Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 78: Private Lesson (1)

The classroom buzzed with quiet conversation as students settled into their seats. It was a large, designed in tiers so that even those in the back could see clearly.

Sunlight streamed in through tall windows, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden desks.

Lindarion sat near the center, arms crossed, his usual expression unreadable.

To his left, Cassian leaned back in his chair, tapping a quill idly against his parchment, while Luneth sat to his right, ever silent, her gaze calmly sweeping across the room.

At the front of the hall stood Professor Nyx, the academy's renowned instructor for Mana Studies.

Unlike most professors, who dressed in elaborate robes or adorned themselves with magical insignia, Nyx kept things simple.

She wore a fitted, dark-blue coat over a white tunic, sleeves rolled up just past her elbows.

A faint trace of mana shimmered around her fingertips as she casually adjusted the stack of books on her desk.

Her eyes carried a sharp intelligence, but her expression was kind—warm, even. Despite her reputation, she lacked the cold and distant demeanor of many other professors.

"Alright, let's begin our second lesson." Her voice was smooth, carrying an effortless authority that silenced the room.

"This is Mana Studies, which means we won't be swinging swords or flinging fireballs. Instead, we'll focus on something far more important this lesson…which is—understanding mana itself."

She let the words hang for a moment, then smiled.

"Of course, most of you think you already understand it, don't you?"

A few students chuckled.

Nyx leaned against her desk. "Then let's test that. Who can explain the fundamental nature of mana?"

A few hands shot up. Predictably, they belonged to the more studious types—noble-born mages who had likely spent years being drilled on magical theory.

Nyx pointed to a girl in the front row. "Go ahead."

The student straightened. "Mana is the life force that flows through all living things. It exists in nature, within our bodies, and in the atmosphere. By manipulating it, mages can cast spells."

Nyx nodded. "A textbook answer. Not wrong—but incomplete." She looked around. "Anyone else?"

Another student raised a hand. "Mana exists in different affinities, which determine what kind of magic a person can use."

"Also correct," Nyx acknowledged. "But still not the full picture."

She glanced across the room, her gaze landing on Lindarion.

"What about you?" she asked, a knowing glint in her eyes. "You've been quiet."

A few heads turned toward him.

Lindarion exhaled slowly. He could already tell what was happening—Nyx wasn't just looking for a generic answer.

She wanted his answer.

He uncrossed his arms. "Mana is not just a tool for magic," he said, his voice even. "It's a fundamental force of existence. It binds the physical and ethereal worlds together. Every living being has it, but only some can shape it consciously."

Nyx nodded. "Go on."

Lindarion tapped a finger against the desk. "Most mages think of mana in terms of casting spells, but that's a limited perspective. It influences everything—perception, instincts, even emotions. Mastery of mana isn't just about controlling it externally, but internally as well."

Silence stretched for a moment.

Then Nyx smiled.

"Now that is the right answer."

A few murmurs ran through the class. Cassian shot Lindarion a glance, impressed. Luneth remained unreadable, though he swore he caught the faintest flicker of interest in her eyes.

Nyx straightened. "Lindarion is exactly right. Mana is not just fuel for magic—it is existence. Those who truly understand it don't just cast stronger spells. They perceive the world differently."

She turned back to the board and began drawing a complex diagram.

"This brings us to today's lesson. We'll be discussing how different things affect the magical output of a mage."

She suddenly snapped her fingers and books appeared before every single student.

"Open your books to page forty-three."

—

The lecture continued, diving into the intricacies of mana pathways and the ways different affinities altered circulation. Most students scribbled notes furiously, struggling to keep up.

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Lindarion, however, absorbed the information with ease.

It wasn't arrogance—just experience. After all, he had been taught by far more… unconventional instructors.

Some who didn't believe in "formal lessons" and instead preferred trial by survival.

As Nyx explained the different mana circulation methods again, he mentally compared them to what he already knew about them as she haven't ventured into new information.

'Most of this is standard theory. The same as the last lesson..'

But then Nyx said something that caught his attention.

"However, there is one rare phenomenon that occurs when mana flow is fully optimized." She tapped the board. "It's called Resonance."

A few students perked up.

Nyx smiled. "I see some of you have heard of it. Can anyone explain?"

One student raised his hand. "Resonance is when a mage's mana harmonizes perfectly with their body, allowing them to cast spells with almost no loss of energy."

"Correct," Nyx said. "It's incredibly difficult to achieve. Some mages spend their entire lives trying and never succeed."

Lindarion leaned back slightly.

'Resonance…that sounds amazing.'

He had felt something like that before… fleeting moments where his mana reacted too smoothly, where spells became effortless. But he had never actively pursued it.

Maybe it was worth looking into.

—

By the time class ended, most students were mentally drained. Cassian stretched, groaning. "I swear, my brain is going to explode."

Lindarion gave him a flat look. "That's because you don't use it often enough."

Cassian gasped, clutching his chest. "Betrayed…."

Luneth, walking beside them, simply muttered, "He's not wrong."

Cassian shot her an incredulous look. "You too, Luneth?"

Before they could continue, Nyx's voice rang out.

"Lindarion, stay for a moment."

Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Are you in trouble?"

Lindarion ignored him, stepping back toward the professor's desk.

Nyx waited until the other students had filtered out before crossing her arms. "You understood today's lecture far better than most."

Lindarion shrugged. "I've had good teachers."

Nyx studied him for a moment. "Your understanding of mana is already beyond what we typically cover in this course. Which makes me wonder…" She tilted her head. "Where did you learn all this? Of course, it's not necessary for you to answer at all."

Lindarion met her gaze.

For a moment, he considered how to answer. He could lie—pretend to be just another noble-born prodigy who had been tutored by prestigious scholars.

But Nyx was sharp.

And more importantly… he wasn't ashamed of his instructors and masters. Not that he should be.

So he simply said, "From people who don't care about titles or academy rankings."

Nyx exhaled, amused. "That's an interesting way to put it." She leaned against her desk. "Well, whatever the case, you have talent. Real talent."

There was no flattery in her tone—just a simple statement of fact.

She studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright. That's all for today. You can go."

Lindarion turned to leave—

Then paused.

"…Professor."

Nyx raised an eyebrow.

He hesitated, then asked, "This Resonance you mentioned. Is there a way to train it?"

Nyx's lips curled into a slow smile. "Ah. Now you're asking the right questions."

She leaned forward slightly. "Meet me at the training grounds tomorrow evening. I'll show you something."

Lindarion nodded. "Understood."

As he stepped out of the lecture hall, he found Cassian and Luneth waiting for him.

Cassian smirked. "Soooo, what was that about?"

Lindarion exhaled. "Nothing important."

Luneth, ever perceptive, simply glanced at him. "…You're lying."

Lindarion smirked. "Maybe."

As they walked, he let his thoughts drift back to Nyx's words.

'Resonance, huh?'

Maybe this class was going to be more interesting than he thought.

—

Evening had settled over the academy, casting long shadows across the training grounds. The usual crowd of students had dwindled, most having retired to their dormitories or the library to cram for upcoming lectures.

But Lindarion was still here.

He stood at the center of the field, waiting. His arms were crossed, his posture relaxed, but his mind was alert.

It wasn't long before Professor Nyx arrived.

She carried herself with the same effortless confidence as in class, but there was something different now. Less of the composed lecturer, more of a seasoned instructor sizing up a student.

"You're early," she noted.

"You're late, professor." Lindarion countered.

Nyx chuckled. "You remind me of someone."

She didn't elaborate, and Lindarion didn't press.

Instead, he watched as she stepped closer, her eyes scanning him thoughtfully. "Tell me, Lindarion—why are you interested in Resonance?"

Lindarion considered his answer.

Because he had felt it before. Fleeting moments where his mana moved so smoothly it felt effortless, like his body and magic were one.

Because despite all his training, there was still a gap—a thin but infuriating one—that separated him from the likes of Sera.

Because if he wanted to stand on that level… he needed to push beyond the limits of conventional mana control.

But instead of saying all that, he simply replied:

"I don't like wasting potential."

Nyx's gaze lingered on him before she nodded.

"Good answer."

She took a step back. "Then let's begin."

Nyx didn't start with any flashy displays of magic.

Instead, she raised a single finger.

"Resonance isn't something you force," she said. "It's something you cultivate. A mage's mana should move through them as naturally as blood through their veins. Most people rely on spells to shape their mana, but Resonance requires something deeper."

She tapped her temple. "It requires alignment—mind, body, and magic acting as one."

Lindarion listened carefully.

"First, we test your natural mana flow."

Nyx gestured toward the training ground. "Stand there. Close your eyes. Don't do anything fancy—just feel your mana."

Lindarion frowned slightly but obeyed.

He closed his eyes and focused inward.

Mana was always there, just beneath the surface—an extension of himself.

He could sense it pooling in his core, flowing through his limbs like an unseen current. It was steady, controlled, precise.

Nyx watched him for a moment before speaking.

"Good. Now, accelerate it."

Lindarion adjusted his breathing, letting his mana flow faster. It was like adjusting the tempo of a song—smooth, controlled, effortless.

Nyx raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. Your control is already above most advanced mages."

Lindarion opened his eyes slightly. "Is that surprising?"

Nyx smirked. "Not really. But control alone won't get you Resonance."