The classroom fell silent the moment the woman stepped forward.
Snow-white hair framed her sharp eyes, her presence calm yet heavy enough to press against the room. She wore a traditional white phanek and enaphi, standing straight with the confidence of someone who had never needed to prove her authority.
"I am Wakheipam Kondonglei," she said.
"One of the Big Three Families of Thawai Society."
A subtle stir moved through the class.
Before she could continue, a hand rose hesitantly.
"Yes?" Kondonglei said, turning her gaze.
"I… I have a question," Yaikhomba spoke up. "What exactly are the Big Three Families?"
Kondonglei nodded, as if expecting it.
"The Big Three Families are the higher families of Thawai Society," she explained. "They manage the smaller families, oversee internal order, and influence the politics of the sorcerer world. Their roots stretch far back—older than this university itself."
She paused.
"They exist not for dominance, but for stability."
Her eyes swept across the class. "Now, let us begin."
She started calling students one by one, asking their names and backgrounds. When she reached Yaikhomba, he stood straight.
"I'm Nongthombam Yaikhomba," he said. "I was selected by the Sorcerer Committee. I used to be a normal person, but after I awakened, I was allowed to join this university."
Kondonglei studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"An awakened sorcerer who entered through merit," she said. "That is commendable."
Yaikhomba exhaled quietly as she moved on.
Soon, she stopped in front of Lanthaba.
"And you?"
Lanthaba stood. "I'm Thangjam Lanthaba. I'm from the Thangjam lineage."
A few students glanced his way.
"I came here," Lanthaba continued calmly, "to protect humanity from the Lairois."
Kondonglei's expression softened—just slightly.
"A clear purpose," she said. "Good."
She returned to the front of the class.
As the room relaxed, Yaikhomba leaned toward Lanthaba and whispered, "So… what are we actually going to learn here?"
Lanthaba thought for a moment.
"Teachers don't teach our personal Thawai techniques," he replied quietly. "That part we learn ourselves. They teach us history, politics, barriers, rituals, contracts—and assign missions based on our rank."
"Rank?" Yaikhomba asked.
"There are eight," Lanthaba said.
He counted them slowly.
"Mahei Maithou—the lowest, for students.
Chahei Maithou.
Nongrum Maithou.
Aahei Maithou.
Makha Maithou.
Mathak Maithou.
Achou Maithou.
And the highest—Ningtham Maithou."
Before Yaikhomba could ask more, Kondonglei's voice cut through the room.
"You will all listen carefully."
She turned toward the board.
"In this university, you will study Tha, Mi, and Sana."
She raised one finger.
"Tha is the foundation of barriers, Binding Vows, rituals, and contracts. It is the most commonly used support system among sorcerers. Without Tha, the barriers between realms would have collapsed long ago."
A second finger.
"Mi is the refinement of the body. Strength, speed, endurance, durability—Mi strengthens the vessel so it can withstand Thawai. It is dangerous when abused."
A third finger.
"Sana is healing. Rare, difficult, and unstable. Only a few families have mastered it. Do not assume everyone can learn Sana."
She let her gaze harden.
"You will not explain your techniques or abilities to others. Not to friends. Not to allies. And never to enemies."
The room stiffened.
"Information is power," Kondonglei continued. "And power leaks kill sorcerers."
She rested her hand on the desk.
"Thawai itself is the soul's spiritual energy—the fuel that allows all other cores to function. Most sorcerers focus on barrier techniques, because maintaining the balance between realms matters more than personal glory."
Just then, the classroom door opened.
The air changed instantly.
Kondonglei turned and bowed slightly.
"Welcome," she said respectfully.
A short figure entered the room—humanoid, yet clearly not human. His presence was ancient, overwhelming. Two eyes looked forward calmly, while a third eye on his forehead remained open.
The students froze.
Taibang Sana Heithoiba.
Head of Manipur Sorcery University.
The class had just become far more serious.