A normal person's mana pool starts out as a concentrated mass of energy, located somewhere around the midriff of the body, just above the stomach. As the person grows, it takes the shape of a swirling mass of energy that resembles the appearance of a cascading pool of water, hence the term mana "pool". The mana pool is an extension of the soul embodied in the physical body, so the size of the mana pool is a rough gauge of the latent power of the soul, which only accomplished mages can gain access to and unlock the power within.
Nevertheless, for one to manifest magic physically,one has to create the desire in one's mind first,then with the act of chanting the intent,it gives the desire manifestation, and the mana within the person activates. Now,the base elements of creation are water,earth,fire and wind. As such, these cause mages to have varying levels of strength in summoning or using any of the elements. Because of this, some have a stronger affinity for usually one or two of the elements in magically manifesting them.
Richard's affinity was earth and fire,while Theresa's was wind only. As such, they set out to teach Damien in regards to the element they were more familiar with.
Richard was now near the edge of the beast forge, where they were conducting their first lesson.
" OK Damien, let's start with a simple spell of fire-imbuing," he said,gently chanting and lighting his right hand with fire.
"Your ability to properly create the desired magic output will help you well. Naturally, because you have seen fire before, you are able to clearly create the image of a ball of fire in your hand," he explained.
Damien nodded his head as he focused on the ball of fire in his father's hand.
"Will I not get burnt if my affinity isn't that of fire though," he inquired, slightly worried.
" Well, yes," Richard responded before adding with a meaning look, " but, I have a feeling that you will be fine. Create the intent in your mind first,then create it in your hand. Direct the mana flow to your hand, then mutter the incantation that comes with the desire. Dont worry about which words will come out of your mouth,since your soul gives you utterence. Dont let your intent spill out, rather make sure it is confined within the area of the spell you are creating".
" OK father", he said, and closed his eyes.
Richard was looking at him,somehow expecting a phenomenal first spell from his son. A ball of fire appeared in Damien's hand, but Richard could swear the boy hadn't muttered any word! The boy opened his eyes with a happy look, "I did it!"
"Yes,you did it!", he exclaimed, "but did you mutter something under your breath,son?"
"No, I just thought about it and it happened as I intended it without saying anything",
"You didn't feel any welling up of words from inside of you??"
"Nope,didnt feel a thing," he said cautiously, "is anything wrong?" he added, seeing the astonished look on his father's face.
"No, nothing is wrong," Richard said, regaining his composure. "Let's try another spell. Create a ball of air,then another with earth and another with water".
Damien paused a bit, then manifested all the elements in one hand. Richard's jaw literally fell to the ground.
"I meant one at a time in succession!", he gashed," only very strong mages can manifest all elements at once, and that's to say something. There has only been one mage who was able to do that though",
The boy blushed and released the spells. Richard drew closer to him,eying him curiously.
"Son, you are crazy strong",
Damien looked at his father sheepishly and said "why can very few people do the same?"
" It's because of the mana pool. The normal pool size of a person can only put out enough energy for the inherent intent of the mage. But I guess it's because of the size of your mana pool". Looking closely at the boy, he added "speaking of which, I cant even perceive where your mana pool begins and ends!"
"Oh..." was all Damien could say.
The fact that most mages would be able to look at Damien's pool size easily to gauge his power worried him. An idea suddenly struck him.
"Son, can you create an intent to manifest your mana pool as the size of your hand?"
" OK," he said and then proceeded to close his eyes.
The results were immediately apparent. Richard perceived Damien's pool as a small smudge of energy, like any normal five-year-old. Showing a smaller mana pool was better than entirely hiding his mana pool,which would only draw attention to its absence,in a seven-year-old boy no less." You have to maintain that intent when you are in public for your safety, OK?"
" OK father," he said,smiling. Damien trusted his father fully and without any doubt. He worried more about Damien's opponents in the future. He didn't want to imagine someone fighting the full might of Damien's intent.
**********
Theresa gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and the Snows named him Aldwin. His arrival was celebrated by everyone in Sunfolk and a feast was held by the elder Brinhad to celebrate.
Over the next two years, Richard taught Damien how to wield a sword and a spear, which he became very adept at, in a short space of time, to the point of regularly besting his father. His father taught him to imbue magic into his weapons to give them a more cutting power and edge. Damien mastered everything as if he had been born with a sword in his hand.
Damien was ready for the test of intent for his admission to Essaf academy of magic.
Richard readied him for the test,confident that he would make a big impression, but worried about what that would entail.
"I think you are over thinking the whole thing," said his wife after he shared his worries,"we can only control so much of the outcomes in our lives,everything else remains in the gods' hands."
" I know my love,but I don't want to ignore the evil that permeates this world,especially on a young pure soul as our son", he complained.
Theresa dropped the fabric she was knitting and moved to sit beside her husband.
" Damien is very powerful,beyond our understanding. His coming into our lives was more than a miracle. His presence has even healed me of my barrenness. We mustn't worry about him. I'm sure the world will never be able to corrupt our boy", she gently chided.
Richard grudgingly agreed,sliding a hand across her waist, " As always, you are right my love", and more cheerily," I can't wait to see the headmaster's face when he feels our boys' aura!" they both gloated.
They were supposed to leave the following day by the portus warp gate in the Sunfolk village near the elder's compound, so they decided to sleep over there.
Damien kissed his mother and bade her farewell,and they departed with his father for the village.
Elder Brinhad and mama Brinhad welcomed them when they arrived, and showed them where they could retire for the night. The elder gave them Paul's room since his was at school.
Damien hardly slept,anticipating the coming test. He understood that his parents feared him so much because of his power,but he had come to realise that power was necessary to survive in the world. That those who are without power become fodder for the strong. He was yet to see the limits of his,since he couldn't find a good place to test it. He feared that flexing his aura would pre-maturely draw attention to himself because of the inevitable casualties it would bring.
However, as they were leaving the following morning, the elder drew him aside and said to him, "unleash your power,the academy coloseum can take it. Once you get admitted,choose your friends carefully".
Damien thought about this briefly before giving the elder a curt nod. Richard didnt ask what the elder had said.
The Teleporting hut was just that...a hut. Crudely made to just sufficiently house the portal device. Already there were parents with their kids also headed to the same destination. They were promptly transported to the Essaf academy receiving hall,where they were welcomed by a tall ,clean-shaven teacher, who introduced himself as Professor William. They were shepherded to the school grounds where the coloseum was located. Damien kept swivelling his head left and right,overwhelmed by the grandeur that permeated the school. The halls were decorated with shining marble and rare metals throughout the whole establishment. This sight didnt prepare him for the beauty that was the coloseum. It was an enclosed arena that could house more than fifty thousand people. The stands were currently teaming with people,eager to see the incumbent students taking their first test of intent.
Richard nudged Damien and told him to proceed alone." I will be watching from the stands,son!" he shouted as he made his way with the rest of the parents.
A mage directed them to a sitting area where they were met by the principal of Essaf academy himself.
"Welcome,potential students! I am principal Palmer.The trial will begin shortly and swiftly. You will be required to release the full extent of your intent so that the artifacts around the arena will be able to gauge your power levels. There are 4 levels that mages will be categorised into: level 0 is the D class level,for those who have readings below the basic spectrum of power. level 1 is the C class level,for those with above average mage level potential. Level 2 is the B class or warrior mage level, for those with exceptional intent." he explained, " level 3 is something I definitely don't expect from anyone at your age. It's the A class or mastered warrior mage-which only comes to those students who have graduated to the Mid-tier classes of Essaf academy." He looked upraisingly at the nervous group, holding his gaze longer at where Damien was seated.
" Dont take this preliminary test too hard,its only for admission purposes into the school where an introduction to the basic concept of mana pool manipulation. You will undergo another test 3 years from now as you advance into the mid-tier Essaf academy. Afterwards, you will receive another test of intent that will promote you to the high-tier Essaf academy. At the high tier level you will be tested for S and SS levels of magic capabilities, while at the mid tier level you will be tested for the A and AA levels of magic capabilities", he paused to let the information sink into his audience's overwhelmed minds.
"Give your best! I wish you luck,may Deanna be with you", he concluded, and swiftly disappeared through a side door. A young student appeared and retrieved the names of every child who was seated and exited the same way as the principal.
**********
An announcer was calling out the names of the kids one by one,as they came out into the arena.
For such a relatively unimportant event,the stands were filled to capacity, mounting the pressure on the would-be mages.
'This is the beginning of my journey. The further I am to proceed is determined by making a mark with power from the onset,' thought Damien, ' But by quickly drawing attention to myself could also create unnecessary enemies prematurely'. So Damien decided then to lower his intent significantly, so that he gets admitted in the D level of magic capability.
The first kid to be called was a nervous one,who was struggling to keep his emotions from interfering with his intent. He walked awkwardly to the centre of the arena and stood muted, unsure of what to do.
"Neville Surefoot ,just release all of your magical intent ," encouraged the announcer. The boy looked at where the Essaf teachers were seated,with parchments in front of them to write down their thoughts on every testee.
Neville breathed in and closed his eyes,focusing on releasing all of his energy. A sudden whirl of mana rose around the boy,raising the surrounding sand into a whirlpool of mana. He spread his legs apart to balance the effort, then breathed out. The air split as a powerful surge of energy erupted from the boy, as he released a pulpable amount of intent.
The teachers nodded approvingly and scribbled on their parchments excitedly. The dome that surrounded the arena lit up brightly,as the boy's intent was absorbed.
" Level 2 for Neville Surefoot!", mthe announcer. A couple in the stands were waving at him excitedly, the parents no doubt, as he made his way back to the waiting room.
The proceedings went on with pretty much similar results,the bulk entering as level 2 mages and only one level 1.
Damien's name was called, and he gulped down a lump of apprehension as he made his way to the centre of the arena.
He spread his legs first, as he had been taught by his father, and inhaled deeply,focusing on lowering the intent. He managed to create a small pulse that caused the arena to light up dully.
The teachers were visibly disappointed, and they showed their disapproval in the furious way they wrote on their parchments.
"level 0, D class for Damien," the announcer boomed in his magically enhanced baritone.
As he was leaving the arena,Damien caught the knowing look of the Principal as he exited.
He was greeted by his father, who was looking at him, clearly surprised by his poor show.
"You chose to lower your intention, I see," said Richard." why is that?"
"Well, I just wanted to delay drawing attention to my power early," he shrugged," after all,showing my full aura could decimate the entire city and everyone in it," he added as-a-matter-of-factly.
Richard was about to argue, then decided the boy was probably right...