Mana Core I
Time flowed like water, and soon my fourth birthday was approaching. In the meantime, my brother and sister had both been practicing magic and displayed a decent talent for it.
They were being taught by my mother whenever she was free. She was a mage, not a particularly powerful one but a mage nonetheless. My father, on the other hand, wasn't a fighter nor a mage. He dabbled in mana a bit but never committed to learning more.
I managed to learn more about mana in this world through the books in the library.
In this world, mana particles are gathered and coalesced into an orb inside the body known as the mana core. The colour of the mana core changes depending on the quantity and quality of mana. The quantity of mana is the mana capacity, while the quality is the output of mana. These colours serve as a scale to gauge someone's strength.
There are eight colours for a core: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet before finally culminating in white.
Of course, the mana core color wasn't everything. Mana was akin to muscular strength; someone with less mana could defeat someone with more mana through superior technique.
The speed at which one progresses through the core colors depends purely on their talent. My mother, at nearly thirty, was at the green core, which is above average among mages since the average is the yellow core. My father, on the other hand, had an orange core.
This method of using mana was unique to this world. In my previous world, we didn't condense mana to form cores. Instead, we used our entire body to channel mana. Both methods had their advantages and disadvantages. Using cores allowed more mana to be collected and utilized while putting less strain on the body. However, it also slowed down the release of mana and provided a massive vital spot that could be targeted.
'If I relate this to my previous world,' I contemplated, 'Then F-class is equivalent to the red core, and SS-class is equal to the white core. But what about SSS-class, which I was at? Has no one discovered anything beyond the white core, or is this information censored?'
Both were possibilities. It also had to be considered that the Killion Empire is the weakest, and perhaps other empires had beings with cores beyond white.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind, my fourth birthday arrived. The mansion was bustling with preparations for the celebration. Nobles, servants, and guests filled the halls, their conversations a mixture of excitement and formality.
My mother had planned a grand event, not just for my birthday but also to announce my initiation into mana training. The Killion Empire, despite being the weakest, still held traditions in high regard, and a noble child's fourth birthday was a significant milestone.
The day of the celebration, I found myself dressed in fine clothes, the fabric rich and unfamiliar against my skin. My father looked proud as he adjusted my collar, a rare smile on his face.
"Ready, Lancelot?" he asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.
I nodded, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and slight nervousness. This was the beginning of my journey, a new chapter in this second life.
As we stepped into the grand hall, the room fell silent. All eyes turned towards us. My mother stood at the center, her green-core aura gently radiating, commanding attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice clear and strong, "today we celebrate my son Lancelot's fourth birthday and his initiation into the path of mana."
There was polite applause, and I felt a surge of pride. This was my moment.
She continued, "Lancelot, step forward."
I walked towards her, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze. My mother placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring.
"From this day forth," she declared, "you will begin your training to harness the power of mana. May you grow strong and wise, and bring honor to our family and the Killion Empire."
I nodded and performed a small bow, mimicking the formalities my siblings had observed on their own fourth birthdays. As the applause died down and guests mingled, I quietly slipped away to find some food, eager to escape the stuffiness of the noble event.
'Noble gatherings are so dull,' I mused to myself, 'and they certainly didn't come here to see a four-year-old.'
Avoiding the guards as best I could, knowing they couldn't sense my mana absence yet, I wandered through the quiet estate. The formation of a mana core was said to begin at four years old, marking the body's readiness to handle mana—an idea echoed in my previous world.
Making my way to the gardens, I gazed up at the night sky. It stretched like an expansive, inky canvas adorned with shimmering silver stars. A sigh escaped me as I realized once more that this world was not my own.
The constellations were entirely different, unfamiliar patterns etched across the heavens.
I scratched my head as I looked at the sky.
I pondered quietly with my eyes closed, attuned to the faint vibrations of mana particles in the air around me. It was a crucial decision I faced: should I adhere to this world's mana system, or continue with the methods of my previous world?
In my former life, I had managed to become the sole SSS-class Climber, yet I was inadequate to protect what truly mattered. Moreover, using such a distinctive method here could draw unwanted attention unless I found a way to conceal it effectively—a daunting prospect.
"So you were here, Lancelot," a familiar voice said, causing me to turn my head to see my older brother coming towards me.
"Yes, big brother," I replied, looking up at Lucas with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"You didn't like the event?" he asked, tousling my hair gently as we walked together.
"No," I admitted with a small sigh. "It was too stuffy."
Lucas chuckled softly. "I understand. Noble events can be boring. But hey, you know what? Now that you're four, you get to start learning about mana!"
"Yes, I'm very excited," I replied, my smile spreading wide across my face. The prospect of using mana again filled me with anticipation and joy. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.
We chatted a bit more before Lucas guided me back toward the festivities.
"Lucas, did you find—" a melodious voice began before its owner's red eyes fixed on Lucas. They then shifted to me and down to Lucas holding my hand.
"Lucas!" Elara exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of excitement and reproach as she hurried over to us. "I told you to let me know when you found Lancelot!"
"I was just bringing him back," Lucas defended himself, though he couldn't hide his own smile as Elara playfully pinched my cheeks and beamed at me.
I looked up at Lucas and Elara, feeling a surge of warmth at being reunited with my siblings amidst the lively celebration.
Soon, all the guests left and the celebration concluded.
"Did Count Arlen not come this time," my mother whispered to my father as she held his hand.
"Yes, he sent us a present and apologised for not being able to attend," my father replied as he placated my mother.
"Haa," my mother exhaled before turning back to me, "It's time to sleep now you kids."
My mother tucked me into bed and sang a soothing lullaby, her voice a gentle melody that wrapped around me like a warm embrace. As her song lulled me towards sleep, I pretended to drift off, waiting for the right moment.
Creak-!
The door closed softly, the sound barely audible in the quiet room. With the guards stationed far enough away, they wouldn't sense the faint traces of ambient mana gathering around me.
Drawing mana from the surroundings was a delicate process, crucial for forming mana cores.
With practiced finesse, I focused my mind on the subtle vibrations of mana particles lingering in the air. They responded to my mental command, gathering around me in a gentle swirl. Each particle felt like a tiny thread, weaving together to form a delicate tapestry of energy.
I concentrated, feeling the mana flow into me, drawn to the core within my body that was beginning to awaken. It was a sensation both familiar and new, reminiscent of my previous life yet distinct in its own way.
nstead of spreading mana throughout my entire body, acting as a vessel, it condensed into a sphere at my sternum. This practice began two weeks ago, and now, I could sense it nearing completion.
The mana particles gathered, merging into a solidifying core. It was a delicate process, each particle aligning to form the foundation of my mana core.
Oh, I nearly forgot about this part.
BOOM!
週次パワーステータス
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ランキング 
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