After a span of a few weeks since my mana core's awakening, my parents took on the role of guides and trainers, helping me understand the uncharted territory of mana manipulation.
In a sunlit glade, I stood with a slender wooden stick in my grip, my efforts focused on mirroring my mother's poised stance. She patiently instructed me, her expertise evident in the fluidity of her movements.
Merely days earlier, I'd resolved to develop a talent in swordsmanship. But to my surprise, a notification promptly informed me that I already possessed this talent, albeit in a latent form.
I wondered, could this inclination be attributed to genetics? Was it due to an inheritance from my mother? Since I already have swordsmanship talent with me sl I shifted my focus to the "Mind Reading" talent, but then only to be met with another peculiar notification.
[ A restriction has been placed on your blessing "Talent Forge" ]
[ The acceleration of progress within the "Talent Forge" will be diminished by a significant 75% ]
"What on earth!?" I was genuinely frustrated by this revelation. It felt like my ability to take a shortcut was being snatched away. Could it be that the system had caught onto this unexpected advantage? I questioned Garen, hoping for some insight, but he confessed to being just as clueless. The restriction consumed my thoughts, causing me to lose focus more often than not.
"Hold the stick just like this, sweetheart," she says, demonstrating the grip and angle with grace and precision. I came back to my senses. I do my best to copy her, my little fingers wrapping around the stick as I watch her every move.
"It's not just about strength," her voice is soft but firm, "it's about your mana, your inner energy. Let it flow through you and into the blade."
With a deep breath, I close my eyes briefly, feeling a tingle in my fingertips that makes me grin with excitement.
"Okay, now swing the stick gently," she encourages, stepping back to give me space. "Let the mana guide your movements, make them smooth and precise."
Taking a step forward, I follow her instructions and with a whoosh, the stick moves through the air. As I continue to swing the stick, something changes. My movements become less forced, more natural, as if my heart, the mana, and the stick are all working in harmony.
"Now," she continues, "imagine this energy gathering at your core, a glowing ball of light in your chest."
As I exhale, I visualize the energy pooling in my chest, a warm and radiant glow that aligns with the rhythm of my breath. With each exhale, the light grows stronger, brighter.
"Extend your awareness to your hands," my mother's voice is a gentle breeze in my mind. "Feel the energy flowing down your arms, pooling in your palms."
"Now, picture the stick in your hand," she instructs, her words guiding my thoughts. "Visualize the energy flowing from your palms into the stick, infusing it with your essence."
I can almost see it in my mind's eye—a river of energy streaming down my arms, branching out like delicate tendrils as it merges with the stick's wood. The stick, once an inanimate object, begins to vibrate faintly, as if awakening to the presence of the mana.
With a steady exhale, I imagine my intentions taking form, a mixture of determination and curiosity. The mana seems to respond, swirling around the stick in intricate patterns, painting it with a soft, iridescent glow.
As I open my eyes, the stick seems to pulse with an otherworldly energy, its wood infused with the very essence of my being. With a mindful grip, I make a deliberate swing, and the stick moves through the air with a grace and precision I hadn't felt before. It worked.
This is purely speculative, but the concept underpinning the process of channeling mana into the stick combines elements of intention, visualization, and energy manipulation.
Mana, an omnipresent force that resides within both living beings and the world at large, can be harnessed and guided through the conduit of focused thoughts and emotions.
The act of concentrating on the internal reservoir of mana and envisioning it as a fluid, coursing energy establishes a bridge between the individual and the mana itself.
I tried to synthesize these insights, creating a mental note within my mind.
When it comes to channeling mana into a physical object, such as the wooden stick, the process entails expanding this established connection via touch and deliberate intent.
Visualization functions as a mechanism to steer the flow of mana and infuse the object with particular attributes or purposes. Garen also further streamlined my understanding of these complex concepts with his mental note.
Standing in the tranquil glade, the wooden stick in my hand feels weightier now, a subtle connection forming between my grip and the energy that courses within.
"Remember, Raul," she says softly, "the foundation of swordsmanship starts with your stance. It's the root from which all your movements will spring."
My feet position themselves shoulder-width apart, each step taken with careful consideration. The toes of my forward foot point directly ahead, while the back foot angles slightly to the side, providing balance and a firm foundation.
With her guidance, I sense a newfound connection to the earth, a subtle but powerful link that roots me to the spot where I stand. It's as if the very ground is lending me its strength, supporting me in my endeavor.
My body is aligned, each muscle poised to respond to my commands. I stand tall, yet not rigid, a picture of balance and readiness.
"Good," her words carry pride and a hint of surprise. Then, she continued her next guidance. Viora was a bit surprised seeing me adapt pretty quickly.
I straighten my spine a touch more, imagining the thread pulling me upward. It's a sensation of being both grounded and connected to the universe above, a paradoxical balance that resonates within me.
With a nod from my mother, I know it's time to bring the stick into motion. As I grip it, a surge of energy courses through me, flowing from my core down my arms and into the stick itself. The stick seems to pulse in response, a heartbeat echoing my own.
"Begin with a simple swing," my mother's voice guides me. "Feel the mana within the stick respond to your touch."
With a fluid motion, I begin the swing, my stance providing the foundation for the movement. The stick moves through the air, guided not only by my physical strength but also by the energy within me.
With each swing, I become more attuned to the connection between my stance, my movements, and the mana-infused stick. It's a dance of energy, a symphony of physical and metaphysical elements working in harmony.
"Alright, that's all for now" We'll be practicing this routine every morning until you become accustomed to it," Viora concluded the morning training session with a decisive clap. With that, we made our way back inside the house, re-entering through the rear entrance.
During the afternoon, Garen undertook the task of instructing me in the art of mana manipulation. Within the privacy of my room, I prepared for another training session. I eased into a state of focused receptivity, mentally poised for the practice ahead.
Mana, he began, his voice echoing within my thoughts, is the quintessence that courses through the fabric of our reality. It exists everywhere, threading through every living being, every object, and every element of nature.
Picture the world as a vast network of interconnected nodes, Garen continued, his guidance painting a mental tapestry. These nodes represent the sources of mana, from the minerals within the earth to the energy coursing through the atmosphere.
Now, Raul, Garen's instruction cut through my contemplation, close your eyes. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, visualize the threads of mana that weave through the air around you.
I shut my eyes and drew in a steady breath. With each exhale, I visualized tendrils of energy spiraling around me, connecting me to the unseen currents.
Imagine your essence extending outward, entwining with the strands of mana. I allowed myself to envision this fusion.
Now, as you breathe in again, feel the mana responding to your call. Draw it closer, sense it intermingling with your own essence. Like a vessel drawing water from a wellspring, let the mana flow into you.
As I followed his guidance, I felt a surge of energy, like a gentle river streaming into my being.
You're doing splendidly, Garen's encouragement buoyed me. This is the foundation of mana manipulation.
Remember, Raul, as you refine your skills, you'll learn to shape and direct this energy according to your will. But for now, bask in the unity you've established with the world's essence.
I let out a heavy sigh as I opened my eyes. Repeating doing this drained my mental prowess.
Just like any other day, when it was almost evening I passed out for a few hours before waking up again for dinner.
As night descended and bedtime approached, Aeren would enter my room, in which he would read aloud from one of his magic books.
"Raul, come and sit closer to me," Aeren patted the bed next to him to encourage me to come closer to him.
"This is a book about everything you need to know about magic. It's foundation and connection with mana." He brought out the book from behind his back.
The book looked really new, like he had recently gotten it. I noticed the author's name, Beldore Odegon, on the cover. Aelen turned the pages carefully.
First, Aelen read the book himself, then he explained it to me in an easy manner. Even if he didn't make it simpler, I could still grasp the meaning.
At its core, mana is the conduit that allows individuals to interact with and harness elements, shaping them according to their will. However, not all individuals possess an equal affinity for every element.
Imagine each person as a resonating vessel, attuned to a specific elemental frequency.
This affinity is determined by a myriad of factors: one's innate nature, their spiritual resonance, even the subtle energies of their surroundings. As a result, individuals may naturally gravitate towards a particular element.
For instance, some might possess a profound bond with the element of fire, finding their talents inclined towards generating and controlling flames.
Others might align closely with the soothing embrace of water, harnessing its currents and shaping them to their desires.
However, this affinity isn't universally shared. There are those who find themselves drawn to one or two elements, their connection unwavering and their skills honed within those domains.
On the other hand, some might discover a rare and extraordinary connection to all elements—an affinity so versatile that it grants them the ability to manipulate each force with equal aptitude.
Such individuals, known as "Elemental Adepts," are indeed scarce and often regarded with awe and reverence.
Yet, it's important to recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to possess an affinity for any element.
Some individuals might lack any elemental connection, making it considerably more challenging for them to harness mana for manipulation.
The first foundational step in the manipulation of elements begins with mastering the manipulation of mana itself.
That's why Aeren didn't teach me any elemental magic, instead he asked Viora to teach me manipulation of mana while learning swordsmanship.
Initially, practitioners focus on conjuring and shaping mana around their physical form.
This involves drawing mana from the environment and weaving it into an aura that envelops their body.
This luminous shroud acts as a versatile enhancement, augmenting physical attributes such as strength, agility, and endurance.
Also individuals can begin to channel mana into more specific forms. For instance, they can shape the mana enveloping their hand into a tangible, semi-solid projection—a "Mana Manifestation."
This can take the form of a simple weapon, such as a sword or a staff, molded entirely from mana. While not as potent as physical weapons, these manifestations offer the advantage of being versatile, as they can be reshaped or dispelled at will. Garen explained this to me.
Aelen also showed me how to use mana to make his body stronger. Eventually, I went to sleep because I was really tired.
As time went on, I kept practicing the basics of using mana with my parents' help. After a year and a half of focusing on this, I finally got the hang of it. When I turned 4 years old, that's when the actual training started.