I slumped into my seat next to Selena, who was staring at me like I'd grown a second head.
"When did you get your mana back?" she asked quietly.
"Yesterday."
Her grip tightened on my arm. "You regained your mana yesterday? You're sure?"
"Yes, but how do you even know I lost it in the first place?" That detail wasn't exactly public knowledge outside of noble circles.
She didn't answer, lost in whatever thoughts were racing through her head. Typical.
I glanced around the classroom, noting reactions. Rizel was actually waving at me with a bright smile, which was weird enough to be concerning. Allen looked like someone had told him magic wasn't real. His lapdog Eric was glaring at me with barely concealed hatred.
Then there was Eloisa, who'd gone pale as a sheet.
And Ariana, who looked like she might throw up.
The strange reactions were getting old fast.
"Eyes up here," The professor called out, holding up a translucent crystal orb. The affinity tester—used to determine which elements someone had the strongest connection to.
Not that it mattered much to me. I wasn't planning on pursuing traditional sorcery anyway. My interests lay elsewhere: necromancy and alchemy. Most students avoided alchemy like the plague since it required actual studying and wasn't flashy enough for their egos. Perfect for someone who preferred working behind the scenes.
"While anyone can technically cast spells from any element, we each have natural affinities," she explained. "Someone with fire bloodline versus someone with water bloodline both casting fire magic—who wins?"
The bell rang before she could continue the lecture.
"That's all for today." She packed up and left, her golden hair catching the light.
Melina Frostberg. One of the story's heroines and Lucas's future mentor. Watching her leave, I wondered how much of the original plot was still intact, given all the changes happening around me.