Races: Online

While a part of Han would have liked to scrutinize and focus on the in-depth implications of meeting Iola and such—he didn't have much time to spare for it when other things were also at hand. Choosing to not focus on chatting with the Mermaid until lunch, he and Timothy barely made it to class on time.

He and Timothy stumbled to the back of the class, took their seats, and he sighed in relief. Whether Professor Pierce actually walked to class rather than teleporting to her classroom—it was a good thing that they had arrived on time. He hadn't paid much attention to the other Students in the room, he didn't catch Penelope greeting Timothy, but he looked to his right.

Ellynn was there.

Well, that was to be expected...but she didn't even look their way. Someone like her would have recognized their arrival with her sharper senses, but not even a word was given. Han scratched the back of his head and then shook it. Anyone was free to do what they wished—maybe she really didn't feel like greeting them?

Thud.

A heavy title appeared in front of him.

[ Introduction To Magical Theory Book ]

[ Increases Learning Aptitude ]

"Oh thanks, Tim." He thanked his seatmate and waited for the Professor to arrive. The two of them rushed here but it seemed like the Professor was taking her time? Should he go online—nope, he needed to do it later. This was almost as bad as constantly checking his phone every few minutes.

He was in a fantasy world, and even that couldn't grab his attention that much? He needed to do much better and actually start getting stronger on top of him trying to get money. Han then forced himself to focus on the book for once, turning the page open if only to look at the table of contents. A good summary of what one could expect in their lessons, perhaps he could surmise things from just that.

I. The Beginning of Magic

II. History of Magic and Mana

III. Basics of Magic

IV. Types and Divisions of Magic

V. Learned Magic vs Innate Magic

He blinked at the last bit. Professor Pierce's class often droned on and on about questions regarding magic's nature and essence—the last part was what made him more interested than the other parts. Yes, even the Divisions of Magic couldn't compare when his own internal source of mana was negligible.

But the last bit, well 'innate magic' possibly couldn't pertain to him, but… he was doing something similar too, right? No? Well, this was the perfect time to get answers. He didn't have many magic classes—heck, the next one would surely kick him out again.

This one was the only one he had.

Later during the Q and A session of the class, Han ended up raising his hand.

Professor Pierce, the old woman blinked once before eyeing him with a surprised look. She pushed up her spectacles, "Do you have a question, young man?"

"Uhh, in the last portion of the book—there's something about innate magic? Aren't all forms of magic something that is to be learned so what's innate? Does having innate magic means that you're more capable than the average learner of magic in terms of spellcasting?" Great, did that sound comprehensible? Han wasn't so sure—he was more than twenty years of age and still felt like his tongue got tied up or something.

"Ooh, have you read far ahead? That's quite nice." A smile broke on her face.

[ High Mage Pierce's Favor Increases ]

[ Introduction To Magical Theory Class Success Rises Up By 1% ]

"Well, I'm not sure if it's been tackled by any previous tutors or Mages in the past, or even by Professor Lavelda—well, you are correct that learned magic is something that you have studied to perform whereas innate magic is something you've already had even before beginning your study of magic."

Han kept his silence. It reminded him of something… 

"Some might think it's similar to having a larger mana pool but that's not it either—having innate magic means that from the moment that you were born or perhaps when you were blessed by a higher form of power, you gain the ability to cast magic, although it tends to be very specific." The High Mage explained and flipped the pages of her book. "Innate magic is very rare—even rarer than the case of having the capacity to learn magic which is having enough mana. It's not often discussed much as there are other implications with it."

"Implications?"

The older woman cleared her throat, "Some are said to have bloodline not exactly of human descent. Marriage between other races is quite rare but to those that are born from such a thing—a certain affinity to magic is almost always guaranteed. And mana tends not to be a prerequisite to it."

Wait a second. Was she also referring to Ellynn? He glanced once again at the Half Elf but only saw her concentrated on the textbook, her hood covering the majority of her face that he could barely catch a glimpse of. And yet, maybe that was what the Professor meant by innate magic, right?

"—say, a certain percentage of Drakes are said to have been descended or blessed with innate magic similar to that of Dragons. But you could also say the same thing for wyverns and other lizards." The High Mage pursed her lips, the wrinkles on her forehead becoming even more pronounced. "But ah yes, say a Cleric—although their line of power could be more divine than magic. Well, they can also be blessed with innate magic, the ability to heal, and such is a gift. Then again, it's more known as divine power and falls more in line with miracles if one is to classify it properly."

The older woman shook her head.

"There's still much disagreement in these classifications in our times, although it's usually of little interest." She closed her book, "It's much better to study what you can."