My System Doesn't Give Power

"Coating."

Matilda tapped the word written on the board. "Now, what exactly is it?"

She turned back toward the class. "To put it simply, coating is the next stage of Mana control."

"While opening your meridians, all of you learned how to gather Mana, guide it through your bodies, and force it against blockages. But outside that process, most of you have never consciously attempted to manipulate it."

Matilda looked across the room. "Do you know why I taught you to control Mana before opening your meridians?"

"Because opening a meridian requires a decent degree of mana control, but mastering coating requires far more."

"Everything about coating begins and ends with Mana control. The greater your control, the easier it will be to learn and master the technique."

She raised three fingers. "There are three fundamental applications you need to understand."

"First, offensive coating."

"Wrapping Mana around your fists, feet, or weapons will greatly enhance the strength of your attacks. It also reinforces weapons, reducing the likelihood of them cracking or breaking under the force of your own abilities."

Zac immediately remembered his shattered sword and raised his hand.

Matilda noticed him and nodded. "It’s rare for you to ask a question. Go ahead, Mr. Delencore."

"I had a D-rank sword. During combat, I channeled lightning-element mana through the blade, which I assumed was also a form of coating."

"But inside the Summer and Winter Realms, the sword completely broke. If coating reinforces weapons, why did that happen?"

Several weapon users nodded at the question, including Daniel. His own spear had also suffered considerable damage inside the prison realm.

"That’s an excellent question," Matilda said. "First, elemental Mana is fundamentally different from neutral Mana."

"Neutral Mana is calm and without any inherent expression. Elemental mana, however, possesses distinct characteristics based on the element."

"For example, lightning carries speed and destructive force. Fire is also destructive, but in an entirely different manner. Wind is swift, fluid, and free."

"The same principle applies to every element."

She looked directly at Zac. "If you channel elemental mana through a weapon, that weapon must be capable of enduring the element’s characteristics."

"That is why most experienced variants don’t simply purchase random weapons from variant marketplaces. They commission smiths to forge custom weapons suited to their elements, abilities, and combat styles."

Zac nodded in understanding. The other students also did the same.

"Now, back to the lesson." Matilda raised a second finger. "The second application is defensive coating."

The projection behind her changed, displaying a human body surrounded by a thin layer of Mana.

"Covering your body with Mana forms an additional layer of protection. The stronger and more stable that layer becomes, the more damage it can absorb."

She then raised her third finger. "The third application is compression coating."

"This is the most important form and also the most difficult."

"Compression coating involves gathering a large quantity of Mana, condensing it into a much smaller volume, and then using that concentrated Mana as a coating."

She gestured toward the projection.

"For example, imagine that a defensive coating of one millimeter thickness requires one hundred units of mana to cover your entire body."

"In compression coating, instead of using only one hundred units, you gather one thousand units and compress them until they occupy the same one-millimeter thickness."

Several students’ expressions changed as they understood the implication.

"That compressed layer could provide several times more protection than an ordinary coating, and the same principle applies to an offensive coating. The denser your mana becomes, the greater the power it can produce."

Matilda smiled faintly. "For those of you who believe Mana control is easy, try compressing it. You’ll quickly discover how wrong you are."

Her smile deepened slightly. "And don’t rush straight into practicing compression coating. There is a very high chance that you will blow into pieces."

Shobin raised his hand. "Ma’am, are you saying there’s a chance of an explosion while compressing Mana?"

"I’m not saying there’s merely a chance," Matilda laughed softly. "I’m certain every one of you will experience at least three to five explosions before these two months are over."

The students stared at her. With that smile on her face, she looked less like a teacher and more like a devil wearing green.

"These are the three basic applications of coating: offensive, defensive, and compression."

"There is another reason I’m emphasizing its importance. You’ll understand it completely once you gain access to the Skill Library."

"More than ninety-five percent of the skills stored there require the user to have already learned coating."

"Without it, you may not even be able to activate most of the skills you choose."

Matilda paused. "Oh, and one more thing. Just as I did during the prison-realm test, I’ve deliberately left out one important aspect of coating."

A collective gasp spread through the room. "You’ll need to discover it yourselves if you wish to master coating completely."

Displeasure appeared on nearly every student’s face.

Zac simply considered asking the System later, while Sabrina looked as though she could not care less.

Matilda took out a rectangular metal plate and held it up for the class to see. She placed it upright on a reinforced stand, then she pointed toward a broad-shouldered student sitting in the middle row.

"You. Come here."

The student walked to the front.

Matilda gestured toward the metal plate. "Punch it as hard as you can."

Although he did not understand the reason, the student immediately took a stance, drew a breath, and punched the metal plate with all the strength he could muster.

Clang!

The plate barely moved, but the student immediately pulled his hand back and clutched it in pain.

Matilda waited a few moments for the pain to subside. "Again."

The student looked at the plate, then at Matilda.

"Don’t worry, this time will be different." Before he could punch, Matilda placed two fingers against his wrist.

Leaf-green Mana flowed from her hand and spread over his knuckles, covering them in a smooth, translucent layer.

The color resembled fresh leaves beneath sunlight and was bright enough for everyone in the classroom to see clearly.

"Now punch it." The student steadied himself and struck again.

Boom!

His fist tore straight through the metal plate and emerged from the other side.

The entire classroom fell silent, and the student stared at his hand in disbelief.

Matilda withdrew her Mana. "You may return to your seat."

He nodded quickly and walked back, still examining his fist.

"As you just witnessed, that is the difference coating can make, and that was only ordinary coating. It wasn’t even compressed."

Matilda looked over the class. "Of course, your coating won’t initially possess the same strength as mine. I’ve spent years training my Mana control, but even at a beginner’s level, coating will make a substantial difference."

She raised her hand again.

"As for the green color, neutral mana normally doesn’t possess such a visible hue. I deliberately colored mine so all of you could observe it more easily."

Matilda lowered her hand. "That brings today’s lesson to an end."

"For those of you who already possess good mana control, begin practicing offensive and defensive coating immediately."

"For those still struggling to move Mana according to your will, focus on control first."

Her expression turned stern. "And as for compression coating, do not attempt it until you have developed sufficient control and mastered the other two forms."

"Otherwise, you’ll only injure yourselves or worse, die." The classroom became silent again. "You have two months. Use that time wisely."

With that, Matilda left the classroom.

The moment her footsteps faded, conversations erupted everywhere.

Marty leaned toward Zac and nudged his arm. "Just when I thought I was finally done with the meridian nightmare, she gives us another deadline."

"Look on the bright side."

Marty gave him a doubtful look. "Is there even a bright side?"

"The skills."

Marty paused. "Yeah, all right. That’s definitely good motivation."

His expression fell again. "But Mana control isn’t exactly my strong suit, and I still have one meridian left to open."

Seeing his downcast face, Zac stretched and asked, "Why don’t we eat at the academy restaurant before heading back to the dorms?"

Marty immediately brightened. "Count me in."

The two left the classroom together, already discussing what they should order once they reached the restaurant.

After filling his stomach at the academy restaurant with Marty, Zac returned home and began training his mana control.

Time passed faster than he expected, and by the time he stopped, evening had already arrived.

Zac left his house and started walking toward the mountain.

It took him nearly half an hour to reach the cottage where Armani lived. He walked up to the door and knocked several times.

No answer came from inside.

"What are you doing here?" A voice suddenly came from behind him.

Zac turned around and saw Armani standing there. "Oh. I came to visit you."

"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" She opened the door, stepped inside, and threw herself onto the lounge.

Zac followed her in and stood beside it, silently staring at her.

After a few moments, Armani raised her head. "Spit it out."

"It’s been over a month."

"It has."

"I called my mom today. She said you’re going there tomorrow to bring them to the capital."

"Yes, I am." Armani looked at him. "So, what do you want?"

"I was thinking I could come with you."

"No chance." Armani rejected him before he could say anything else.

"There’s a reason new recruits are forbidden from visiting anyone outside the academy until their first six months are over."

"I know, but still, aren’t you the vice principal? You should have some kind of leverage here, right?"

"I do. As a matter of fact, I could even let them live with you inside the academy."

"That would be great."

"Yeah, for you." Armani leaned back against the lounge. "But trust me, it would only distract you from your training."

"Come on. Don’t you enjoy breaking rules?"

"I do," Armani replied casually. "But only when it benefits me. I’m not going to break them merely because someone asked nicely."

"Fine." Zac gave up arguing. "At least tell me where they’re going to live."

"You can ask them yourself once they’ve settled in."

"Right."

Armani studied him for a moment. "Something is clearly bothering you, isn’t it? Just say it directly."

Zac hesitated. "Well, the capital is far more chaotic than Mellow City. I’m worried that if something happens, there won’t be anyone there to protect them."

He paused. "At least in Mello City, I have..." Zac suddenly stopped himself.

Armani raised an eyebrow. "You mean that girl from the Martel family?"

Zac looked at her in surprise. "You know about her?"

"Of course I do. Who do you think I am?"

"Well, it’s not anything like what you’re thinking."

"I wasn’t thinking anything." Armani gave him a flat look. "Don’t assume I have nothing better to do than wonder about your relationships with women."

"That girl may be trustworthy and highly competent, but your secrets won’t remain hidden forever. Sooner or later, the world will discover who your father is."

Zac’s expression hardened slightly.

"When that happens, the number of enemies drawn toward that small city won’t be insignificant."

"And that girl doesn’t possess enough power to protect your family at all times. She also has her own responsibilities as a branch chief of the association."

Zac looked at her. "So you’re saying they’ll be safer in the capital?"

"Yes," Armani answered without hesitation. "First of all, your mother isn’t as gentle and helpless as you seem to believe. She’s an A-rank veteran."

Zac remained silent. "And more importantly, I’m settling them in one of my personal residences."

Her lips curved slightly. "That alone will imply they have a direct connection to me. Anyone with even half a brain cell wouldn’t be stupid enough to touch them and provoke me."

"Of course they wouldn’t," Zac muttered under his breath.

Armani narrowed her eyes. "So, if you’re done here, get your ass out of my house."

She paused. "Unless you’d like to volunteer as my maid again."

"Definitely not." Zac immediately turned toward the door. "Thank you." With that, he left the cottage.

Armani rose from the lounge and walked over to the window. She watched him disappear down the mountain path, a faint smile appearing on her face.