The Pure Trees

The Pure Trees is a Niqols' academy on Nitis.

The Niqols' academies only has two years. They divide their students based on their achievements in the three major branches connected to mana which involve sensitivity, control, and manipulation.

Meeting the standards set by the Niqols when it comes to sensitivity and control is enough to gain access to the second year. Manipulation is already an advanced skill, and the aliens require a certain mastery over it to approach more specialized courses.

A decent mastery over the manipulation of mana isn't necessary to graduate. It turns out that even the Niqols found it hard to alter the nature of mana past certain levels. The Pure Trees only had a handful of geniuses in that field, and Liiza is one of them. Her ice comes from one of the specialized courses of the academy.

The students are mostly free to decide their own future after graduating. Many of them usually become active parts of their tribes while others continue to pursue their studies to enter or expand specialized courses.

The Pure Trees only opened eight spots to the humans, those humans were :

* Khan
* George
* Venorica
* Gabriela
* Bradford
* Helen
* Kelly
* Rodney

The enrolled recruits need to swear magic oaths once they actually enter the academy to make sure they can't spread classified information.

## Description

The academy is inside a valley at the center of seven mountains. A barrier covers the entire valley, keeping the academy hidden from prying eyes.

The large leaves abandon their black shades to make room for white and grey colors that radiate the same glow as the Niqols' eyes annouce the entrance to the academy. The trees become clearer the deeper into the academy you go. Their trunks became whiter and start to radiate the same faint glow as the leaves, but more empty areas also start to appear.

That trend peaks when reaching a large empty area in the center of the barrier that features multiple buildings made of mud and black ground. The structures appear quite poor-looking, and are short and scarce, but they all have the iconic azure symbols on their surface. There seems to be faint paths on that dark plain illuminated by the white glow around it. A few benches and marks on the ground creat rudimentary gathering points. Other spots have large holes with stages and cauldrons.

The academy doesn't have many buildings. The few structures inside the forest all have specific purposes that require a closed environment or unique tools. The Niqols don't want to risk ruining the aura by adding too many buildings. Yet, that doesn't prevent them from expanding the academy. They only had to stretch it downward instead of upward. Furthermore, the trees create a special aura that covers the entire academy and helps training.

The habitations are in a large underground hall connected to the surface with a large, steep staircase. Azure symbols and smooth walls create a cozy and warm environment.

The academy has a small lake filled with transparent waters that spreads a peaceful aura through the surrounding area. Risky lessons that require complete control over mana happen there due to the obvious benefits connected to that aura.

Another unique area is under the surface. The roots of many trees come out of the ceilings and create an environment almost devoid of mana. It is easier to focus and check certain improvements and features of the mana there. Many medical lessons happen there since the lack of interferences makes diagnosis quicker.

The academy has other similar structures spread inside the area inside the barrier.

## Courses

### Mana Sensitivity

The purpose of the lesson was to make their minds used to a state of tight connection with the world. It was conditioning meant to improve the students base sensitivity to mana, like a meditation focused only on their senses.

### Mana Manipulation

Mana manipulation consists of changing the nature of the mana depending on the ability wanted.

## The Lake

It is a structure connected to the old methods of the Niquols. It is situated in immense underground, a few azure symbols shone on the smooth walls and filled the area with a faint glow. The place was obviously artificial due to its rectangular shape, and only the part with the lake featured uneven surfaces that didn't go through a polishing process.

The waters will reveal the shades of the student's mana (where Humans will stop at the element), and it will give the professor the chance to choose courses that suit their nature.