I got a job.

Kalli was ecstatic. Me too.

Running to the noodle shop, I was surprised to see Kalli wearing a cute waitress outfit. She had reformed the phoenix gown to match the skirt and blouse uniform of the restaurant. The only difference was the phoenix that wrapped its way from the skirt to the shirt.

She raised an eyebrow at me when she noticed me. What? Don’t you like my uniform?

I waved my hands defensively.

No, no. I love it. It’s cute.

When Kalliphae smiled, it felt like everything was right in the world. I sat at one of the tables and watched Kalli work. She walked from table to table asking the other diners how their meals were.

So you’re a waitress?

She laughed through mate chat while keeping a straight face for the customer she was serving. No. I make the spicy ramen in the back but when it’s slow I come out and help out with the guests. They are all so nice.

It was true. Everyone loved Kalli. I was just watching her work when another waitress surprised me when by plopping a giant cup of tea in front of me. Wendy grinned sheepishly. Surprise. I work here too.

Kalli walked over to my table with a bowl of ramen. Invite me back to the group.

KALLIPHAE HELLQUIST HAS JOINED THE GROUP

Wendy beamed at Kalli. Welcome back, girl.

Kalli flashed her trademark smile in return. Thanks. It’s good to be back.

I looked at Kalli inquisitively. I thought I knew the answer but I had to be sure.

What happened to your group with your other classmates?

Her mana started to flare physically, creating fire in her hair when she answered. I left that group the moment they threatened you. I won’t go back unless they kick those guys out.

Oh, well I’m glad to hear it. Maybe we can make a group with nothing but nice people.

She winked at me. I’d like that.

Wendy leaned over and pinched my arm. Why do I feel like I’m being left out?

Kalliphae covered for me. Sorry, we were just talking about filling this group with nice kids from school.

The green-haired girl posed. I’m nice. Very nice. Hey, we can get Stefanie to join if you like.

Kalli nodded in agreement. That would be great. Mel, do you know anybody?

Hmm, I just met my dorm mates. Also, there’s Ki. She might join.

Wendy’s sudden shock rippled through the group connection when I mentioned Kiki’s name. Do you really think you can get her to join?

I hadn’t thought about Ki since we had our conversation. For that matter, I hadn’t even seen her again. Would I know where to find her?

I think so. Do you know where she hangs out around campus?

Wendy rubbed her chin. Well, I do know that she lives in the special dorms. The one for important students.

It never occurred to me that there was a special dorm for special students. I knew that there were private schools for the rich kids but that was the same in the unawakened world too.

Do you know where they are?

Wendy nodded. I’ve never been there but I know where it’s at.

Kalliphae, who had been listening impatiently, blurted out. Come on Mel, try the ramen. Wendy and I made it.

Suddenly, the food that was cooling in front of me became much more interesting.

Did you…?

Wendy’s face lit up in a smile. That’s right. We combined our mana to make special ramen and you get to be our guinea pig.

Both girls watched intently as I dipped the spoon in the broth.Was it greener than usual?The first thing I noticed as the liquid touched my tongue was that it was still piping hot.

Then Kalli’s heat hit. My tongue was on fire as Kalliphae’s signature spice tickled my senses. Just beneath the surface was the gentle flavor of tea which complemented the natural seasonings in the ramen perfectly.

When I swallowed, Kalli’s spices followed me down to my stomach, heating me from my core. I felt that particular ramen would be extra popular on a cold winter day.

Kalli leaned in front of me just as I was about to try a second bite. Did you like it? You have to tell us.

It’s very good. I tasted both of you. I didn’t know that tea would be good in ramen.

Both of the girls blushed when I told them that I could taste them. I coughed and amended my statement.

I mean I can taste your mana.

Wendy smiled and pushed the tea over to me. We’ve been experimenting with several menu items. Try the tea next.

One sip of the tea told me all I needed to know. They had once again mixed their mana and created spicy tea. The unique flavor of Wendy’s mana told me that she likely infused a glass of water and added Kalli’s mana to give it some kick. I grinned at them and smacked my lips.

Delicious.

That night when I returned to the dorms, I found the guys watching baseball again. They seemed to have given up on hexing the players though. Joe greeted me when I walked in, “Hey, Melvin. I heard you got in a fight today at lunch.”

Shaking my head, I explained, “No. My girlfriend got in a fight defending me.”

They all froze and stared at me until Rave stood up and yelled, “I don’t believe you have a girlfriend.”

Joe sat him back down, “Ignore him. He’s just jealous. What happened?”

I shrugged and sat next to the trio, “It’s not a big deal. She just socked Alex.”

Run nodded appreciatively, “Yeah, that guy is a jerk. I have martial arts with him and his gang.”

Kalliphae, who was listening in through mate chat whispered suggestions in my ear. You should invite them to our group.

Clearing my throat nervously, I asked the guys, “Hey, would you like to join our group? The girls want to know.”

Joe perked up, “You’re in a group with girls?”

Rave was jumping up and down when he continued to yell, “There is no way he’s in a group with girls. That’s false news.”

Run waved him off, “Put a sock in it, Rave. Tell us more about this group, Mel. Who’s in it?”

“It’s still small but we are hoping to invite more people”, I began, “Right now, it’s just Kalli and Wendy in the group with me.”

Rave scoffed, but Joe clamped a hand over his mouth and announced, “We’re in. Send us invites.”

JOSEPH REID HAS JOINED THE GROUP

RUNDELL ADLOWAN HAS JOINED THE GROUP

RAVERLY CRESCENT HAS JOINED THE GROUP

Wendy chirped through the group chat as they joined. Welcome guys. Thanks for joining.

Kalli was equally excited to meet my roommates. Welcome to the group. It’s nice to meet you all.

Rave wailed. They do exist!

Once the girl sampled human blood, she just had to have more. The pitiful sample from the boy in town was quickly spent. Carmilla was changing. With every drop of blood she consumed, she grew in strength.

The boy had been stronger than the girl. She absorbed that. He knew things about the quaint village that he lived in. She absorbed that as well.

Young Lady Shaw grew giddy when she thought of the potential growth that she could experience with new prey. She gained a renewed interest in animal and monster blood with this in mind.

Monsters possessed all sorts of useful traits that could be devoured. Carmilla meant to collect as many as possible.

The next morning I awoke to the sensation that someone was on the toilet. With the new additions to the group, I didn’t want to know who. All I knew was that it wasn’t Kalliphae.

Remembering that I could chat privately with Kalli in mate chat, I greeted her.

Good morning, Kalli. Would you like to go get breakfast?

Warmth flooded mate chat as Kalli embraced my connection to her. Sure, do your friends want to join?

I hadn’t thought of that. I decided to invite them.

Hey guys, who wants to get breakfast?

It was Run who had the best idea. Why don’t the girls come to our dorm? Joe can make breakfast.

Rave couldn’t help but agree. His inventions make the best food on campus.

Kalli chimed in. Sure, I’ll be right over.

Wendy echoed the girl. Me too. We’re on our way and we’re bringing a friend.

STEFANIE KOEGEL HAS JOINED THE GROUP

I heard the door crash open and Joe came out with his arms full of supplies. I’ll try to have everything ready by the time you get here.

Joe outdid himself for breakfast. Rather than a single machine that spat out waffles, this time he had an assembly line of machines that created everything from sausage and eggs to orange juice. By the time the machines finished clanging, every plate was piled with an assortment of breakfast meats.

Kalli and Wendy showed off by transforming a pitcher of water into their trademark spicy tea. The boys eagerly tried some. Joe gasped. Did you make this?

Wendy nodded while she poured a glass for Run. Yes. We learned how to infuse food with our mana. It changes the flavor. I’m told that my mana tastes like tea.

Kalliphae giggled. Melvin’s mana tastes sweet. You should try it sometime.

Rave made gagging noises and announced. I think I’ll stick to girl mana, thank you very much.

Joe glared at Rave. Dude. We talked about this.

Rave glared back. I am not annoying. I’d know if I was.

Once breakfast was over, I decided to see if I could start my work for Masamune. Kalli agreed to fly me over. I suppose I can work too since I’m suspended from class today. You really should go to class.

No way. If they suspended you then they suspended me.

She stuck out her tongue. No, you’re playing hooky.

Taking the phoenix, we arrived in no time. Kalliphae was startled when I kissed her goodbye in the plaza. She leaned in to kiss me back and gave me a weak smile. I guess that’s going to take a little getting used to.

Before I could walk away, Byakko jumped down from his spot in my tattoo and announced, “I think I will go with Kalli for the day.”

The redhead scratched behind his ear and replied, “Come along, Byakko, let’s go to work.”

I could hear Masamune before I arrived at the forge. He was hard at work on a project when I made my way through the door. As I walked toward the smith, he greeted me, “Welcome, apprentice. I have prepared you some ingots to work on. First, however, I am going to need you to refine your mana.”

Wondering how he saw me, I asked, “What do you mean when you say refine my mana?”

Chogu said nothing while he hammered the metal on the forge. I stood behind him for a few minutes before taking a seat nearby when he didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

After working the metal for what felt like an eternity, he pulled it from the forge with a pair of tongs and dropped it in a pool of water. He finally turned his attention to me while the metal sizzled and the water spouted steam behind him, “Do you mean to tell me that you created all of that delicious mana last night and you don’t know how to refine it?”

Shaking my head, I admitted, “I’ve never even heard of refining my mana.”

The smith hissed at my revelation and spat into the fire, “Perhaps my initial assessment of you was misguided. How did you luck into that masterful infusion technique if I may be so bold as to ask?”

I shrugged at the smith, growing frustrated, “I just figured it out. Can you just tell me what it means to refine mana?”

Chogu huffed and dragged a stool out to sit on, “The mana that you create is raw in nature. It contains impurities. This in turn taints every action that you take with it. You have demonstrated the ability to change the affinity of your mana. Purifying it just requires a few extra steps. If you intend to train under me, I will not tolerate low-grade mana.”

As he spoke, I was already experimenting with various filters in my mana. Nothing had the effect that Chogu described. I asked, “How do I filter my mana? I can’t seem to figure it out.”

He laughed at the look of confusion on my face, “That is where you’re wrong. Refinement is not a filter. Think of your mana as dirty. Look closely at it and you’ll see the imperfections. Focus on removing those. Do this over and over a thousand times. The more you refine your mana, the more potent it gets. If you focus on feeding your core with this refined mana, it will improve the quality of the mana that you create in the future.”

I took Chogu’s advice and looked inward, following my mana through my channels in a loop that passed through my core. At a glance, my mana was pure white. However, now that I was closely looking at it, I discovered black specs that didn’t seem to be there before.

The specs moved when I tried to extract them manually, propelled by my mana as it pulsed through me. I attempted to target them so that I could delete them with my editing skill, but mana didn’t seem to be one of the things that I had that kind of control over.

A heavy hand nearly knocked me down as Chogu patted me on the back, “You seem to be getting a feel for it. Spend some time getting to know your mana. Come see me if you have questions.”

I already had questions but he seemed to want me to figure it out. The keyword seemed to be refine. To refine something I needed to sand it down or run it through a sieve. I wasn’t sure how to sand my mana, so I focused on creating a sieve.

Similar to the filter to add the fire or wind element, I passed the mana through a very fine net made of mana meant to trap impurities. While it did work, it only captures a small portion of the imperfections in my mana.

Several hours went by while I worked. I had only managed to collect a tiny ball of imperfections when Wendy’s cry broke into my thoughts. Melvin Murphy, are you cutting class?