I started learning to manipulate mana from Master Cesare a week ago, but unfortunately, I still couldn’t sense it. When I expressed my discouragement, Master Cesare reassured me that even those with a natural talent for magic typically need about two weeks to two months to feel mana. This timeframe is especially true for those in their early teens, an age when magical talent tends to flourish. Since I was starting at a later age, it could take me even longer.

Given this general guideline, not sensing mana after just a week wasn’t particularly slow. However, my goal wasn’t to become a mage; I wanted to calm the mana within my body to overcome the aftereffects of Trintz disease. Contrary to my hopes, I struggled to feel the mana, which only heightened my anxiety.

Despite having a palliative, the aftereffects would sometimes return, and enduring the excruciating pain and overwhelming helplessness was unbearable. I felt impatient, fearing I might taste blood with every breath, and there were moments when my head throbbed so intensely that I couldn’t think clearly.

Experiencing such frequent pain in just a week made life feel unbearable. Usually, I had to rely entirely on palliatives, but when I was with Master Cesare, he would forcibly guide the wild mana within me. Miraculously, the twisting pain and splitting headaches would vanish instantly.

Having experienced this twice, I realized the incredible power of directly manipulating mana to quell its chaos. I was eager to learn how to control mana myself so I could manage the aftereffects without relying on others. Just achieving that would bring me comfort and reduce my worries about the pain.

Lost in these thoughts, I let out a long sigh.

“Don’t rush it; try to feel it calmly. Mana won’t run away,” Master Cesare advised, noticing my restlessness. I smiled and nodded, wanting to show gratitude to someone who was helping me selflessly.

“Yes, I won’t rush.”

“Good. Now, let’s try again.”

Master Cesare infused the surroundings with mana, and I felt the air grow heavier as I slowly closed my eyes.

After a while, I sensed a subtle flow, distinct from the wind. It was faint yet soft and seamless, a strange sensation that remained steady despite the breeze.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at Master Cesare, who tilted his head in curiosity at my sudden surprise.

“What’s the matter?”

“Just now… I felt something like a strange flow.”

“A flow? What did it feel like?”

“It was different from the wind… I can’t quite explain it, but it felt like a fine stream of water.”

I detailed my experience as best as I could. Master Cesare listened intently and then broke into a broad smile.

“My goodness! Viscountess Marves! You finally felt it!”

“No way…”

At his words, a glimmer of hope sparked within me that the subtle flow I sensed might indeed be mana.

“That’s right! Based on your description, it seems you’ve actually felt the mana. You’ve succeeded! This is faster than anyone I know. Congratulations!”

As Master Cesare clapped in congratulations, the reality of my achievement sank in—I could truly feel mana, just as I had longed to. It felt almost miraculous.

“It seems my suspicions were correct,” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’ve been using mana stones for your treatment, haven’t you? I suspected that your sensitivity to mana would be higher than average, which is why I agreed to help when you requested it. Do you remember?”

I recalled the day Master Cesare visited the Viscountess’ residence.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Regardless, it’s fortunate. Being able to feel mana is a significant step for you. I believe you’ll recover from the aftereffects much more quickly now.”

“Do you really think so?” Hearing such encouraging words from the Master of the Magic Tower filled me with hope.

“Absolutely. To ensure you don’t forget this feeling, let’s concentrate again.”

“Yes! I understand!”

Before I could fully celebrate my week of progress, Master Cesare urged me to focus once more. I closed my eyes again to confirm that my earlier sensation wasn’t just an illusion.

As the air around me thickened with mana, I began to search for that faint, breeze-like energy I had sensed before.

How long did I concentrate? Eventually, I felt that alien flow again. This time, I didn’t open my eyes in excitement but focused intently on how the energy moved.

Initially, I sensed a thread-like flow, but as I concentrated more, it expanded, coiling around me like a snake. The mana Master Cesare had infused was moving in this way. Even someone like me, who knew little, could recognize the heaviness in the air.

With my eyes still closed, I raised my hand. The mana around me scattered at my gesture but quickly reformed into a larger current. I could only feel the heavy air with my hand; it was amusing to describe the air as heavy, yet it was true.

“It seems you can feel it to some extent, am I right?” Master Cesare asked cheerfully. I nodded in affirmation.

“Good. Now let’s proceed a bit faster. Try to move the mana directly with your eyes closed.”

“Move it? Me?”

“Yes. You need to control external mana to manipulate the mana within your body.”

As he spoke, the flow of mana shifted slightly. What had felt like a single snake now resembled an erratic flow, like a gentle breeze intertwining and clashing.

“Let’s start by connecting the scattered mana into one, as you did before. There’s no need to rush; just give it a try.”

“Yes.”

I attempted to gather the scattered mana around me, but despite my efforts, it wouldn’t move as I wished. I stood there, waving my hands foolishly, much like I had for a week just to feel the mana.

“Now, let’s wrap it up.”

As Master Cesare gathered the mana, the air lightened. I opened my eyes, unable to hide my disappointment, my shoulders slumping.

I had hoped that since I could feel mana in a week, I would soon be able to move it as well, but it seemed that moving mana was a different challenge altogether.

“Don’t be too disappointed. Just being able to feel mana in a week means you’re doing exceptionally well, Viscountess Marves.”

“Do you really think so?” I asked weakly.

He nodded confidently. “Even I couldn’t feel mana within a week. You’re making great progress, Viscountess Marves. You might even set a record for becoming a mage in the shortest time.”

His lighthearted joke made me smile bashfully.

“Thank you, Master Cesare. I think I’m learning quickly because I have such a good teacher.”

“It’s an honor to hear that.”

“Would you like to have some tea? Rivet probably prepared some refreshments.”

I offered as Master Cesare prepared to leave, wanting to show my gratitude for his generous guidance in teaching me to manipulate mana without expecting anything in return.

Previously, he had asked for tea as payment for the lessons, so I suggested it.

Master Cesare hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a shy smile.

“Then, may I?”

“Of course. This way, please.”

I smiled at him as if it was natural. Then I led Master Cesare to the sitting room.