Chapter 38: Mana Channels

The circle void was believed to be located somewhere near the heart or at the heart. This mana moved from the void into the heart and flowed out alongside the blood. The blood thus was a crucial material for mages. It acted as a very potent mana medium. Mana reached the skin barrier through blood vessels and through the wand, mages could channel this mana out of the body enabling casting magic and drawing symbols and magic circles.

 "Before learning about the mana control method, you need to know the mana channels, They are very simple"

'I wonder what part of that is simple…' Lucien lampooned. 

When mana flooded into the heart, it followed the blood route around the body to reach the goal. There were certain vessels one could concentrate their mana onto quickest to get to the goal. Let's say the tip of your finger. Once one knew the shortest point from the heart to their finger, they could, in theory, cast spells instantly. This was handy in silent casting and was second nature for mages. Advanced mages at least.

What Merlin had explained was the representation of a blood circulatory system. In any case, mana didn't need to flow in the same direction as the blood, it only required blood as a medium. So in reality, mana could smoothly flow reverse of the blood direction. The main goal was to reach the target quickly. 

"So your assignment for today is to infuse a little mana into your blood and follow the flow across your body. Find the fastest routes around to each of your arms, legs, and head. Freon the heart This will be your new assignment alongside the one you are currently working on.." Merlin gave a new assignment on top of the previous one. 

Lucien felt his head throb. He had studied things slightly beyond his mental power. That however didn't stop him from understanding the content. He wanted to try it right away but that would be pushing his body too far. Lucien was overwhelmed by the information he had gained today. It would be beneficial to test it out but his mana was still recovering. His brain was probably in a worse state. Completely overwhelmed.

He would break his mother's rule.

The future was looking bleak for Lucien. He had gained a new assignment before completing the former assignment. 

Merlin left the room while Lucien was exaggeratingly lying limp on his desk.

He went to find his mother in the kitchen. She was preparing lunch while humming. It was a soft and sweet melody. Her voice chords were angel kissed.

"Mom, can I stay here?" asked Lucien.

Bianca turned around and saw her son looking tired. His eyes were drained of energy. She cast a magic spell and made a cool fruit drink.

"Sure, dear. Do what you like. How was today's lesson?" she asked.

Lucien's eyes shone, having found who to tell all about his lesson. He would have loved to complain but that was Mikaela's role. For him to brag and complain, it could be called a quad dro po. Equivalent exchange.

"Yes, Mom. I learned lots of stuff today. Mom, do you know of the dragon heart?" 

"Mmn? A dragon heart, huh? What about it, Lu?" she humored him.

Her hands remained busy preparing her ingredients and stirring the boiling pot.

"Dad said it has mana in it. It is like the Circle void for us. I am curious. Why can't our hearts hold mana? What is the Circle void?" Lucien asked.

"Human hearts are very fragile. They support the whole body with mana, regulate emotions, and work tirelessly. It couldn't possibly support mana on top of that. That would be like poison. The mana void is a ….Cheeky little child." she chuckled, having understood where this was going.

Lucien shifted his eyes away having been caught. His little trick was seen through so easily just when he was on the edge waiting for an answer.

He didn't realize it was his eager stare that gave him away. He would have felt remorseful rather than guilty.

Bianca laughed at this. She found this behavior simply amusing.

"B-but mom…" he tried defending himself. His crystal blue persuasion-filled eyes were like an abandoned puppy's begging to be taken home. 

How could Bianca, a son's smitten mother, resist such a critical hit?

"Okay, Maybe I could tell you. Only if you promise me something." she caved.

'My son comes first…' she thought when she talked to Merlin about Lucien's lessons.

"W-what?" Lucien asked nervously. 

"Keep it a secret from your Father," she said sneakily. Her hazel eyes formed crescents very excited about doing some rule-breaking with her son. It was thrilling.

"O-okay, Mom," he whispered while nodding mischievously. His hush-hush voice made him a bit giddy. He felt like he was doing something bad and his mom was an accomplice. He found comfort in that fact.

"The circle void is a dimensional pocket that exists in our astral form. Astral form is like the soul. A middle point between the soul and body. This void is linked to our spirit and channeled with mana. The space shifts depending on how you nurture it. It is very special to each and nothing can be known of it to another unless the mage will so himself. But that puts the mage in a vulnerable state but he is in exchange in his peak state. Mana our body absorbs is stored there. It is like the dragon heart to us humans…" She stopped talking in whispers and switched to a playful clear voice. "Oh. Don't forget to tell me about today's meal, Lu."