Chapter 33: MANA STABILISER

The passage of time was swift, and within the Ayden household, a unique dynamic was unfolding. Michael Ayden found himself wedded to two remarkable women, Crystal Ayden and Jasmine Ayden, navigating the intricate dance of sharing a life together. Yet, their newfound unity did not seamlessly extend to their sons.

Jay, a vibrant 8-year-old with an aura of mystery, possessed striking white hair and enigmatic purple eyes, marking him as the second progeny in Michael's lineage. This revelation was recent, adding another layer of complexity to the family dynamics. Meanwhile, Damian, the elder son at 10 years old, inherited his mother Jasmine's raven-black hair and his father's deep blue eyes.

Despite their shared blood, Jay and Damian were as dissimilar as night and day. Jay exuded sociability, his youthful exuberance often spilling over into hyperactivity. His curiosity about the world he now inhabited, colored by his unique status as a variant, was insatiable. Having been abruptly thrust into this fantastical realm after a harrowing experience in his past life, Jay's quest for magical mastery and understanding of the world's intricacies was ceaseless.

Being tossed off a building by a shadowy figure in his previous existence was hardly an ordinary childhood memory, after all. This extraordinary event only served to fuel Jay's thirst for knowledge and his determination to comprehend the secrets of this mystical world.

The Alchemy workshop buzzed with activity, an enclave of focused minds grappling with the enigma of the Spirecore. Michael, with his white hair and piercing blue eyes, observed the diligent efforts of his two sons. Damian, ever the composed soul, sat among a sea of open books, his inked quill dancing across the pages of his journal.

Jay, on the other hand, his energy uncontainable as ever, couldn't resist poking his nose into Damian's business.

"What do you even write in there?" Jay's curiosity got the better of him, his eyes wide with intrigue.

Michael, accustomed to his sons' unique traits, entered the room. "Been wondering the same thing," he said with a hint of a smile, his presence commanding attention.

Damian, closing his journal with a soft thud, decided to share his secrets. "Believe it or not, but I have a small problem retaining what I learn in my memory. So, I have to continuously read and write things down to reinforce my knowledge. Plus, I jot down my goals every day," he explained, his words carrying the weight of determination.

Their focus returned to the task at hand – finding a cure for the Spirecore. The workshop, adorned with vials, scrolls, and ancient artifacts, hummed with an air of urgency. The kingdom's fate hung in the balance, and every moment was precious.

For the past few months, they had been immersed in the creation of a mana stabilizer, their collective intellect striving to combat the relentless march of the Spirecore. The stabilizer, though not a cure, represented their best efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of the disease. Complex equations floated in the air, and the workshop was lit by the soft glow of alchemical fires.

Michael's deep voice broke the concentration. "We might not have found a cure yet, but this stabilizer is our best chance. We have to make it work."

Damian, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of ages despite his young age, nodded in agreement. "It's our most promising solution so far. We must continue refining it, make it stronger."

Creating a mana stabilizer for the human body felt like tiptoeing on the edge of a precipice, a dangerous gamble that could either save lives or plunge them into further chaos. The risk was too great, and so they chose a grander, more ambitious path: to implement mana stabilizers across the entire kingdom. It was a colossal endeavor, a gamble they were willing to take for the well-being of their people.

These mana stabilizers were monumental constructions, designed to function like colossal vacuums, drawing in the excess mana from the atmosphere. The concept was simple yet ingenious – by decreasing the overall mana in the environment, the stabilizers aimed to prevent the frantic efforts of mana cores within human bodies. These cores, like delicate balance scales, constantly sought equilibrium between the mana within their bodies and the external environment. By reducing the external mana, the stabilizers aimed to curtail the Spirecore's devastating effects.

The kingdom buzzed with anticipation as the construction of the first mana stabilizer reached its climax. Piece by intricate piece, the stabilizer took shape, a testament to human ingenuity and determination. Today was the day it would stand complete, a pioneering creation, the first of its kind in the world.

Within the workshop, diagrams and blueprints covered every available surface. Alchemical concoctions bubbled and glowed in various hues, a dazzling display of magical expertise. Scholars debated, their voices rising and falling like a melodic symphony of knowledge. The atmosphere was charged with determination and resolve, a tangible reminder of the stakes at hand.

Jay's unique advantage lay in his ability to glean knowledge from his past life, a talent that set him apart. In that previous life, he had gone by the alias Kian, attending high school where his focus was on technology and advanced science, particularly in the realm of world-building within the tech industry. It was a curious twist of fate that Jay, who hadn't been the brightest student, found himself drawing upon this knowledge in a world vastly different from the one he remembered.

In this medieval world devoid of technological marvels, Jay harnessed his understanding of advanced concepts to devise a blueprint for the mana stabilizer. He meticulously sketched out the design by hand, combining the rudimentary knowledge of his past life with the magical principles of his current world. It was akin to merging the ancient with the futuristic, a blend of magic and science that defied the norms of their time.

His blueprint, inspired by the workings of modern world jet engines, became the guiding light for their ambitious project. In the world he had once known, jet engines, or gas turbines, functioned by pulling air into the front of the engine using a fan. The engine then compressed the air, mixed it with fuel, ignited the mixture, and propelled it out the back, generating thrust.

Jay's innovation adapted this principle to suit their magical world. At the apex of the mana stabilizer, a fan resembling its modern-world counterpart was positioned. This fan served as the gateway, drawing in mana-rich air from the surroundings. Within the heart of the stabilizer, the compressed air underwent a series of intricate processes. A decomposer, utilizing complex chemical reactions, broke down the mana particles into smaller, manageable components. This process resulted in the creation of less mana-dense air, which was then expelled back into the atmosphere.

While not a definitive cure, this solution served to decelerate the rate at which mana was absorbed into the body. Unless intentionally compelled, the body's owner could regulate the mana intake. Achieving this control required a meticulous process. Through meditation, one would gather mana deliberately. This gathering process was deliberate and unhurried; the individual had to attune themselves to the surrounding energy, mentally visualizing the minute mana particles coalescing. These particles would then be consciously drawn into the body through the intricate network of mana channels, eventually finding their sanctuary within the mana core.

The stabilizer was now finally assembled and ready for its impending launch in the upcoming days, after four more duplicates were crafted.

"Are you all finished?" Deryl entered the workshop, flanked by two guards, inquiring of the three Aydens.

Michael confirmed that the original one was indeed completed. While they could have tested it right there in the workshop, Jay opted for a different approach. He produced a miniature version of the stabilizer, placing it on the table. The device was no larger than a pen. Jay extended his arm, conjuring an intricate magic circle in the air. A corresponding circle appeared beneath the miniature stabilizer, and with a swift motion, the top of the device slid open.

To the casual observer, nothing discernible appeared to be happening.

"I don't see anything," Deryl interjected, his confusion apparent.

"Well, that's because you're observing the world through a mundane lens," Jay explained with a hint of enthusiasm. "Everyone, enter the Prismara state," he commanded.

The Prismara state, a fundamental technique in magic, wasn't anything extraordinary to seasoned magic users. However, its effects were nothing short of magical. As they all complied, the room underwent a stunning transformation.

In this state, Prismara revealed itself in all its glory. The world was bathed in an enchanting interplay of black and green hues. For magic users, this state allowed them to witness mana particles in a mesmerizing array of colors, a phenomenon that greatly enhanced their magical abilities.

As they shifted into the Prismara state, their eyes glowed with a luminous green light, and suddenly, everything became clear.

In the room, every object, every detail, was now rendered in striking black and green tones. There it stood, the miniature mana stabilizer, placed elegantly on the table. Three slender stands supported it, and inside, gears and cogs whirred with silent precision, creating a visually pleasing spectacle.

Mana particles, visible in their colorful splendor, flowed seamlessly. At the top, they were effortlessly drawn into the device, swirling and dancing like vibrant fireflies. Emerging from the bottom, they took the form of delicate strands, almost colorless and translucent—a representation of air less saturated with mana particles.

This ingeniously crafted device had the potential to eradicate the menacing Spirecore, a beacon of hope in a world threatened by chaos.

///NEXT CHAPTER:FRONTIER ///

Edited by: JJ

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I eagerly await your feedback and comments on the book's progression. Your insights and thoughts are invaluable in shaping the narrative, and your Power Stones are the beacon that keeps my creative flames burning.