[Clattering]
"So Elric how's your day been?"
"Same as usual, what about you?"
[Chewing]
"Well now that you asked, there was this thief that stole from a noble and ran towards the south gate and then..."
Could you please stop chewing with your mouth open?
[Swallows]
"Anyway Elric, did you read anything new today?"
"Yeah, a book on magic"
"A book on magic? Where did you get that? I don't remember us having one of those"
"I got it from Mr Till, a customer left it at his shop a while ago and didn't come back for it so he gave it to me"
"That's nice and all but make sure you return it when you're done. The owner could come back for it any time"
"Yes mom I will"
"So have you learnt anything about magic?"
"Not much dad, I've only just started so all I know are the basics"
"Well keep at it who knows, maybe you'll become the first mage to be born into our family"
"Don't get your hopes up, dad"
"I know, I know, it's rare enough that one awakens among nobles. I know at least that much"
"Let's finish dinner first, you two can talk about all this later"
Becoming a mage huh? That does sound exciting. Maybe I can even become one of the strongest on the continent one day.
"I'm going outside mom"
"That's a surprise, why so suddenly?"
"I just felt like it today"
"Alright, be careful and don't go too far"
"Yes mom, I won't"
"Be back before it gets dark?"
"Bye mom, see you later"
I know that she's my mom and all but she's way too overprotective! I can't wait to grow up.
[Click]
He went outside, went outside! Maybe he's finally growing out of that shy phase. Whatever it is I'm glad he's not going to be inside all-day
[Rustle]
[Chirp]
After a few days of studying the book I got from Mr Till, I've learnt a lot more about mana circles. Because of how they function, both enhancers and commuters have specific affinities towards different elements.
Just like how no two people can have the same fingerprint, no two people have the same elemental affinities. Because of this after awakening, a person will be able to manipulate some elements more easily than others. This allows for the classification of mages using their elemental affinity.
But this doesn't make sense. In theory, a person should be able to manipulate all forms of mana, but why can't they in this world?
[Screach]
"What was that sound"
[Screach]
where did it come from?"
[Screach]
A small scaly creature crawls out from the bushes just ahead of him where the noises were coming from. Its scales were a deep black with a streak of blue running from its belly to the tip of its tail.
"Hey little guy, where did you come from?" He said picking up the creature.
I thought the towns guard had cleared all the monsters in this area, so where did this guy come from? It doesn't look like any creature I've seen or read about. Does that mean I've discovered a new species?
[Screach]
"What's wrong little guy? Are you hungry?" he said placing it on a nearby boulder and pulling out a biscuit from his pocket.
The creature snatched at it with its mouth and began to chew on it aggressively.
"Slow down little guy, I've got more here so don't rush"
Strange, It's similar in a few ways to salamanders but it's one. Its limbs are bigger and more muscular, it's lighter and its scales seem thicker. Meaning that it's faster, more agile and much more durable.
It's similar but this one has somehow developed new features. Like how if you put a sports car engine into a normal car it becomes something different.
"Wait a minute, that's it! The problem isn't the person but the method"
Instead of a mana circle, I need to find a method I can use to store and a new method to manipulate mana. Like how the power distribution system used in big cities inworld worked. There is a main plant commented many to smaller plants which then connect to people's homes.
I'll think of my body as the city, the main plant can be something like a core where the mana is stored and I'll use my joints as the smaller sub-plants. To connect them all I'll make pathways or mana channels within my body
But how do I supply the core with mana? Normal mana absorption using the body wouldn't be viable. What about breathing? Since mana is everywhere all I would need to do is breathe and extract the mana from the air, if I get good enough at it I could even continue to amass mana while I do everyday tasks, doubling productivity!
With that I wouldn't need to worry about the quality and quantity of my mana. I would be able to strengthen my body and cast spells! I'd be the perfect battle mage.
Although this method could be amazing it could be dangerous since It hasn't been tested. If it works out the rewards will be amazing but if it doesn't, I could die due to mana overload!
So before I can even think of attempting this I'll need to be able to sense mana. But it's getting dark so I need to go home soon.
[Screach]
"Thanks little guy, I got the idea for this because of you so don't worry I'll make sure to give you lots of food when we get home" he said picking up the creature
[Screach]
"Alright lets get going before it gets too dark or else mom's gonna freak"