Heavy rain poured relentlessly the drumming against the sea of Black umbrellas. The scent of damp earth mixed heavy weight of mourning in the air.
I stood before two freshly dug graves, my small hands clenched into fists.
Beside me, My sister, her long black hair completely soaked because of rain. She is barely fifteen, sobbing from her red eyes without restraint.Our parents were gone ripped from us in a so-called carriage accident. But I knew the truth. Everyone did.
And I am Leonard von Aurelian and seven years old.
The Sole son of Von Aurelian family.
Behind us, hushed whispers wove through the gathered nobles. Their words dripped with false concern.
"How can children manage a count's estate? They'll need a guardian."
A guardian? No. They didn't care about us. They cared about the wealth our family left behind.
I felt the reassuring presence of the person behind me is a caretaker of my sister and retired knight of my count family.
My parents left the family in her hands till my sister comes of age. This was mentioned in Will they wrote in case they die a accidentally death.
(Few days after the funeral)
I sat in a dimly lit study, the scent of aged parchment and candle wax filling the air. The wooden chair beneath me felt too big for my small frame. Across the room, my tutor, a stern man with silver-rimmed glasses, placed a thick tome on the desk.
"Young master," he began, his voice steady.
"Before we continue your history lessons, you must first understand the foundation of power in this world Mana."
I straightened in my seat, listening.
As you know young master, "Mana is the life force within all living beings.
In this World there is power called Mana using it you can control of 10 elements of the world.
Those who can wield it are born attuned to one of ten elements: Wind, Water, Earth, Fire, Ice, Thunder, Light, Dark, Space, or Time. Most people can only manipulate one. The gifted? Two or three."
Also everyone born is with a element.
I frowned, What are the rarest ones ?
He adjusted his glasses and answered Dark,Light, Space and Time.
There One in million there chance to be born with elements like dark,light, space, time.
you have to master the elements you are born with for you.
Mastering single element takes years, let alone more.
and the more mastery you have in your Mana, the more powerful you will become.
He asked slowly, tapping the book's leather cover. "Now tell me young master, do you know where is mana is stored.
I hesitated than, answered "The heart?
Then he gave me a small,approval nod.
The Mana circles as know young master,
The Mana circles hold the person mana in their body around their heart.
But there are some ancient mana circulation techniques which hold mana in their daintan like martial artists of ancient times who don't use 'Aura' rather use mana as their source of power.
They didn't rely on aura like warriors do today but instead refined their mana like a hidden sea within them." He sighed. "But that knowledge has been lost—at least, to most."
In the current times of the empire, No one uses these techniques.
I gripped the edge of my chair. "How many circles does one need to become powerful?"
"Ah," he mused, "let me explain..."
He turned to the blackboard and began listing them:
The Mages of current times are graded by the number of Mana circles they have.
Untalented individuals struggle to progress beyond the 2nd Circle.
The people who have their 1st Circle are called beginner mage.
They can use Basic Spells according to their elements like beginner spells like fireball, water blast , or simple projectiles.
They need time for their spell casting and their limited mana reserves are drained quickly.
The individual who have talent can form a Mana circle just by reading the information about how to form a Mana circle.
The individual who don't have any talent need a help of mentor or teacher to guide them to form a their first mana circle.
The individuals who reach 2nd to 3rd Circle are called Apprentice Mage.
They can Modify their spell like turning a fireball into a wall of flames by spreading the fire wide and tall.
The Apprentice Mage have larger Mana reserves and Can double Cast Spells if they are 3rd Circle.
4th–5th Cycle The Individuals who reach this level are called Adept Mage or Senior Mage.
They have access to Mid-Tier Spells such as Access to higher level of elemental manipulation, healing spells, and minor spell combinations.
These Individuals are respected in society, And are often asked guidance from them to lower circles mages.
The individual who reach their 6th circle are called Master Mage.
They can perform spells which can effect large scale of people.
The individual who reach this level 7th Circle are called Grand Master Mage.
They are able to use Wide Scale Spells like Capable of environmental-altering spells like storms and earthquakes.
They use their Mana to Mana Crafting.
Ability to create magical items, potions, or artifacts, Without using Alchemy.
And they are given a noble title like baron to make sure that they are under the control of Imperial Family.
8th Circle, The individuals who reach this level are called Archmage
They able to use highest levels of spells like creating elemental golems without the help of mana core. .
Their Mana Regenerates faster than any other mages.
The individuals who reach this level are be counted on your finger in the empire.
9th Circle, The individuals who reach this level are called Peak Mage or Grand Archmage.
They able to perform Catastrophic Magic: Capable of reshaping terrain,or altering the weather.
There are those who make themselves into lich to achieve immortality which Is strictly forbidden and even being associated with it can have you a death sentence by hanging.
They have Legendary Myths around Their names.
The last human mage who reached 9th circle is one of founder of the current Empire.
There are other paths of power such as AURA.