Mana, magic power, and life force are synonyms for the same thing.
It could give any individual access to a new, unexplored reality over the limits imposed by the body he was born with.
However, at the same time, that mysterious power didn't discriminate.
As for the creatures gifted with rationality, they did the same with animals, plants and the air itself.
If the first three groups were, only, if so could be said, geared up over every wildest expectations, the same couldn't be said for the atmospheric particles.
This incredible phenomenon, silently accepted by Ouroboros citizens as common sense, was obviously one of the most surprising pieces of knowledge from Eric's point of view.
*Life from nothing?! *
The first time he came to know about the event, he felt just incredulous and slightly flippant, thinking about the crazy claim of the teacher of the Royal Palace.
