Chapter 3 - Mana

"Gosh Cain, you're so excited. Is this really what you wanted me to read?"

Right now I'm sat in my mother's lap waiting for her to begin. Honestly I would've preferred doing this on my own but I don't think I could've gotten the book out from the shelf all on my own.

Oh well, at least I get to spend more time with Clarissa this way.

Now, it's finally time to start.

'Part one, the fundamentals of mana'

Oh-hoh, I see.

As Clarissa and I make our way through each page, I'm beginning to understand a few things.

The planet we're on is also called 'Earth', named after the word for dirt.

It seems that all living beings on this planet have mana. Plants, animals, you name it.

I wonder if organisms like bacteria have mana in them too?

Mana can also be described as life-force or Qi, and thus races that have it in abundance live far longer lives than those who don't.

Mana also takes different properties. Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Light and Dark. While some races are more likely to have affinities to certain elements, it's not always the case, and it's unknown whether it's biological or environmental.

The faerie species are born with the highest amount of mana out of all the intelligent races, barring Dragons, which consist of beings such as Elves, Dwarves, Pixies and Nymphs. With their naturally long lifespan, they have invented and passed down powerful ways of using mana which they guard closely within their communities. Even the shortest-lived faerie can have a lifespan of several hundred years.

Humans and Beastmen are born with similar amounts of mana to each other but far less than those of faeries, both with lifespans of around 70 to 90 years.

Though some groups of Beastmen tend to have more mana than others, each group has had their more gifted members. Despite this, they usually stay close to the average.

Humans on the other hand can vary greatly. There have been instances in the past of humans being born with mana levels similar to those of faeries. These people would eventually go on to become pillars of humanity, such as the first human archmage, Merlin.

Finally there are the Demons. Neither the supernatural kind nor the beings from hell like how they were described on the Old Earth, instead they're comprised of beings such as Vampires, Orcs, Goblins and Oni, just to name a few.

Apparently even Dragons are considered Demons.

Rather than a species, it's more like a collection of different beings who didn't fit in with the other races and gathered together to form their own group.

The difference in mana capacity between Demons varies greatly. Dragons are the strongest of the Demons and have the highest mana capacity of all known living creatures, with lifespans reaching the thousands. On the other end of the spectrum, Goblins are considered the weakest, not only of Demons but of all intelligent life.

Why is there such a disparity in mana capacity between the different races?

The 'Mana Organ'.

Creatures such as Faeries and Dragons are born with a special organ known as a 'Mana Organ' which allows them to store, gather and manipulate mana. An added perk of this organ is that the mana stored is also refined and purified by the body automatically.

If two people, one with purified mana and one without were to cast a simple fireball with the same amount of mana, if the fireball from the person whose mana was impure was the size of a golf ball, then the other would be the size of a football. Not only that, but it would also travel faster and farther.

Humans and Beastmen aren't so lucky. Instead what we have is a mana sea. There are no benefits like purifying our mana or letting us control mana, all it does is act as storage.

While those who are blessed with the organ can quietly gather mana and let nature take its course, we unlucky ones must painstakingly cultivate our mana, gradually refining it step by step. In doing so our lifespans also increase.

So it looks like lifespan is solely determined by the amount of mana a creature has.

Wait, isn't the mana organ too much of a cheat?

Sigh. Life really is unfair, isn't it.

Although creatures without a mana organ can't directly control mana outside the body and turn it into spells, mana can be used to strengthen one's body from within. Warriors are those who are able to channel the mana in their mana sea to empower their limbs, giving them superhuman abilities depending on their mana affinity. These people often refer to mana as 'Qi'

While many people have the ability to channel their qi, there have been instances where children are born who don't consciously channel it, rather they do it instinctively. These kids who are able to enchant their bodies with qi, the youngest ever recorded being 4 years old, are known as Innate Warriors.

Then, there are people like Clarissa, who have unnaturally high affinities to mana which allows them to channel mana through their skin and form a layer surrounding their bodies, like a weaker version of the mana organ, giving them protection from magic. These kinds of people are called mages.

Hmm, I was able to sense Clarissa's mana when she used that runestone earlier. Does that mean I have a high affinity to mana too?

Maybe I should try channeling my mana. First thing's first, I'll need to find my mana sea.

Damn, why doesn't this book tell you where the mana sea is?

Ah, wait, there it is! I found you!

There, sitting right below my navel is my mana sea.

It looks like there's a lot of mana in there, but I don't know what the standard is.

Anyway, lets try channeling it quickly before Clarissa gets too far ahead in case we miss something important.

Hmmm...

I feel like I'm missing something...

...

OH NO.

I try to stop myself but it's too late. I can already feel the mana on my palm like a thin glove wrapping around it.

I messed up.

If I can sense Clarissa when she channels her mana, she must be able to sense mine right?

It's too much of a coincidence for me to 'accidentally' discover my talent as a mage, not even a minute after she's finished describing it!

Stupid. Stupid. STUPID.

How do I explain this..?

I slowly and robotically tilt my head up to look at Clarissa, a million possible excuses are currently being simulated in my mind.

She sees and looks towards me.

"Hm? What's wrong Cain?"

She didn't notice? Or is she just pretending?

No, why would she pretend. Plus she doesn't look like she's faking it.

Phew.

Quick, act natural.

I smile up at her and she does the same back, "Are you enjoying it? I'm happy as long as I'm with you Cain."

I force myself not to tear up. I love you too mom.

When I can finally speak I'll make sure to tell you every day.