Authority of Mana(Part 1)

--- Akira ---

Leaping from one building to another is a blast.

The breeze against my face brings back memories of riding a roller coaster, a thrill I've relished since childhood.

Who wouldn't enjoy that stomach-churning sensation of freefalling through the air? It always beckoned me for another ride.

My buddies used to join in, following my lead until they wearied of it, eventually pursuing other attractions. Meanwhile, I remained indifferent, savoring the experience a few more times.

That's just how much I adore that feeling.

Anyway, despite surpassing the limits of a normal human months ago, I never really got the chance to revel in the full extent of that strength.

I was always caught up in researching this, studying that, training this, training that.

All building up to this very moment.

---

In the morning, I found a letter from Alpha in my room, bearing a single sentence.

"Tonight, the Moon shall shine at its brightest, for the shadows will hunt those hiding in the shadows."

Well, it might sound a bit chuuni, but I could grasp the gist of it.

They're prepared to take action.

I didn't disclose my plans to them, not a whisper about what I have in mind for Zenon Griffey. With the Seven Shadows, I know they can adapt to any situation, so it's quite freeing, really. I'm set on flipping the script entirely.

Honestly, Alpha's demeanor, acting like she couldn't grasp her lord's intentions, made it a bit awkward for me to spill the beans about my plans.

Yeah... that would've been awkward.

That's how you should feel when you've got a real plan brewing, not just throwing random bullshit around.

Certainly, as the imminent upheaval in the Capital was on the horizon, I took the time to explain things to Alexia. Keeping her in the dark about everything wouldn't be ideal.

Surprisingly, she didn't bombard me with questions, even though my actions might have appeared perplexing to her. So, I decided to address the unspoken questions she had and provide her with an understanding of the current situation.

While I didn't delve into the specifics of Shadow Garden, my words hinted at the existence of another covert faction collaborating with me, and she seemed to catch on to that fact.

"...I want to take part in it too. They want my blood, right? Let them come. I bet they'll underestimate me."

Her words were laced with determination, and I couldn't deny her request.

In fact, I found myself agreeing with her.

Sure, they might prioritize targeting her sister and overlook her altogether, but there was no need to burden her with that possibility.

It was better to keep unnecessary worries at bay.

With the rings in my possession, I have the confidence to swiftly return and rescue her if the situation turns perilous. However, I also have trust in her newly acquired strength.

I genuinely believe she'll handle it well.

---

Following my conversation with Alexia, I executed my plan.

Having closely observed Zenon Griffey for the past few days, certain aspects about him became apparent.

He's a cocky asshole.

Given this demeanor, he'll likely perceive us as nothing more than insignificant weaklings, despite our training over the past month and a half.

Alas, if only that idiot knew...

[Combat Prowess: Weak ➔ Low]

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[Quest Progression]

[Dark Knight I - 85%]

I've grasped a crucial concept that could further increase my abilities.

It's about the possessed, people who are born with the Curse of Diablos.

To delve into this, let me elaborate on how I've progressed in advancing my [Mana] Talent and subsequently leveling up my skills.

As my [Mana Control] skill improved, it opened up a newfound understanding of how Magical Power worked.

The first time I stepped into this world, I experienced what might be termed as a Magical Overload.

Imagine my body as an empty, famished tree suddenly surrounded by abundant nutrients. It eagerly absorbed everything in its vicinity, oblivious to the fact that its leaves were wilting due to the overwhelming surge of energy it was trying to accommodate in that very moment.

Following that, I delved into what I'd label as a Magic Comprehension phase.

In my pursuit to unravel the mystery behind a slime's Mana Pathways, I unexpectedly gained profound insights into the workings of human Mana Pathways. It was during this time that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

Why does Magical Power accumulate within a person's body? Ordinarily, an individual's Mana Pathways, influenced by their talent, can only accommodate a certain amount of Magical Power before reaching capacity. So, what sets the variance?

It boils down to the quality of one's Mana Pathways.

An individual with standard Mana Pathways may experience a modest increase in their Magical Power through minimal training but will hit a ceiling at a certain point.

Now, what about those blessed with exceptional Mana Pathways capable of containing vast amounts of Magical Power?

That's a whole different ball game.

The thing about Magical Power is, it's like a container already filled to its limit. It won't naturally increase on its own because there's no room for more.

But if you want to up your game, you've got to learn to control more Magical Power than your container can hold.

That's awfully similar to what you need to do when healing the possessed.

Naturally, pulling off such a feat is an incredibly tough task for an average person. You not only have to master your own mana but also grapple with someone else's, correct its flow, eliminate the source of the issue... all while wrestling with the colossal mix of Magical Power which will do anything to get out of your control, to set things right.

It's highly probable that Cid Kagenou achieved remarkable growth in his Magical Power through this.

For my experiments, I required a possessed individual. However, the issue is, I lack a device akin to Shadow Garden's that could pinpoint their whereabouts.

That's when I remembered something.

There is a possessed individual I'm aware of. While she may not be in the advanced stages of possession, I can still use her to test this theory of mine.

In the worst-case scenario, if I am mistaken, I will have aided a girl in overcoming demon possession, free of charge.

---

Author's Note:

In these last few days, I shall change the name of the skills [Absolute Awareness] and [Body Control]. If you want, on my Patreon, these last few days, you can still vote what name you think is better!

There is also the ongoing pull for harem vs single FL.

Anyway. Do you think it'd be better to change the names from the next chapter, for example, or should I change everything from the start? I've been debating about that, and I'd like to know your opinion!