Ch. 3: Mana Core [1]

*** SOL 547 -- 10th May

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My eyes moved fast as they scrutinized every single line written in the book. My hand automatically flipped to the next page whenever I met the end of the line. Only then did it stop moving as the next page was a blank sheet.

I closed and put the book away. I took out a deep breath whilst massaging my temples for a few seconds before moving on to the next book.

By the way, I learned how to write and read the language of this world. It was due to my curiosity and I had no choice but to learn it at a fast rate. It took me 3 months to master them at the age of 3.

In just a short time the tutor branded me a genius. Honestly, I wasn't a genius. I only had a good memory. Well, whatever, it didn't matter. Most importantly, I got what I wanted: the ability to read. 

As I had read many books in my library to find the answer and these were what I found. Gaia was the name of the continent where I was born. The place I lived was called the Chrono Empire. Also, there was no God here.

In fact, I was not thrown into the past but transmigrated to a novel I read many years ago and was destined to be killed by my half-brother, the main character of this novel at the age of 12. Damn, I thought God pitied me and gave me the second chance to live a happy life, but I didn't think that was the case.

The good news was, the fact that the novel hadn't started, I could take the advantage of it to get stronger. Since I knew a few events that would occur in this world and hopefully I could avoid my death flag. Also, I wouldn't let my life be dictated by a mere novel.

The bad news was, I hadn't finished reading the novel because I had been so busy preparing for my exams. Until I died, I forgot to continue reading it. Even though I survived my death flag, I didn't know what the future held for me.

Okay, moved on.

Just like any kind of fantasy world, in this world, you could also use magic; which piqued my interest. So, in order to casted a magic one must form a Mana Core to gain access to Mana Pool inside their bodies. Simply put, Mana Core was like a battery whereas Mana Pool was a generator.

Mana was pure energy that was present all over the world. There were various methods to use or manipulate mana, but the most known were two methods.

The first method was called ENHANCEMENT, which was to run or circulate the Mana throughout your body to increase physical abilities; this method gave you superpowers.

The second method was called CONJURING, which was to use the Mana to manifest the Elemental's power. 

Elementals were natural forces that reside within Mana Pool. There were 5 elements: water, earth, wind, fire, and lightning. These Elementals were usually based on genes.

For example, the father had an Earth Elemental while the mother had a Water Elemental. When the baby was born between them the baby had a chance of having either Earth Elemental or Water Elemental or even both.

Sometimes there were rare cases where the baby inherited the Elemental genes from their ancestors. People born with Elementals are called Elementals Bearers.

But there were also people who had absolutely no Elemental in their Mana Pool at all. Modesty, they weren't born as Elementalist. Even if people weren't born with Elementals within them, they still could use mana with the enchantment method. Meant, they were born to be 'Warriors'.

Could a person possibly be born with 5 Elementals? The answer was yes, they could. But, it was like a 0.000001% chance of being born with 5 Elementals.

If someone born with 3 Elementals was considered amazingly lucky then how did you call someone who was born with 5 Elementals? 

Super Ultra Mega Lucky Quint Elementals Bearer?

Also, the time to form a Mana Core was from early adolescence to late teens. According to this book, to unlock your Mana Pool was to form Mana Core through meditation. It was easy to sense Mana but forming a Mana Core was another story. One took days to three months.

"Hmm... Should I give it a try?"

'Somehow it excited me! What would I be?'

An Elementalist or a Swordsman? Personally, I wanted to be an Elementalist, the thought of shooting fire with bare hands looked very cool. But if by any chance I didn't have an Elemental then that was fine, being a Swordsman sounds fun too.

The book suggested that I meditate in a quiet place and need an open space like a training ground or something. I looked at my surroundings.

"Well, this library is quite large and quiet. Looks fit to the requirements, right?"

I placed the book away and changed my position into a meditation pose. I closed my eyes and took many deep breaths until I reached a state of deep relaxation. Clearing my mind, I tried to concentrate. Afterward, my body felt light and my consciousness started to fade.

When I opened my eyes, what I found was complete darkness. It was so dark that I couldn't see or hear any sound. This place was totally silent. 

'I see, so this was what it feels to be in the subconscious mind. How terrifying. I feel like being thrown into the abyss of eternal darkness.'

  I rolled my feet, my footsteps echoed in the darkness. 

'I wonder, does this space have an end?'

I walked, walked, walked, walked, and I halted my step. Yo, I had been wandering for half an hour, yet, I achieved nothing. Only then did the corner of my eyes catch a light orb.

'It's Mana.'

At first, it was an orb, two orbs, another appeared and now I felt like standing in a milky way, there were so many orbs. It seemed I managed to sense Mana. Now the next step was forming Mana Core.