Rank 3 Spell

In the vast training arena of the Zemof Estate, Kyrian could be seen working on controlling his mana to manifest various elements.

The boy is sitting in a lotus position, meditating and focusing on his mana pathways, and reflecting on how he should increase his mastery over magic.

'Before going through mastery over magic, I need to master myself. I need to focus on my innate talents that will separate me from everyone. Everyone who awakened can use magic and learn through their hard work, but it is rare for anyone to have innate talents. Some may even be more talented than me in controlling magic, or some may even be more creative in making their own techniques, but my innate talent is uniquely my own.'

'Just as how I read in my master's library, it said that to conquer others, one must conquer oneself.'

'I'm sure I could use [Limit Break] anytime to use magic two ranks above my current rank at the cost of me almost dying, then maybe using one rank in advance is a little bit safer.'

"Master, I'm going to use [Limit Break] again, but this time, I'm only going one rank above. Please guide me."

A steel puppet in the persona of Horace was guarding and giving him pointers in his training session.

"Don't worry, boy. This puppet of mine can use aura to prevent any accidents."

Besides teaching his disciple, the Steel Emperor also has his own responsibilities as the Patriarch of the Zemof Household.

As the Patriarch, he had to attend meetings personally depending on its urgency and need for his magic. His puppets aren't able to use magic and perform his other specialties, that's why his presence is necessary.

Other than that, Horace is also a leading researcher in Magic Technology in Arcana. He has his own research laboratory specializing in puppet creation and metal configuration and transfiguration. 

Without using Kyrian's [Eyes of Divinity], he wouldn't be able to discern if his master was a puppet or not. But now, he's keen on using it as much as possible to improve and discover other uses of his innate talent.

As the disciple was focusing on figuring out how to safely use [Limit Break], he heard his master say, "I already received a message from the headmistress of Arcana. She said that we could go there as soon as the Soul Magic specialist arrives from her expedition. For now, I can't personally teach you as I also have to handle some of my responsibilities."

Kyrian nodded as a response then absorbed the ambient mana in the estate which has an Earth grade quality inside his Supreme grade quality mana core. He had a hard time purifying the ambient mana due to the difference in quality. He also lacks the technique to efficiently convert a lower quality ambient mana to a Supreme quality innate mana.

As a rank 2 - intermediate mage, he should only be able to use ambient mana as a source for magic. But as an anomalous being, he somehow already has a mana core, a mana core should only be present in rank 3 - advanced level mages.

His efficient refining of mana is only temporary though. If he gained a better mastery over his mana core when his rank levels up, then he wouldn't depend on the ambient mana for mana circulation. He would be able to store his innate mana and use spells of the highest quality.

Kyrian started with the most basic application of mana: elemental manifestation.

After absorbing the ambient mana and manually refining it to his own innate mana quality, he molded the acquired mana to a shining light in the shape of a sphere.

As the bright light sphere formed to the size of an adult's hand, he increased its temperature using his high affinity with the fire element. Above Kyrian's palm, a sphere reminiscent of a minuscule sun shone gently. It's filled the surrounding with warmth and joy, as the surrounding fauna looked livelier.

"Master, I've always wondered how mages do not get harmed by their own magic. Shouldn't logic suggest that if a mage cast a fire ball in their hands, wouldn't their hands burn from the heat of a fireball?"

"Mortals with no knowledge of magic used to wonder how the magic of mages do not harm them. The answer lies in the first process of basic magic casting. The first thing rank 1 basic level mages do when casting magic is the process of absorption of ambient mana to turn it innate. Once ambient mana is refined to innate mana, it becomes an extension of the user, thus making it harmless for the user."

"Hm…That makes me wonder, is it possible to use ambient mana on its own if there are safeguards and techniques in place to make magic more destructive and efficient?"

"Yes. Yes, it is possible to do that at higher levels. That means a mage must simultaneously control the chaotic ambient mana while refining it to make it safe to use. Many mages have failed to do so and died while attempting to do that. Conventionally, the ability to use the ambient mana in a wide range to your advantage is a mark of a rank 6 mage. It is also known as Domain."

"Then what if a reckless mage uses the ambient mana without the capacity to refine it simultaneously?"

"Like I said, they have a high chance of dying due to the improper control of mana. As you're familiar with almost dying because of your impatience, you should only use magic you can control."

The steel puppet then used Aura Zone, a derivative of the mage's domain, to prepare Kyrian's attempt in using [Limit Break]. The environment suddenly stilled, and an increase in the concentration of mana was filling up the Aura Zone.

"Slowly increase your mana output from using that spell of yours until it becomes a rank 3 spell while carefully using your innate talent."

Kyrian concentrated on his makeshift miniature sun magic to increase its size while maintaining its structural identity. When it was losing its form, he activated his [Eyes of Divinity] and figured out the minor flaws in his spell and instinctively followed its direction.

Steadily, the sphere became brighter and hotter. Without the puppet's Aura Zone, the surrounding plants and trees would've burned to ashes. Even as it elevated to an intermediate magic, Kyrian showed no signs of weariness.

With a determined gaze, he activated [Limit Break] with [Eyes of Divinity] to upgrade the spell. Sweat slowly dripped from his face, and his lips were shaking from forcing a spell of this magnitude.

Suddenly, his slumbering mana core activated and alleviated all the pressure he was feeling, and the rank 3 intermediate spell [Plasma Sphere] was born.

A burning sphere the size of a house radiated extreme heat and blinding light manifested above Kyrian's head. His laborious breathing was gone, and the exhilarating feeling of achieving a rank 3 spell replaced it.

The puppet in the form of Horace showed no emotions and said, "Now throw that sphere towards me." 

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, huh?"

"I can't move 'it', master."

"You created that spell; you should be able to manipulate it."

"No. I mean I can't move my body. I'm not feeling good. Oh no-"

*Thud*

Kyrian fell flat on his face, losing consciousness from draining his mental energy in using both innate talents exhaustively.

Luckily, it was only fatigue, and with enough training and practice, Kyrian will be able to cast [plasma sphere] without cost in the future.