9 Mana Cores

The gate slid open for the second test. As the light shined upon Noah's retina, he was in an empty room. Noah stopped for a moment to hear something clank on the wall. It looked like the wall just made a really huge sound.

"Was that from the first test?"

Noah brushed it off to see ten tables with stones sitting atop of each of the said tables.

The stones were the size of a basketball and all of them were blackish-purple in color, like obsidians you use to make a portal in CraftMine. What differs them from obsidian is that it has a faint glow at the center of each tone.

"Those things are..."

Of course, Noah was familiar with it as he studied everything about being a blacksmith. Although there was limited book access, people know what materials those things are.

"Mana Cores."

Mana Cores — the hearts of the Mana Beasts and Activated Humans. The difference between a Human and a Beast's core is the color since a human's core remained red, and the beast cores are all blackish-purple.

Mana Beasts and Activated Humans are all ranked by the power of their Mana Cores.

There are five levels of Mana Core: Canine-Level, Ursid-Level, Cetacean-Level, Draco-Level, Diablo-Level.

The five levels all have three layers: Lower, Middle, and Upper Tier.

The similarity of Mana Beasts and Activated Humans are outstandingly similar as similar to Mana Beasts — their cores can grow and get stronger. Through training in body and mana, one core can level up.

"From the glow of the core, it's only a Canine, Lower Tier."

"Correct."

A voice answered him from behind as Noah was startled. Since he entered the academy, he's been using his power to detect people around him. Like a CCTV camera that always follows Noah, it detects people around him in a 20-meter radius.

"So you've seen a mana core before?"

The man that snuck up behind him was none other than the Professor-in-charge of the Forging test — Ronson Reyes.

"I've trained my power "Neutron" for a year now, I can individually use the power to accelerate my mind and astral project. How did this guy..." — Noah was alert of the danger that was in front of him. His mind's switch was always turned on and the people that he deemed dangerous, was the people that can easily harm him, and Mel.

(Neutron is the name he has given to his power. Pretty neat, eyy?)

Professor Ronson just looked at him with a questioned face. Noah just stared at Professor Ronson back like he was observing him.

"Hmm, I like you kid." — Ronson said as he went past him and picked up a Mana Core and threw it to Noah.

Noah caught it but only to feel that his body is going down with the Mana Core. It was so heavy that it felt like the time Noah has to pick up eight cement blocks at the same time when he was still working at the construction site.

"Be careful kid, that thing is worth 30,000 PHP (620 USD)."

Noah just looked at Ronson as he just smirked back at him. The monstrous strength of Ronson completely shocked Noah as he tried his best to lift it up with both of his hands, but the thing that shocked Noah the most was the price of the stone he's touching with his own filthy hand.

He got so overwhelmed by the price that he felt like he's gonna die if he breaks it.

Noah didn't wanna do it but he released his mana once again and focused it on his arm muscles. He didn't want to do it, he didn't want to be defeated with strength by a guy that unknowingly challenged him without even saying anything.

He may be oblivious to a lot of things but a man's gotta do what a man gotta do.

Professor Ronson isn't even using mana right now.

"Damn it."

Noah admitted defeat as the stone got lighter the more he used mana on his arms. He technically proved himself and won but at what cost?

"HAHAHA! You're a funny kid!"

Ronson laughed the hell out as he saw the silent guy making a face of someone struggling to lift weights until his nerves pop out. Noah admitted defeated and he accepted the punishment of being laughed at.

"How did you... lift 2 tons of weight without the use of mana?"

Ronson's facial expression became menacing as Noah didn't even notice it was that heavy. He has been training for a year but he only seldom tries on heavyweights, it's just been normal routines of push-ups and other muscle training.

There was this weight shackles that Kevin made him wear for a year but he said it's been normal 5 KG of weight in each limb.

"..."

Noah did not answer as even he has no idea what's going on. He just stared back at Ronson as Ronson started back at him as well.

"HAHAHAHA! You're interesting, kid!"

Ronson shifted his mood once again as Noah started wondering as every time he meets new people, they are all weirdos. He started to wonder if he made the right decision to come here

"That's enough, let's wait for the other kids to finish up the first test."

Ronson said as he threw a small rock to Noah.

"I like you kid, use that core to practice forging. As you know, the way of forging is to manipulate the mana around you and influence the Mana Core. Try changing it into a liquid, then form it into a toothpick or a miniature sword, then harden it once more."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks."

A few minutes passed and all of the other participants entered together. It seems like the emo guy and Vasco is currently fighting over something.

"You think you're better than me, huh?!"

"I am... You stupid red-head"

"What! You arrogant emo!"

Of course, Vasco is completely ignored by that emo guy. The hot-headed kid fighting a kid that doesn't care at all. It's such a bad match

Staaarreeeee~

Yet, they all stopped as they stared at Noah, like jealous kids looking at the boy for having a lollipop.

"... I wonder what happened."