"Si...Sir. You're becoming like the Archemage," trailed off Donis with the most disdainful look.
Realising what Corvig had been doing this entire time to Donis, he lost his marbles. Stammering and scrambling for a retort, Corvig eventually blurted back a half-assed answer.
"O-Okay smart-ass. Look, this wasn't even supposed to come up yet until much later into the year. Most kids don't even care about these facts. Why is it such a surprise that there are other worlds?" asked Corvig incredulously.
"Sir, it's so hard for me to believe there are so many worlds! They also have people on them too? What is this Mana Star? Wh-"
Before Donis could finish, Corvig shushed him and told him that he'd answer all of his questions after class in his office, so that he doesn't interrupt the other kids question time.
Donis's mind was still spinning as he waited for Corvig to finish his lecture. He had been sitting on the floor outside of his office for about 15 minutes now, and Corvig only now turned the corner. Corvig said his pleasantries and quickly ushered in Donis, who was more than eager to follow.
"So, unload Donis. Ask away."
Donis took in a deep breath.
"How do we know there are so many worlds? How do we know there are people there? What is the Mana Star? Why is being closer to it better for people to achieve higher Mana States? How many Mana States are there?" asked Donis within that single breath.
Corvig looked at him and just laughed. Tears welling up in his eyes, he laughed heartily.
"My boy I knew you were curious, but this is something else. Are you sure you're 10 years old? Hahaha."
After seeing Donis turn a little uncomfortable, Corvig continued.
"So, okay, to begin this all, the Mana Star is this blue sun that's in the centre of the universe, and it provides us all with Mana. It's what gives us the [System] too. Not too much is known this far away from the Star, but I hear the closer you get, the more recent studies you'll be able to read up on. The closer you get to it though, the higher the density of Mana there is. Lorenzo may not have told you, but there is a 4th way of getting a higher Mana State, and that's by going through the Mana Star Tribulation. The closer you are to the source of Mana, the higher the chance of the tribulation. There have been stories of people experiencing it on Erazar, but they're so rare that it's almost not worth telling people about it."
Letting Donis process the information a little, Corvig got a bottle of wine out of his ring and poured himself a glass that he kept in there too.
"There are 8 Mana States, they are as follows; Wisp, Breath, Essence, Aurora, Solar, Cosmic, Universal, Origin. I won't get too into it now, as explaining the intricacies behind each and every Mana State would take more time than either of us have, so you'll just have to find out as you get there Donis."
"Now, how do we know there are so many worlds? Well because we travel between them, and interact with their cultures and peoples on a daily basis. The exact number is only known by the higher echelons of the universal councils. Don't worry about them yet, they're just like the royal family we have, but.. bigger.. Anyhow, I hope all of this satiates you for now you little curious devil you. I must get back to work, and you must get back home, your family will worry if you're late!" said Corvig as he ruffled Donis's hair.
"Thank you so much Sir! You've really helped me out! I won't take up any more of your time, and I'll head home! Thank you again!" bowed Donis three times consecutively.
***
In the carriage on his way home.
Donis was deep in thought, brewing over the idea that there are not only planetary travel in this universe, but also universal level councils. That there are so many Mana States, and that there are Tribulations, and even a thing called a Mana Star.
'Wait.. wasn't my system called the Mana Star System?' thought Donis having a sudden realisation.
-Yes, the [User] is Equipped With the Mana Star System.-
'Ah, I've almost missed your toneless voice. I stress the almost,' retorted Donis.
'Hmm, interesting, so at least I know that part was true, which probably means the rest of it is true. Not that he'd have any reason to lie to me about this. God I'm feeling a little stressed about this whole thing. Not only have I been thrown into a world where magic is real, but that the entire fucking universe can use it, and some are born closer to the star, meaning they have probably an easier time doing this whole thing,' thought Donis as he fell back into his habit of grumbling deeply in his mind.
When Donis came home, he had dinner with his family, gave the three pills to his dad and continued the conversation about how this whole thing should happen. Donis couldn't really interject even if he had some great ideas because well, he is 10, and his parents while knowing he's a genius, would never allow Donis to meddle in adult affairs such as this. Donis may have been a genius in magic, but bartering and understanding people takes time and practice, which Donis didn't have an abundance of on this world.
It was eventually decided that some of the girls would come with Korrin, and get some life experience in haggling, and selling. Namely Priscilla and Rosa, as neither had any real experience in those subjects even though they were both 20.
They excelled in the normal school they had been sent to, but their magic attunement was beyond poor when they were young. Everyone but Donis had an awful aptitude towards magic, which disappointed family for many years, but never let it get to them.
The two girls wanted to make themselves feel useful to the family again, and if it meant helping their genius little brother, who are they to complain. If they somehow gain an [Alchemist] in the family and they become the faces of the product, then they'll even potentially find suitors.
They had entirely selfish goals, but at the same time they wanted to help their little brother, he was still their sweet little boy.
***
The next day at the morning market.
Korrin had been walking around the market all morning trying to look for potential buyers, but everyone seemed to be way too gosh darn healthy. He was starting to get desperate, even began thinking of cutting himself just so he can show people that these are real.
Though he was thinking of it, Priscilla had already found two people that needed mild healing, and wouldn't mind paying some coin to speed up their healing process. They were farmers, so any injury would really slow down their work.
Rosa on the other hand only found one person, a young lad who was looking for any healing medicine for his sick mother. She saw the boys eyes and couldn't say no to him, so she brought him to her father.
All of them were standing around Korrin, who had yet to get the message that anyone was even beside him. Noticing this, Priscilla gently tapped on her fathers shoulders and begged him to pay attention.
The two farmers had some hidden leg injuries, which couldn't have been spotted from afar, but Priscilla was already advertising cheap medicine on her own. No one believed in cheap medicine, but the two lecherous old farmers didn't give a damn if it could even possibly be a scam.
Korrin offered an upfront price of 20 Erzi, which even the poor boy recoiled at. 'Wasn't that too cheap,' they all thought in unison.
The two old men threw back the pills, ready to retort to Korrin when they immediately saw their very shallow wounds close up before their eyes. They even felt more refreshed! This was somehow not a scam! They begged Korrin for more so that they could stockpile these in case of emergencies, yet Korrin declined it, saying that he only has these three, as the production is still growing, and they're weeding out the market for these.
Once the boy saw how effective they were, he immediately wanted to buy whatever he could off of Korrin, no longer distrustful. Korrin though took pity on the lad, denying the fee and giving it to him for free as long as he spread the word to his injured friends that there will be cheap medicine for them to buy.
Korrin now had 40 Erzi from the two pills he sold, and decided to throw in an extra 20 from his own pocket because he technically would have just lost Donis business, but it was actually a powerful advertisement tactic.
Buying 60 Erzi worth of Ingredients, Korrin and the rest spent a leisurely morning in the market thinking about the future of the Laurents businesses.
***
A month later.
The routine Donis had developed left him with very little time to himself. He was building a small empire based entirely off of his own profits, training in magic every day, practicing his singular attack skill, training his body, and attending boring lectures.
Yet such a schedule offered great results. His magic had progressed slightly, his swordplay was getting smoother with both weapons, and his empire had flourished.
His family was getting known amongst the poorer status as saviours. His medicine was known throughout the slums, and farmers alike, able to keep mild bruises and wounds from festering and worsening.
Today was the day that his father would be coming back with the latest profit, and finish off his quest of achieving 5,000 Erzi.
-Ding!-
-[Growth-Quest]: Make 5,000 Erzi Complete!
Reward: [300SP] +
Title: Silver Tongue, Slum Saviour, Ambitious.
Silver Tongue: Allows the [User] to have a higher chance of persuading humanoid targets.
Slum Saviour: Allows the [User] to recruit repressed humanoids.
Ambitious: Allows the [User] to focus entirely on their ambitions.
'This one's easy, if I choose Ambitious, I will lose myself even further than I am already. I'm not falling for that one. Then if I go Slum Saviour, I'll have to forever be stuck as the underdog, nuh-uh. Only choice!' Donis mentally beamed.
'I choose you, Silver Tongue!'
-Acquired [300SP] + Silver Tongue Title -
'NOW SYSTEM THE LONG AWAITED UPGRADE, PLEASE, UPGRADE!' Donis mentally screamed!
-[User] Input Accepted, [System] Upgrading, Reboot Required-
'Wait.. wait reboot?'