Chapter 17: How Do I Use This?

As they walked towards the meditation room, Liam felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity bubbling inside him, as if he were about to unravel a secret kept for centuries. The idea of mastering the powerful 'Divine Protection' made his heart beat faster, filling him with an electrifying energy that seemed to buzz in his ears.

Arriving at the door of the meditation room, Mr. Eldron opened it with a graceful gesture, inviting Liam to enter. As they crossed the threshold, Liam felt a sense of calm and serenity enveloping him like a comforting embrace, dissipating any nervousness he might have felt. It was as if the environment itself was imbued with a soothing energy, calming his restless thoughts and preparing him for what was to come.

"Here we are, Viper," announced Mr. Eldron, indicating the space around them with a gentle gesture. "This is the place where you will have the opportunity to fully focus on your journey to learn 'Divine Protection'."

Liam followed Mr. Eldron's instructions, feeling like an apprentice about to receive a valuable lesson from a wise master. He settled on the soft rug of the room and opened the book to the blank page indicated by Mr. Eldron, his heart pounding with anticipation.

As he watched with curiosity, Mr. Eldron began to activate the rune hidden on the page of the book. Murmurs of ancient languages escaped from his lips in a soft and hypnotic melody, enveloping the room in a mystical aura that made the air seem denser and more vibrant.

As Mr. Eldron's words echoed through the room, Liam felt a surge of energy coursing through his body, sending shivers down his spine and his hair standing on end as if responding to the call of magic. A sensation of warmth and pressure began to build in his mind, as if something were slowly forming inside it, a spark about to ignite into flame.

Suddenly, the book in front of him began to glow brightly, its pages radiating a golden light that illuminated the room with a warm and comforting glow. Liam instinctively closed his eyes, plunging into the radiant brightness that surrounded him, allowing himself to be carried away by the sensation of being immersed in an ocean of divine energy, ready to embrace the power of 'Divine Protection'.

As Mr. Eldron's words continued to resonate around him, Liam felt immersed in a torrent of information, as if he were being swept away by a river of knowledge. Vivid images danced before his closed eyes, revealing the intricate secrets of the skill. It was as if each word of Mr. Eldron triggered an explosion of colors and shapes in his mind, bringing to life the ancient teachings contained in the book.

He saw himself manipulating mana within his body with the skill of a juggler, shaping it and directing it with surgical precision. Each movement was an intricate choreography, a magical dance that flowed in perfect harmony with the rhythms of the universe. He felt the energy flowing through his meridians like a refreshing stream, creating a protective barrier around him that pulsed with a golden light.

As the images unfolded in his mind, Liam absorbed every detail with ferocious intensity, like a sponge thirsty for knowledge. He studied the energy patterns like an archaeologist examining ancient inscriptions, unraveling the hidden secrets behind 'Divine Protection' with burning determination.

However, as he delved deeper into his study, Liam began to notice something peculiar. Although the skill seemed accessible and easy to understand at first glance, there was an underlying complexity that made its execution extremely challenging. It was as if 'Divine Protection' was a precious jewel wrapped in layers of mystery, requiring him to unravel each veil with care and attention.

He discovered that manipulating mana with such precision and delicacy required a level of concentration and control that was beyond his current abilities. Each movement was a dangerous dance on the razor's edge, a constant battle against the uncertainty and instability that threatened to unravel his magic.

Still, Liam did not shy away from the challenge. He knew that mastering 'Divine Protection' would be a daunting and demanding journey, but he was determined to face the challenges that lay ahead with bravery and determination. With his heart pulsing with excitement and his eyes shining with the promise of greatness, he plunged headfirst into the study of the skill, knowing that his success would depend on his persistence and tireless dedication.

As Liam continued to be immersed in the torrent of information, he felt as if he were being embraced by a celestial aura, every particle of his being flooded by the essence of 'Divine Protection'. Every cell in his body seemed to pulse with energy, eager to absorb every detail of the skill flowing into his mind like a rushing river of wisdom.

He could feel the energy patterns intertwining in his consciousness, forming an intricate web of knowledge and power that enveloped him like a magical cloak. Every aspect of the skill was meticulously revealed to him, from the basic fundamentals to the deepest and most subtle secrets, like pages of a book unfolding before his knowledge-hungry eyes.

As Liam continued to absorb the information of 'Divine Protection', his mind delved deeper and deeper into the secrets of the skill, like a fearless explorer venturing into a cavern full of hidden treasures. However, as the flow of knowledge subsided and the images faded away, he began to emerge from his trance, slowly returning to the reality of the meditation room.

With blinking eyes, Liam looked around, taking a moment to reorient himself in space. The feeling of excitement and determination still pulsated inside him, but now it was accompanied by a slight sense of frustration, as if he were on the verge of unraveling an enigma, but the final pieces were still out of reach.

He knew he had received an impressive amount of information about 'Divine Protection', but when trying to access the precise instructions to activate the skill, he found himself struggling to follow the necessary mana patterns. It was as if he were trying to play a complex melody on an unfamiliar instrument, with each note slipping from his understanding like a free bird flying away.

Liam closed his eyes for a moment, trying to focus and recapture the sense of connection he had experienced during his trance. However, no matter how hard he tried, the complexity of the skill seemed to elude him, slipping through his fingers like fine sand, leaving him with a mixture of determination and uncertainty about what would come next.

With a resigned sigh, Liam opened his eyes again, confronting the reality of his situation. A hint of frustration mingled with determination in his gaze as he stood up, ready to face the challenges that still lay ahead.

As he rose from the meditation position, Liam noticed that Mr. Eldron was no longer in the room. A slight feeling of surprise and perplexity seized him, but he did not let it discourage him. Carefully picking up the book, Liam left the meditation room, holding it firmly in his hands, as if it were a newly discovered treasure that he did not want to let slip away.

As he crossed the threshold of the room, Liam saw Mr. Eldron standing in the corridor, immersed in reading some scrolls, with a serene and contemplative expression on his face. Without hesitation, Liam approached, holding the book firmly, but with a hint of curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"Ah, Viper, have you finished your session?" Mr. Eldron asked, raising his eyes from the scrolls with a gentle smile.

"Yes, it was an intense experience," Liam replied, handing the book back to Mr. Eldron as if returning a precious artifact. "But I'm facing some challenges in putting into practice everything I've learned."

"Mr. Eldron," called Liam, his voice echoing through the silent corridor. "Do you have any idea how I can externalize mana to activate 'Divine Protection'? The information I received is amazing, but I'm struggling to put it into practice."

Mr. Eldron turned to Liam, a glint of recognition and understanding in his wise eyes. He reached out to take the book Liam was holding, his expression serene and peaceful conveying a comforting sense of confidence, as if he were ready to guide Liam through all the challenges he would face.

"Ah, Viper, externalizing mana is indeed a formidable challenge for physical class people," began Mr. Eldron, his voice calm and gentle, like a reassuring whisper in the wind. He paused, thoughtful, before continuing, as if about to share an ancient and precious secret. "An important concept to understand is that mana is not just a source of power, but also an extension of your own will and intention, as well as being essentially energy. When you manipulate mana within your body, you are tapping into your own life energy and shaping it according to your will."

"And how do I externalize mana?" Liam asked, with a touch of impatience in his voice, as one eyebrow arched in confusion.

Mr. Eldron, with a look of understanding, replied: "Ah, Viper, that is a question that requires a more detailed explanation. At the moment, I am pressed for time to delve into this subject, but I can give you a suggestion that may help."

Liam furrowed his brow, feeling a little frustrated by Mr. Eldron's evasive response. "And what would that be?"

The wise mage smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if about to reveal an unusual secret. "Why not take the time to explore the library? There you will find a variety of books that may offer you valuable insights into mana manipulation. Ah, and there's one particular book that I think might be useful for you: 'Mana for Kids.' They say it's a classic!"

Liam raised an eyebrow, surprised by Mr. Eldron's peculiar suggestion. "Mana for Kids? That sounds... interesting."

"Yes, yes! Very informative, I would say!" replied Mr. Eldron, with an encouraging nod of his head, as if confident that that book would contain all the answers. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some tasks to attend to. Good luck on your quest, Viper!"

With an uncertain smile, Liam stepped away from Mr. Eldron and headed into the library corridors. As he walked through the corridors filled with books, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of wisdom awaited him within the pages of 'Mana for Kids.' It seemed that his journey to master the art of magic was about to become even more... peculiar.