None of the three could answer my question.
This isn't because of their lack of knowledge.
To humans, mana is as natural as air.
Even non-magicians know mana exists in the atmosphere.
It's common sense.
People rarely question something so obvious.
"If you think about it—what happens to magic after? We use it naturally, but..."
"True... can't explain. Thinking deeper—it feels more mysterious..."
"Hmm—even magic experts don't know? Rain-neesan never mentioned during lessons."
All three looked confused.
"No shame in not knowing—don't feel down. This question itself is rare. Even high-rank explorers likely don't know. Top "Silver Rabbit" magicians—Selma-san, Rain-san, Lucre—probably unaware too."
"Big sis too...?"
"Probably. No need to be embarrassed. You can reach top explorer without knowing. Knowing doesn't instantly boost skill. Actions stay the same. But—knowing lets you handle magic better."
Lecture on spirits—yet explaining this first.
Spirits tie closely to magic—and mana.
Better understanding this way than spirits alone.
"Not blaming—but you thought you understood magic, right? Reality—still shallow. No need to feel down. Unknown—learn from now."
"""Yes!!!"""
Dark mood from unanswered question—lifted slightly with encouragement.
"Now—explanation. First—answer. Magic after role ends—returns to mana."
"Returns to mana?"
Log echoed.
"Think mana as 'universal worker.' Cast [Fire Bullet]—mana gets command 'fly burning sphere to target.' Executes faithfully. Command ends—awaits next. We call waiting state 'atmospheric mana.'"
Strictly—conditions for return exist—but too detailed—skip to avoid confusion.
"Thought magic uses up mana. Mana doesn't disappear..."
Sophia muttered—understanding.
All following so far.
"Complicated now—half listen. Mana executes our spell formulas—commands. If most commands fire-based—what happens?"
Attack magic—six types: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice.
Recovery/support magic have types too—but irrelevant now—skip.
"Hmm... nothing special? Just executes commands?"
"Right. Ten, twenty times—no change. But hundreds, thousands—change occurs."
"...Only that type executable?"
Log guessed.
"Close. Changed mana executes all. But excels at that type. Humans same—repetition familiarizes. Same here. Changed mana called 'spirit.'"
"Changed mana... So spirit-mediated magic—faster activation, higher power?"
Sophia asked.
"Correct. Spirit present—same type magic more efficient."
"Makes sense. Advantage knowing... How confirm spirit presence?"
"No way."
"Eh..."
"Spirits same as mana. Humans can't sense mana—naturally can't sense spirits."
"Ehh—what!?"
Carol disappointed—missed expectation.
Unavoidable.
"Like said—knowing doesn't boost skill. —But said knowing helps handle better. Especially explorers—worth knowing."
"Ah—right."
Sophia realized something.
"Sophia—what?"
Log asked.
"Um—spirits changed mana from hundreds/thousands same-type spells, right? Labyrinths have fixed beasts per floor. Fire-weak floor—many fire spells cast—fire spirits exist?"
"Hmm—maybe. But pointless? Effective—everyone uses that type anyway."
"Carol right. But Master said—handle better. Ten power kills beast—cast ten power. Spirit present—actually eleven/twelve power. Conversely—nine power might kill. Less power—more efficient!"
...Amazing.
Almost said what I planned.
"True—lower power eases construction—less brain strain. Knowing vs not—big difference!"
"Um—Orun-san—my thinking correct?"
"Yeah—spot on. Good insight."
"Hmm~? But weird."
Carol caught something.
"What weird?"
"Master said—spirits mana extension, right? Then—'spirits told me'—what mean?"
"True..."
"Not explained yet."
"Hmm~? Master—how?"
"Spirits—as said—can't converse... But exception."
"Exception?"
"Yeah. Rare spirits gain ego. Classified spirit—but sometimes called 'fairy.'"
"Fairy—fairy tales—helped hero slay evil god?"
"Yeah. But ancient—few survive."
"Hmm~? So sis talks to fairy? But fairy spirit—unsensable?"
"Can't explain that. Spirit explanation ends. Knowing won't hurt—keep in mind."
"""Thank you!!!"""
Gifts—spirit lecture—unexpected—but day ended.
Finally—martial tournament begins.