The next day early in the morning.
The library was a quaint shop at the end of one of the streets, with two large windows allowing light to filter in. Inside, the warm morning sun illuminated small tables and chairs scattered about, creating an inviting atmosphere. The main desk, where a librarian sat, was the focal point. Behind her were rows of bookshelves, each crammed with books organized into various sections like cooking, history, and more. The smallest section, tucked into a corner at the bottom, was labeled "Magic."
The librarian had a serious look on her face but seemed kind. She was engrossed in a book, her glasses perched on her nose, and her long black hair draped down her sides.
"Hello," I greeted her.
She closed her book and sighed, her exhaustion evident. "What do you need?" she asked, her tone weary.
I understood her fatigue. The event must be hard on the NPCs; they likely had to answer hundreds of questions about where we were and what was happening.
"I just want to read a book and learn magic," I replied.
Her demeanor changed instantly, as if a spark had been lit within her. "What do you want to know about magic?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.
"Any explanation would be great."
She smiled at me before reopening her book and saying, "Magic doesn't exist," and then continued reading.
I was a little surprised but still eager to learn. "Could I have a book—any book—that could teach me how to use magic?" I asked.
She turned around, went to the small magic section, and after a moment of searching, handed me a book. "Move along," she said, even though there were no other people around.
I took a seat at one of the small tables and examined the book she had given me: "Imagination to Lightning_Javelin."
So, I decided to skim through the book, focusing on the key points.
Mana forms the essence of our world, and mastering its manipulation is essential for any adventurer. This book guides beginner adventurers through the process of forming Rank 1: Lightning Javelin.
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Mana responds to your command.
Mana is the energy that flows through every living being that can be shaped and molded according to the will of the mage.
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Every mage has a Mana Circle within their body; this circle can be upgraded ten times, from rank 0 to 10. A mage can't learn magic more than one rank above what they already know. Most people who read this book are at rank 0.
The Mana Circle is the core of a mage's power, a mystical conduit that channels and amplifies their magical abilities.
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Begin by forming mana in your hand. Condense it as tightly as possible into a teal construct.
Concentration is key. Feel the mana coalescing, a warm energy pulsing and growing denser with every breath you take.
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The strength of the javelin depends on the amount of mana you invest in it, increasing its potential damage.
The more mana you pour into the javelin, the brighter and more formidable it becomes, crackling with untamed power.
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Visualize the javelin as being made of lightning. Feel the spark, feel the electricity, and ignite your mana.Close your eyes and imagine the raw energy of a thunderstorm, the fierce bolts of lightning that split the sky. Channel that image into your mana, letting the electricity course through your construct.
Magic, as they call it here, is slightly different from what I was used to in the game. In the game, you couldn't visualize the spell to make it work better or use less mana, but here, that's possible. It seems there are two main types of magic: those that rely on imagination and those that use code.
The code-based magic is beneficial because it keeps things precise and predictable. As long as you memorize the commands, everything will work as expected. There's no guesswork involved. On the other hand, imagination-based magic can be useful for simpler concepts, where creativity and mental visualization help shape the spell. However, for more complex magic, like illusions, imagination falls short and doesn't work as effectively.
Yet I wasn't sure which of these systems I preferred.
I followed the book's instructions meticulously, first creating a ball of mana in my hand. The sensation was strange yet exhilarating—a warm, pulsating orb of energy that responded to my every thought. I then attempted to sculpt it into a lance or javelin. This step was particularly challenging; shaping mana required a blend of mental focus and physical precision.
The final step, visualizing the lightning enveloping the spear, was the most demanding. It took considerable effort to hold the image in my mind. At first, I only felt a slight electrical sensation running through my body before it dissipated.
On my second attempt, the mana quickly retreated back into my body, which I considered a failure. However, on my third try, I finally succeeded. I focused deeply on what lightning is—its speed, its brightness, its sheer power. As I did, I felt a tingling sensation spread from my hand. Suddenly, a small spark of lightning crackled into existence, encasing the mana javelin. The sight was awe-inspiring; the javelin buzzed with electric energy, humming with the potential for destruction.
I picked up another small book titled "How to Use the Simplify_ Command" after successfully finishing the first one. There was no author listed, so I decided to flip through it as well.
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In the world of Mana Code, simplicity is often the key to efficiency. Complex spells may seem powerful, but they can drain unnecessary mana or take too long to execute. The Simplify command is a tool that allows you to streamline spells
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Why should you use the Simplify command?
Simplifying spells reduces the risk of errors, as the more intricate the spell, the more likely it is that something will go wrong.
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The Simplify command enhances your ability to adapt. When you're in a pinch, the ability to cast a spell quickly and efficiently could be the deciding factor between success and failure. Mastering the art of simplification will not only improve your control over magic but also open up more opportunities to focus on strategy, timing, and resource management.
Here's an example:
Summon_Fireball (size: colossal, area: 10km, explosion: fire, heat, volcanic eruption, shockwave, effect: destroy landscape, effect: create lava pools)
Summon_Fireball is the spell
And there are 5 targets so you could simplify it into a 1 word command:
Simplify_ Summon_Fireball (size: colossal, area: 10km, explosion: fire, heat, volcanic eruption, shockwave, effect: destroy landscape, effect: create lava pools) = Inferno_ ( or whatever word you want)
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Not many people use these commands because they often accidentally say the words in conversation, triggering the spell and causing destruction. That's why it's better to use a word that's rarely spoken, especially for large spells like these.