In the world of magic, power wasn't something one simply acquired overnight. It was nurtured, cultivated, and earned through relentless dedication. For the Homo Magi, those gifted with the innate ability to wield magic, their strength came from a source as unique as their bloodlines, their mana pool.
The mana pool wasn't a physical object, nor could it be easily quantified. It was an ethereal reservoir, a wellspring of raw magical energy nestled deep within the soul.
Every Homo Magus was born with the potential to develop their mana pool, but like a sapling, it required time, effort, and the right conditions to flourish.
From birth, a Homo Magus's mana pool began its formation, tiny and fragile, with only a single layer of energy accessible. At this stage, the individual was considered an Apprentice.
They would spend the first few years of their magical education learning to access and control this basic layer of energy. It was a time of discovery, where simple spells were cast with the excitement of a child learning to walk.
The glow in their eyes and the slight warmth in their chest were the only signs of this power.
But the journey of an apprentice was short-lived, lasting merely one to three years before they would naturally progress to the rank of Adept. With this advancement, the mana pool deepened, revealing a second layer of energy.
An Adept could draw upon more substantial reserves, allowing them to cast more complex spells and control the elements with greater precision. Their aura, subtle, begins to pulse faintly.
However, they were still learning, still growing, and their energy levels, while moderate, required careful management to avoid overexertion.
Years passed, often between three to seven, before an Adept could hope to ascend to the rank of Mage or Magician. Here, the Homo Magus's mana pool had expanded significantly, with three layers now at their command.
It was at this stage that the true potential of their magical abilities began to manifest. Mages could weave complex spells, combining elements to create powerful enchantments and even imbuing objects with magic.
Their energy levels were high, allowing for sustained casting, and their aura flickered with the color of their primary magical affinity, a visual signal to their growing mastery.
In any country, anyone of this caliber could live freely as a lord of a territory. But that was only to those who feel they've reached their limit in the magical field.
Because as Mages continued to delve deeper into the mysteries of magic, a select few would rise to the rank of Sorcerer or Sorceress after fifteen to twenty-five years of rigorous study and practice.
At this level, their mana pool was deep and powerful, with four layers accessible, each one brimming with potential. Sorcerers were masters of multiple schools of magic, capable of casting high-level spells and manipulating reality itself. .
At this level, most wouldn't even spare a glance at the mundane things of life any longer. They lived longer than most dynasties and they held communions with beings far more intriguing than humans.
Most fall short in this level due to this level of Godly power. Their aura, once faint, now glowed with a steady brilliance, and their voice carried a mystical feeling that resonated with the very essence of magic.
However, should they persevere in their studies, and with the right mindset, the journey to becoming an Archmage, despite being long and arduous, requiring over twenty-five years of unwavering dedication, would be worth it in the end.
For those who reached this exalted rank, the mana pool was vast, spanning five layers of energy that offered near-limitless power. Archmages were legends in their own right, their mastery of magic unparalleled.
They could bend natural laws, control the elements with a mere thought, and weave enchantments of staggering complexity. Their aura was a beacon of power, so bright and intense that it caused subtle disturbances in the magical energy around them.
Their presence alone could make the air hum with anticipation.
These beings only showed respect to the Kings of empires out of the respect they held to their Posts. For while they fight the good battle to protect the Earth from external threats, the kings do that from their thrones.
Yet, even Archmages were not the pinnacle of magical mastery. The rarest of the rare, those who dedicated their entire lives to the study and practice of magic, could achieve the rank of Grand Magus or the Magistrate.
With over forty years of experience, these individuals possessed a mana pool that seemed almost infinite, with six or more layers at their disposal. Their skills were beyond comprehension, capable of rewriting reality, and creating new magical laws.
They only fell short in the fact that despite their power, they were still Mortal. The constraints of being a Human in the End tied them down, and no matter how much they tried to extend their lifespan, they couldn't live past a thousand.
The aura of a Grand Magus was otherworldly, bending light and shadow in ways that defied logic. Their mere presence, if let out uncontrolled, could alter the very fabric of reality, a testament to their near-godlike power.
The expansion of one's mana pool was not a simple task. It required deep meditation, a connection to the mystical forces that governed the world, and often, life-altering events that shaped the caster's soul.
The mana pool wasn't just a measure of magical capacity; it was a reflection of the individual's growth, experience, and the trials they had overcome.
But with great power comes great risk. Overextending one's mana pool could lead to exhaustion, mana poisoning, or even death in severe cases. It was a delicate balance, a dance on the edge of a knife, where the rewards were immense, but the consequences of failure were dire.
In this world, power was not merely a matter of birthright—it was earned, layer by layer, as Homo Magi delved deeper into their mana pools, unlocking the mysteries of the universe and reshaping reality itself.
The journey was long, the path treacherous, but for those who persevered, the rewards were beyond imagining.
And such a risk was what Aiden was about to take right now.
Nine Years into his Admission into the Magic Tower, Aiden had long since opened up the connection to his first layer and was officially an Apprentice.
"Aiden. I don't mean to doubt your genius, but are you sure about this?" Mira asked worriedly as she fidgeted by herself in a corner of the room.
"Have you ever felt death…Mira?" Aiden, who was seated cross-legged inside a complex magic circle in one of the many Training rooms in the tower, asked with his back to the girl.
"What..?"
"Hmm." Aiden hummed in understanding. "So you wouldn't understand my feelings really." He said casually. "My calculations aren't wrong."
"But failure would mean the explosion of your heart." Mira cried causing Aiden to smile wryly but didn't turn to look at her lest his resolve be shaken.
"That's the worst that could happen. And that's negative. I've always told you, a magician without a positive mindset is a ticking time bomb set on themselves." Aiden said wisely
"COULD YOU STOP WITH YOUR WISDOM FOR A MOMENT!?" Mira, who couldn't bear it anymore, shouted , causing Aiden to startle before slowly turning to face Mira. "Just…listen to me."
"I'm listening, Mira…I've been listening, but you haven't." Aiden began. "This…" he said while gesturing to the circles on the ground. "...will open up a new method of mana training. A more efficient way."
"The stake is high."
"That it is, but that's only because your knowledge is lacking."
"Then make me understand."
"I can't." Aiden said and shrugged. Pointing to his head, he continued. "The calculations would probably turn you insane."
Mira only rolled her eyes. "You're exaggerating."
"I'm not. While You, Finn, and Jaxon were promoted to Mages with the Towers curriculum, I was putting various things together. Various propositions, thesis, articles, expositions on Mana Circulation. They all offered me perspective to the thing known as Mana."
"We've been over this Aiden. You may be a genius, but there's a reason our predecessors failed to prove those theories and we're left with the one we currently use."
"That's my point exactly." Aiden said and pointed to the bookshelves in the room, his hand sweeping out to the bookshelves filled with tomes, scrolls, and journals.
"Look at these," Aiden said, his voice a mix of excitement and patience. "These are not just ordinary texts. Each one explores different aspects of mana circulation and energy reserves. Take this one," he said, floating up a dusty tome titled Principles of Energy Allocation to Mira. "It delves into how mana can be distributed through various physical and mental channels. And this one…," he continued, holding up a manuscript labeled The Interplay of Mind and Mana, "...examines the synchronization of mental energy with magical reserves."
He floated over another book. "This one offers exercises that can complement the findings of these theories. For example, the practice of 'Mana Thread Weaving' works on reinforcing the pathways through which mana flows, and when combined with the 'Heart Pulse Synchronization' technique from another text, it strengthens the core mana reserves."
Mira looked skeptical. "Aiden, all of these theories have their merits, but none of them have ever been proven to be completely reliable. Combining them might just lead to your death rather than success."
Aiden nodded. "I understand your concern. But that's precisely why I've been working on this for the past nine years. I've not only studied these texts but applied their principles extensively."
Mira's eyes widened. "Nine years? You've been at this for that long?"
Aiden smiled. "Yes. Since I was admitted. And that's not all. For the past nine years, I've been training my three mana wells, or dantians, as I prefer to call them: the Mind, Heart, and Lower Abdomen. Each one has a specific role in the mana circulation process."
He took a deep breath. "The Mind Well is responsible for handling mental or Divine energy."
"Divine Energy? You're sounding a bit strange now Aiden." Mira commented.
"It is what it is. In here I am God." He said pointing to his head. "Know Thyself. That's a mantra I've gotten fond of reciting. It'll go a long way."
"Whatever," Mira rolled her eyes. She wasn't here to listen in on one of Aiden's Philosophical blabberings. "carry on."
"Tsk. The ignorant spit in spite of the words of Wisdom out of a sage's mouth." Aiden said as he gave Mira a pitiful glance over his shoulder. "It's where I channel my cognitive and intuitive powers, which are crucial for advanced spellcasting and maintaining mental clarity."
Mira nodded slowly, still skeptical but interested. She's known Aiden for so long and knew that of his many talents, his Mental acumen could be the best of them all. "And the Heart Well?"
"That's where my magical energy is concentrated," Aiden explained. "It's the core of my mana reserves and is vital for maintaining a strong and consistent flow of magical power. Exercises like 'Heart Pulse Synchronization' directly enhance this well's efficiency."
"And the Lower Abdomen Well?" Mira asked, her curiosity piqued.
Aiden's eyes gleamed with even more excitement. "The Lower Abdomen Well is where I combine the energies from both the Mind and Heart Wells. I call this combined energy 'The Force.' It's the most powerful and versatile form of mana I can access. By integrating mental and magical energy here, I can achieve a more potent and harmonious balance, which is essential for the new method I'm about to demonstrate."
Mira's eyes were wide with a mix of awe and apprehension. "So, you're saying that this new method will be more efficient because you've meticulously trained these wells?"
"Exactly," Aiden confirmed. "The combination of mental focus, magical energy, and the synergy between them will allow for a more advanced and efficient approach to mana training. This method has the potential to revolutionize how we harness and utilize mana."
'It could even give birth to a new form of Energy.' Aiden added to himself as he glanced at the numerous magic circles he'd drawn on the ground.
Mira took a deep breath, still clearly worried but unable to hide her growing interest. "Alright, Aiden. If you've put so much work into this, I'll trust you. But please, be careful."
Aiden gave her a reassuring smile. "I appreciate your concern, Mira. I'll be cautious. The stakes are high, but so are the potential rewards."
As Mira settled into a corner, Aiden turned back to the magic circle and began chanting softly, the symbols on the ground glowed faintly as he activated the carefully designed mana pathways.
The air crackled with energy as he prepared to test his new method.