I've Got A Theory (Preston)

[Bailey Oleander]

Taking classes still felt odd to Bailey, even after the past few months.  It was like a door to a new world had suddenly opened and she'd been pushed through, discovering things she'd never considered before or even knew about.  Now it felt like she was playing catch up, learning things others seemed as lost as her on, but many seemed to have a decent grasp on.  It was new, it was strange, and it was fascinating.

Adjusting her glasses, the little blonde entered the library, book in hand as she skimmed the area for somewhere to sit.  It still hurt to much bothering with  contacts, especially when that meant sticking something up against her eye.  They definitely took getting used to.  The text was on Qi theory and development, one of her favorites so far.

Her gaze fell on a familiar figure from one of her classes, a young man about her own age and a few inches taller, the rims of his glasses glinting off the sunlight of the afternoon like a beacon.  A small smile graced her lips as she made her way over to him.  She'd heard him in class sometimes, and he seemed to have a good head on his shoulders about it.

"Hello.  Mr. Salabim, right?" she figured she might as well get the introductions out of the way when she reached the table.  She had no idea if he'd even know who she was.

[Preston Salabim]

He looked up from his book to see Miss Bailey Blake approach him. He'd shift his glasses up as he rose up, motioning for her to take a seat with him.

"Please, call me Preston. Is it okay if I call you Bailey?"

They were not in class at the moment after all. If she took a look at what he was surrounded by, she would find books on Qi theory, a very unique and elaborately made book with a locked clasp, and a shit load of papers with geometric diagrams.

[Bailey Oleander]

She'd definitely found the right person, given the books he surrounded himself with. Even if it wasn't, it'd be worth talking to him.

"Of course." She would take a seat across from him, the slip already falling back on formality. She would wait for him to be seated as well before continuing.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything. I was wondering if I could ask you some things on Qi theory? I've noticed it seems to be something you know well, and I'm interesting in learning more."

[Preston Salabim]

"Nothing important. I'm writing my paper on the application of inert Mana to reinforce active Mana."

It was a paper for the Academy of Magic. He wanted to stay up to date and relevant in their studies, so he'd asked one of his old professors to send him the course material so he could work on it at his leisure.

"Ask away, I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can."

[Bailey Oleander]

The paper sounded interesting, but also way, way above her current level of understanding. Still, her curiosity showed; it wasn't like Bailey knew how or cared to hide the interest.

"Like stored energy? Or drawing it from a different source?" She could assume some of it. Maybe. Of course, the questions she originally intended to ask were suspended for the moment.

[Preston Salabim]

"Sort of?"

He'd adjust his glasses and shift in his seat, ruffling through some of his papers to pull out one with a long string of mathematical formulas written on it, handing it to Bailey.

"Everything in the world has at least some mana. Mana is the source of life, of all energy. Even inert objects such as say a rock, contain some mana. It is possible to draw this inert mana into an active source to serve as fuel."

He paused for a moment to think of a way to put it.

"Like feeding coal into a furnace."

He'd wait to see if that made sense to her.

"There is a school of thought, one which I agree with that says that one can draw mana from these inert sources into active sources. My own magic uses something similar, though the sources I draw from are not fully inert. As I tend to draw from things like solar radiation, wind, heat, and kinetic energy. But I believe the theory is sound."

Even if it was just a theory

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey looked over the formulas, but the strings of numbers were beyond her ability. While she did try to keep up with it, Preston's explanation was easier to follow, and she found herself nodding along.

"That's what I was thinking. That you can pull energy from something that isn't necessary alive as some would consider it, but there's something to it still." It also made her think of Eric's...snack. If it was from something like this, or if it was just from him working with his element. Either way, it seemed they were of a similar mind.

"It does make sense, to me at least." Even if it was just a theory. Nodding, her eyes lit up with enthusiasm, and her focus turned back to her original questions as Preston mentioned his own powers.

"Actually, that's something I wanted to ask you about. I saw your display the other day, and some of the soldiers have talked about your abilities in battle. But how do you do it? From what I understand, most people's qi follows a set pattern, or pulls from a similar source. But yours seems to be able to do more."

[Preston Salabim]

"Simple. Most people who use the Cabal school of thought, harness their internal energy in the path of least resistance. They let their ability mutate on its own and adapt to how it progresses. But at the Academy, we have refined our use of Mana with our spells. I draw upon energy from around me and bring it into myself. From there I use my own biological energy to convert the new energy to one of a base element affinity."

He paused.

"Philosophically speaking, not chemically speaking."

Just to be clear, he meant things like fire, not helium.

"From there I used a memorized formula to weave the strands of that energy into a form of my own creation. My own unique spells if you will. It is time-consuming at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. From there I'm able to decide how I wish to apply my Mana and the form and order it will take to master my abilities based on how I foresee my needs developing."

[Bailey Oleander]

She nodded at his explanation of how Cabal taught them about qi. It was true; when she had developed her ability to increase her attack, it had felt strange, like it wasn't a part of her normal ability. And yet it had happened. Was it due to the least amount of resistance? Or something she hadn't discovered about herself yet?

Thankfully, he cleared up the implication of using chemical elements, because her brow had already started to rise. But Bailey found herself following along with the words. Drawing energy into himself, where she drew it from the world around her and shaped it to bolster what already was, rather than converting it.

Yet what Preston advised was that he was able to shape how his power would develop, rather than how it would naturally form on its own.

"But how?" She paused, trying to clarify. "Using formulas, for instance. Is it a way for you to define what path the energy will take when you use it?" She hoped she was following along, because if not, this was going to get interesting. "Instead of just willing it to be a certain way?"

[Preston Salabim]

"Forgive me, it is difficult to explain in an abridged format. We take courses on this at a young age to learn to Channel our Mana and convert it as needed."

Admittedly, his own natural abilities made him more flexible at it than most, but not so much that it was unheard of. Much like some people were born with athletic ability, he was born with a talent for energy conversion. But hard work and study were still the primary reason for his success.

He'd pull out one of the sheets of paper and wave Bailey over to him.

"Here, come sit next to me."

If she complied he'd show her and trace along the symbol.

"So, this basic shape here is able to convert energy into that of a holy element. Typically that is about bolstering others or returning harm to those that would inflict it. There is nothing divine about the energy itself, but rather it's what we have attached to it through our culture. So don't think when I talk about holy energy that I am talking about God or anything of the sort.

From here I shape it with this form that converts the energy and expels it from me toward someone else to replenish their own energy. This refreshing of personal mana stores allows people to continue casting spells. Thus allowing me to support offensive or defensive specialists."

Not a lot of details, but as he said, he was trying to keep it brief for her sake.

"As for drawing in the energy. I suppose the way I would explain it is that you know how to expel your energy. I've seen you do it before. This would be the reverse, you are drawing it in. It's weird at first, but with practice, it will become as natural as breathing."

[Bailey Oleander]

She tried not to feel too embarrassed as Preston explained his thoughts. She hadn't even gotten her powers at puberty, so things were still new, but she appreciated it. Still, an entire territory where these things were learned at a young age? Compared to a tiny territory where few qi users were ever known to exist and certainly not new theories, it felt like he came from an entirely different world.

At his bidding, she moved over to sit next him, leaning in to get a look at the paper he was showing her. Her eyes followed the symbols, studying them as she absorbed what their purposes were.

"True. Not to mention that, if that were the case, different beliefs could throw the way it manifests.  Light, soothing. Also burning, depending on what you used." She'd point to the symbols, though her fingers wouldn't actually touch the page or the things written on it. "So in that case, when you're applying the symbol, how does that work? Is it scripted somewhere? Do they translate into words, like the ones you speak when you're casting?"

[Preston Salabim]

"Exactly. It doesn't matter what you believe in. We simply call it holy because of cultural bias. The energy is the same no matter your belief or lack of. You could call it Macceroni and it would still do the same thing."

She seemed to understand the naming conventions were simply that. Conventions to quickly convey the idea of what they do.

"So the symbols are internal. I create the pattern with my mind as I am drawing the strands of energy. Creating this symbol with my mind while holding the attuned energy is how I weave my spells. The incantations themselves have no power but are simply a focus. You might notice some people use physical motions to use their abilities. I use incantations thus allowing me the ability to easily cast while restrained."

Granted it was possible that he could be gagged, and then like anyone else he would have to force his way through, but he found it much easier to speak the words he needed than it was to create complex motions.

[Bailey Oleander]

She chuckled softly at the example he used, clearly meaning macaroni to be an extreme example. The sounded soon faded as she continued to listen, nodding again as she tried to wrap her head around it. He was literally pulling in energy and transforming it into something else, releasing into the world as he chose. What must it be like, having that much control over your own power, the bility to shape it into your own desired reality? To act rather than react with how you grew?

"It's probably safer for words, rather than gestures. You draw less attention to yourself, regardless of where you are on the field." She paused, a thoughtful hum on her lips as she looked over the sheet again, then looked at Preston himself.

"So then, when you learn more, I'm assuming it's a matter of repetition? Learning to memorize the symbols and how the effects work when you're converting it?"

[Preston Salabim]

"Mostly yes. I already have my spells written out. Even if I can only cast some of them. The rest will come with time and practice."

He'd given his path a lot of thought and had prepared before even coming to Cabal. He could always change his path if he needed, but so far he was satisfied with how he charted his course.

[Bailey Oleander]

The confirmation was bolstering, giving her a warm rush of confidence as she began to pick up on some of the pieces.

"Would you be willing to show me?"