Isekai'd Into The Wrong World-Chapter 62: Ch - Mother

Ryan stepped out of Training Hall Alpha and stopped.

The morning sun was higher now, warming the air, chasing away the chill that plagued him earlier. Students streamed past him, heading in different directions. Most went toward the dining hall, a few toward the dormitories.

James clapped him on the shoulder. "We’re grabbing breakfast. You coming?"

Ryan shook his head. "Not hungry."

James raised an eyebrow. "You sure? We’ve got sparring soon. You’ll want the energy."

"I’m fine, thanks," Ryan said.

Jared shrugged. "Suit yourself. We’ll see you at the training grounds."

They disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ryan standing alone.

He made his way back towards Training Grounds East, his legs were protesting, trying to stop him from going back to the place that caused their severe PTSD.

The grounds were empty now, quiet except for the distant sounds of the academy. Voices, footsteps, the clatter of activity from other training areas.

Ryan walked to the centre of the grounds and sat down near the raised platform, letting himself sink into the grass. It was soft beneath him, cool and slightly damp from the morning dew.

He ran his hand through it, fingers brushing the blades.

For the first time all morning, he had a moment to breathe.

The sky above was clear, pale blue stretching endlessly. A few clouds drifted lazily across it, their edges glowing gold in the sunlight.

Ryan exhaled slowly.

It’s been a few weeks now.

Mum.

They’ve probably had the funeral for me already. Or they’re planning it.

Ryan closed his eyes, the image of his mother’s face in his mind. Her smile. The way she’d looked at him the last time he saw her, telling him to be careful on his way to work.

He hadn’t said goodbye.

Ryan opened his eyes and stared up at the sky.

Maybe if I get strong enough, I can go back.

The divine creatures, the Spirit and Jake that had sent him here. If they could do that, maybe they could send him back. If he got strong enough. If he proved himself useful. If he survived long enough to ask. Or if he got to use that wish they promised him.

That must be possible.

The sound of footsteps pulled him away from his thoughts.

Students were arriving, trickling back from the dining hall in small groups. They moved towards the training grounds, settling onto the grass in neat rows facing the raised platform.

James and Jared appeared amongst them, finding spots near Ryan and sitting down without a word. James gave him a brief nod. Jared stretched his arms above his head, yawning.

More students filled in the rows. Fifty. Now a hundred were seated quietly, waiting.

Then a man stepped onto the platform.

He was older, maybe in his fifties, with greying brown hair and a calm, measured expression. But instead of the reinforced tunic and trousers of a knight’s uniform, he wore mage robes. Dark black.

A mage teaching knight classes?

The man sat down on the platform, crossing his legs beneath him.

He looked out over the assembled students, his gaze sweeping across them once, then settled.

"Your hour has started," he said simply. His voice was quiet but carried easily across the grounds. "You may begin your mana circulations. If you have questions or need guidance, come to me."

Then he closed his eyes and began to meditate.

Ryan blinked.

That’s it?

Around him, the other students already settled into position. Closing their eyes. Straightening their backs. Slowing their breathing.

Ryan glanced at James, who had already closed his eyes.

Ryan looked back at the instructor.

Mana circulation?

He’d heard the term before. He’s seen it on the schedule. But he had no idea what it actually meant.

He waited a moment, watching the other students. They all looked like they were meditating. Just sitting there. Eyes closed. Breathing steady.

But how is meditation supposed to help with being a knight?

Ryan stood, brushing the grass from his trousers, and walked towards the platform.

The instructor didn’t open his eyes, but his voice whispered. "Yes?"

"Sir," Ryan said quietly. "I’m new. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing here."

The instructor’s eyes opened, calm and steady. He studied Ryan for a moment, then nodded. "Sit."

Ryan sat at the edge of the platform, facing him.

"What’s your name?" the instructor asked.

"Ryan."

"Ryan," the instructor repeated. "Have you meditated before? You seem like a mage."

"Yes, sir. I am."

The instructor nodded slowly. "Intriguing. Then you understand how to absorb mana from your surroundings."

"Yes."

"Mana circulation," the instructor said, "is similar. But instead of allowing the mana to settle within you, stored for later use in spells, you keep it moving."

Ryan frowned. "Moving?"

"Circulating," the instructor said. "Continuously. Through your entire body. Arms, legs, chest, core. Everywhere. You guide the mana through your muscles, your bones, your organs, and let it seep into them slowly over time. That is how a knight strengthens their body."

Ryan’s eyes widened slightly. "So the mana slowly combines into my body?"

"Exactly." The instructor’s expression softened slightly. "It requires constant focus. You cannot let it settle. The moment it stops moving, it will dissipate or store itself as it would for a mage, which can be used for mana bursts. You must maintain the circulation actively."

"For how long?"

"Ideally?" The instructor smiled faintly. "All day. Every day. For years. The more you circulate, the stronger your body becomes."

"But for now," the instructor continued, "focus on maintaining it for this hour. Circulate the mana evenly throughout your body. Do not concentrate on one limb or area. That will create imbalance and weaken you. Keep it flowing smoothly, steadily."

Ryan nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Good. Begin."

Ryan stood and returned to his spot in the grass, settling back down between James and Jared.

He closed his eyes and took a slow breath.

All right. Circulate the mana.

He reached out with his mana sense, feeling the ambient mana in the air around him. It was there, faint but present, drifting through the atmosphere like invisible fog.

Ryan pulled it in, just as he always did when meditating.

The mana flowed into him, warm and familiar, settling into his chest.

No. Bad mana, you aren’t allowed to settle.

Ryan focused, urging the mana to move. He pushed it downwards, through his torso, into his legs. It resisted slightly, wanting to pool, to stay where it was.

He pushed a bit harder.

The mana moved, spreading through his thighs, his calves, down to his feet. Then back up. Through his hips. Into his arms. His shoulders. His neck.

It was slow. Exhausting. Like trying to move water uphill with your hands.

The mana circulated once. Twice.

His concentration wavered, and the mana slipped, pooling in his chest again.

Damn it.

He started over.

Pull it in. Push it through. Legs. Arms. Chest. Back again.

This time, the flow was smoother. The mana moved more easily, tracing a path through his body.

Ryan settled into a rhythm.

And then something shifted.

He started to feel different. Hotter.

Ryan’s eyes snapped open for a moment, confused.

The heat intensified, spreading through his limbs like fire beneath his skin. Not exactly painful, but very intense. Extremely uncomfortable.

He closed his eyes again, focusing on his mana sense.

The mana had concentrated, it was gold now. Bright, radiant gold.

He stopped, letting the light mana dissipate.

Immediately, the heat faded.

Ryan could sense another... blue mana around him. It was a light shade of blue. He pulled it in, previously he couldn’t notice it.

Is this the water element?

Ryan circulated the blue mana through his body.

It felt different. Less intense. More even. Cool instead of fire.

He switched back to light mana.

The heat returned instantly, flooding through him, bright and burning.

Ryan exhaled slowly.

So I can use both.

Does this mean I do have two elements? Did Eleanor miss this?

He settled into the rhythm again, this time circulating the blue mana. It was easier to control, less distracting. The flow became smoother, steadier, and Ryan felt the mana beginning to seep into his muscles, his bones, just as the instructor had described.

Time passed.

Ryan didn’t open his eyes. He focused entirely on the circulation, on keeping the mana moving.

His mind grew heavy with the effort. It wasn’t physically exhausting, but mentally draining, like holding his breath for too long.

Finally, a voice cut through the silence.

"Time."

Ryan’s eyes opened.

The mage was standing now, looking out over the students. "That’s enough for today. Sparring and Duelling begins at nine."

Ryan let the mana dissipate and slumped forwards slightly, his head spinning.

Around him, other students were standing, stretching, shaking out their limbs.

Ryan glanced at the clock near the edge of the grounds.

9:00 AM.

Do I ask the instructor about this blue mana? No, If it is the water element then I would reveal to the instructor I have dual elements. I must ask Eleanor.