Ray continued through the dense forest, his senses sharp and alert. A week had passed, he killed a variety of monsters along the way, and he'd ventured deeper than ever before. His journey was grueling, unfamiliar creatures' eyes glinted in the shadows, and the uneven terrain tested his endurance.
During his journey, he found himself asking the system about magic, eager to understand its depths and complexities. He was fascinated, and the system explained patiently.
[Magic is not entirely unlike the techniques used by swordsmen or other weapon user. Both require immense discipline, mastery of energy, and a profound connection to one's core. However, magic grants mages versatility, allowing them to strike from afar, manipulate elements, and weave reality itself. This range and adaptability give them a distinct advantage over physical fighters.]
Ray considered this as he walked, his fingers brushing against the forest foliage. "So mages are really strong, even though they're not physically as tough?"
[Yes, Ray. Mages may lack the raw physical resilience of warriors, but they wield powers capable of shaping the battlefield from a distance. This versatility, combined with their ability to manipulate elements, often allows them to outmaneuver opponents. While physically weaker, they are still considered among the strongest due to their adaptability and overwhelming range in combat.]
Ray's mind wandered as he thought about Eldric's teachings. He'd always seen physical power as a marker of strength, but the system's words made him realize how many ways there were to achieve power.
"Then… what does my mana core rank mean in status?" he asked curiously.
[The journey of a mage is separated into seven distinct tiers, each requiring mastery and discipline to reach. You can see the levels and conditions on the screen. ]
1. Novice Mage
[This is the entry level. As a novice, you must learn the fundamentals of your element or attribute, training yourself in simple spells and control. You are currently a Novice, until you undergo the attribute awakening process in the temple of God Of Elements, you can't progress.]
2. Adept Mage
[To reach the level of Adept Mage, you must have a repertoire of spells attuned to your specific elemental attribute. This phase demands discipline in spellcasting and familiarity with core principles and mana flow in the body.]
3. Battle Mage
[Battle Mages have mastered their mana flow, achieving control over it to the extent that they can cast spells of tiers 1 through 3. This rank allows a mage to participate effectively in combat, utilizing powerful, consistent spells with ease.]
4. Mage King
[To become a Mage King, one must condense their mana core to its utmost capacity. Only then can they cast spells up to tier 6, enveloping themselves in elemental mana that grants powerful, often defensive, enhancements to their body.]
5. Mage Emperor
[A Mage Emperor must be able to cast spells up to tier 9, and they should have mastery over the Mana Zone, a field where their spells become significantly amplified, affecting everything within their area of influence. Additionally, they gain the ability to "multi-cast" multiple spells simultaneously.]
6. Arch-Mage
[An Arch Mage transcends standard spellcasting. They have the power to "silent cast," conjuring high-tier spells without incantations. Normally, such spells require lengthy incantations to cast. They should unlock their Elemental Form, becoming one with their element and drastically increasing their power within their Mana Zone.]
7. Transcendent
[The final known rank, where a mage reaches an almost divine status. A Transcendent not only commands their element with ultimate mastery but becomes an extension of magic itself, able to bend elemental laws and decimate any battlefield.]
Ray listened intently, each rank illuminating how far he had to go. He was currently a Novice Mage, yet the journey ahead filled him with both trepidation and excitement.
He glanced at his hands, which had started to ache slightly from fatigue. "So, what are these tiers on spells and incantations?....you know i have never seen anyone using magic before, only some beasts attacking me using fire or shadows."
[Well, as you can guess already greater the tier, more complex and potent the spell becomes also much harder to learn. As per incantations, they are some words or sentences in Yllvn Language which helps weave the mana into a spell.]
Ray sighed, imagining the kind of challenges he'd face as a mage swordsman. The path laid to him was arduous. "So, I'll need to learn my attuned attribute to move forward," he mused, considering what lay ahead in his training.
After a pause, Ray continued, "But what about elemental mana? What exactly does it mean for a mage to coat themselves in it or take on an Elemental Form?"
[When a mage reaches the level of Mage King, they can encase themselves in elemental mana, effectively channeling their element around their body. This 'coating' enhances their physical abilities and protects them from harm. As a Mage Emperor, they enter the Mana Zone, where they dominate the space around them with their element. Finally, an Arch Mage achieves the Elemental Form, becoming one with their element. This transformation not only increases their power but also turns them into a force of nature within their Mana Zone.]
Ray felt a surge of ambition. He could only imagine what it would feel like to reach such a level. The thought of embodying an element, wielding such power, sent a thrill through him.
Time passed, quickly, and Ray would train all the time like crazy, without using any energy, he wanted to check his limits on raw swordsmanship...