Chapter 8: Mana
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Rather it can be transferred or changed from one form to another. It all started out with a big bang. The creation of the universe. On how we all existed in this civilization, where a big explosion has caused the universe to develop. Despite that, a theory is still a theory. Not a 100% revelation of any kind. Leaving a room for more to explore.
There are still several questions has been left in dark. Energy, for example, no one knows how and when it has existed. We just knew it was there. Even though there are many research on law and mechanism to understand energy, energy still remained a mystery in the physics world. What is the fundamental behind it? How and why it has ever existed? How much do we even know how the universe works?
Mana is a source of power that could be cultivated as one's own. It existed within every single being and had circled around the universe ever since before the beginning of existence. What human does not know, or at least the human of the earth does not know was that, this so call mana is what we call energy. Although it has been known throughout the centuries, till then no one has expected that mana or energy can be absorbed to increase one's temperament.
In some instances, one can enhance their muscle strength to exert more power. Some can even upgrade their mind enable them to analyse their surroundings in a split second. There even cases of those that could manipulate mana by transforming it into another matter or even control elements, having nature and environment as their supports. There are several records of those who can make imagination into a reality by visualizing with their mind.
"As you can see, not everyone can handle mana. They are various factors to consider"
The first rule of being able to wield mana is to have sufficient amount of mana. This could explain why before there were no records of human in the earth was able to wield mana as their own. There was not enough mana to begin with.
Besides earth there are other kind of world and universe existing out there who had human controlling mana for centuries as a norms. Still, just having a good source of mana does not mean everyone can hold them or have a feel for them. In actuality, only certain person can wield mana as their own. Even if everyone has mana in their body does not mean everyone can use it. As how everyone has feet, not everyone can play football.
And in football, some are good some are bad. Mana users are the same. Talent defined how well can a person wield their mana. This could be measured by how much mana can the person use in a single duration and the maximum mana one can use at one time. Some may have a large storage of mana, but the person would be weak if they can only use a maximum of 10% to enhance their body. Even if one can use almost 100% of their mana to enhance their body, it would be worthless if they could not even last for a second.
"That is how a battle between mana user usually goe. For those who can use mana, we could separate them into several categories"
There is three distinguishable type of mana users. The first one is an enchanter. They use mana to enhance various part of their body to increase its power output. We can see an increase in muscle strength, fast-reaction speed and super quick thinking.
The second one is a manipulator. While enchanters wield mana internally, manipulators wield mana externally. Some use mana as extended limbs. Or even use mana to create flame and water to protect themselves. These people usually have high storage of mana since they can practically use their surrounding mana as their own.
Lastly, the third one is the conjurer. They create things by visualizing with their mind. For example, a conjurer could create a sword that could slash everything or even spears that could extend as far as the wielder could see. They can even change environment and create illusion to gain advantages in battles. Usually, this kind of user would have a great mental strength and is not common among mana users.
"Those are all three types of mana-users. However, a person is not limited to only one type. Some can become two-type users, and few can even become three-type users. When you gain enough experience and reach a certain mastery of mana you may be able to create your own style that could become a trump card in your battle."
"Then how about me?"
"You... you are..."
While Kim fought with Cerberus and King Hydra he had shown tremendous strength and boost in speed while running. He even able to think at a very fast rate making everything seems slow when he's concentrating, add with his superhuman reflects makes him an enchanter. Kim was also able to call forth an enormous amount of mana, making the mana as his own, unleashing magnificent crimson flame that roasted King Hydra to the ground in a single strike.
"So that's also mean you are a manipulator. I do think you have more affinity as a manipulator since the tremendous force behind the flame your created was ginormous. And also… only manipulator able to use mana to heal themselves and become immune to several infliction. While its common for mana-users of any type to gain immunity and they eventually regenerate themselves as they absorb mana in their surroundings, manipulators can do it way faster when compared to others.
"So, I'm an enchanter and a manipulator."
"Yes, at least for now you are. It's still early to determine anything. All you need to do is train then you will know."
"A two-type user huh.."
"By the way, I'm a Master three-type user who has developed my own style."
"I didn't ask you"
"When I was at your age, I was able to master all three types with no problem. I would have the privilege to enter the nation battle competition to compete for the top. Eventually…."
For two-hours Kim had to listen to the voice non-stop rambling about his glorious past. Of course, the bragging just passes through his two ears. Instead, he tried to grasp the mana he felt before.
Nothing.
He slanted his head a bit and tried to focus again. The mana was not gathering. Sweat profusely dripping from his face as he tried again and again. He can feel the mana inside and outside his body, but he could not use it as how he did just now. He definitely used mana when he tried to kill himself just now. Somehow, it was not possible anymore.
Then he tried to punch as hard as he can to the ground. BOOOMM!
Although it was not as strong as he did when he use mana, it was still powerful enough to form a crack on the ground. The most important point was…
"HURRRTTTTT!!!"
"What are you doing kid?"
"It wasn't hurt before."
"That's because mana was protecting you from the pain you fool. If not, you would be reduced to shred with one hit"
"Then why can't I use mana now?"
"Oho, you can feel it now don't you?"
"What?"
"Call me Master"
"No"
"Call me Master and I would tell you"
"No"
"Then have good luck figuring it yourself"
"Cool"
By that time, the voice fell silent. Kim feels calm as there was no more annoying voice disturbing his mind. He can now think properly on what he is going to do now. Although he can't use mana, his body was still strong. It seems body strength could permanently increase. Athletes would train their muscle daily to improve their performance. A martial artist would push their body to the limit to temper their body. In end, body strength does not directly link to mana. But mana could improve it more when used.
In case of Kim, his fight with two mighty ferocious beasts has pushed his way breaking his limit. He gradually becoming stronger as the fight prolong. Another thing was mana. Although he could not use mana now, does not mean the mana inside his body is gone. The mana that was flowing inside his vein and soul is constantly strengthening his muscle due to his enchanter trait. Moreover, a manipulator can absorb surrounding mana without the need to rest or even focus. As his body continues to absorb mana, Kim gradually becoming stronger as time goes by without himself noticing it.
'This kid potential is too high. I can't even predict what future he will hold in his hand. If only he could accept me as his master, then I could guide to be at least my level. Well, the best way to learn is to experience yourself anyway. As to how everything stands...I'm sure he will come bow to me sooner or later! Hahahahahaha!'
After getting chained for so long without any outside contact, he felt an excitement in his heart. While he observed his 'apprentice-to-be', a suspicious feeling is lingering in his mind. He wondered how the place suddenly become a living hell. Usually mana density would increase little by little so the monster that appear would only be low-level.
He can't understand how a world that never felt mana before could attracted monster like King Hydra and Cerberus. And even the Cerberus is an alpha Cerberus which was the leader of its pack. The only thing he could think of was, someone forcedly excite the mana in earth which unintentionally summon these monsters as well.
'It could be possible that they did not expect Alpha Cerberus and King Hydra would appear. It seems they know this world contain high storage of mana. But the gamble they took to excite the mana has increased the rate of mana growth exponentially. If he did not kill them just now, it might be the end of this world. The people in this world would probably won't even be able to feel the mana before everything is destroyed. And this is only a start'
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Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It is commonly known as KL. As the capital, it is the largest city in Malaysia and the fastest growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia with a population close to 8 million people. Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs has become a true landmark of the city as well as the pride of the whole nation. With a height of 451 meters tall, it is one of the few tallest twin towers in the world. The towers also offer a public sky-bridge and observation deck for locals and tourists to experience the whole view of the city.
Same time when the Cerberus appeared, a disturbance has caused panic within the domestic areas. It even came out as urgent news. Pets has becoming more aggressive. They merciless attacking their own owner as if they were wild animals. Most people able to escape from their house and locked their pets away. Unfortunately, weak citizens like old people and kid sometimes get brutally killed as they are not able to protect themselves.
Not just domesticated animals, even birds like pigeon and crows have started to attack any passer-by. Rats from sewers are coming out destroying public facilities. Bugs are aggressively eating plants in farm. This has caused an outrage in the news. The government has issued it to be a national crisis. People are rushed into the designated safe locations and military were dispatch without reserves.
As time goes by more and more people are getting killed. In Malaysia hundreds and thousands of people were killed several hours since the start of the calamity. It was not just a crisis happening in Malaysia. The entire world was facing a similar situation. Undeveloped countries would suffer more casualties. Warring nations such as Korea and the middle east could respond in time as they had their military ready to be dispatch at any time. There was even a moment of truce for both sides of warring nations to cooperate while protecting each citizen. However, there are still unavoidable casualties happening as they could not expect to protect everyone. Especially for tyrannical government, where the citizen was left behind to protect the head of the country first.
It was a disaster that was more frightening than pandemic that happened in the past. Currently, within a day, humans of the earth has been reduced less of a third of the whole population.