CHAPTER 12

'Mana is generally controlled by one's mind,' Tenebris began to explain. 'Close your eyes and visualize that beautiful energy glowing in a void... Focus on that energy, which is restrained by chains, and try to break them.'

After listening to Tenebris's instructions, I closed my eyes and began to imagine. Almost effortlessly, I found myself immersed in a dark expanse, a void devoid of any light or sound. In the midst of this darkness, a radiant blue energy glowed brightly, but it was tightly bound by thick, black chains. The mana energy pulsed with a silent determination, straining against its restraints in an attempt to break free. With each mental exertion, I focused my willpower on weakening the bonds that held it captive, determined to unleash its full potential.

The black chains were the curse holding my mana energy captive, stifling its growth and potential. With unwavering determination, I focused my mind on my mana energy, willing it to grow stronger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever before.

 As I delved deeper into my consciousness, immersing myself in the void of my inner world, my heart began to beat faster with anticipation. Each heartbeat echoed like a drum in the silence of the void, driving me onward as I pushed the boundaries of my own power.

My mana surged with newfound strength, growing out of the chains that had bound it for so long. With each passing moment, the chains began to crack and splinter under the pressure of my expanding energy. The overwhelming rush of emotions reached a crescendo as my mana grew increasingly erratic, pulsating with untamed power.

I could feel the tension building to a breaking point, my consciousness consumed by the singular focus of forcing my mana to grow. All other thoughts faded away, replaced by the primal instinct to break free from the shackles that held me back. Just a little more, and the chains would shatter, unleashing the full force of my mana.

"Seraphina" I could hear someone shouting my name, their voice cutting through the haze of my concentration as if trying to bring me back to reality.

 "That's enough," Tenebris's voice echoed insistently, breaking through the tumult of my inner world."

"ENOUGH!", With a final surge, the chains restraining my mana shattered into countless fragments. My eyes flew open, forced back into awareness by Tenebris's urgent shouting. 

As the remnants of the shattered chains faded into nothingness, I found myself gasping for breath, my heart pounding with exhilaration and exhaustion.I could hear Maya's anxious voice calling out to me, her concern palpable even through the haze of my fading consciousness. But as my surroundings blurred and darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, I realized I was losing the battle against unconsciousness.

With a final, desperate effort to stay awake, I reached out for Maya's voice, but my strength failed me. The world spun and tilted, and then everything went black as I succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion that gripped me. Maya's worried cries echoed in the distance as I slipped into unconsciousness, leaving her and the others troubled and uncertain of what had just happened.

."Hmmmm", I groaned with pain as I opened my eyes. I found myself in an unfamiliar room bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. The gentle breeze flowing through the window caused the curtains to flutter softly, casting dancing shadows across the room. It was a scene of tranquility, but my mind raced with confusion.

The last thing I remembered was sitting in the carriage, embarking on our journey to the Auror estate. How had I ended up here, in this unfamiliar room? And more importantly, where was Maya? Had she accompanied me, or was I alone in this strange place?

"Tenebris," I softly called out his name, relieved to see him appear in his human form. He was the only one who could explain the situation to me.

"You're awake," Tenebris remarked, a slight concern evident in his tone as he observed me. "How are you feeling right now?"

"I'm feeling alright," I replied, though a lingering sense of confusion still clouded my thoughts. "But could you please explain how I ended up here?" I implored, seeking clarity on the events that had led to my sudden loss of consciousness.

"You don't remember?" Tenebris questioned, his expression mirroring my own confusion as he settled onto the bed beside me

"Unfortunately, I have no idea, not even a glimpse of what happened," I confessed, feeling a pang of unease at the memory gap.

"Your sudden berserk of mana has caused a great strain on your mind and body, leading to your loss of consciousness," Tenebris explained, his voice tinged with concern as he leaned in closer to my face, his eyes searching mine for any sign of understanding.

"If you had been even a little bit later in regaining control, the consequences could have been dire," he cautioned, his words weighing heavily on my mind as I processed the gravity of the situation.

"So, does that mean the curse is broken now and I can easily use my mana?" I inquired eagerly, a spark of hope igniting within me.

"You can, but..." Tenebris paused, his tone measured as he delivered his response. "Your mana is still weak. With a little rest, you should be able to regain your strength," he explained gently, his words tempered with reassurance as he offered me a glimmer of optimism amidst the uncertainty.

"I am relieved... So, does that mean I can make a contract with another spirit?" I asked eagerly, a faint smile gracing my lips as I conveyed my newfound happiness and anticipation.

"Why are you so persistent on making a contract with another spirit... Aren't I enough?" Tenebris responded, his tone tinged with a hint of playful jealousy as he pouted slightly. It was evident that he didn't like the idea of me seeking out another spirit to form a pact with, his possessive nature shining through in his words.

"It's not like I am abandoning you, Tenebris. I just thought it would be beneficial to have the help of another spirit," I reassured him earnestly, hoping to ease his concerns and fears.

"Hmm... You're somewhat right," Tenebris conceded, his expression softening slightly at my words. "And about summoning another spirit, you should be able to do it easily given the immense amount of mana you possess."

"Well, I do have pure Ironhart blood flowing through my veins," I remarked with a nonchalant shrug, my tone betraying a hint of pride. "It's only natural that I possess a significant amount of mana."

The Ironhart duchy was renowned throughout the empire for its vast reservoirs of mana, a trait that set them apart as a formidable force to be reckoned with. However, despite their abundant mana, the Ironhart family had long neglected the practice of spirit summoning, focusing instead on the art of swordsmanship.

For generations, the Ironhart lineage had produced legendary mana swordmasters, individuals whose mastery of both mana manipulation and swordplay was unparalleled. Their dedication to honing their skills with the blade had become a cornerstone of Ironhart tradition, passed down from one generation to the next.

While other noble families sought alliances with powerful spirits to bolster their strength, the Ironharts remained steadfast in their commitment to the way of the sword. It was a choice that had shaped the family's identity and reputation, earning them respect and admiration as the foremost practitioners of swordsmanship in the empire.