In a realm obscured by eternal darkness, Richard's consciousness gradually emerged from the abyss. Upon the awakening of his inner vision, he beheld a vast ocean of stars, shimmering in myriad hues across the boundless cosmos.
Despite his arduous study of "The Human Skin Diary of Loren" and previous experiences in meditation, he swiftly recognized the starlit spectacle around him as mere illusion, an assembly of drifting energy elements from the external world. These elements glimmered—red, ochre, black, and azure—each vying for attention within the celestial tableau.
Gazing upon this starry effulgence, Richard discerned a peculiar divergence in his current state of meditation; he no longer felt utterly detached from the realm without but instead perceived the delicate state of his own body, albeit in a hazy semblance, akin to lying in slumber while sensing the presence of another beside him—yet that other was himself.
In this realization, Richard mused, "It seems the endeavors undertaken amidst the discharge of the Leyden jar have not been in vain. Verily, I have ignited the mana core now that my being is set in an active state capable of its nascent emergence."
Yet, he cautioned himself, this exuberance must not burgeon too swiftly; the true triumph shall only be claimed when this mana core has been solidly established—a challenge he had yet to conquer.
Richard delved into recollections of the Journal, piecing together the wisdom held within regarding the mana core. According to its intricate revelations, the mana core is an exquisite construct, nestled within the corporeal vessel, designed to store the enigmatic energy elements of the world. Only through the successful establishment of this core may one gather energy whilst meditating, thus preparing for the release of spells.
The creation of the mana core is no simple feat, demanding the full engagement of mental faculties for its formation, with two methods declared viable:
One, the Brushing Method, wherein one must summon into their mind's eye a grand brush, conjuring forth all mental strength to bring it to life—sweeping over parts of the body in repetition, until a chrysalis-like form emerges, encapsulating the nascent core.
The other, the Building Method, necessitates an imaginative array of construction materials scattered throughout the form, compelling all mental energy to manipulate these materials into a fixed shape within, ultimately erecting a distinctly formed structure—a veritable mana core.
In summation, the construction of the mana core unfolds with considerable difficulty, consuming time and demanding persistence. Moreover, the larger the core, the greater the arduousness and time required—the reward, however, amplifies as the storage capacity for energy elements expands.
Upon the fruitful establishment of a mana core, it assumes a semi-physical nature—void of mass or volume yet brimming with potent energy. The mana core offers immunity to corporeal harm, yet remains vulnerable to energy-inflicted damage, thus cautioning location choice during its formation—distant from vital organs such as the heart or mind.
With the memories consolidating, Richard absorbed this knowledge and soon set forth into action. He resolved to employ the Building Method for his inaugural mana core.
First, he stationed himself at the location designated for the core, conjuring the vision of construction materials saturating his form. He mobilized all his mental prowess, commencing the construction.
One by one...
Soon, Richard discerned the essence of this undertaking; it was to solidify his mental energy into tangible bricks. The true artistry lay in the manipulation of mental power—shaping it into blocks, erecting the structure in the chosen position with uncompromising resolve.
Piece by piece, the time trickled by.
The odyssey of mana core creation revealed itself as an unhurried affair—filling not just days but stretching into numerous moons. Richard devoted vast hours to this singular endeavor, leading a spartan existence while rarely entering his laboratory. This unconventional routine piqued the curiosity and perhaps the dismay of Lucy, the younger maid responsible for the lab's upkeep.
As summer faded into distant memory, and the flora adorning the fields succumbed to hues of gold, autumn gracefully made its arrival. A brisk northern breeze stirred, casting aside clouds and revealing the cerulean expanse above—akin to a polished sapphire.
It was upon such a day that Richard, through sheer perseverance, finally birthed his mana core. After countless days and nights, a symmetrical tetrahedron emerged, nestled slightly to the left of his chest. Were it visible to mortal eyes, this core would resemble a miniature pyramid, exquisite in its design. Yet Richard had not chosen this form for mere aesthetics; it reduced both the labor and challenges involved. Had he constructed a cube or sphere for the core, many more moons would have elapsed in endeavor.
Upon completing the construction of the mana core, and triumphantly overcoming two of the challenges besetting his quest to become a wizard, Richard did not linger in satisfaction. Instead, he immediately plunged into the third strife awaiting him—the refinement of energy elements.
This was the final hurdle, the last tribulation to surmount.
In the lengthy pursuit of establishing the mana core, Richard had gleaned precise insights for overcoming this challenge, revolving around a singular concept: the magnetic field.
The third challenge lay in conducting the refinement of the energy elements stored within the mana core, transmuting them into pure essence suitable for spellcasting. This process demanded a state of activation akin to that required when forging the mana core, yet distinct unto itself.
Richard's mind awakened to the potential of the magnetic field.
Electric currents could dance freely within one's being, whereas magnetic forces enveloped it entirely. Beyond this, the magnetic field carries manifold utility: swaying the compass, exerting influence over various objects. Richard recalled, from the annals of Earth's scholarly pursuits, ideas of controlled nuclear fusion wherein magnetic fields governed the trajectory of high-energy particles.
In a sense, energy elements could be likened to such high-energy particles—unidentified in the realms of modern Earth. The application of magnetic fields could feasibly alter these elements, instigating a metamorphosis known as refinement.
And thus, with this revelation firmly in mind, subsequent tasks appeared markedly less formidable—the symbiosis between magnetic and electric forces rendering the undertaking less daunting.
Once masters of electric principles emerged, the challenge of magnetism unveiled itself, allowing Richard to seamlessly approach the act of refinement.
The refinement was now set to commence...