Chapter 4 Magical Beasts

"Water ball," a young voice exclaimed as a sphere of water materialized in Arthur's hand. He couldn't help but grin with delight. "Yes, I did it!" Arthur said happily. After the first time he had meditated using the "Breath of the Sea," he gained a sense of mana, even though it faded as quickly as it came. Nevertheless, it filled Arthur with hope, a glimmer that he might indeed become a mage.

It had been a few days since he began cultivating the meditation technique, and today marked the first opportunity for Arthur to use the raging waves to temper his body. The weather outside was horrendous, with relentless rain and fierce winds. According to the teachings of the "Breath of the Sea," this stormy weather was the perfect time for cultivation.

Arthur made his way to the ocean, his footsteps resolute. As he approached, a sorrowful roar echoed from the depths of the sea, causing him to quicken his pace. "Could it be a magical beast?" he wondered aloud.

With each stride toward the beach, the spectacle before him unfolded, etching an unforgettable scene into his memory. In the far distance, he beheld a colossal, octopus-like monster locked in a fierce battle with a gigantic bird-like creature. His heart raced, and he couldn't help but murmur, "What are those?"

"Is that a Kraken?" he speculated, his eyes wide with awe. "And that bird... is it the one causing the storms at sea right now? How can it be so powerful?"

Once more, a defeated roar reverberated through the tempest. The massive bird conjured a mysterious magic circle, adorned with cryptic symbols that seemed to speak directly to Arthur. As the circle dissipated, three lightning dragons materialized and descended upon the Kraken, answering the roar with a cacophony of thunder and devastation.

Arthur observed the Kraken's frantic attempts to ensnare the nimble bird with its colossal tentacles, but the avian adversary evaded each maneuver with graceful precision. Then, a vivid blue magic circle emerged further captivating Arthur's attention. Its enigmatic runes pulsated as if calling out to him.

The circle vanished, and, in its place, serpentine water constructs materialized, reaching out hungrily for the bird. Once again, the avian creature displayed remarkable agility as it effortlessly dodged the watery assailants.

Finally, the bird summoned a lightning spear, which pierced the kraken's massive form, culminating in a triumphant chirp from the victorious creature. Arthur stood in awe, realizing how insignificant he felt in the grandeur of this magical world. To truly make a name for himself, he needed to grow stronger.

In the world of magic, one's path to power was clear: entry into the esteemed magic academies. Even if he hadn't been scouted during the talent ceremony, Arthur still had a chance to gain admission. If he could reach the acolyte level before the age of sixteen, he could potentially secure a spot, even if not at one of the top academies.

Magic academies were the primary avenue for accumulating the resources and knowledge required to advance along the path of magic. At his current novice mage level, Arthur's immediate goal was to gather enough mana and form a mana core within his body. As an acolyte, he would need to inscribe nine different basic magic spells onto his mana core. Each spell would elevate him to a different level within the acolyte tier.

Advancing to the rank of magic scholar would necessitate another upgrade of his mana core, merging the nine spells into one. However, to progress further as a magic scholar, Arthur required knowledge—knowledge predominantly found within the hallowed halls of the magic academies.

A bolt of thunder snapped Arthur out of his contemplation, directing his gaze toward the turbulent sea. Despite the magical bird's departure, the storm still raged on. Determination welled up within Arthur as he waded into the sea, braving the fierce waves that battered his body.

As the cold, crashing waves relentlessly assailed him, Arthur couldn't help but scream in pain. The frigid waters and their unyielding force seemed to conspire against him, inflicting intense agony. Arthur's cries blended with the fury of the storm, a testament to his unwavering resolve.

The epic battle of the magical beasts continued to haunt Arthur's thoughts as he gritted his teeth in determination. His ambition burned bright; he aspired to become an Archmage, and he would not allow wavering to deter him. However, the relentless waves grew stronger, and Arthur's tender age of twelve proved insufficient to withstand their brutal onslaught. Overwhelmed by the biting cold and agonizing pain, he finally succumbed, fainting in the unforgiving embrace of the sea.

Just as the tumultuous waters threatened to carry him away, a mysterious figure materialized with astonishing swiftness and teleported Arthur to the safety of the beach. As if guided by an innate intuition, the enigmatic savior's deft hands wove the intricate threads of a healing spell, breathing life back into the young mage. Arthur's eyes fluttered open, and he gazed around, bewildered and disoriented.

He turned his head to catch a glimpse of his savior, but all he saw was a fleeting shadow, vanishing into the ether, leaving no trace behind.

Arthur, still grappling with the aftermath of his ordeal, attempted to reconnect with the mana that surrounded him. To his surprise, the water element once again seemed more attuned to his body. Yet, he remained far from possessing the necessary reservoir of mana to form his mana core and ascend to the rank of an acolyte.

Something even more peculiar nagged at Arthur's senses. When he delved into meditation, he sensed a significant influx of mana flowing toward him, saturating his being. However, he found that only about half of this mana was accessible to him as if the other half simply dissipated or vanished into thin air.

Unbeknownst to Arthur, subtle changes were occurring within him. His hair and eyes had taken on a deeper shade of blue, a transformation he had yet to realize, and the true extent of its significance remained shrouded in mystery.