Alone in the room, lit in a vermillion hue by the glow of his soul orb, Dorian rested his back against the gothic pedestal—the only furniture available.
He opened the book, now the only item of interest besides the useless wall torch. As he flipped to the first page, glowing words formed across the paper and began to shift as he read.
[Welcome newcomer, to the world of Ethra, a planet just a bit bigger than your own.
Due to certain ailments in this world—which is located in a double solar system—an excess of stellar energy helped produce a new form of energy called mana.
This, along with many other factors, created the habitable world we now live in and...
I lost you right? Seems like a small mind like yours needs simpler sentences…]
Dorian frowned and slapped the book, which thankfully adjusted the wording.
[Ehem... Let's skip the complicated theories. All you need to know is that the mana we now use is like petroleum—it's a by-product of the great magical beasts that once ruled the land, such as Dragons.
After their deaths, mana dispersed across the world. The creatures that survived evolved with the ability to absorb it through special organs and use it through telepathic means, resulting in what you know as magic.
In your case, mana is being absorbed directly into your bloodstream, letting you use magic immediately and with high potency.
(There are side effects, but hey—you'll reach your goals faster, so all's good, right?)]
The next passage caused Dorian's brow to twitch.
[Now before we continue, check your body again. That's right, caress every part carefully, making sure not to leave any nook or cranny. (Then on the next page, write with your blood about how—)]
He slapped the book shut and dropped it to the floor with a loud thud. Whether it could feel pain or not, he didn't care.
Still, the part about side effects had made him uneasy.
To test his physical strength, Dorian stood and began doing jumping jacks. He stopped at two hundred—without breaking a sweat. Dorian quickly noticed that his endurance was inhuman. He could only hope this body didn't come with hidden drawbacks that might sabotage his chances of reviving Eva.
Picking the book back up, he flipped it open and resumed reading.
[Ehem… Magic 101. Let's begin now that the intro's out of the way.
This part will take constant practice until you can grasp the mana within your body.
Let's start with the traditional method: sit down, close your eyes, and meditate. Become one with your body, yadda yadda.
Here's what you're actually looking for: a difference between this body and the one you had on Earth. Focus on that. You should feel it like the faint pulses you notice before falling asleep.
Now, sit near the orb—which, again, is the real you. Rest your back against the pedestal and concentrate.
(Warning: Do NOT doze off!!!)]
Dorian followed the instructions. At first, it was difficult to clear his thoughts—worries, questions, and memories clouded his focus. But slowly, they faded.
He began with simple breathing exercises. Inhale… hold… exhale. Repeating the process until his mind cleared. Soon, he could sense his heartbeat. The faint buzzing in his ears. The airflow in his nose.
Then came the warmth.
It started in his chest, radiating outward. First to his left hand, then to his feet, and finally to his head—before returning to his heart. It pulsed in a loop, like a warm current flowing through his veins.
When it ended, sweat dripped from his brow. Exhausted, Dorian laid down on the floor, which softened beneath him as if it understood his need to rest.
Hours later, he awoke. No hunger. No fatigue. Curious, he reopened the book. New text had appeared.
[Continuation of Magic Training
(By the way, you snoozed off during training. Loser!)
First, congrats on sensing mana. (Though with the amount you have, it wasn't exactly difficult.)
Here's your next lesson:
System: Creation Magic
Type: Unique
Class: Organic
Sub-Class: Food Production
Name: Saganaki
Put your hand out and chant:
"So that I may live another day, I seek to create a dish that doesn't taste like clay, so I beg for its creation, a meal that will leave my tongue with a tingling sensation."
(Make sure to twirl your finger for a better, tastier meal!)]
Dorian stared at the text. Then slapped the book. Again. The words remained unchanged.
Not hungry enough to embarrass himself, he waited—hoping the lesson would update on its own. After a few hours with no change, and after burning one of the book's edges (which healed itself), he surrendered.
With a flat tone and zero enthusiasm, he muttered,
"So that I may live another day… I seek to create a dish that doesn't taste like clay, so I beg for its creation… a meal that will leave my tongue with a tingling sensation. Saga…naki?"
Heat surged through his body and concentrated in his palm. A moment later, a singed, cheese-scented object flopped onto the floor. It smelled vaguely edible, like toast and melted dairy. But lacking a plate, it looked less appetizing than intended.
"How the hell do I get rid of this…"
The floor, responding to his thoughts, opened beneath the item and swallowed it whole.
Intrigued, Dorian pointed at the torch. It too was swallowed.
"This now is really convenient…"
He could now create items and rely on the floor to dispose of them.
Returning to the book, he found more text.
[Did you learn something? Like maybe… YOU NEED A PLATE BEFORE CREATING FOOD? (Idiot.)
Anyway, did you notice how mana flowed to your hands after the chant? That's the basis of control.
Eventually, you'll shorten your chants, even skip them entirely.
Next chant: a plate.
Structure: Reason, Description, Product.
"So that I won't eat off the floor, I need to produce a plate like those found in any store, so grant me this wish, a nice round and silver dish. Come to me, a grand Salver!"
(Don't forget to twirl your fingers.)]
Dorian slammed the book against the wall, muttering under his breath. It took an hour—and four failed attempts—before he successfully created his first dish.
But the effort paid off.
The fifth attempt yielded a silver platter carrying the most exquisite fried cheese he had ever seen. Each prior failure had improved the result. First came burnt toast. Then soft toast with milk. The third had more cheese than bread. The fourth included olive oil and brandy for crisping—though the fire was a bit too much and burnt a good portion of .
The final version was perfect. A golden crust wrapped around soft, melted cheese with hints of brandy and olive oil. Garnished with parsley and served with a lemon wedge, all presented on a shining silver plate. And best of all, he never touched the food—magic had formed it midair.
That night, Dorian drifted off with a full stomach, wondering how much abuse the demonic book could take… and whether the living floor could suffer indigestion.