Ardiel spent his days immersed in practicing basic mana control.
To become an Aura user or a Magister, one must first open their mana channels. These channels allow mana to flow through the body. Magisters focus on refining their hearts to create mana rings, while Aura users develop a core located right below their navel.
Alentor was adamant about the importance of building a solid foundation. He insisted that Ardiel needed to perfect these basic skills before advancing to the more complex tasks of forming mana rings or mana core. Alentor believed that a strong grasp of the fundamentals was crucial for Ardiel's success.
The concept of mana rings was inspired by the hearts of Dragons, where the heart functions as a core. Humans adapted this idea into their own mana rings, mimicking the way Dragons harness their power.
The technique of creating a mana core, an older practice, preceded the Dragon-inspired mana rings. Despite its age, this ancient method laid the groundwork for the emergence of Aura users.
Taking a deep breath, Ardiel assumed a still position, meticulously replicating the mana flow Alentor had demonstrated. To his surprise, his body seemed to synchronize with the flow effortlessly, as if it had instinctively remembered the pattern.
Alentor observed with intense focus, his eyes never leaving Ardiel. He was vigilant, ensuring that no accidents—such as mana reversal or overload—would disrupt the process.
The dragon mark on Ardiel's body played a pivotal role. It was responsible for converting nature's mana into dragon-attributed mana. Exzhen had explained that the mark was still in its early stages of blooming; what Ardiel had experienced so far was merely the mark beginning to evolve to its initial form.
This mark acted as a seal, enhancing Ardiel's control over mana and increasing his capacity to absorb and utilize it. It was intricately connected to the runes etched around his heart. One must know that this puts him at a bigger head start compared to others,
"He's like a vacuum," Alentor mused to himself, watching Ardiel. The mana seemed to be irresistibly drawn to him, flowing toward him with ease. This innate connection made Alentor understand why Ardiel was inclined toward both paths.
The synergy between the Dragon Mark and the runes on Ardiel's heart created a mystical combination that even Alentor found puzzling. The potential he saw in Ardiel sparked a sense of anticipation for what was to come.
"A talent transcending common sense is emerging," Alentor murmured, a mixture of awe and expectation in his voice.
Days passed, and Ardiel's training continued with unwavering focus. This dedication caused him to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to Reno, who was heading to the Far West Military Academy.
For the next week, Ardiel remained at the elder's cottage, immersed in his training. He practiced mana breathing techniques, integrating them into his martial arts and swordsmanship drills.
"Now that you've mastered the basics and your body has fully adapted to the mana, we can proceed to the next stage: building your core or ring," Alentor announced, his voice carrying a note of excitement.
Ardiel's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Can I form both at the same time?" he asked eagerly, his enthusiasm evident after hours of meditation and practice.
To gain admission to the academy, candidates were required to form a mana ring or core. This was a critical part of the entrance exam.
The Far West Military Academy of the Eldenfren Empire, situated in the northwest between the Avalon Range and the Northern Frozen Lakes, was one of the three prestigious institutions in the empire. The other two were the Magic Federation Institute in the South and the Eastern Combat Academy.
The Far West Military Academy (FWMA) was unique for training both Magisters and Aura users. The Magic Federation Institute, overseen by the Magic Tower, focused solely on Magisters, while the Eastern Combat Academy specialized in Aura users.
Given its proximity, it was natural for members of the Dragonheart family to attend FWMA. Yuran, Erick, Eileen, and soon Reno had all followed this tradition.
"I recommend starting with your first ring," the elder advised. "It will be more manageable, especially with the runes around your heart."
"Forming your first mana ring involves condensing your mana to create a ring around your heart. This will serve as the foundation for casting Rank 1 magic spells, much like an engine powering a warship."
Ardiel had read extensively about this process. Condensing the first mana ring was akin to melting a sword and molding it into a ring. To create this ring, he needed to weave threads of mana with meticulous mental focus and precision.
Elder Alentor created a protective barrier around Ardiel, ensuring that no external disturbances could interfere with his progress.
Despite his nerves, Ardiel felt a surge of excitement. This was his first major step toward becoming stronger.
He closed his eyes, concentrating on his breathing.
As he turned his focus inward, he began to sense the runes engraved on his heart, marveling at their complexity.
Guiding the flow of mana to the center of his heart, he directed it to move in a clockwise direction, mimicking the swirling pattern of a whirlpool. This natural circular movement made the process smoother.
From this swirling mass of mana, he drew a thread and guided it outward, forming an orbital pattern around his heart.
The thread moved with relative ease until it completed a full ring. But this was just the beginning. He needed to thicken the ring of mana, and each additional revolution was more challenging, like pushing a wheel up a steep incline.
The heavy attribute of his mana intensified the difficulty, adding an extra layer of challenge to the task.
Sweat dripped from Ardiel's forehead as he pressed on. Completing each revolution required all his willpower. As the ring thickened, its weight became more burdensome. The Gravity attribute was the greatest obstacle, but Ardiel persevered.
He continued, reaching 49 revolutions—a feat far beyond average. An individual with average potential would typically manage around 25 revolutions, and doubling that was close to what was required for the second revolution, usually around 60.
Ardiel's perfectionist nature drove him to aim for 50 revolutions. The last revolution was the most arduous. Halfway through, he summoned all his strength and determination to complete it.
His first mana ring was finally complete, but it had drained all the mana stored in his heart. The ring now gently spun around his heart, rotating clockwise and facilitating a faster mana absorption rate.
This was one of the key benefits of a mana ring—it aided in mana recovery.
Ardiel heaved, gasping for air. He hadn't realized how tightly he had been holding his breath during the final moments of forming his first ring. To his astonishment, six hours had passed, and dusk had settled by the time he opened his eyes.
Alentor regarded him with a mixture of relief and mild amusement. "You've done well," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "Though, it seems you took a bit longer than expected. I had the Grand Elder waiting for you with tea, but she left right after finishing."
Ardiel's face lit up with a smile, but his excitement was tempered by his exhaustion. "So, how do you feel?" Alentor asked, his eyes narrowing with genuine curiosity.
Ardiel wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice still breathless but filled with satisfaction. "I feel tired but also refreshed, like drinking cold water after running ten kilometers. It's a strange, invigorating mix of relief and accomplishment."
The elder nodded thoughtfully. "And how many revolutions did you manage?" he inquired, his tone shifting to one of genuine interest.
"I completed 50," Ardiel replied, his chest puffing out with pride. "I pushed myself to reach that number. It felt like a personal milestone."
Alentor raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Not bad, though a bit over the average."
The casual tone of Alentor's praise was like a splash of cold water to Ardiel's enthusiasm. He had hoped for a more effusive response, something akin to a triumphant declaration of his achievement.
Seeing the slight deflation in Ardiel's expression, Alentor softened his gaze. "It was indeed impressive," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But let's keep things in perspective. This is just the beginning. It's not as if you've slain a Wyvern or something extraordinary."
Ardiel's shoulders slumped slightly as he absorbed the elder's words. He had been hoping for more validation, but Alentor's grounded approach was a reminder of the long road ahead. This is something the elder wanted for Ardiel to develop, a mentality that wouldn't be easily swayed by words and achievements.
"Get up," Alentor said, turning toward the cottage with a decisive nod. "Let's prepare for dinner and stop thinking useless things," the elder turned around and walked back to his cottage, with Ardiel walking dejectedly behind him.