Kael sat cross-legged in the dimly lit room, sweat dripping down his face as mana swirled faintly around him. The air was thick with a stillness only the dead of night could bring. His body trembled slightly, not from fear but from the strain of maintaining control over the mana coursing through him. His shirt clung to his back, soaked, but he ignored the discomfort. His focus was elsewhere.
Three hours had passed since Liana left the fortress. By now, she would be far down the road, heading toward the Thorne estate. Tomorrow, she'd arrive, and her training would begin. She was free from this wretched place, away from the shadows that haunted it—and him.
But Kael couldn't shake the weight in his chest. The Mana Oath.
The oath was no trivial thing. To make it, Liana had placed her life, her very existence, in his hands. With a single word, he could command her to do anything, no matter how heinous or self-destructive. Refusal wasn't an option for her; the magic of the oath wouldn't allow it. If she disobeyed, she'd die.
It wasn't the power that unsettled him. It was the trust.
Liana had given herself over to him completely, without hesitation. She believed in him—believed he would protect her, that he could shield her from the dangers of this world. It was more trust than anyone had ever placed in him, and he wasn't sure if he deserved it.
The room felt colder. He clenched his fists, the mana swirling around him flickering in response. "I can't fail her," he muttered under his breath. "I have to be strong enough."
That was when Noctharis's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and cold.
"Now,we are free lets start your training. Strength is important, yes, but what truly matters is mana. It is the foundation of everything in this world. Every being, every structure, every entity—mana is their lifeblood. Even in the emptiest places, mana exists, waiting for someone with the skill to wield it."
Kael didn't answer immediately, letting the voice continue.
"Your control, however," Noctharis scoffed, "is laughable. It's as though you've never touched mana a single day in your life. I wonder how you've even survived this long."
The words didn't sting. Kael had no delusions about his abilities. He had been in this world for only three months. Everything he knew about mana came from the novel—concepts and techniques described in the protagonist's perspective. He understood them better than most, but understanding wasn't the same as doing.
Noctharis's voice resounded in Kael's mind, laced with pride and superiority.
"The method I used to help you absorb the mana core wasn't just advanced—it is a technique unlike any other. It is the very method that allowed me to achieve my status as the strongest being in this world. Even dragons, in their arrogance, begged me to teach it to them."
Kael, despite the awe-inspiring claim, couldn't help but respond in a dry, sarcastic tone. "Yes, yes, your legendary achievements are duly noted. Now, tell me—what's this miraculous method?"
"Patience," Noctharis replied with a slight edge of annoyance. "This method is simple in concept but incredibly difficult to master. Normally, beings train with mana of a specific nature—fire, water, earth, or wind. If someone wants to increase their control over fire mana, they focus only on fire mana. Similarly, for other elements, they isolate their training to that particular nature of mana."
Kael nodded. "That's true. In noble families, we even have specialized chambers attuned to different mana natures. In Elira Family, for example, has a Fire Chamber—a space dense with fire-type mana. Training in those chambers makes it easier and faster to increase proficiency in that element."
As the mention of the Elira crossed his mind, Kael felt his emotions stir—anger, bitterness, and regret threatened to bubble to the surface. He clenched his fists and forced himself to focus, suppressing the turmoil with effort.
"Exactly," Noctharis continued, unbothered by Kael's brief lapse. "But this method is flawed. By isolating their training to a single nature, they limit their growth. They become strong, yes, but only in one aspect. They lack the versatility needed to truly master mana. They're like swords with a single edge—effective in one way, but weak in others."
Kael furrowed his brows. "So what you're saying is... they're strong, but only within the boundaries of their element?"
"Precisely. What I'm going to teach you is fundamentally different. You will not train in a single nature of mana but in mana itself—the essence, the foundation from which all elements arise. Before mana evolves into fire, water, or any other type, it exists in a pure, unrefined state. This is the mana I will teach you to control—the very concept of mana that underpins everything in this world."
Kael leaned forward, intrigued. "And mastering this... would allow me to increase my proficiency in every element?"
"Correct. By understanding and controlling the raw essence of mana, you'll gain the ability to manipulate all elements at their core. You won't be limited to a single nature, and your growth won't be confined by the narrow walls others build around themselves."
Kael exhaled slowly, his mind racing. The possibilities Noctharis described were staggering. If this was true, it could allow him to bridge the gap between himself and the prodigies of the noble families. More than that, it would make him versatile, capable of countering opponents who relied too heavily on their specialized elements.
But he also understood the unspoken challenge in Noctharis's words. A method this powerful wouldn't be easy to master.
"Alright," Kael said, determination hardening his voice. "Teach me. Show me how to wield mana at its core."
of Noctharis's words settled over him. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of mana in the air. For the first time, Kael felt something stir deep within him—a spark of hope, a flicker of ambition.
He wasn't the outcast anymore. He wasn't the failure everyone believed him to be. He was someone on the brink of something extraordinary. And for the first time in a long time, Kael felt alive.