoke up.

"Because this is where my business is!"

The voice sounded determined. 

"You... Fine."

Lyris stood up and walked away.

He sat back down when he was a distance away.

"Ugh."

Lyris could hear the faint groan in the distance.

Finally, silence.

Lyris closed his eyes.

...

Time passed.

Lyris heard faint footsteps coming up from the trail.

That should be Esther.

Lyris opened his eyes and stood up.

Looks like Maria also noticed the faint footsteps, because she stood up and fixed her appearance.

Both waited.

...

There he is.

Lyris saw Esther.

He is wearing the standard robe and insides, but there's a scabbard beside his waist.

Maria stared at Esther curiously.

Esther noticed both of them meters apart, but didn't comment on it.

He continued walking until he stood in the middle of the area.

He scanned Maria, but didn't bother looking at Lyris.

"Very well. Stand side by side. In front."

A deep voice.

Maria and Lyris stood side by side.

"Good."

Esther nodded.

"I will be introducing myself first."

"I am Esther. A swordmaster."

"Maria, Lyris. I will be your instructor for one year. Do you understand?"

He looked at Maria and Lyris.

"Yeah, sure."

Lyris said nonchalantly.

"Yes sir..."

Maria said, sulking.

"Maria, why are you down?"

Problems already?

Esther asked.

"Well..."

Maria hesitated.

"What is it? Maybe I can do something about it."

Esther insisted.

"Well, Lyris always avoids me. He says we're not compatible, everytime."

Maria glanced at the carefree lyris.

Esther stared at Lyris. It continued for seconds.

"Heh."

Esther chuckled.

"Looks like what your sibling said is true."

Esther looked at Maria.

"Eh, true?"

Maria was dumbfounded.

"You two are truly not compatible."

Esther laughed.

"Maria, Lyris. Stand apart by two meters."

Esther ordered.

Lyris and Maria followed, albeit curiously.

How does he know?

Lyris felt the burning sensation dissipate.

"I know both of you are wondering."

Esther grinned.

"I was supposed to teach you both basics first, but I guess I'll go to the basics of magic first."

Esther flicked his finger.

"This," A fire lick appeared on his finger. "Is a phenomenon."

"A phenomenon is caused by magic, either by distorting or controlling."

The fire bounced.

"Large majority of magic is processed by controlling magic."

"Like this."

The fire turned into a needle, before enlarging into a sword.

"While your brother, distorts it."

The fire sword turned into particles.

...

"The world revolves through nature. While magic tries to control nature.

Once nature is controlled, one could have the world.

That's what the first generation of mana wielders said.

Through experiences and trials, the unknown magic before became the known magic we now have."

Esther opened his hands and four blinding lights appeared.

"Water—Fire—Earth—Air.

The four major elements known to humans.

Those four elements are now floating around us, at our disposal."

The lights disappeared.

"There are people that try to contain the elements into the organ they call dantian.

There are others that try to communicate with nature and become with them.

Others that forcefully subdued nature, become half nature, half human.

Lastly, there's us—the humans that dared not to do any of these things. We only seek control, not power."

Esther chuckled.

"Now, there are also exceptions like your brother."

Esther glanced at the serious Lyris.

"Both of you have practiced the mana circulation technique, right?"

Esther asked.

"Yes."

Lyris nodded.

"Mhm."

Maria followed.

"Maria, what do you feel when circulating mana?"

Esther turned to Maria.

"Uhm. I feel light. All the things mana flowed on feels good too."

Maria blushed.

"That's the normal process.

Then Lyris. What do you feel?"

Esther nodded and turned to Lyris.

"I..."

Lyris hesitated.

"Well. I feel nothing. All mana that tried to go inside my body disintegrated into nothing.

I thought I need to find a way to let mana flow, and tried and tried again.

They all just turned into nothing."