Magic Circle

Arin opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. His jaw dropped slightly, a look of astonishment spreading across his face. "Now, what do we have here?" he muttered to himself.

This was exactly like the memories of the former Arin had shown him, yet experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this place a paradise.

Arin found himself in a vast, endless space that stretched out in every direction, shimmering like the ocean. The expanse above him was dotted with slowly drifting clouds, and while the space was bright, there was no sun or visible source of light. An ethereal bluish mist hung in the air, adding an otherworldly quality to the place.

"Mana..." he whispered, reaching out to feel the mist swirling around him.

This was his Mana, and he was in the Mana Space—a realm where mages could craft their spells. Each mage's Mana Space was unique, and this one was unmistakably his.

Arin inhaled deeply, savoring the sensation of Mana filling his lungs. He glanced down at his body, still clad in his usual clothes. Though he was conscious here, he knew his real body lay unconscious in the outside world. He shifted his gaze to the floor beneath him, an ocean-like surface that mirrored his reflection perfectly. Despite standing on what seemed like water, he didn't sink.

"Hmm, that's incredible..." he murmured, crouching down to touch the floor. Ripples spread out from where his fingertips brushed the surface, yet it remained solid enough to hold him.

Satisfied with the view, he straightened up and took a few steps forward. Each movement sent gentle ripples across the floor, as though he were walking on a calm sea. No sound accompanied his steps, only the silent dance of the water beneath his feet.

Finally, after taking in the breathtaking expanse of his Mana Space, Arin sat down, crossing his legs. As he settled into a lotus position, the ripples faded, leaving only his reflection staring back at him. "My mind's still foggy," he admitted to himself, rubbing his temples. "But it's getting clearer."

With a deep breath, he focused on the bluish mist around him. It was time to start the spell creation process. He began to draw the Mana toward himself, concentrating on the mist. Gradually, it started to gather in front of him, forming a dense, swirling cloud.

"This isn't enough," he muttered, narrowing his eyes as he continued to pull more Mana toward him. The mist thickened, coalescing into a larger mass. "This should do it."

The Mana now formed a thick mist before him, almost blocking his vision. A small smirk crept onto his lips. "Let's go..."

He knew the next step well—drawing the Magic Circle. Every spell had a different Magic Circle, its patterns acting like commands to shape and direct the spell. For centuries, mages had mapped out these patterns, making them available for the next generations. However, there were always those rare instances when a mage discovered a new spell, creating an entirely new Magic Circle in the process.

This Mage could choose to keep the new Spell a secret, only revealing it when they used it in battle or daily life. Alternatively, they could report the discovery to the kingdom. In doing so, the Mage would receive recognition from the King and gain wealth and status, potentially securing a life of comfort. However, Arin knew there was more to it than what was openly said. There was a dirty game at play behind the scenes, one that most people never saw until it was too late.

Arin didn't intend to invent something new today. Instead, he aimed to create the Water Bubble spell—a common spell whose Magic Circle was well-known. "I have it all in my head," he muttered, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension.

With careful concentration, he directed some of his Mana to disperse and spread out around him. The remaining Mana he shaped into a circle before him. It glowed faintly, a swirling ring of blue mist. His hands moved slightly, as if guiding the Mana into place, even though the control came from his mind.

He exhaled slowly, focusing on the circle. Another pulse of concentration, and a smaller circle appeared within the first. His eyes sharpened, examining every detail. Then, he began forming the intricate patterns required for the spell.

A small triangle emerged just below the top of the second circle. A few seconds later, another triangle formed at the bottom. He continued with unwavering focus, his mind guiding his Mana to create the Magic Circle for the Water Bubble spell.

He watched the patterns take shape, methodically adding each element. A tiny circle materialized between the two small triangles, followed by a small triangle inside it. He could feel his Mana shifting, bending to his will as he etched out the designs.

"Almost done..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Two more triangles appeared at the sides of the main circle, one on the left and another on the right. He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the intricate design he had created so far. Each stroke of the Magic Circle carried a weight, a purpose. Finally, a triangle appeared at both the top and bottom of the main circle.

He took a deep breath. "And now..."

Suddenly, the entire Magic Circle began to hum with life. The lines and shapes glowed with an intense blue light, illuminating the entire Mana Space.

*WHOOSH!*

A powerful surge of energy rippled through the air. The bluish glow around the circle flared up, casting sharp, ethereal shadows across the endless ocean floor. The whole Mana Space pulsed with an otherworldly energy that sent chills down Arin's spine.

His eyes widened in astonishment as the Magic Circle floated before him, radiating power. It was a masterpiece—circles within circles, triangles and lines, all blazing with an electric blue that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. The glowing light flickered and danced, creating patterns of light on the floor below. The mist around the circle swirled, drawn to the powerful force it emitted.

Arin felt his heart race. He had seen Magic Circles before, but experiencing one he had created himself was a different story. The sight was nothing short of magnificent, the culmination of his focus and Mana brought to life.

The glowing circle crackled, releasing arcs of blue light that illuminated the Mana Space even more, like lightning tearing through a stormy sky. The air around it vibrated, filled with the raw power of his Mana.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Arin's lips. 'Just one last thing...'