The Villain Professor's Second Chance-Chapter 379: The Hidden Potentials

Draven stood before the large magical whiteboard, his sharp eyes scanning the room filled with eager young faces. His very presence commanded authority, an aura that silenced the smallest of murmurs. The children sat with their eyes glued to him, each of them waiting for his words. Amberine and Maris stood at the back, observing the scene with mixed expressions of curiosity and disbelief.

"Mana circulation," Draven began, his tone clipped and precise, "is the cornerstone of all magical practices. Without mastery over the flow of mana, none of the advanced spells you wish to learn will be possible." His gaze swept across the children, as though daring any of them to falter. There was not a single wavering look; the children seemed captivated, almost entranced by his words.

Amberine leaned toward Maris, her brow furrowed. "Isn’t this too advanced for them?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Maris nodded slightly, her eyes narrowing as she observed the children’s faces. She remembered her own experience with learning mana circulation in her first year at Magic Tower University—how difficult it had been, how often she had fumbled and struggled to grasp the very basics of it. This wasn’t a topic you taught to children in an orphanage; it was foundational but advanced, a challenge even for the most dedicated student. She wondered if Draven was pushing them too hard.

"They’re going to be so confused," Amberine continued, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "He’s treating them like they’re first-years at the university."

Maris didn’t respond, her curiosity growing by the second. She watched Draven’s every movement, trying to read his intentions. His expression was as inscrutable as ever—cold, calculated, and devoid of the slightest sign of warmth or encouragement. He had no intention of coddling these children, that much was clear.

Draven picked up a piece of chalk and began drawing a series of intricate diagrams on the whiteboard. The lines were smooth, his hand steady, and within moments, a detailed illustration of mana pathways and circulatory points filled the board. The children stared at the drawings, their eyes wide with wonder. Amberine bit her lip, her skepticism growing.

"If they don’t get it, they’ll be too scared to even ask him questions," she muttered. Continue your adventure at novelbuddy.com

Draven’s sharp gaze flicked back to the children. "Mana is like a river," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "And your body is the riverbank. You must ensure the flow is smooth, without any obstruction or overflow. If the river overflows, it causes destruction. If it dries up, there is no power. Balance is key."

He paused, letting the words sink in. His gaze shifted to one of the children in the front row, a young boy whose eyes were wide with focus. "What happens if the flow is disrupted?" Draven asked.

The boy blinked, then hesitated for a moment before answering, "The… the spell could fail, or it could backfire."

Draven gave a curt nod. "Correct. A disrupted flow leads to instability, and instability leads to failure. The key to all magic is control—control over yourself, control over your mana. Without it, you are nothing more than a danger to yourself and others."

Maris felt a chill run down her spine. His words were harsh, but they were also true. She remembered the times she had lost control, how terrifying it had been. She could see the children absorbing his words, their expressions a mixture of awe and determination.

"He’s not giving them an easy way out," Maris whispered, almost to herself. Amberine glanced at her, her expression skeptical but curious. "He’s making them understand the weight of it, even if they’re young."

Draven continued, pointing to the diagram. "Think of mana as water. It must be directed, guided along a specific path. If you allow it to wander, it will erode the banks, cause destruction, and ultimately leave you powerless." He paused, turning his gaze back to the children. "You will now learn to guide this flow. Visualize it—like water flowing through a channel. You are the one who determines its path."

Amberine watched, half-expecting the children to show signs of confusion or frustration. After all, she remembered how hard it had been for her to even visualize mana as an entity, let alone guide it. But as she looked at the children, she noticed something different. They weren’t frowning or looking lost. Instead, their eyes were wide with understanding. There was an intensity there—a spark that caught her off guard.

"Are they really getting it?" Amberine muttered, her disbelief evident. Maris didn’t answer, her eyes glued to the scene in front of her.

Draven’s voice lowered, his tone almost dangerous in its sharpness. "Close your eyes," he commanded. The children obeyed instantly. "Feel the mana within you. It is there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be guided. It is not a force you can dominate without respect. Listen to it, understand it, and then guide it."

He stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched them. His gaze was calculating, assessing each child as they followed his instructions. The room fell silent, the only sound the faint rustle of clothing as the children shifted into more comfortable positions.

Amberine exchanged another glance with Maris. This time, Maris’s expression had changed. There was a hint of surprise there—and something else. Respect.

"They… they’re really doing it," Maris whispered, her voice tinged with awe.

Draven moved through the room, his presence a silent force that seemed to push the children to focus harder. He corrected their postures, his hands moving with precise, controlled movements. He spoke softly, his words clipped but clear, and each correction seemed to bring the children closer to understanding the flow of mana.

"Your shoulders are tense," he said to a young girl with bright green eyes. "Relax. Mana flows best through a relaxed vessel." The girl nodded, adjusting her posture, and within moments, a faint glow began to surround her hands.

Amberine’s eyes widened. "She… she’s doing it," she breathed, her voice barely audible. Maris nodded, her eyes fixed on the girl.

Draven nodded as well, a hint of satisfaction crossing his otherwise impassive features. "Good," he said. "Remember, mana responds to intent. If your intent is clear, the flow will follow. If it wavers, the flow will falter."

He moved to another child, a young boy who was struggling to maintain his focus. Draven knelt beside him, his voice lowering. "Do not force it. Mana is not a beast to be tamed by sheer will. It is a partner, an extension of yourself. Guide it, do not demand of it."

The boy took a deep breath, his face relaxing, and slowly, a faint shimmer of light began to form around his hands. Draven nodded, his gaze softening for just a moment before he stood, his eyes sweeping over the room once more.

Amberine leaned closer to Maris, her voice barely a whisper. "They’re... actually doing it. And they’re good."

Maris nodded, her eyes wide with amazement. She had expected the children to struggle, but instead, they were not only understanding the concept but actively mastering it. She could see the concentration etched on their young faces, the determination in their eyes. It was as if they were born for this—as if the magic was a part of them, waiting to be awakened.

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Draven continued to guide the children, his words sharp and direct. He offered corrections without hesitation, his tone firm but never cruel. He emphasized control and discipline, reminding them that mana was a powerful tool, but only if wielded with precision.

"Mana is a gift," he said, his voice carrying through the room. "But it is also a responsibility. If you cannot control it, it will control you. And that is when it becomes dangerous—to yourself, and to those around you."

Amberine watched as the children absorbed his words, their faces set with determination. She could feel the energy in the room, a sense of unity as they all worked toward the same goal. It was almost inspiring.

"These kids…" Maris whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "They’re just as talented as most of the first-year students at the University."

Amberine nodded in agreement, her eyes never leaving the children as they practiced. She had underestimated them. They all had. But watching them now, seeing the potential that Draven had seen from the start, she realized just how wrong she had been.

Draven stepped back, his gaze sweeping over the room. The children were focused, their mana flowing with a precision that spoke of raw talent and determination. He turned his head slightly, his cold eyes meeting Amberine’s for a brief moment before shifting to Maris. There was no warmth in his gaze, but there was something else—something that almost looked like approval.

"They have potential," Maris said, her voice steady. "Real potential."

Draven didn’t respond, his attention already back on the children. Amberine couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for him. He wasn’t just teaching them magic—he was giving them the tools they needed to survive, to thrive in a world that had given them so little.

She watched as one of the children, a young boy with bright eyes, finally managed to summon a small flame, its light flickering in his hands. His face lit up with joy, and for a moment, the coldness in the room seemed to lift, replaced by the warmth of their shared accomplishment.

Amberine smiled, her heart swelling with a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they were all capable of more than they had ever imagined.

"This... Is what he’s been doing...?"