I Killed The Main Characters

The lecture hall was quiet as the professor moved to the front of the room, picking up a piece of chalk with one hand while adjusting his glasses with the other.

Noah leaned back in his chair, trying to ignore the whispers that had been swirling around him moments earlier.

The tension from his peers' judgments still lingered, but now, his focus shifted to the professor, who was about to dive into a subject that had caught the attention of every student present.

The professor, a man with short, neatly combed black hair streaked with white strands, stood tall before the class. His thin moustache twitched as he began writing on the chalkboard.

As the chalk scratched across the board, the students' eyes followed his movements intently.

The words "Self-Healing" and "Vitality" appeared in large letters, setting the tone for the topic at hand.

"Today, we are going to discuss a method that could change your approach to healing entirely," the professor announced, his voice firm yet patient.

"A method that doesn't require the use of mana, but instead taps into a different form of energy—an energy source that can be found in nature, in magical plants and herbs.

This energy is known as 'Vitality.'"

Noah sat up straight, intrigued. The idea of self-healing without using mana was something he had encountered before in the game but never bothered to delve deeper into it.

'This method takes time and accuracy...which sometimes can be a pain in the ass.'

'That's why I never bothered to learn it...'

Noah thought to himself.

The prospect of such a method could be a game changer, especially for someone like him, who was focused on improving his own abilities without relying on others.

The professor continued, pacing slowly as he explained.

"Now, before we delve into the specifics, I want you to understand one thing: this method of healing is not fast. It's slower compared to what a seasoned healer or healing magic can provide.

But it's reliable, sustainable, and—most importantly—accessible to anyone who has the knowledge and the patience to master it."

He turned back to the chalkboard, underlining the word 'Vitality.'

"Vitality is a magic substance found in specific plants and herbs, and while it is magical in nature, it is not the same as mana.

Think of it as the life force that these plants carry within them, something that can be ingested, absorbed, and utilized by the body to regenerate and heal.

And now, we will break this concept into three crucial sub-topics: Extraction, Integration, and Activation."

The students murmured softly, intrigued by the new terminology. Noah noticed the glint of curiosity in their eyes.

Even the ones who had been gossiping earlier were now fully engaged.

The professor drew three sections on the board, writing the first sub-topic: 'Extraction.'

"The first step," he explained, "is learning how to extract the Vitality from these magic plants and herbs.

Unlike potions, which require elaborate preparation and the use of mana to activate their properties, Vitality must be drawn out in its purest form.

This is done through a meticulous process that involves identifying the right part of the plant. Some plants contain Vitality in their roots, others in their leaves or petals."

He paused for effect, letting the class absorb the information.

"For instance, the Dewdrop Lily, a plant you may have encountered in the academy gardens, stores its Vitality in the petals.

These petals must be dried and ground into a fine powder before their Vitality can be consumed.

On the other hand, the Ironvine Root stores its Vitality in its roots, and these must be boiled and the essence extracted into a broth.

Different plants require different methods, and understanding how to properly extract their Vitality is crucial."

A hand shot up from the back of the room.

"But professor, how can we be sure we're extracting the right amount of Vitality from the plant?"

"Excellent question," the professor said, nodding approvingly.

"The key is to pay attention to the plant's color and scent during the process. If you overheat the Ironvine Root, for example, the broth will turn dark brown instead of its usual pale green, indicating that the Vitality has been damaged.

Similarly, if the Dewdrop Lily powder smells too sweet, it means the Vitality has evaporated."

The lecture hall was silent for a brief moment, the information sinking in.

Then, from the back of the room, a voice piped up, louder than intended, "So basically, if it smells like candy, we're doomed?"

The entire class erupted into laughter.

Even those who had been struggling to focus or who had felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the lesson couldn't help but snicker.

The professor paused, blinking at the unexpected outburst.

A small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though he quickly regained his usual composure. He tapped the chalk against the board lightly, waiting for the laughter to die down.

"As entertaining as that may sound," the professor said with a raised eyebrow, "I would recommend not testing that theory."

Another wave of chuckles rippled through the room.

As the laughter in the classroom began to quiet down, the same student, emboldened by the success of his first joke, piped up again.

"But Professor, what if it's tempting?" he said, feigning an innocent expression.

"I mean, if it smells that sweet, I'd rather taste the powder. Could be worth the risk!"

The room burst into laughter once more, this time even louder. Some students were doubled over in their seats, while others playfully nudged the student who had spoken, shaking their heads with amused disbelief.

The professor, clearly trying to maintain his composure, couldn't suppress a chuckle. He folded his arms and leaned against his desk, shaking his head slightly.

"Ah, I see we have a brave soul in our midst," the professor said dryly, his eyes narrowing humorously at the student.

"But I'd caution you against eating mysterious powders just because they smell nice. The consequences might not be as sweet as you hope."

More laughter followed, some students mimicking exaggerated reactions of tasting magical powders and dropping dramatically in their seats.

Even Noah, who had been somewhat lost in his own thoughts, found himself smiling at the ridiculousness of it all.

The professor tapped his chalk against the board again.

"Now, let's get back to the lesson before we have to call in a healer for someone's curious taste buds."

Noah noted this down. This was not the simple type of magic he had learned in his earlier years; this was precise, methodical work, requiring patience and care.

The professor moved to the next section of the board, writing down the second sub-topic: Integration.

"Once the Vitality has been extracted, the next challenge is to integrate it into your body. This is where many students struggle. You see, the body isn't naturally attuned to absorbing Vitality the way it does with mana. Vitality must be introduced to your system slowly, over time, for your body to adapt and use it effectively."

He gestured toward the class, his tone serious. "The integration process is delicate. Too much Vitality consumed too quickly can overwhelm your system, leading to severe nausea, headaches, and in extreme cases, Vitality poisoning.

Therefore, it's recommended to start with small doses—perhaps a single spoonful of Ironvine broth or a pinch of Dewdrop Lily powder—before gradually increasing the intake."

A student near Noah whispered to their classmate, "I had no idea it could be dangerous."

The professor overheard and smiled grimly.

"Indeed, it is dangerous if mishandled. But for those who are patient, the rewards are great. Once your body begins to adapt to the Vitality, it will start to regenerate slowly, repairing minor injuries like cuts, bruises, and even internal damage.

This healing is not instantaneous, but over the course of hours or days, your body will recover without the need for a healer's intervention."

Noah's mind was racing. The idea of integrating Vitality into his body was both fascinating and daunting. But if it meant he could heal himself without relying on others, it was worth considering.

Finally, the professor wrote the last sub-topic: Activation.

"Now, the final step in this process is activation," he said.

"Once the Vitality has been integrated into your body, you must learn how to activate it when needed. This requires concentration and focus, similar to how you would activate mana for spellcasting. But instead of drawing on your internal mana reserves, you are pulling on the stored Vitality in your system."

He crossed his arms, looking over the class.

"The activation process involves a specific mental technique, one that requires you to focus on the injured part of your body. You must envision the Vitality flowing to that area, mending the tissue and repairing the damage.

This may sound simple, but it requires a great deal of mental discipline."

Another student raised their hand.

"What happens if we can't activate it? Will the Vitality just stay in our bodies?"

The professor nodded. "Yes, the Vitality will remain in your body, but without activation, it will eventually dissipate, leaving your system after a few days.

That's why it's important to practice this technique regularly, so that when you do need to heal, you can activate the Vitality without hesitation."

Noah leaned back, absorbing everything. This was more than just a healing method—it was a complex art form, one that required dedication and skill.

The idea of using Vitality instead of mana for healing was something he had never considered, but now that he knew about it, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.

The professor turned back to the class, his eyes gleaming.

"Now, I want you all to think carefully about this method. It's not for everyone, but for those willing to put in the time and effort, it could be a valuable tool in your arsenal.

Healing isn't always about speed—it's about endurance, resilience, and preparation."

Noah nodded to himself, his resolve hardening. This was exactly what he needed.