500,000 years of accumulated knowledge had brought humanity to its current state. While many might deem this wealth of information useless, for Elijah, it was akin to discovering gold at every turn. Five distinct eras had unfolded over this vast span of time.
The Era of Magic, the Era of Chaos, the Era of Demons and Angels, the Era of the Holy War, and the Era of New Beginnings had left behind legends that persisted in history books. Regrettably, nothing was known of the times preceding these eras, which left Elijah somewhat disappointed. Nevertheless, the available information proved to be immensely valuable.
In the Era of Magic, everyone possessed mana, yet controlling it was an elusive feat until the discovery of Mana Circuits.
Mana Circuits, as described in the book, referred to the pathways and techniques individuals employed to harness their mana. Given the uniqueness of each person's body and specialization, a plethora of mana circuits had been developed throughout the ages. Various clans and powers had their own methods for structuring these circuits, passed down through generations to accentuate their strengths.
However, most of these methods had been lost to the annals of history, although generalized approaches to their creation still existed. Mana circuits served the dual purpose of guiding mana flow and enhancing its potency.
The history of mana circuits, spanning millennia, left Elijah feeling enlightened. "Could I also develop my own Chi circuits to optimize my Chi usage?" he pondered. Subsequent information didn't grip him as much as the initial revelation but remained useful.
Scouring the library for an example of a Mana Circuit, Elijah came up empty-handed, feeling isolated in his pursuit. As mana circuits were typically inherited, many people didn't bother preserving scrolls detailing their construction, leading to their loss over time.
Yet, a memory surfaced from his grandfather's teachings about Meridians, which bore semblance to Mana Circuits.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on his Chi, envisioning meridians as veins facilitating Chi flow throughout his body. Adopting a lotus position, he commenced tracing the paths recalled from his lessons, contemplating his grandfather's cryptic remark, 'Is this why you said that I need this.' However, the substantial amount of Chi required proved daunting. Elijah, being unique in this endeavor, needed several minutes to replenish his Chi.
As time elapsed, a distant voice pierced through Elijah's concentration. "Young master," it called repeatedly, though Elijah struggled to discern its message. Frustration mounted as the voice persisted, disrupting his focus. Suddenly, a sharp pain jolted him from his reverie, prompting him to gaze upon the figure beside him, clutching his ear.
"Young master, I've been calling you for minutes," she chided, a mix of irritation and curiosity evident in her voice. "What were you doing?"
"Miss Amy, please desist, you're hurting my ear," he winced.
"That'll teach you not to ignore me again, young master," she retorted, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement as she released his ear.
"Ouch... Ouch," Elijah muttered, rubbing his reddened ear.
"You need to freshen up and prepare," she informed him.
"Prepare for what?" he inquired, receiving an unexpected response from Ava.
"For the dinner party," Ava interjected, resplendent in a stunning dress that accentuated her allure.
Elijah stood transfixed for a moment before stammering, "Oh, yes."
"You'll accompany Amy, so mind your manners and don't cause trouble," she instructed.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. I'll take my leave now, and I trust you won't disappoint me," she remarked, waving her hand in farewell.
"When's the dinner party?" Elijah queried.
"Just a few hours from now," she replied. "But first, let's get you a haircut."
Elijah recoiled vehemently, jumping back and clutching his hair. "No haircut!"
"Young master, you ought to present yourself well," Amy insisted. "We'll only trim it a tad." Elijah shot her a stern glance, but she remained undeterred. "Well, if you leave me no choice..." She produced a pair of scissors.
"NOOOO!" Elijah exclaimed, darting away in protest.