Haven (3)

Aria and I made our way back to the inn, our steps quickening with the anticipation of discussing what we had just witnessed. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a twilight glow over the cobblestone streets of Haven. The inn, a modest yet sturdy establishment, offered a comforting refuge from the intrigue that seemed to engulf the town.

As we entered the inn, the innkeeper gave us a nod of recognition. We ascended the wooden stairs to the second floor, where our rooms were located. I couldn't shake the image of the cloaked man and the girl's tense exchange from my mind. The stakes had clearly been high, and the presence of Durin's magic had only underscored the seriousness of their confrontation.

"Come into my room," Aria said, her voice a calm directive that brooked no argument. I followed her into her quarters, closing the door behind me. The room was sparsely furnished, with a small bed, a wooden desk, and a single candle flickering on the windowsill. Aria motioned for me to sit on the floor, and she took a seat across from me, her eyes steady and intent.

"We need to talk," she began, her voice serious. "The events of today only highlight how crucial it is for you to understand and control your mana."

I nodded, eager to learn. Aria continued, her voice taking on a slightly more instructional tone. "Mana is the life force that flows through all living things. It is the essence of magic, and those who can harness it are able to perform extraordinary feats. There are several types of mana—elemental, spiritual, and dark, to name a few—but the basics are the same for all."

Aria held out her hand, palm up, and I watched as a soft blue light began to glow from within her skin. "This is elemental mana," she explained. "It's the most common and the easiest to control. With practice, you can manipulate it to cast spells, enhance your physical abilities, or even heal wounds."

I stared in awe at the shimmering light. "How do I learn to do that?"

Aria smiled slightly. "First, you need to learn how to absorb mana from your surroundings. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply, and as you do, imagine drawing in the energy around you."

I followed her instructions, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. At first, I felt nothing unusual, just the air filling my lungs. But as I concentrated, I began to sense a faint tingling sensation in my skin, as if tiny currents of electricity were dancing across my body.

"Good," Aria said softly. "Now, visualize that energy flowing into your core, gathering in a pool just below your navel. This is your mana reservoir. It may take some time to feel it, but with practice, it will become second nature."

I focused intently, imagining the tingling energy pooling in my core. At first, it was difficult to maintain the visualization, but gradually, I began to feel a warmth spreading through my abdomen. The sensation was both strange and exhilarating, as if I were tapping into a hidden wellspring of power.

"Now, try to circulate the mana throughout your body," Aria instructed. "Let it flow through your limbs, your chest, and your head. This will help to clear any blockages in your mana channels and open up your energy pathways."

As I guided the warm energy through my body, I felt a resistance in certain areas, as if the mana were encountering obstacles. I concentrated harder, willing the energy to push through the blockages. Beads of sweat began to form on my forehead, and I could feel my muscles tensing with the effort.

Suddenly, there was a sharp, burning sensation in my skin, followed by a rush of relief as the mana broke through the blockage. A wave of heat swept over me, and I felt a thick, oily substance oozing from my pores. It was as if my body were purging itself of impurities, and the process was both painful and liberating.

"That's it," Aria said encouragingly. "You're releasing the gunked-up mana that's been clogging your channels. Keep circulating the energy, and you'll continue to clear out the blockages."

I continued to focus on the flow of mana, guiding it through every part of my body. The burning sensation recurred several times, followed by the release of more of the oily substance. My clothes were soon damp with sweat, and my skin felt raw and sensitive, but the sense of exhilaration grew stronger with each blockage I cleared.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally opened my eyes. Aria was watching me with a look of approval. "You've done well for your first attempt," she said. "Your mana channels are much clearer now, and you should find it easier to absorb and control mana from here on out."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and elation. "Thank you, Aria. I can already feel the difference."

Aria smiled. "This is just the beginning. With practice, you'll be able to harness your mana more effectively and use it to enhance your abilities. But for now, you need to rest. The process of clearing your channels can be taxing, and you'll need time to recover."

I leaned back against the wall, catching my breath. "So, there are different types of mana?"

"Yes," Aria replied. "Elemental mana is the most common, but there are also spiritual and dark mana, among others. Each type has its own properties and uses. Elemental mana, for example, can be used to manipulate the elements—fire, water, earth, air—while spiritual mana is often used for healing and protective spells. Dark mana, on the other hand, is much more dangerous and is often associated with curses and forbidden magic."

I listened intently, trying to absorb the information. "How do you know which type of mana you're working with?"

"It usually depends on your affinity," Aria explained. "Most people have a natural inclination towards one type of mana. You can train yourself to use other types, but it takes a lot of practice and control. You'll learn more about your own affinity as you continue to practice and explore your abilities."

"Can you show me more?" I asked, eager to continue learning.

Aria nodded. "Of course. Let's start with something simple. Hmm just looking at you, it seems you have an affinity with fire magic. Try to create a small flame in your palm. Focus on drawing in the elemental mana around you, then channel it into your hand."

I closed my eyes and concentrated, feeling the familiar tingling sensation in my skin. I visualized the energy pooling in my core, then flowing through my arm and into my hand. I focused on the image of a small flame, willing the mana to take shape.

At first, nothing happened. I could feel the mana flowing, but it seemed to dissipate before it reached my hand. I tried again, concentrating harder, and this time I felt a spark of warmth in my palm. I opened my eyes and saw a tiny flame flickering in my hand.

"Well done," Aria said, her voice filled with approval. "Now, try to maintain it. Control the flow of mana and keep the flame steady."

I focused on the flame, trying to keep it from flickering out. The effort was intense, and I could feel the strain on my body, but I managed to keep the flame burning. After a few moments, I let it die out, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated.

"That was amazing," I said, looking at Aria with awe.

"You're a quick learner, not everyone can get it immediately it takes weeks for some to learn basic mana control" she replied with a smile. "With more practice, you'll be able to create larger and more complex spells. But for now, let's take a break. You've done a lot for one night."

We sat in silence for a few moments, the candle flickering softly on the windowsill. The room felt warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the cold, tense atmosphere outside. I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Aria, a bond forged through our shared experiences and the challenges we had faced together.

"Aria," I began hesitantly, "why are you helping me learn magic? You could have just left me to figure this out on my own, after all you said you'd protect me not teach me."

Aria looked at me thoughtfully. "Because I see potential in you. Once I named you my disciple you became an actual disciple. What sort of teacher would I be if I didn't impart knowledge to you. Furthermore, I believe that common knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. We all have a role to play in this world, and I want to help you find yours."

Her words resonated deeply with me. I had felt like an outsider since ending up in this world , struggling to find my place. But with Aria's guidance, I was beginning to see a path forward, a way to harness my abilities and make a difference.

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," she replied with a reassuring smile. "Now, get some rest. We have a lot more to learn and many more challenges ahead."

I nodded, feeling a sense of purpose and determination, before going back into my room. As I reached my bed and rest my head on the pillow, I felt the comforting presence of mana still coursing through my body. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Aria by my side and the power of mana within me, I felt ready to face whatever came next.

Sleep came more easily this time, and my dreams were filled with visions of swirling mana and elemental magic.