Turbulent path of magic

The hallway was dimly lit, the flickering glow of the lanterns casting elongated shadows along the walls. The scent of old parchment and the faint trace of incense from the evening prayers still lingered in the air. Lisa, arms crossed, leaned against the doorframe, watching her brother pace back and forth.

"Why the haste, Ori? What's bothering you so much?" she asked, her tone soft but laced with concern.

Orion hesitated mid-step, caught in the weight of her gaze. For a moment, he considered brushing off her question, but something in Lisa's expression—an unwavering patience, an unspoken plea—made him falter. He exhaled slowly, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "What could it be? Perhaps I simply enjoy the sight of your surprised face now and then."

Lisa sighed. "You always do this," she murmured, stepping forward. Without hesitation, she placed her hands on his shoulders, her grip gentle yet firm. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

She didn't wait for his response. Instead, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his forehead, the warmth lingering as she stepped back. "Good night, Ori," she said softly, turning on her heel and leaving the room.

Orion stood there, unmoving, listening to her footsteps fade into the distance. His gaze lowered to his hands, flexing them absentmindedly. The truth lingered unspoken between them. Since the first time he had gripped a sword for training, an unrelenting sense of urgency had coursed through him. It wasn't a fleeting worry or a mere burst of ambition. It was something deeper, something that only grew stronger with every step forward. The strange sensation—like a shadow creeping at the edges of his mind—whispered of impending change. He didn't know when or how, but something was coming. And time… time was slipping through his fingers.

As Lisa's figure disappeared beyond the doorway, he clenched his fists. "Maybe she's already onto it…" he muttered under his breath. "Still, I can't bring myself to tell her. Not after what happened to Grandma."

---

Hours later, the dining hall was quiet, save for the occasional clinking of cutlery against porcelain plates. Orion sat across from Lisa, their meal mostly uneventful. Yet, he felt the weight of her gaze, sharp and knowing, pressing into him like an unspoken demand. He remained silent, choosing instead to focus on his plate, but he knew she wouldn't let the moment pass so easily.

Lisa finished her meal first. Dabbing the corner of her lips with a napkin, she finally broke the silence. "There's no need for such intense glares. I was planning to tell you anyway."

Orion looked up, eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion.

Setting her fork down, Lisa leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "However, before we delve into that conversation, you must promise me something. No core purification until I give the green light."

He stiffened at her words, his fingers tightening around his spoon. "Lisa, I—"

"After this morning's escapade, I believe it's imperative for you to take a break," she interrupted, her voice leaving no room for argument. "When was the last time you did that? Because I can't recall a single day since you started training."

Orion opened his mouth, but Lisa cut him off again, her gaze intensifying. "Can you do that for me?" she asked, a challenge laced within her words.

For a moment, he hesitated. Every fiber of his being urged him to defy her, to argue that he didn't have time for rest. But then he saw the look in her eyes—not just determination, but worry, deep and raw. He sighed, shoulders slumping slightly before he finally nodded. "I can do that."

Lisa smiled, the tension in her posture easing. "Good. Now, before we get into what I wanted to tell you, let's go over the basics again."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "The basics?"

"Yes," she said simply. "How many stages of mana core are there?"

He frowned. "Lisa, you already know I—"

"Just answer."

Sighing, he complied. "Black, red, orange, yellow, silver, and white."

"And?"

"Each stage has two sub-stages: normal and radiant. Except for the white core, of course. White stage doesn't have a radiant stage because it's the peak that a human can reach."

Lisa nodded approvingly. "Mostly correct. But do you know what comes after?"

His frown deepened. "No one does."

"Not entirely true." Lisa tapped her fingers against the table. "Some of the books Grandpa gave me contained whispers of something beyond. If I were to quote them correctly, 'The world reveals a new side to those who reach the stage of white mana core. It unveils its secrets only to those who have proven themselves.'"

Orion was silent. The words carried a weight that sent an unsettling chill down his spine.

Lisa moved on. "Now, tell me about runes."

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Mana core works in conjunction with the heart. Since humans don't have mana channels like some other species, mana must circulate through our bloodstream. Every drop of a mage's blood carries mana."

Lisa nodded. "And?"

"Runes must be inscribed with a mage's blood to function. The higher the mage's core stage, the denser the mana in their blood, and the stronger the rune."

Lisa smiled slightly. "Then tell me, how do mages strengthen their mana cores?"

Orion rolled his eyes. "By absorbing unpurified mana from the surroundings. It passes through the heart first, where it undergoes purification and is imbued with the mage's unique mana signature before entering the core. This strengthens the mana core."

Lisa leaned back. "And what about the mana used for magic?"

He sighed. "The mana core can directly imbue absorbed mana with the mage's signature and store it without passing through the heart. That mana is then used for spells."

Lisa clapped her hands together. "Correct."

Orion narrowed his eyes. "You knew all of this already, so can we get to the real reason we're having this conversation?"

Lisa chuckled. "I just wanted to see that adorable expression of yours."

He groaned. "Lisa…"

She waved a hand. "Fine, fine. But it wasn't just for fun. It was to remind you how difficult the path of a mage truly is. Yet you, Orion, are progressing at a monstrous speed."

A pause. Then, her voice lowered. "Silver stage is different. Breaking into it isn't just about purifying your mana core. You must face at least two elemental forces, confront their resistance, and master them. Only then can you advance."

Orion absorbed her words carefully. "And that's why you don't want me rushing?"

Lisa's expression softened. "Exactly. You're already pushing limits beyond what should be possible. Do you know why Grandpa gave you a name with such meaning? Orion—the guiding star, the light in the darkness."

A sharp silence filled the space between them. Lisa's gaze darkened with sorrow. "That's why Grandma sacrificed herself to save you."

Orion flinched, anger flaring in his eyes. But before he could speak, Lisa continued, "And that's why you have to listen to me. You're my little brother, Ori. I can't stand by and watch you recklessly risk your life again and again for something as pitiful as strength. So as you promised—no more core purification until I say so. Only then will I tell you everything. That's final."

Her words hung in the air, unyielding. And for the first time in a long while, Orion felt trapped—not by chains, but by love.