Extra's Ascent

If what she says is true? If a mystic's mana naturally aligns with their owned element then logically, it should be impossible for a mystic to learn an element outside of their inherent category.

That contradicts everything Aldrich has ever known about mana.

"Apologies, Professor, but I can't believe that to be true."

"Of course, you don't. There's no need to apologize," Professor Mariana replied smoothly. "I'd be more surprised if you accepted it without question."

Accepting her theory on a whim would mean disregarding everything he had been taught, everything he understood about mana and its control.

Mana, as he knew it, was flexible, adaptable. That very nature was what allowed mystics with a owned fire affinity to eventually master water-based techniques. If mana were as rigid as her theory implied, then cross-element learning would be impossible.

He exhaled slowly, grounding himself. "But modern mystics do learn primary elements outside of their owned jurisdiction. That alone proves your theory wrong."

Professor Mariana's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Tell me, Aldrich, what do you understand about the concept of interchangeability?"

The vast nature of mana usage had always been a subject of evolving study, built upon the discoveries of past mystics. It was an ever-expanding field, revealing new depths to those who sought to understand it.

He frowned, considering her words. "Something that can be changed?"

"Precisely." She nodded. "That same principle applies to mana."

By her reasoning, a mystic's mana was initially rigid, locked in the form of their owned primary element from birth. If that were truly the case, then no mystic should be able to wield any element beyond what they were born with.

The very concept of held primary elements, the ones mystics learned beyond their owned affinity shouldn't exist.

That is how it should be.

Yet, it isn't.

The study of mysticism was layered with contradictions, many of which had been redefined by those who sought to push beyond conventional limits. What was once considered impossible had, time and again, been overturned by new discoveries.

"It's true that mystics were once limited to their owned primary elements," Mariana continued, "but over time, something changed, something fundamental. A mutation took place, and mystics learned to interchange their mana's nature to align with elements beyond their own."

Mutation.

That was the only plausible explanation.

The mana that had once been bound to a single attribute evolved. Through conscious effort and understanding, past mystics had discovered that by altering the very nature of their mana, they could wield any of the five primary elements.

It was during this period of evolution that they also uncovered the potential of elemental fusion and the ability to blend elements using familiars as conduits.

Aldrich rubbed his chin, letting the information settle. "I think I'm starting to understand. But, Professor… how does this connect to what you're teaching me today?"

He recalled the lesson's objective. Learning to wield Art without relying on inscriptions or incantations.

Mariana tilted her head slightly. "Ah, yes. We were getting to that."

She had laid the groundwork for a reason. If Aldrich was to grasp the technique she was about to introduce, he needed to first understand the deeper mechanics behind it.

"The mutation that allowed us to wield held elements… the answer lies in inscription."

Aldrich's brow furrowed. "Inscription?"

"Think about it," she said. "An inscription alters the way mana interacts with an Art. It reprograms the mana's nature, allowing it to accommodate an element it wasn't originally aligned with."

He slowly nodded, piecing it together. "So, inscription is what lets mystics bypass the limitations of their owned element and access others?"

"Yes, but that's an oversimplification." She raised a finger. "Inscription doesn't just bridge the gap between owned and held elements, it opens the door to all known Arts. The only exception is Secondary Arts, but beyond that, every other Art is within reach through inscription."

That was the focus of her lesson so far. But she wasn't done yet.

"My owned primary element is water," she said. "So, Aldrich, can you tell me how I just used fire without an inscription?"

His breath hitched. That was true. If inscriptions were necessary to manipulate elements beyond one's affinity, then how had she done it so effortlessly?

Mana, by nature, was fixed to the mystic's owned primary element. Inscription was what altered that nature, making it flexible.

Yet, Professor Mariana had just used fire without any inscription.

How?

Aldrich's mind raced through possibilities. Did she memorize the inscription mentally?

If she had memorized every inscription, she could theoretically cast Art instantaneously, skipping the need for physical inscriptions. But… no. That wasn't it.

Professor Mariana wasn't the only one capable of this. There were others, many others. Could they all have memorized countless inscriptions?

Impossible.

"Are you getting there?"

She was patient, giving him time to work through the realization himself.

If it wasn't memorization, then… what was it?

Wait… this lesson is about mana control, isn't it?

His eyes widened as the pieces finally clicked.

"You manually altered your mana's nature to match the primary element you held," he breathed.

A slow, satisfied nod. "Precisely."

Inscription had always been the known method of overriding the owned-held boundary. But at its core, what did inscription do?

It changed the fixed nature of mana to align with an external element.

Those who mastered mana control had come to understand this and, in time, found a way to alter their mana without relying on inscriptions.

By shifting their mana's nature from within, they could seamlessly wield elements beyond their own.

It was a daunting theory, but one that had been tested and proven.

"From this moment forward, Aldrich Aldaman, your lessons will focus on mastering this ability. The art of shifting your mana's nature without inscriptions."

Aldrich clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the lesson settle deep within him.

If he could learn this… if he could truly grasp this level of mana control…

His growth would be unparalleled.

Added to the use of his Clover Eyes, he believes his mastery of Arts could reach astronomical heights.