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Kael walked leisurely through the dazzlingly decorated halls, with Sebastian a few steps ahead, guiding him.
After the meeting had ended earlier, Liora had instructed Sebastian to hand a distinguished guest token to Kael.
Many of the elders had frowned at this decision, yet none had voiced outright objections. They assumed that the matriarch must have had her reasons for her sudden shift in attitude, especially after her agreement to another outrageous term of Kael's before ending the meeting.
Sebastian moved casually, turning a few corners until they arrived before a grand ironwood door, inscribed with elegant script: 'Sealkeeper's Vault'.
With a slight bow, Sebastian pushed the door open and gestured for Kael to enter first.
"Sir Kael, please."
Stepping inside, Kael took in his surroundings. The room resembled an ordinary office, with a large desk at the far side covered in neatly arranged documents and trinkets. Cabinets and drawers lined the walls, adding to the air of meticulous organization.
Sebastian followed him in, closing the door before swiftly making his way behind the desk.
With deft movements, he opened one of the drawers and retrieved an obsidian oval-shaped token, its silver etchings forming the crest of the Dawnblades; a blade piercing a blazing sun from above.
It bore some resemblance to the token Yselda had presented to the guards outside the fortress walls, both in color and craftsmanship. However, hers had been forged from black iron and emitted a faint, almost imperceptible black glow, and the crest was etched in gold.
Aside from the aesthetic differences, their functionality remained the same.
Sebastian handed the token to Kael, offering a succinct explanation in the process.
"With this, you will have access to all standard facilities and most areas of the estate. The only off-limits sections are the vaults and private chambers reserved only for family members."
Kael accepted the token with a measured motion, extending his right hand from behind his back. After a brief glance, he tucked it into the inner pocket of his robes, placing it near his chest.
Noting this, Sebastian continued, his voice tinged with the ease of someone who had performed this task countless times before.
"Sir Kael, the token is an artifact; it will activate once a sliver of mana comes into contact with it and release a faint golden light. Once attuned, only you will be able to use it."
He paused for a brief moment before adding "For those without mana, a drop of blood serves the same function."
Kael met his gaze, his white eyes holding an unfathomable depth.
Being looked at by him was not oppressive, yet it carried a piercing weight, as though no secret could remain hidden under his scrutiny.
"Who designed these tokens?" he asked, his tone calm but probing.
The origin of the tokens was always shrouded in mystery. Some stories spoke of a veiled merchant who had sold the method of their creation. Others claimed it had been gifted by a demihuman sorcerer. Yet, none of these countless accounts had ever been verified.
"The method to craft the tokens is no secret. Any artifact dealer can provide the recipe. As for their true origin, many stories exist, but none are definitive. Most aristocrats and warriors use similar methods for identification."
Sebastian chose his next words carefully, subtly emphasizing the importance of immediate activation.
"The usual procedure is to use the token right away to prevent theft or impersonation. If you prefer to do so later, that is fine as well. Once activated, the emblem will glow faintly. Just ensure that no one but yourself attunes to it."
Kael smiled, reaching into his pocket once more.
"Mana and blood are indeed valid methods, but not the only ones." he murmured, his words carrying an ambiguous undertone.
Holding the token between his fingers, it suddenly gave off a strong golden glow, unlike the subtle shine Sebas had mentioned.
Sebastian's eyes widened. He had not sensed any mana being drawn upon; no fluctuation, no surge of energy, nothing. Yet the token had activated flawlessly.
"This... what an intriguing ability." he remarked, careful not to pry further.
It was an unspoken rule never to inquire about another person's abilities. Doing so was seen as either cowardly or deeply disrespectful. In a world where strength meant survival, exposing even the slightest weakness could be fatal.
But curiosity had always been a weakness of his.
After a brief pause, he carefully framed his next words. "May I ask if Sir Kael is a Seed?"
Kael smiled faintly, his white eyes unreadable. "I am."
Sebastian exhaled, his suspicions confirmed.
[Seeds]. Individuals born with an innate inclination toward Divine Mana.
Mana exists in many forms, but it could be broadly categorized into three types.
The first was [Elemental Mana], the most common and widely used. It consisted of mana particles attuned to natural forces: fire, water, wind, lightning, earth, and more. It was the main source of power for magicians and aura users alike, a force that could be shaped and wielded with enough training and mastery.
The second type was [Attributeless Mana]. This mana is often refered to as 'Formless Mana', capable of taking on the traits of other types through training and deep insight into the desired affinity. It serves as both a catalyst to enhance spells and, in the hands of elite combatants, a means to mimic the effects of [Divine Mana].
[Divine Mana] was something else entirely.
Unlike Elemental Mana, which adhered to the natural order, Divine Mana bent it. It governed the most mysterious and unfathomable aspects of existence; time, space, life. It could heal or annihilate, bend reality itself, and grant abilities that defied mortal logic.
However, Divine Mana was not something a mortal body could withstand. The strain of channeling it was enough to shatter one's mana channels, or worse, rupture the Mana Vessel, the very core that stored mana within a person. Only those who had undergone metamorphosis could properly wield it, reforging their bodies to bear the burden.
Yet Seeds were the exception.
Unlike ordinary practitioners, Seeds were born with a natural connection to certain types of Divine Mana, allowing them to wield it with far less strain. Whether they chose the path of an aura warrior, strengthening their bodies and weapons, or that of a mage, manifesting mana externally into spells, their abilities always stood far above others of the same rank.
This was the importance of [Talent].
Kael's white eyes met his again, sharp and unwavering, as if peering straight through his thoughts.
Sebastian felt a chill run down his spine.
Realizing he had lingered too long, he quickly lowered his head. "I apologize if I overstepped my bounds."
Sliding the token back into his robes, Kael turned toward the door. "Please express my thanks to the Matriarch. I'll be returning to my room."
Sebastian bowed deeply as Kael stepped out. Only when the door clicked shut did he finally release a slow breath.
His mind still churned with possibilities.
Everyone, including [Seeds], has an inclination towards certain types of mana. This is part of one's talent. The properties that the body is most compatible with will be much easier to wield, which translates to higher potency and power.
Talent also extends to one's [Mana Channels]. Mana channels, like veins and arteries, are an intangible pathway inside the body that carries mana from the [Mana Vessel], the container of mana inside the body. The durability and size of these channels can allow for easier flow of mana, and the size of the vessel can allow one to hold more mana, providing a great advantage in combat.
By asking if Kael was a seed, Sebas was indeed touching upon a sensitive topic, since learning of one's talents was akin to learning about their most used elements and strategies.
New skills and ways to use mana are discovered constantly, from alchemists to researchers, even upon flashes of inspiration in the heat of battle. The ways that mana can be utilized in are simply endless.
Similar skills to Kael's, used to conceal one's presence or mana imprint, naturally existed but the method for such advanced techniques were always kept hidden by each family to gain an advantage against others or to simply keep the flaws of their techniques hidden.
Innovations can happen at any time, and people will try to purchase or force the method from others. This was simply the fight to attain power and supremacy, a desire engraved into the heart of every being.
---
Meanwhile, in the meeting room.
Liora sat at the head of the table, Lyssara beside her. Across from them, Yselda and Aurelia remained seated, their expressions heavy with contemplation.
The other elders had been dismissed, sent to prepare for the impending battle, as they had discussed before concluding the meeting.
Silence pressed against the walls, making even Storm uncomfortable, until Yselda finally spoke, her words laced with frustration. "Why did you agree to such a reckless request?"
Liora exhaled, her exhaustion evident despite the grace and beauty "A strategy that ensures zero casualties. Isn't that the best possible outcome?"
Yselda sighed, leaning back in her chair, arms crossing beneath the ample curves of her chest. The tight black dress she wore only accentuated her figure.
"You should have left that role to me instead. You've fought on the front lines; this plan is suicide!"
Aurelia, who had shifted closer after the meeting, sat silently beside her teacher. Anxiety gripped her heart, a cold shiver running down her spine at the mere thought of her father, Ryker Dawnblade, being cut down by the white devil.
For just a moment, an agonizing thought of her mother meeting the same fate haunted her heart.
And yet, despite her trauma, her eyes remained clear and focused. She wanted to understand her mother's reasoning.
Liora steepled her fingers, her voice carrying a weight that deepened the air in the room. "That is my role as matriarch."
Yselda of course understood her intention to take on the role Kael suggested. Yet she could feel anxiety creeping in the back of her mind.
Liora looked up and asked through her glossy lips "Do you know how the [Forest] was formed?"
Yselda turned to her student. "Ria?"
Aurelia hesitantly answered, unwillingness plastered all over her face.
"It's because of the [Cycle]."
She took a steady breath before continuing.
"The exact date is unknown, but after the [Trinity War] ended, the ancestor of the Astraea Kingdom created a massive barrier around the mana lake. According to the records, the area used to be a barren wasteland. But once the barrier was in place, immense amounts of mana began to leak from inside, transforming the land and gradually creating its own ecosystem. Originally, entering the barrier or even approaching it was forbidden. To this day, researching the cause of the mana wave is considered a crime."
"What is known about the [Cycle] is simply that every couple of weeks the lake releases an overwhelming surge of energy, and it has continued to do so for over a century."
She noticed the proud eyes of her mother and teacher, and immediately looked down at the table to finish her words, her cheeks becoming rosy.
"Many forces are still theorizing about the source, but all attempts have been fruitless. After all this time, the forest now almost extends from one side of the continent to the other and two more barriers have been set up to restrict the wave of mana caused by it."
Yselda smiled slightly at her pupil's answer, pride flickering in her gaze.
This warmer side of hers had only been shown to a handful of people.
Liora nodded. "That is correct. However..." her expression darkened, "since the attack a year ago, the cycle has stopped."
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