Arthur stood in the clearing, his eyes closed as he focused on the flow of mana through his body. He could feel the energy pulsing within him, a powerful force waiting to be unleashed. Today, Lyra had promised to teach him the basics of Tier 1 magic, and he was eager to expand his abilities.
Lyra watched him with a critical eye, noting the progress he had made in such a short time. Despite his youth, Arthur had an intensity and determination that belied his age. She approached him, her expression a mix of pride and concern.
"Alright, Arthur. You've mastered the basics of mana manipulation. Now it's time to move on to Tier 1 magic," Lyra said, her voice steady.
Arthur opened his eyes, the determination in them unmistakable. "I'm ready, Lyra. Show me what to do."
Lyra nodded and began to demonstrate the first spell, a simple fireball. She explained the theory behind it, the way the mana needed to be shaped and directed. "Tier 1 magic is about control and precision. You need to focus your mana into a single point and then release it with the right amount of force."
Arthur mimicked her movements, concentrating on the mana within him. He visualized the fireball forming in his hand, feeling the heat and power. With a flick of his wrist, he released the spell, a small flame shooting out and dissipating in the air.
"Not bad for your first try," Lyra commented, a hint of a smile on her lips. "But you need more focus. Try again."
Arthur took a deep breath and tried again, this time with more concentration. The fireball was larger and more controlled, flying through the air and hitting a target Lyra had set up. He smiled, feeling a rush of satisfaction.
"Good. Now, let's move on to something a bit more challenging," Lyra said, demonstrating a spell that created a shield of mana around her.
Arthur watched closely, absorbing every detail. He tried to replicate the shield, struggling at first but gradually getting the hang of it. As the days passed, he continued to practice and refine his skills, his proficiency in Tier 1 magic growing steadily.
---
When he wasn't training with Lyra, Arthur spent his time hunting down bandits and experimenting with Death Embrace, the ability he and Baal had developed. The process was brutal and painful for the bandits, but Arthur was relentless. He needed to understand and master this dark power if he was to achieve his goals.
One evening, after a particularly grueling session, Arthur sat by the fire, his body aching from the strain. Baal's voice echoed in his mind, a mix of pride and caution. "You're making progress, Arthur. But remember, this power comes with a price. Don't let it consume you."
Arthur nodded, his expression grim. "I know, Baal. But I need this power. I can't afford to be weak."
Baal chuckled darkly. "Just don't forget who you are in the process."
As the days turned into weeks, Arthur's skills continued to grow. He became more adept at Tier 1 magic, able to summon and control various elements with ease. His attacks on the bandits became more precise and deadly, his reputation as a fearsome force spreading even further.
---
One afternoon, as Arthur was practicing a new spell Lyra had taught him, she approached him with a thoughtful expression. "Arthur, you've come a long way in a short time. But there's still much to learn. Are you ready to take the next step?"
Arthur nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Yes, Lyra. I'm ready."
Lyra smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Good. Because the next step will require even more focus and discipline. You need to be prepared for what's to come."
Arthur listened intently as Lyra explained the intricacies of Tier 1 magic, the different elements and their uses. She showed him how to combine spells for greater effect, how to use mana more efficiently. He absorbed every detail, his mind racing with possibilities.
As the sun set over the forest, casting long shadows across the clearing, Arthur felt a sense of purpose and clarity. He knew what he needed to do. His training was far from complete, but he was ready to take the fight to Lord Varic. The time for preparation was over. Now, it was time for action.
---
One evening, during a break in their training, Lyra decided it was time to explain a fundamental concept of magic to Arthur. They sat by the fire, the crackling flames casting flickering shadows around them.
"Arthur, there's something important you need to understand about magic," Lyra began. "In our world, we have what we call True Magic and Fake Magic. This distinction is crucial for any mage to understand."
Arthur nodded, eager to learn more. "What's the difference?"
"True Magic," Lyra explained, "is the manipulation of mana to alter reality itself. It requires an understanding of the laws of nature and the ability to bend them to your will. True Magic is powerful but also incredibly demanding. It relies on the mage's knowledge, control, and skill. Only magical beasts and Awaken can use this type of magic because they can perceive the flow of mana in the environment."
Arthur's eyes widened. "Why can only they use it?"
"True Magic doesn't require incantations. You use the mana of the environment along with your own mana to create spells. That's why only Awaken, who can perceive the flow of mana in the environment, and magical beasts, who have a natural connection to nature, can use it," Lyra elaborated.
Arthur nodded, trying to grasp the complexity of it. "And Fake Magic?"
"Fake Magic, on the other hand, is more about creating illusions or temporary effects. It's easier to cast and requires less mana, but it's also less powerful and less permanent. Think of it as the difference between building a house and putting up a facade. One is solid and lasting, while the other is just for show," Lyra said. "Fake Magic is the type of magic taught in magic schools, requiring that mages have a minimum level of evolution. Since Fake Mages can't see the mana core, they must pass a selection process to determine if they can use magic before entering these schools."
Arthur took a moment to process this information. "So, which one are we learning?"
"Both," Lyra replied. "You need to understand and master both forms of magic. Fake Magic can be useful for quick solutions or deception, while True Magic is necessary for more significant, lasting changes. Fake Magic uses incantations, hand movements, and runes to manipulate the mana of the environment. Since Fake Mages cannot see the mana in the environment, they need to follow specific patterns to achieve the desired result."
Arthur nodded, absorbing the information. "How do I know if what I'm doing is True Magic or Fake Magic?"
"True Magic will often require more precise control and understanding. It's not just about releasing mana but shaping it in ways that align with the natural laws. Fake Magic, while still useful, doesn't have the same permanence or depth," Lyra explained.
---
As the days turned into weeks, Arthur's training with Lyra became more intense. He learned to summon and control various elements, creating fireballs, ice shards, and gusts of wind. Each spell required different techniques and levels of concentration, but Arthur's determination never wavered.
He also continued his brutal experiments with Death Embrace, honing the ability to drain life force from his enemies. The process was slow and excruciating for the bandits, but Arthur persisted, driven by the need for power and vengeance.
One evening, after a particularly grueling session, Arthur sat by the fire, his body aching from the strain. He used his unique breathing technique, which he had named the Harmony Breath, a fusion of the method taught by Seraphina and his own way of mixing mana and life force. This technique allowed the circulation of both mana and life force, and their combination. He noticed that using only the mana circulation improved his mana levels faster, but his technique also aided in body recovery, making wounds heal at a speed visible to the eyes.
As he focused on his breathing, Arthur felt a sudden, intense surge of energy within him. His mana core began to throb, sending waves of pain through his body. He doubled over, clutching his chest as the pain intensified.
"Baal! What's happening to me?" Arthur gasped, his vision blurring from the agony.
Baal's voice was calm, but there was an edge of urgency. "You're evolving, Arthur. Your mana core is advancing to the next level. This process is incredibly painful, but you must endure it."
Arthur gritted his teeth, feeling as though his entire body was being torn apart. The mana within him surged violently, pushing against the limits of his core. He screamed, the sound echoing through the forest.
"Focus, Arthur! Use your Harmony Breath to stabilize the mana flow. You need to control it, or it will destroy you!" Baal commanded.
Through the haze of pain, Arthur forced himself to concentrate on his breathing technique. He visualized the mana flowing through his body, merging with his life force. Slowly, the chaotic energy began to stabilize, the intense pain lessening.
Arthur's mana core pulsed, a blinding light filling his mind as he felt the core shift and expand. The agony was replaced by a searing heat, his body feeling as though it was being reforged from the inside out. He could sense
the mana becoming more refined, more powerful.
Minutes felt like hours as the transformation continued, but finally, the pain subsided. Arthur collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. His body was drenched in sweat, and every muscle ached.
"You did it, Arthur. Your mana core has advanced," Baal said, his voice filled with pride.
Arthur lay there, too exhausted to respond. He could feel the difference within him, the mana flowing more freely and powerfully than before. He had survived the evolution, but he knew this was only the beginning of a long and arduous journey. Arthur's mana core had evolved from Agate Brilliant to Citrine Opaque.
Arthur's skills continued to grow. He became more adept at Tier 1 magic, able to summon and control various elements with ease. His attacks on the bandits became more precise and deadly, his reputation as a fearsome force spreading even further.
One day, as Arthur was exploring the forest, he stumbled upon an old, abandoned campsite. The remnants of a fire and scattered belongings suggested that bandits had used the site recently. Arthur's eyes narrowed as he examined the scene.
"Baal," Arthur called out mentally. "I think I've found something."
Baal's presence filled his mind, a dark and comforting force. "What is it?"
"A bandit camp. They might be the ones responsible for the attack on my village," Arthur said, his voice filled with determination.
Baal chuckled. "Good. It's time to exact some revenge. Use your anger, your desire for vengeance. These scum deserve to suffer."
Arthur nodded, a cold smile playing on his lips. He began to plan his attack, visualizing each step. He would make these bandits pay for what they had done.
As night fell, Arthur moved silently through the forest, approaching the camp. He could see the bandits gathered around a fire, their laughter and crude jokes grating on his ears. He clenched his fists, feeling the mana surge through his body.
"This ends now," Arthur muttered to himself, stepping out of the shadows.
The bandits looked up, their expressions turning from amusement to confusion as they saw the young boy standing before them. Arthur wasted no time, launching a fireball into their midst. The explosion sent several bandits flying, their screams filling the night.
Arthur moved with precision and brutality, using his training to take down the bandits one by one. He combined elements of True and Fake Magic, creating devastating attacks and illusions to confuse his enemies.
As the last of the bandits fell, Arthur stood over their bodies, his chest heaving with exertion. Baal's voice echoed in his mind, a mix of pride and caution. "Well done, Arthur. But remember, this is just the beginning. There are more out there who need to pay."
Arthur nodded, a cold determination in his eyes. "I know. And I won't stop until every last one of them is dead."
With that, Arthur turned and disappeared into the night, his path of vengeance far from over.