Chapter 60 – Fundamentals of Magic Theory

Beside the corridor on the first floor of the main building.

A different classroom, but the same black-robed Lady Amisha.

What Mo Lan had imagined—the Headmistress citing classical references and explaining magic theory following the textbook’s structure—did not happen.

“First, read Chapter One of ‘What Exactly Is Magic》 on your own. Mark any parts you don’t understand, and after you’ve finished reading, ask me your questions. I’ll answer each one.”

After Lady Amisha finished speaking, she sat down in her chair with the composure of a deity at rest. Mo Lan even noticed her wiggle her bottom to get comfortable.

No lecture, not even reading aloud from the textbook—she simply told them to read it themselves.

Mo Lan had already finished the first chapter long ago and had several points of confusion, all of which she’d already marked with annotations.

She remembered everything she’d read, so there was no need to review.

So for now, she simply picked up where she’d left off that morning and continued reading ahead.

After about half an hour, many of the young witches had read through the first chapter two or three times, and some had even given in to the temptation of reading ahead. Only then did Lady Amisha clap her hands: “Alright, if there’s anything you don’t understand, ask away!”

While the other young witches were still mulling over which question to ask, Mo Lan’s hand shot up in a flash.

“Moira! Go ahead!” Amisha called on her by name.

Mo Lan didn’t even need to flip open her book. “What exactly does ‘the inclusivity of mana’ mean, as mentioned in the second paragraph of Chapter One?”

“Angel force, demon force, the magical power of witches, the psychic power of human mages, the elemental forces drifting freely in nature… these are all merely different manifestations of energy. But only mana is energy itself—the source of all energies. It possesses the characteristics of every type of energy, can accept any energy, and can substitute for any energy. To possess mana is essentially to possess all energies. That is what the inclusivity of mana means.

Among all forms of energy, only mana and magical power lack exclusivity.

Angels cannot use dark magic. Demons cannot use holy light magic. Human mages can only master one or a few schools of magic. Elves can only use nature and Plant Magic. Merfolk can only use water magic and ice magic. This is all because the energy they possess has insufficient inclusivity,” Amisha explained.

This time Mo Lan understood: “Is the reason Sorceresses possess aptitude for all schools of magic precisely because mana has such extraordinary inclusivity?”

“Exactly.” Amisha nodded.

“Then since both mana and magical power have inclusivity and neither is exclusive, why do witches still have an upper limit on their Talent?” Mo Lan asked next.

“That’s because the potency of magical power is far inferior to that of mana.

Inclusivity merely allows magical power to cast all schools of magic, which is why witches can at least achieve a basic grasp of any type of magic.

But it’s the potency of energy that determines the ultimate extent of a spell’s effectiveness.

A witch only has high potency in the magical power of certain schools.

Only a Sorceress has extraordinarily high potency across all schools.

The energy level of a witch’s magical power ranks below angel force and demon force—not because of insufficient inclusivity, but because of insufficient potency.”

“Which is ultimately more important, potency or inclusivity?”

“Potency is somewhat more important than inclusivity. It’s the same principle behind how an Intermediate Sorceress can still be thoroughly thrashed by a Peak-level witch.”

Amisha looked at Mo Lan with an amused smile.

“…” Mo Lan suspected Lady Amisha was trying to intimidate her, but that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for asking questions.

“Is it possible to change one’s dominant energy after the fact?”

“Yes. But only those at Peak level and above have the opportunity.”

“What kind of opportunity?”

“The Well of the Sky.”

“What’s it like inside the Well of the Sky?”

“That cannot be spoken of.”

…

When it came to answering questions, Lady Amisha was truly not the least bit evasive. Mo Lan seized the chance to ask a whole barrage of questions—some had arisen while she was reading, some she’d always had, and others she thought of on the spot.

Aside from the questions about the Well of the Sky, Lady Amisha answered everything.

Having asked all her questions, Mo Lan sat down with complete satisfaction.

“Next—who else has questions?” Amisha asked.

Having been bombarded by the rapid-fire exchange of magical secrets between Mo Lan and Lady Amisha, the young witches hadn’t quite recovered yet.

It took three prompts from Lady Amisha before someone finally raised their hand: “Headmistress, exactly how many different forms of energy are there? Is the energy mastered by each Race unique?”

“The number of energy forms cannot be precisely measured. Each time a species capable of utilizing energy is discovered, a new form of energy may be found along with it. However, it’s not the case that every Race commands a different form of energy—that’s only true within Valen.

But beyond Valen, there is the endless starry sky and countless other worlds. It wouldn’t be surprising if there are races that command the same forms of energy out there.”

…

Lady Amisha answered the questions one by one, only stopping after she had addressed every young witch’s question: “Are you certain there are no more questions?”

The young witches all shook their heads.

“Then it’s my turn to ask,” Amisha said. “If you can’t answer my questions, they’ll become your homework.”

The young witches: “!!!∑(Дノ)ノ”

Nobody had mentioned this beforehand! The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

For the first time today, Lady Amisha stepped down from the podium:

“Chapter One primarily discussed the relationship between magic and energy, as well as the nature of energy.

You all have a decent understanding of the nature of energy by now, so can anyone tell me—what exactly is the relationship between magic and energy?”

The young witches breathed a small sigh of relief. This question was answered in the very first sentence of the chapter. They responded confidently: “Magic is the application of energy?”

“Then how exactly is it applied? Is the magic used by Sorceresses, witches, angels, demons, dragons, and humans all the same? If not, what are the differences?”

The young witches, who hadn’t yet learned a single proper spell: “…”

Even Mo Lan couldn’t answer that one.

“Well then, your homework is settled.

All young witches are to write an essay titled ‘On the Application of Magic Across Different Forms of Energy’ after class. There is no word limit.

It should cover the principles of magical application for the common races of the continent. Submit it to me before class next Monday morning.

I suggest referencing Volume Seven of 《The Continent of Valen》.

Class dismissed!”

Lady Amisha hurried off, leaving behind nothing but a group of young witches stunned by the homework bomb.

Mo Lan was perfectly calm. What school doesn’t assign homework, after all?

She actually thought the Witch Academy waiting until the second week to start assigning homework was a bit late.

She took a blank page from her Grimoire, placed it after the index page and the ‘Beginner’s Guide’ page as the third page, and then wrote:

“First Year, Second Week, Monday (July 22nd).

Fundamentals of Magic Theory homework: Write an essay titled ‘On the Application of Magic Across Different Forms of Energy,’ no word limit…

Deadline: Before the first class next Monday (July 29th).”