Morgath stood at the edge of his family's estate, staring down the path that would eventually lead him to the Guardians of Order sect. His fingers traced the hilt of one of his swords absently as he weighed his decision. Entering the sect had been on his mind for days now, ever since he'd learned that Kenji, his swordsmanship instructor, had taken up a position there. However, something held him back.
The world had changed rapidly since mana had awakened, and while firearms were growing less relevant with each passing day, they were not yet obsolete. A bullet, even in this mana-infused world, could pose a threat to him. Morgath understood the potential risks of entering a government-funded organization like the Guardians. If, for any reason, he were to find himself on the wrong side of a powerful sect or government faction, he needed to be prepared.
"I need more than just raw strength and agility," he muttered, tightening his grip on his sword. "I need a way to protect myself in a worst-case scenario."
It was clear to him now. He would not go to the sect immediately. First, he would master a protection spell that could shield him in times of danger. But not just any protection spell—he needed one at its highest tier, the third tier, where the spell could be activated purely by intent. A spell so ingrained in his consciousness that in moments of crisis, it would activate without the need for incantations or gestures. Only then would he be ready to face any challenge, be it from a rogue sect member or an accidental skirmish with the Guardians.
This decision would delay his entry into the sect for months, but it was necessary. He would have to dedicate himself fully to mastering the spell if he wanted to ensure his safety.
The Path to Mastering the Protection Spell
The journey to mastering a Tier 3 protection spell was no small task. Unlike the simple Tier 0 spells that Morgath had already mastered—spells that required nothing more than intent—this would be a test of patience, focus, and deep understanding. Tier 3 spells while similar were far more complex, relying not just on instinct, but on a carefully constructed foundation of mental discipline. While Tier 0 spells relied purely on intent, which made them highly inefficient. Tier 3 spells on the other hand required a connection between that intent and the natural flow of mana, creating a foundation that could respond instantaneously in times of need. The best way to create that foundation was to advance through tiers consecutively, starting with a long incantation.
Morgath knew this would take time. Two months, maybe more.
He found a quiet spot near the edge of the forest and began to meditate. Each day, he sat in the same place, surrounded by the soft hum of nature. The gentle rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the earthy scent of the ground beneath him all helped him center his thoughts. In his meditation, he focused on the concept of protection—what it truly meant, both in physical and spiritual terms.
At first, Morgath's thoughts wandered to the most basic forms of defense: walls, shields, armor. These physical representations of protection were easy to understand but ultimately too simple. They relied on an external force, a barrier that kept the world at bay. Morgath's goal, however, was to become the barrier himself. The protection spell he sought to master would not be something he wore or wielded—it had to be a part of him, inseparable from his very being.
He spent the first week of meditation focused on this idea, on how protection could become internal rather than external. As his mind wandered through these thoughts, Morgath found himself contemplating the nature of energy. In every living thing, there was an instinctive desire for survival—a hidden energy that pushed all creatures to defend themselves. It was in the reflexes of a rabbit darting away from a predator, in the bark of a tree growing thicker to shield itself from harsh winds. Could a protection spell, then, draw from this same energy?
The second week of his meditation delved deeper into understanding how mana could interact with the concept of protection. Morgath envisioned mana as a river, constantly flowing through the world and through himself. A Tier 0 spell simply dipped into that river and used a small part of it, like scooping water into a cup. A Tier 3 spell, however, needed to be the river. It had to flow within him, available at any moment, responding instantly to his intent.
He pondered this concept for days, letting it simmer in his mind as he practiced the first tier to refine his control over mana. The incantation he thought of meant:
"By the shield of ancient might,
I call the walls of endless light.
From earth to sky, from fire to sea,
Let harm be bound and strength flow free.
I weave a barrier, strong and true,
Where none shall pass, nor force break through.
With winds to guard, and stones to seal,
Protection rise, unyielding, real.
By sacred bond and power's grace,
This ward shall hold in every place."
And in the true language it sounded like this:
"Per scutum veraces Vim,
Voco muros lucis aeternam.
Ab terra ad caelum, ab Infernostrum ad mare,
Fiat dolus ligatus et Vim liberae fluat.
Texeree Ligatus, validus et veraces,
Ubi nihil transibit, nec vis franget.
Cum ventis custodiant, et lapidibus claudant,
Velorium surgat, invictum, verum.
Per Ligatus sacrum et Gratiae Vim,
Fiat haec custodiam in omni loco."
By the third week, the spell began to take form in his mind—a barrier, invisible but impenetrable, that would manifest whenever he felt threatened. He practiced visualizing this barrier over and over again, not just as a static shield but as a dynamic force that could bend and flex, adapting to different types of attacks.
Finally, after two long months of meditation, trial, and error, Morgath felt a shift within himself. It was subtle at first, like the feeling of a taut string vibrating gently. But as he tested it, summoning the protection spell with nothing more than his intent, he realized that he had done it. The spell activated immediately, forming a shimmering, nearly invisible barrier around him. He could feel it there, surrounding him, ready to respond to any attack without the need for incantations or gestures.
Morgath had reached Tier 3.
[Proficiency of the Custodiant spell {Tier 3} increased to 100%.]
Having completed his training, Morgath felt a deep sense of satisfaction. But there was more to do. His parents, Thomas and Angela, had always supported him, and now it was time for him to give back. For the next two weeks, Morgath spent his days teaching them the intricacies of the protection spell he had mastered.
Thomas and Angela had both been practicing mana manipulation since the awakening, but neither had delved into the deeper mysteries of spellcasting. Morgath patiently guided them through the process, explaining how to connect their intent with the flow of mana. He taught them how to visualize the protective barrier and how to strengthen their spiritual threads.
Either his parents were quick learners or he was a great teacher. Within days, they had grasped the basics of the spell. By the end of the second week, they had both stepped into the early stages of Tier 2. While they still had a long way to go before reaching the mastery that Morgath had achieved, it was sufficient to help them improve their safety.
Morgath felt proud of their progress. Knowing that his parents were capable of protecting themselves brought him a sense of peace he hadn't realized he was missing. He had spent so much time focused on his own cultivation that he hadn't fully appreciated the importance of making sure those around him were also prepared.
With his protection spell mastered and his parents now capable of defending themselves, Morgath knew it was time to set out for the Guardians of Order sect. The journey would be long—twenty days, if he traveled quickly—but Morgath was eager to begin the next chapter of his training. He packed his belongings carefully, making sure to bring his swords and a supply of food for the trip. He didn't forget to cast Custodiant around himself, it will only consume mana when something activates it. As mana will be drained from it he would have an option to cast the spell again in order to replenish its reserves, to the maximum of what single spell can achieve, he can't unfortunately cast more than one such spell in times of peace to use it later.
As he traveled, Morgath took the opportunity to gather herbs along the way. The roads were dotted with rare plants and flowers, many of which had developed unique properties in the mana-rich environment. Morgath's knowledge of alchemy was still limited, but he knew enough to recognize the value of the herbs he collected. His backpack quickly filled with the various ingredients he found, until it was almost overflowing.
As he trudged along the winding paths, Morgath couldn't help but think about the space rings he had read about in novels during his time bedridden. Those rings, capable of holding vast amounts of items in a pocket dimension, would be incredibly useful right now. The thought amused him, but it also sparked a new determination.
"One day," Morgath muttered to himself, "I'll learn how to forge a space ring. That would solve a lot of problems."
The journey was peaceful for the most part. Occasionally, Morgath encountered other travelers or small groups of people, but he avoided any unnecessary interactions. His focus remained on his destination and the training that awaited him at the sect. Each day brought him closer to his goal, and with each passing day, Morgath felt more confident in his decision to join the Guardians, if only temporarily.
After twenty long days of travel, Morgath finally arrived at the outskirts of the Guardians of Order sect. He stood at the top of a small hill, looking down at the sprawling compound below. What caught Morgath's attention was the fact that there was a wall under construction. From the looks of it it will surround the whole sect at some point, the areas in which the construction process is still ongoing or hasn't yet started, are patrolled by the guards. This means that he needs to enter the sect through an official entrance, he can't hide from their eyes.