The next day at school, Jinnai approached me immediately.
"Hey, old man, were you okay yesterday?" Jinnai asked.
"Yeah, I was fine. I practiced feeling the flow of my mana (magic energy)."
"The flow of mana? You can feel that?"
"At first I couldn't, but someone helped me, and little by little I began to feel it. From now on, I will train after school."
"Whoa. So, what happens if you can feel it?"
"They say you can control the power of your magic."
"Oh, I see. Well, I'm gonna go all out anyway. You do your best too, old man," he said with a grin.
"I will."
After I went home, I focused on the flow of mana. After drinking a chu-hai, I lost concentration and gave up, but consistent training pays off. When I woke up this morning, I could clearly feel the flow of mana better than yesterday.
During break, Ichikawa invited me to dinner, but I explained my extra lessons and politely declined. It was difficult to refuse Ichikawa, but I needed to focus on mastering magic, as I was far behind my classmates.
"Then, may I invite you again once your extra lessons ease up?" Ichikawa asked.
"Yes, of course. Please do," I said.
"I'm glad," she answered.
Ichikawa was so kind. Despite my refusal, she still wanted to invite me again. Perhaps it was just courtesy, but for a single man like me, being asked out by a beautiful woman felt like a dream.
Classes proceeded as usual. I continued to observe the practice, knowing I'd break the target again if I participated. After discussing with Kitaoji, we agreed I'd keep watching until I could control my power. Still, I trained mentally while observing.
I filled my body with mana while memorizing the magic book, and time flew by. Feeling a small sense of accomplishment, I finished class and headed to the principal's office.
"Ah, Hanaoka-san. How are you doing?" the principal asked.
"Yes, I practiced after I went home yesterday, so I can feel it better than yesterday."
"Oh! As expected. Then let us move to the next step."
"Yes."
So I could move on. I felt happy, as if I was truly growing.
"When you use magic, you instinctively channel mana into the spell and release it. If you consciously control how much you release, you can adjust the power of your magic," the principal said.
"I see."
"From now on, Hanaoka-san, practice releasing mana without incanting the spell."
"Release mana without the spell?"
"Yes. Start by releasing it from your palm. Once you're comfortable, you can move it through your body and direct it wherever you want."
"I understand. How should I do it?"
"Maintain the mana flow you've learned to sense and release it from your palm. Let's head to the training room, just in case."
"Okay."
Just like yesterday, we headed to the training room and began. Since I'd maintained awareness, I could clearly feel the mana flow. I focused on my right hand, sensing the flow intensify slightly. After a while, I felt mana emanating from my fingertips, though only from there, not the entire palm.
I concentrated harder on my palm, visualizing mana flowing from my body into my right hand.
Notes:
• Jinnai - A 19-year-old student first seen at orientation; questions Hanaoka about age and life due to curiosity; caused by meeting a much older classmate; connects as classmate; married; blunt but friendly.
• Ichikawa - 23-year-old Little Witch specializing in support magic. Intellectual with studious aura; wears well-suited glasses enhancing her beauty. Boldly romantic ("How about me for you?"), directly propositions Hanaoka during pasta dinner and hints at overnight stay ("didn’t want to go home tonight").
• Kitaoji - Older, small man. First introduced as school’s odd‑jobs/handyman. Kind, surprised by Hanaoka’s power. But later, he is the school principal; acts as Hanaoka’s magic instructor, guides him to sense his own mana.