"Fu…Fu….."
Panting uncontrollably, Aria was finally allowed to take a breather.
She had run around frantically, searching for a safe zone or something similar for a while.
After what felt like ages, she finally found a suitable location.
Of course, if that was all, she wouldn't have been so out of breath.
The cause of her exhaustion was none other than the fact that she had been chased by beasts in the form of wolves.
Aside from that… the burden she had to carry all the while breaking the predator's ankle.
"Fu… You're… Lucky… that…. Ha…. You're so… light…"
"Is that so? Thank you very much."
"I was… being… sarcastic… Ha…"
Ignoring the blank faced nun, Aria caught her own breath.
It had been a long time since she had to exert herself like this.
Fortunately, she didn't exhaust all of her stamina. Otherwise, she might've just fainted right there and then.
After a short while, she's finally not as breathless as she was before.
Now that she could form real sentences instead of stopping every few words, she chalked up to the only companion she had.
She had long since accepted magic as the norm in this world, so she could just satiate the last few curiosity she has remaining.
Especially about Rachel's capabilities.
"Don't you have any buffs or anything? Something that could help out with physical activities, if possible."
"What makes you think so?"
"Huh? I mean, don't priests usually give out buffs to the allies?"
"...That's right. I do have enhancement magic."
"Ah, perfect! Can't you cast some on me?"
Aria asked excitedly.
Because although she had never shown it before, magic is just such an interesting topic for any man worldwide.
She herself believed that Magic is a man's Romance.
In that case, isn't it only natural for her to be excited to witness one personally and in a controlled environment?
"I can't."
"Ah?"
It felt like cold water had suddenly been poured on her head. Wondering if she had heard wrong, she searched for affirmation.
"You can't?"
"Yes, my mana reserves itself have dried out due to our mana exchange."
"..."
"...?"
Hey, why does it feel like you're looking at me like I'm the weird one?
How could you have the heart to raise my hope and then run away right as I was about to reach epiphany?
Thinking Aria had misunderstood something, Rachel continued talking.
"My mana reserves are practically empty at this moment. Unless you're that desperate, I could cast a few spells to help you. Although, my survival would be at risk by then."
"...I see."
What a bummer.
Oh well, It's not something I could force out of her anyways.
Besides, I wasn't that interested in magic that I would force someone into cardiac arrest just so I can have my 20 seconds of joy.
It's not like a cool magic that could help me jump up multiple stories building and fly around would interest me at all. Nope.
While trapped in her own thoughts, Aria's name was called out.
"Why don't you try casting your own spells?"
"Woah…Ah? Huh? Oh! Wait, you were talking to me?"
"Who else could I be talking to?"
Tilting her head as if it's a natural thing to do, Rachel casually responded.
But… eh?
Her? Cast spells?
Nobody needs a reminder about the fact that she herself wasn't a local in this world.
Would she even have a speck of talent in magic?
Though… the thought itself couldn't bring any harm, could it?
With that in mind, she approved of Rachel's idea.
"In that case… Please teach me, teacher!"
Exaggerating her bow, Aria did her best in portraying herself as a hardworking student that follows order.
"Have you ever casted any magic before?"
To start, her now proclaimed teacher began her lesson by asking questions.
"Not that I can remember. I lost my memories after all."
"In that case, the easiest way to learn would be through direct-contact."
"Direct-contact?"
Nodding her head, the nun proceeded to take a hold of Aria's left hand, grasping her own with them.
"I will now direct that mana flow in your body, once you experience what it is like to cast magic, it should be pretty pretty to do them again on your own."
"Is that right?"
Feeling dubious, the canine decided to put her trust into her companion.
In an instant, an unknown feel started to pour and move around from her hand, slowly leading down her veins into her skin.
It started with warmth, then coldness, as if something had been lost.
Though it felt weird, it was not a bad feeling.
While that may be the case for Aria, Rachel was facing a problem of her own.
From the outside, it would look like she's barely working up a sweat since her poker face had been trained to the limit.
But the nun was currently fighting a mental battle.
The dark mana… it's fighting back.
It's ridiculous.
She herself had poured all these mana, yet they are fighting against their original owner?
How could someone's mana be so… unique?
She did not face these problems during the mana-exchange session. Due to that, she thought it wouldn't be the case this time too.
But that was a futile thought seeing as to how there is opposition from this.
The only saving grace that's helping her at this moment was their mana compatibility. Without it, she would have coughed out blood out of frustration.
"Is something wrong?"
Aria noticed that the nun hadn't talked in a while and thought something had gone astray.
"...No, just some minor inconveniences."
Rachel responded monotonously.
After a while, she started talking again.
"The steps should be pretty simple. First, try imagining you're taking a deep breath."
Following her instruction, Aria inhaled deeply."
"The air you're inhaling is mana, now exhale."
Aria exhaled.
"The air you're exhaling is the spell you casted."
"Is that it?"
Could magic really be that simple?
"Yes. While others may take a long time to learn through theories, practical training serves as a way to accelerate growth. In which case, it allows you to save time and effort."
Although the explanation was fulfilling, it doesn't feel real. There's no way a subject that had never existed in another parallel could be used simply by imagining such a simple solution.
"Ah, does that mean magic can't be casted underwater?"
Aria questioned her teacher.
"Air and water both contain mana, but of different quality and quantity." Rachel explained. "While water has a higher volume of mana, the quality of the mana contained in the air is much purer for magic usage."
"Ah, I remember you saying something about mana existing in our veins? Can you also cast magic using them?"
"That's correct. Most mages in this era actually prefer using magic that comes from the mana inside their body as they are more familiar with it." The grip of her hand tightened. "Of course, there are pros and cons to using magic with either technique."
"Though using personal mana makes the spell more powerful, it also puts restrictions on the user. Since you do not have experiences with casting anything, using your own personal mana reserve has a possibility of draining you of everything in your body which might lead to casualties."
Ugh…
Aria felt like her brain melted halfway through the explanation.
Try not to misunderstand, the explanation itself was pretty simple, but she just wasn't able to focus entirely on them.
She had been a man her whole life until just a week ago, of course she hasn't gotten used to being the opposite gender just yet.
And what is it that made her lose focus?
'Warm…'
Rachel is currently holding her hand in a tight grip.
'But, woman, aren't you holding me too tightly?'
At this rate, she thought that blood might no longer circulate through the fingers.
Fortunately, she quickly got used to the contact and regained focus right near the end.
Not concerned about Aria's weird behaviour, Rachel began guiding her.
"Now, let your intuition take over. This version of practical training relies more on instinct rather than skills. In that case, even if you master all the theory, it will still be quite a challenge."
"No wonder…"
Aria recalled Rachel's previous explanation about practical training helping accelerate growth.
"Now, cast any spell. I will control the mana flow to make sure you don't drain everything at once."
Putting aside all worries, the canine closed her eyes.
Although Rachel had already explained that there is no longer a risk of death, she still felt nervous.
After all, isn't this the first time she ever casted anything?
If she succeeded, there's no doubt euphoria would take over…
Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind.
Bright light, she shielded herself using her arms as magic circles circulated through the air in front of her, defending herself from the attack of the dragon.
'Ah…'
Almost as quickly as it came, it disappeared.
Back to the present, magic circles were floating in front of her, flickering in and out of existence.
'I casted something like this before…'
Turns out, it was not the first time she casted magic, after all.