Kalliphae heaved a sigh and droned in my head. Alright. Let’s go teach Wendy how to use her mana.

She wasn’t as mad as I thought she was going to be. Of course, Kalli didn’t have a right to be mad. Did she? She was in a group with Alex after all. I did feel a little guilty that I was in a group with just a girl though.

Climbing to my feet and opening the door, I turned back and offered Kalli my hand.

Are you mad at me?

She looked at my offered hand for a second before smiling and gently taking it. Mad at you for joining a group? Of course not. I’m glad you’re making friends, Mel. Um, are there a lot of people in your group?

That was the question I hoped she wouldn’t ask.

It’s just the two of us.

I couldn’t make out the emotion coming from Kalli. She wasn’t mad but she also didn’t like what I said. Did you invite her or did she invite you?

She invited me.

Kalli sighed out loud as I guided her through the courtyard to the little shop that Wendy liked. I chuckled when I saw the green-haired girl. Wendy was surrounded by several nervous waitresses who were picking noodles out of her hair.

Kalli pinched my wrist. Don’t laugh at her. That’s rude.

My jaw snapped shut and I walked over to wendy saying, “What happened?”

Wendy didn’t appear to want to say it out loud. I did what you did and when I put my wind into the broth it exploded.

Did you use wind or your mana?

The frown on Wendy’s face indicated that she was unsure. I thought I was using my mana the same way you used yours. How can I tell the difference?

I decided to fill Kalli in before going on.

She doesn’t understand the difference between magic and mana. Can you join our group just for tonight, or would your friends be upset?

The question made me anxious because it felt like I was asking Kalli to choose between me and Alex. It was a stupid comparison because she was in my mate chat but I couldn’t help but want to win this small victory over Alex.

After some hesitation to possibly discuss it with Alex, she replied. I already told them that I was not going to reply to the group tonight. I’ll join your group.

KALLIPHAE HELLQUIST HAS JOINED THE GROUP

If I had been nervous about Kalli and Alex, bringing her into a group chat with just me and Wendy was on a whole different level. I held my breath as Wendy greeted Kalli. Hello Kalliphae. Thank you for coming to help. I’m sorry I interrupted your date.

Kalli flashed the girl a wooden smile that I hadn’t seen before. Oh, it wasn’t a date. We didn’t even sing.

Wendy sent me an accusatory glare and replied. If you two weren’t singing, what were you doing in that dark room?

The blush on Kalli’s face made the situation seem much naughtier than it was as she spluttered. Nothing happened in there. We were just talking.

The green-haired girl nodded, sending a noodle to the floor. Uh-huh. Anyhow, this mana thing is a lot harder than Melvin made it look. Do you think you can help me?

Kalli and I looked at one another.

Do you want to show her how to do it?

I was offering her the chance because I didn’t want to get physically close to anyone but Kalliphae. She hesitated and slightly shook her head. I just learned how to do it. I’m not sure I’d be much help. I’ll watch.

That was what I had been afraid of. Inching my way closer to the table, I explained my plan.

This is going to sound strange but I need to feel your mana through the group connection to see how you are using it. You might get dirty again.

Wendy brushed her hand through her hair and giggled. Oh, you were worried about the mess? Did you forget already?

She stood up and dramatically swept her hand through her dress.

“Sviszt”

The wind swirled from her mouth to her hands which she used to deflect it up to her hair. It washed over her like a blow dryer causing her light green hair to billow out behind her in slow motion. When the wind died down her hair shined in the restaurant’s dim light.

Sitting back down, Wendy patted the seat next to her for me to join her. I looked to Kalli for confirmation. She shrugged at me and I sat next to the aeromancer. Nervously, I placed my hand over Wendy’s. This was the closest I had been to any girl that wasn’t Kalliphae.

Okay, now I need you to show me your mana.

Wendy nodded and took a deep breath. Wasn’t I the one teaching you this morning?

The two of us laughed at her joke.

That’s true. Don’t they teach you things like mana control here?

She shook her head. I think that would be called mana cultivation. The Academy occasionally gets guest instructors who can teach it, but the classes are small and you have to audition to get in. If you don’t have natural talent, they don’t accept you. I didn’t apply the last time we had a visiting monk.

Wendy squeezed her eyes shut and placed her hand over a fresh bowl of ramen.I closed mine as well and attempted to feel everything that the wind mage was doing as she worked.

Group chat was a pale imitation of what I had grown accustomed to in mate chat. While I could tell that she had mana, it was only a vague awareness that it lurked beneath the surface. With Kalliphae, I felt the mana raging within her as though it were my own body.

Kalliphae sat across from us, watching intently. What’s wrong with her mana?

I don’t think she knows how to use her mana channels.

We didn’t get a chance to continue the conversation when a vast amount of Wendy’s mana exploded into the bowl all at once. Noodles flew across the room and broth splashed into my eyes as the bowl spun off of the table.

The proprietor rushed over us, “Really Wendy? Again? What’s gotten into you tonight.”

Wendy was next to tears when she replied, “I’m so sorry. There’s something I’m trying to do that I just can’t figure out.”

The old lady set another teapot on the table and pat the flustered student on the shoulder. Heaving a sigh she said, “Try not to make too much of a mess.”

When she left, Wendy pouted at us. That’s what happened the last time. I don’t understand my mana. It’s all blocked up then it just all comes out at once.

While I did have an idea, I was concerned about what Kalli would think of it.

I might be able to help her the same way I did for you at Shaw Manor. I’d have to push my mana through her mana channels though.

Kalliphae’s stare made me start to second guess myself. Why are you telling me?

I don’t know. I’ve never done this with anyone but you.

The laugh that escaped from Kalli’s mouth made both her and Wendy jump. She coughed to cover the sound. Why would you think that? It’s just mana after all.

I gaped at the girl. The whole thing felt way too personal to me. Wendy’s reply once again saved me from my thoughts. Um, are the two of you communicating telepathically?

Kalli’s lip curled up in a sinister smile that made my skin tingle. Yes. We are.

Wendy’s eyes widened as a sudden realization hit her. That’s why you two weren’t in a group. Do you have some sort of skill that allows you two to communicate?

The energy between the two girls was ominous. Just when I was worried that a fight was about to start, Kalliphae spoke in my head. Go ahead and do it.

I knew this was Kalli’s way of changing the subject. Taking a deep breath, I began giving Wendy instructions.

Okay, Wendy. What I am about to do might feel strange. You need to allow me to do it if you want to have full access to your mana.

Wendy shuddered when I took her hands in mine. I could feel that she had mixed emotions about the contact. What are you going to do?

I need to connect the mana in your core to your mana channels. Right now when you cast a spell, the mana is drawn directly from your core. When you try to force it out, you are getting an all-or-nothing effect. I guess it’s like opening a fire hydrant without a hose.

She swallowed hard as she listened to my explanation. Kalli observed silently from across the table. The vulnerable look on Wendy’s face which was just two inches from my own made me want to reassure her.

Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.

Kalliphae reached out and placed a hand on Wendy’s other arm. Only then did I realize she was shaking. Kalli soothed her. It really doesn’t hurt. Melvin did this for me a month ago.

The girl let out a sharp laugh and braced herself. I can’t believe I’m doing this, and with a student in my class no less. Quick, do it before I change my mind.

With a final look at Kalli, I willed my mana into my hands and pushed it against Wendy’s hands.

You have to allow my mana in. Just open yourself up to me.

I was worried that she could resist my efforts. Little by little, her body slowly opened up to my mana. Once inside, I immediately noticed that her mana channels were just as unused as Kalli’s had been.

She wiggled in my grip as my mana poured into her, filling her channels for the first time. When I made it to her center, I marveled at the tornado that made up Wendy’s core. The instant I connected my mana to it, the green mana dominated mine and expelled me violently.

The next thing I knew, I was laying on the floor with Kalliphae kneeling beside me. When my vision cleared I looked up to see Wendy having a wardrobe malfunction. Wind was swirling out of every pore on her body which caused her dress to billow around her as she struggled to maintain her modesty.

Kalliphae helped me into a chair next to her while Wendy got her newfound mana under control. Once the dress settled, she sat back down and grinned at us. Wow oh wow. I am so glad I did that. I was worried that you might mess up my magic and almost didn’t go through with it.

I told you I wouldn’t hurt you.

Wendy took a sip of her tea and explained. I’m supposed to be your mentor, not the other way around. I knew you were special but I didn’t think you were capable of what you just did. They warn us about experimenting and the damage it can cause.

She did seem relieved. Kalli nodded to the cup of tea. Wendy, you should try infusing your tea now that you have access to your mana. Just push a small amount of your mana through your finger into the cup.

Looking thoughtfully at the cup in her hand, Wendy dipped a finger into the green liquid.Kalli and I watched in anticipation.

The tea slowly started to bubble as though it was carbonated. Then it swirled in the cup around Wendy’s stationary finger. The girl closed her eyes in concentration as she supplied her tea with mana in the same way she would a cube of sugar.

When she was satisfied, she took her finger out of the cup and placed it in her mouth. After sucking on her finger for a long moment, she whined. Nothing happened. It tastes the same.

Both girls turned to glare at me when I laughed. Before Kalli could pinch me again, I explained.

I think I know what happened. Why don’t you try it again with the glass of water?

The girls turned to look at one another. Getting the idea, Wendy picked up the glass of ice water and repeated the process. When she tasted her finger the next time she smiled. That’s amazing. My mana tastes like tea. I’m so happy.