The Villain Professor's Second Chance

"So you've come, Draven," Aurelia said, her voice dripping with nonchalance as she glanced up from her desk. Her blazing hair that now has platinum blonde bangs shimmered in the light of her study, and her eyes held that familiar mix of disdain and sharp intelligence. She wore her confidence like armor, though there was a certain focus about her today that set her apart from our previous sessions.

Something in her gaze spoke of determination, an eagerness even.

"Your Majesty," I responded, inclining my head in respect. I had grown accustomed to her brash language, and today, it seemed there was a different edge to it—one of actual commitment. It wasn't often that Queen Aurelia approached our sessions with anything more than half-hearted interest, but today she seemed genuinely prepared, almost... excited.

Perhaps she'd gotten tired of being lazy, or perhaps she just enjoyed proving people wrong—myself included.

But I know the actual reason.

It's the challenge of Go.

"You ready for another round of magical fundamentals?" I asked, keeping my voice level and professional, though I knew what her reaction would be. Aurelia had a particular aversion to being treated like a student, even if she was undeniably capable.

She scoffed, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "Ugh, this again? The way you say it, you make it sound so dull, bastard."

Ignoring the insult, I remained composed. "Magic has its foundations, and without understanding those, even someone as naturally gifted as yourself could falter."

Aurelia smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Flattery won't make me more excited, but sure, let's get on with it. Just be ready when I prove you wrong, like last time."

She was right; she had surprised me before. Her natural understanding of concepts that even accomplished mages found challenging showed she was truly a genius. Yet, even geniuses had their flaws—and in her case, those flaws were masked by arrogance and impatience.

"Very well," I said, clasping my hands behind my back. "We're starting from the beginning, again. Your Majesty, what is mana?" I watched her, the silence between us deliberate, giving her the floor to explain. Her answer would determine the course of our lesson.

She sighed, then pushed herself to sit straighter. "Mana is the life force that exists within everything, including us. It's the essence we manipulate to create spells. In the world around us, mana flows through the air, the earth, and all living beings. It's both inside and outside of us.

Those with a natural affinity can control their internal mana, while those without simply live in a world enriched by it." She tilted her head, as if daring me to contradict her. "How's that for an answer, teacher?"

I paused, giving her an appraising look. It was, as I expected from her, a mostly correct answer. "Partly correct, but not entirely," I said. I noticed her eyes narrow slightly, the irritation at being corrected already surfacing.

"You see, while it's true that mana exists both internally and externally, there's a key distinction that many mages misunderstand. Mana exists in the world—in the air, in the earth—but the mana of nature cannot be easily controlled. Only those who have achieved a certain level of mastery can command the mana in nature.

In simpler terms, the mana that flows outside of our bodies isn't something just anyone can wield."

She gave me a skeptical look, clearly unimpressed. "I know all this, Draven. What's new here?"

I kept my expression neutral, unbothered by her impatience. "Bear with me, Your Majesty. Mana within nature can only be harnessed by two categories of magic users—those who practice spirit magic and those who make use of magic circles, also known as modern magic. The latter allows even common practitioners to tap into nature's mana.

However, even with these methods, a mage must still use their own internal mana to control and channel the external force."

I could see the gears turning in her mind, her fiery eyes locked onto me. It was this intensity that made teaching her worthwhile. The frustration she wore wasn't from being lectured; it was from her desperate desire to fully grasp the depth of every word, of every concept.

"So, then," I continued, letting my voice drop slightly, "if nature's mana requires us to expend our internal mana to manipulate it, where does our internal mana come from?"

I allowed a moment of silence to hang between us, watching as her eyes narrowed, her mind working. She opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated before finally saying, "It comes from within us, from our essence, our ancestry... and from our connection to the world itself."

I tilted my head slightly. "Half correct." Her scowl deepened, but I carried on. "The mana inside every living being is derived not just from their familial bond, but also from something even more fundamental—their origin. Our origins determine the type of mana we wield, and that is why mana is divided into various categories: attributes, elements, and traits."

Aurelia's eyes narrowed, but she stayed silent, waiting for me to continue. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, no matter how annoyed she became.

"Attributes," I said, pacing slowly as I spoke, "are specific to a bloodline. They are inherited abilities, traits passed down through generations. They represent a family's heritage and the unique power that comes with it—such as your golden-red mana, for example. Elements are what you might expect—fire, water, earth, air—basic, primal forces that can be shaped by anyone with an affinity for them.

Continue your journey on empire

And finally, traits—these are what set the foundation for a mage's true nature. Traits such as Destruction, Harmony, or Preservation."

I paused, looking at Aurelia. Her fiery temper was subdued for once, her full focus on me, her gaze sharp. "So, what makes all of this significant?" she asked, her voice surprisingly soft.

I nodded approvingly. "Good question, Your Majesty. The answer lies in something most nobles keep hidden under the guise of 'privilege and blessing of power and nobility.' You see, attributes, traits, and even elemental affinities are not just coincidences. They are born from an ideology—an ideology so deeply rooted in the family's bloodline that it becomes a part of them.

A legacy engraved not in words, but in the very essence of their being."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Aurelia tilted her head slightly, her eyes studying me intently. "Are you saying that the magic a person can wield is determined by... what, their family's beliefs?" She almost sounded incredulous.

"Precisely," I said, my voice carrying a slight edge. "For instance, your mana—golden-red in color—comes from an ideology embedded in your bloodline. The ideology of dominance, of strength, of nobility. This belief in the supremacy of your bloodline manifests itself as your unique attribute. It's why you excel in combative and aggressive spells without much effort."

She looked at me, her brows furrowed, but there was understanding there, a glimmer of realization that made me press forward.

"The concept of mana is not just physical," I said, my voice dropping to a softer tone. "It's spiritual, it's ideological. It's the embodiment of what your ancestors believed, what they stood for. That's why noble families maintain power—it's not just about politics or wealth; it's about the magic in their blood, the ideals engraved into their lineage. And that, Your Majesty, is the origin attribute."

Aurelia leaned back, her expression contemplative. For once, she didn't have a sharp retort. She seemed to be absorbing the weight of my words, understanding the depth of what I was saying. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, her gaze becoming distant as she processed the implications.

"Alright," she finally said, her voice more measured. "I think I understand. My mana isn't just mine—it's a legacy. A culmination of everything my bloodline represents."

"Correct," I said, nodding slightly. "And that is precisely why you must understand not just the mechanics of magic, but also the ideology behind it. Because imagination, is a great fuel for magic. While imagination, similar to beliefs, molded and engraved well before delivered through generations by bloodline.

Your origin attribute grants you immense power, but it also ties you to your lineage in a way that few understand."

Aurelia was silent for a moment, then she smirked, her fiery demeanor returning. "Well, bastard, I guess that means I've got some pretty powerful ancestors, huh?"

I couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at my lips. "Indeed, Your Majesty. But power is meaningless without control. Which brings us to the practical part of today's session."

Her smirk widened. "Finally, something interesting."