Ch. 4: Mana Core [2]

I tried to concentrate on moving the orbs. But, instead of changing positions, the orbs in front of me just swayed and didn't roll as I wanted to.

Well, it was not as easy as I previously thought. I focused once more and pushed them again. One by one the orbs started to gather.

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I didn't know how many times had passed, but I felt dizzy. Sweats were all over my body and I was gasping for air. I gave my legs up and chose to lie on the ground while catching my breath. My energy was drained a lot and I was hungry.

Maybe it was still too much for the three-year-old me to handle Mana. I looked up and the ⅛ of orbs had formed. The corners of my mouth tugged. Well, it was not bad for the first attempt at controlling Mana, right?

After replenishing some of my stamina, I decided to call it a day. On the next day, I did the same and ended it until my stamina pumped out. This cycle repeated for a whole week and today, I finally managed to form a Mana Core.

My mouth fell open when I saw that the little orbs had now turned into an enormous ball of light. The orb floated in front of me which reminded me of the sun but was white. It gave me a warm and cozy vibe.

The light was gentle and didn't hurt my eyes at all. I raised my hand and reached for the light. The moment my fingers came into contact with it, my eyes were forced to shut as a blinding burst of light swept across the space.

I blinked a few times to adjust the light before opening my eyes fully. The flash began to dissipate and new scenery entered my vision. The space was turned into a heavenly fantasy theme.

My eyes scanned the surroundings. I couldn't see pretty well as mist covered the space. Many hand size light orbs danced around the space which reminded me of fireflies. I turned and saw a beautiful clear gigantic lake framed by bluegrass. It wasn't just the grass that framed the lake but the entire grass was painted blue.

I rolled my feet and stopped beside the lake. I bent my body and a wavy white-haired boy with azure eyes was seen. His slender white hands followed my movement when I touched the water.

Yes, he was me; Damian Atreilight.

I glared at my reflection with an indifferent gaze. Somehow I couldn't get used to my new appearance. Only then, something shining in the middle of the lake caught my attention right after I straightened my back.

My eyes squinted, I hardly saw it because of the fog and how far it was, but I seemed to catch a glimpse of it. They were flowers. Flowers that emitted different colors. One had a bright red co--

"--Ian!!"

My ears were ringing. Damn. I wouldn't wonder if I went deaf after hearing the scream. Suddenly, a familiar sweet scent penetrated my nostrils and someone hugged me tightly. My brow furrowed.

"Mom?"

Why was my mother here--wait, did I come back? She let go of me and looked at me worriedly.

"Damian! Are you okay?!"

Her immaculate hair was nowhere to be found, which was in stark contrast to hers, even her eyes were wet with tears. My heart skipped a bit and anger was raging in my heart. What happened to her?!

"Mom calmed down--"

I halted my words the moment I saw many knights surrounding us and debris lying everywhere. What in the world--what was going on here?! Did someone drop a bomb or something?

"A-are we under attack?!"

"No. We aren't, Your Highness."

I darted at the voice and found a man, who I assumed was the Captain of the Guard. Somehow his voice was too calm compared to the chaotic situation here.

"Explain."

"The person who caused the explosion was none other than Your Highness himself."

'Huh?'

'What kind of joke was that?'

'Me?'

'How?'

I was flabbergasted.

Now I didn't know which dumbfounded me, my mother who hugged me once more and cried even louder like attending my funeral, or what the Guard Captain just said.

I sighed in defeat. Hugged in front of so many people--damn. Guess, I should calm my mother down first. I patted her back.

"Mom, it's okay. I'm fine."

Instead of letting go of me, she embraced me tighter. I could feel my cheeks burning hot for some reason. Let's just--ignored her!

"Continue."

"Ah, yes. The explosion was due to a Mana Blast."

"Mana Blast?"

"That's right. Mana Blast usually occurs upon unlocking Mana Pool."

'Did I just blow up my library?'

Now I understand what it meant that must be done in an open space. Damn it.

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Yesterday's accident spread like a wildfire. Many compliments poured in since I became the first person to unlock a Mana Pool at the age of 3. Now, people were calling me a genius once again, which I didn't give a shit about.

Differing from the other people who endlessly praised me, my mother kept nagging me. Somehow it always amazed me how she never ran out of words for the nag, her words flowed naturally like a waterfall.

Only after I said that I was hungry with my pitiful expression did she finally stop. I couldn't believe she fell so easily with my poor acting skills. 

But still, I apologized to her. My apology was sincere, I was being honest here. Truthfully, it was the first time I ever saw her look like that. To think that she was reduced to that state... I felt awful for making her worry.

Uh, did I introduce my mother? Well, my mother was a blonde-haired and cyan-eyed woman, yes, that ethereal beauty. She was the Empress of the Chrono Empire.

"Are you nervous?"

"A little."

By the way, since I unlocked my Mana Pool two days ago, today my mother summoned an Elementals Appraisal to check whether I had Elemental or not.

I heard my mother was a Single Elementals Bearer while the Emperor--whom I never met before, was a Triple Elementals Bearer.

At the very least, shouldn't I have one elemental at the minimum, right? But I dare not to expect any higher than that because I didn't want my wish to turn into disappointment.

"Please placed your hand on top of the crystal ball, Your Highness."

I did as he told me. Afterward, the ball shone. The five white pearls inside the crystal ball changed color and they floated in unison.

"Th-This…"

I was astonished. Not only me, but everyone in the room was just as shocked as I was. The room was shrouded in silence.

"Hi-His Highness the Second Prince has 5 Elementals!!"

To think that I was the Super Ultra Mega Lucky Quint Elementals Bearer... damn.