As the days turned into weeks, Kael gradually adjusted to life in Valtieri—or at least tried to. Each morning, he woke in the grand room, still feeling like a stranger within its ornate walls. The faces surrounding him, however, were slowly becoming more familiar. Lord Edgar, Lily, and the other members of the household staff treated him with a reverence that felt both unsettling and oddly comforting.
Kael learned much about this land. The territory belonged to Ardania Kingdom, a vast and mystical kingdom celebrated for its abundant magical resources and ancient dungeons filled with untold treasures and powerful artifacts. Ardania was divided into numerous territories, each unique in its landscapes, cultures, and governance.
Valtieri, his family's domain, was a border city nestled in the kingdom's southern reaches. It had long served as a steadfast bulwark, protecting its people from the constant threats of neighboring kingdoms and relentless monster attacks.
Count Edgar, Kael's father, had dedicated his life to preserving Valtieri's fragile stability. It was no small feat. The barren soil made farming arduous, and the territory struggled with perpetual resource scarcity—particularly food. Survival often felt like an unending battle against nature. Were it not for the support of a neighboring county, Valtieri might not have endured. Yet, through sheer determination and Lord Edgar's unwavering leadership, the city held its ground—a testament to the resilience of those who called it home.
As the sole heir of the Valtieri family, Kael was destined to lead the territory one day. It was a role he could never have envisioned for himself in his previous life as an engineer, yet the prospect intrigued him.
Sensing his budding curiosity, Lord Edgar began mentoring him in the complexities of governance. They spent countless hours discussing trade routes, resource management, and the delicate art of negotiation.
Edgar called it negotiation, but as Kael listened, it sounded more like pleading. Due to Valtieri's poverty, Lord Edgar often visited the neighboring county to ask for support. The thought stung, but it also kindled a determination within Kael to change Valtieri's fate—to build a future where they no longer needed to rely on others' generosity.
Gradually, Kael found a sense of purpose taking root. He is already one of this world; why not live to the fullest, he thought. This newfound clarity ignited a flame within him, a determination to embrace his new life and the opportunities it presented. However, alongside this sense of purpose came the stark realization of how vastly different this world was from the one he had left behind.
Here, concepts such as mechanical innovation, advanced technology, and logical systems were entirely foreign. The technological level resembled the medieval era of his original world. There was no electricity, and nights were illuminated solely by flickering lamps and candles.
To build a future and lead Valtieri to greater heights, Kael knew he had to bridge this gap. The dream of advancing the technology of this land began to form—a vision that could redefine not only Valtieri but perhaps all of Ardania.
He also discovered that mana was omnipresent in this world, much like the air. However, to harness mana and cast spells, one had to activate their magic circuits and gather it to form a core.
Activating one's mana circuit was not easy. It required great focus and control and was dangerous to learn. Failing to control the mana flow properly could damage the circuits permanently.
Determined to gather more information, Kael resolved to learn more about mana. He made his way to the estate's grand library, the halls echoing with the soft rustle of his footsteps. As he turned a corner, he unexpectedly encountered Count Edgar—now his father—standing in the hallway, his stern yet concerned gaze falling upon Kael.
"Ah, I see you're exploring our estate," Lord Edgar greeted him warmly. "Is there something you need, my child?"
"I was hoping to learn more about mana and its uses. Does the library have any books on the subject?" Kael asked, hesitating for a moment before finally voicing his request.
"So, you've finally taken an interest in magic," Edgar replied, his smile widening with pride. "Mana is the lifeblood of our world, the essence that sustains it. Understanding its flow and nature is essential for any aspiring mage. I'll recommend a few tomes to start with."
Edgar led him to the library, a vast room filled with towering bookshelves and the scent of old parchment. As they walked, he continued,
"Mana is a powerful force, but it requires caution," Edgar advised, his expression turning serious. "You must learn to control it gradually, allowing your body to adapt to the flow of energy. Rushing into it can be dangerous and overwhelming."
They stopped in front of a section dedicated to magical texts. Edgar pulled out several books and handed them to Kael.
"These will help you understand the basics of mana manipulation and spellcasting. Remember, practice is key, but never rush. Patience is essential in mastering magic."
Kael thanked him and took the books to a nearby table, eager to delve into their contents. Over the next few days, he immersed himself in the texts, learning about different types of mana, the intricacies of magic circuits, and techniques for casting spells. To successfully cast a spell, one needed to recite an incantation, the book stated.
Eventually, Kael decided to attempt activating his magic circuits. First, he needed to learn a skill called Mana Sense, which required a red mana crystal. The mana stored within the crystal would act as a catalyst, helping him sense mana.
With the red mana crystal he found in an old chest in the library, Kael focused on the task. He visualized the mana circulating through his body, directing it to form a core. The process was intense, and he poured every ounce of concentration into it. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he guided the mana with precision, visualizing it coalescing into a tight, glowing sphere at his core.
The room seemed to fade as he delved deeper into his consciousness, feeling the energy pulse and surge within him. It resisted his efforts, but he held firm, determined to succeed. Finally, the mana was starting to gather, forming a core—a nucleus of magical power within him.
Kael opened his eyes, the exhaustion etched all over his face. He had taken the first step into a world of magic, a realm brimming with both promise and peril. As he took a deep breath, he felt the lingering effects of the intense concentration and effort he had poured into activating his magic circuits.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Kael maintained his focus. The mana writhed and churned, testing the limits of his control. He gritted his teeth, determined not to let it slip away. Gradually, the energy began to stabilize, the wild pulsations evening out into a steady, rhythmic throb.
Then, with a sudden rush, the mana snapped into place, forming a solid, radiant core within him. A wave of exhilaration washed over Kael as he felt the power coursing through his body, ready to be harnessed at his command. He had done it—he had successfully formed his mana core.
"Finally.."
Exhausted but elated, Kael released his focus and slumped back onto his bed, panting heavily. The room spun around him as he struggled to catch his breath. He could feel the mana core pulsing steadily within him, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded.
As his breathing returned to normal, a grin spread across his face. This was just the first step, but he had proven to himself that he had what it took to walk this path. With his mana core established, he was ready to begin his true exploration of magic and its limitless possibilities.
***
One key aspect Kael learned about the mana core was that it functioned like a battery, serving as a reservoir where mana was stored. The stability and strength of one's core directly influenced its capacity to hold mana; the more stable and developed the core, the greater the amount of mana it could store efficiently.
Furthermore, Kael discovered that casting more powerful spells required the formation of multiple cores. The number of cores a person possessed was directly proportional to the amount of mana they could store and, consequently, the strength of the spells they could cast. Each additional core amplified the user's magical potential, allowing for greater versatility and power in spellcasting.
Now that his first mana core had been successfully formed in his navel, the next step was to fill it with mana. To do this, Kael needed to meditate, drawing in the ambient mana from the surrounding air and channeling it into the core. This process required focus and patience, as the mana had to be gathered slowly and steadily to ensure the core was filled evenly and completely.
Once the initial core was filled to capacity, the next challenge awaited: gathering more mana to form additional cores. Each new core required the same dedicated meditation and focus, as the mana had to be drawn in from the environment and condensed into a new, stable form.
For now, Kael decided to be content with just one core, as forming a second one would take more time. The next day, he decided to practice spellcasting.
Eager to begin his training, Kael made his way to the designated practice area. As he entered, he was greeted by a flurry of activity. Knights were honing their swordsmanship, the clash of steel against steel ringing through the air.
In another section, archers were loosing arrows at targets, the twang of bowstrings releasing a steady rhythm. Meanwhile, a few mages holding their staffs were deeply focused, practicing their spells with careful precision, the hum of their incantations adding a mystical undertone to the symphony of martial prowess.
"Wow, that's incredible," Kael breathed, watching as one of the mages released a fire bolt spell, its blazing trajectory cutting through the air.
"Young master, what brings you to the training grounds?" greeted Victor, the knight commander. His voice carried a note of curiosity as he studied Kael. His brown hair and the prominent scar running down his face were testaments to years of hard-fought battles.
"Just observing for now," Kael replied. But his curiosity got the better of him. Intrigued, he channeled mana into his eyes to assess Victor's magical prowess. To his amazement, he discovered the knight commander possessed two cores.
"Wow, two cores," Kael mused, fascinated. He couldn't help but wonder how long it had taken Victor to form the second one.
Victor must have noticed the subtle shift in Kael's gaze because his eyes widened in surprise.
"Young master, did you just use mana?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had always known Kael as the young master who loved to bury himself in books, not someone who dabbled in magic.
Kael scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Uh, yes, I did. I was curious about your cores, so I channeled mana through my eyes to check. How long did it take you to form your second core?"
Victor blinked, clearly taken aback.
"You... you channeled mana through your eyes to see my cores?" He paused, his astonishment growing. "And you could tell I have two?"
"Yes," Kael said with a nod, trying to keep his excitement in check. "I recently formed my first core and was curious. So, how long did it take?"
Victor's expression shifted, his surprise giving way to thoughtfulness. He rubbed his chin.
"It took me nearly a year," he admitted. "Forming a second core is far more challenging than the first, you see. It requires not only control but also a deep understanding of how mana flows within you."
Kael nodded, absorbing his words. A year sounded like a long time, but he felt determined.
"I see. That helps me understand what to expect. I'm eager to start working on my second core, but for now, I'd like to try casting a few spells. This will be my first attempt—can someone guide me?"
Victor's brow furrowed slightly as he considered Kael's request.
"Spellcasting, huh.. That's an exciting milestone. However," he added with a slight grin, "I'm a knight, not a mage. Mana is a tool for my sword, not for spells. But I know someone who can help. Follow me."
He led Kael across the training grounds to where a mage was practicing. Her movements were precise, her spells weaving through the air with an almost mesmerizing grace. As they approached, she turned to face them, her curious gaze softening into a welcoming smile.
"Young master, this is Keira Bryndis," Victor said, gesturing to the mage. She wore a robe and a pointed hat, her striking black hair shimmering under the sun. Her youthful face carried features that reminded Kael of someone from Korea—delicate yet commanding attention. She appeared to be about his age, around fifteen, though her reputation preceded her.
"Keira is one of the most skilled mages in our territory. Despite her age, she's been hailed as a genius and is the disciple of none other than Gideon Grimoire—the famed six-class magician."
'Six-class magician?' Kael wondered. 'How many classes could a mage have?'
"The young master here is eager to learn spellcasting. Could you guide him through his first attempts?" Victor continued.
"It would be an honor." Keira smiled politely and inclined her head.
As she spoke, Kael couldn't resist the urge to assess her abilities. Channeling mana into his eyes, he focused on her core—and immediately sensed three. His breath caught.
"Three cores? Incredible!" he blurted before he could stop himself.
Keira froze, her expression a mix of surprise and alarm.
"Wait—how did you know that?" she asked sharply.
Victor, too, looked stunned. "Young master, did you just—again?"
"I channeled mana through my eyes," he explained, hesitating for a moment. "That's how I found out."
"But that's not possible. No one can see another's cores just by doing that," Keira said, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"It's true. Even I was shocked when he figured out I had two," Victor nodded in agreement, his expression full of amazement.
"But I can see them. When I focus and channel mana into my eyes, it's like... I can visualize them, almost like an x-ray." Kael said frowning, trying to make sense of their confusion.
"X-ray? What do you mean by that?" Keira asked, tilting her head in curiosity, her brow furrowing slightly.
Her question caught Kael off guard, and he realized he'd let something slip—a fragment of knowledge from his previous life. Not wanting to delve into explanations, he quickly shook his head.
"It's... nothing. Just a way to describe what I saw."
She studied him for a moment, her curiosity evident, but thankfully she didn't press the issue. Instead, her expression shifted to one of caution.
"That's highly unusual, young master. The ability to perceive someone's cores isn't something mages can normally do without the aid of artifacts or advanced spells. What you've described is rare—perhaps even unique."
"And you're doing it instinctively... That's incredible. But it's also something to be cautious about," Victor said, nodding in agreement, his expression still one of astonishment.
"You need to understand, young master, that the number of cores someone has is deeply personal. It can reveal their strength and weaknesses. Using this ability recklessly—or revealing it too freely—could make you a target. You must handle this power with discretion." Keira's said, her tone turned serious.
Kael nodded, taking their words to heart.
"I understand. I won't misuse it. I just want to focus on improving myself. Can we move on to spellcasting now?"
Keira's expression softened, and she smiled.
"Of course. Let's focus on your training. Spellcasting is an art, young master—one that requires patience and precision. Let's see what you can do."