"Where does Mana come from?" Neron dropped the question upon the class, causing an echo of silence to pervade everywhere.
The students blankly stared at him.
Yesterday, and even for the first Lecture of the day, we were only taught the most basic things that everyone was aware of before arriving at Ainzlark.
However, this question that was posed was different. It was an advanced problem that had beget many theories which remained unsolved to date.
Yet, Neron was starting his lecture with this.
The name of our current course was called 'Magic Theories', and just as the name implied, it dealt with the several theories that made up the Magic body as a whole.
None of us had any idea why Neron had chosen to start off with this question, at least it didn't seem like we did. One thing was certain, though... he was leading us to a theory.
'I see... so, instead of just dumping the information upon us like last time, he wants us to think. If he gave us the topic for today, we would most likely give him an answer that jibes with that particular theory...'
It was a smart move. Neron was aiming for one thing by asking us for an answer. He wanted to know which theory we supported, or if we supported any theory at all. It was possible that among us existed someone who had a separate view from the already existing theories in response to the question of the origin of Mana.
Neron started from the left and moved to the right. Based on how things were going, I would be the tenth person to speak. I wondered what I should say—one of my theories?
"I believe Mana comes from the heavens. It is a gift from God himself." Said the first student.
It was an ambiguous answer, not well thought-through.
When asked a question, one had to consider a couple of things before answering. First, lay out an assertion, then explain your reasoning, and then give proof. Only then would you be able to correctly lay out your opinion without leaving any room for uncertainty and confusion.
What the boy said lacked no substance. It was like he just recited one of the theories he heard. And, this didn't just apply to him.
One after the other, the students spoke. All of them were the same, either agreeing with each other or giving another lame answer. It didn't take very long before my turn came to speak.
"Where does Mana come from, eh?" I smiled, while rising to my feet.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on me, I could tell. The students, even lecturer, wanted to know what the one who got perfect scores in both theory and practical exams thought.
"Permit me to reply to your question with an inquisition... do you mean the Mana that dwells within our bodies from when we are born? Or the Mana that exists in the environment?"
My unique response shocked everyone. Instead of simply replying based on a textbook answer, I dug deeper into the question and asked for clarification.
"Are you saying those two are different?" Neron responded with yet another question.
"Are they? I don't really think so. Humans are a product of their environment. As a result, the origin of the Mana that permeates the surroundings must be linked to the Mana that dwells in every Magic-User..."
Neron's grin grew broader.
"And? What would you call that origin?"
My grin grew broader as well.
"The soul!"
Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but before excitable murmurs spread, I continued.
"Humans all possess souls. They are invisible and make up our personality. That is why when people die, even if their physical bodies are restored—because something non-physical has left it behind, it does not return to life."
My hands moved in sliding motions as I unconsciously began gesticulating.
"Research has been conducted in the past where dead and living bodies of equally talented Magic-Users. It was seen that while the living Magic-Users still had mana particles flowing in them, the dead had none. Further research was made on the dead, and they realized that at the point of death, mana particles begin to disappear bit by bit. So, the fresh corpse of a Magic-User still had lingering Mana particles which die off after some time."
The students were captivated by my long explanation, but I wasn't done yet.
"Why would mana dissipate from the dead if their physical forms still exist? Some would say the heart that pumps blood also pumps mana, so if the heart stops, mana particles gradually cease. However, anatomy experts have argued against that logic. Mana is the energy of the supernatural, and physical organs can't produce it. The only answer that was able to address this dilemma was the existence of 'something incorporeal'. In essence, a soul."
My explanation was long, but it was easily grasped. This was because the Soul-Mana Theory already existed. I postulated the theory, after all.
But, now that I had mana coursing through my veins and knew what it felt like to use magic, my position on this theory had slightly tilted, though still on the same path.
"Our souls generate mana in form of particles. The mana slowly converge and form mana Cores. Once our soul no longer exists, the mana dissipates and died off, most likely returning to the environment."
Neron smiled, pursed his lips, and finally made a statement—no—a question.
"So, you said mana comes from the soul within humans, but that is only answering one part of the question, not so? Mana also exists in the environment. Where does the mana around us come from?"
A tricky question to ask someone my age. At the moment we were currently discussing advanced magic theories, yet Neron didn't seem fazed. It seemed like he had the confidence that I possessed the answer to his question.
"Professor... I believe I already answered your question, didn't I?"
Everyone was surprised by my response. Even Neron was! From my explanation, it didn't seem like I had answered the whole thing, but I already did.
They just needed to use their heads a little.
