Absorbing mana was actually not that hard.
Lionel realized that Mana stones were actually everywhere in the Empire. They weren't rare or restricted. The Empire never saw them as dangerous since no one could just magically become a mage from being near one.
So, to most people, mana stones were nothing more than beautiful glowing stones.
Nobles, especially, loved them.
Their shine was unlike anything else. It has a soft shine during the day and has a faint glow at night. They were often used as stones in jewelry, decoration, or symbols of wealth.
The better the stone's quality, the stronger the mana it contained and the more valuable it was. In fact, high-grade mana stones were even more prized than diamonds or emeralds.
For nobles, wearing them wasn't about magic. It was about status.
Magical plants were common, too. They had become a favorite in noble gardens, not for their mana, but for their white petals and sweet scent. Their glowing flowers made them perfect for decoration, especially during evening gatherings.
And for Lionel, all of this made his first mission surprisingly easy.
Over the next few days, he quietly gathered the jewelry he had received as gifts, such as rings, brooches, and necklaces. He took anything with a mana stone in it.
The low-quality ones were his first targets. One by one, he drew out the faint energy hidden inside them.
It was slow at first. He had to focus, control his breathing, and let the energy flow through him. The more he absorbed, the easier it got for him.
But still, there was a problem. Once the mana inside the stones was drained, the glow of the stone also faded. That's why he couldn't just absorb everything, or else someone might notice.
When he ran out of low-quality stones, he turned to their garden. The magical plants were abundant and full of mana that was easy to absorb. That's why, after his history lessons, he would stroll around the garden pretending to admire the flowers.
He would even hear some maids talking about it.
"Is the young lord interested in flowers now?"
"The young lord has taken a weird interest, hasn't he?"
Lionel sighed as he heard those same words again. He was currently in the garden, pretending to admire the roses and white lilies planted around.
He couldn't help but look at the side where the magical plants were planted. He pressed his lips together when he saw a few bald spots on the inside.
It was he who caused that.
The problem with absorbing mana from plants was what happened after.
The moment he absorbed their mana, the petals would lose their glow and color until they turned to pale gray. Within seconds, the stems would wither and droop, too.
At first, he panicked. He thought he had done something wrong. But after a few tries, he realized it was just how magical plants worked. Once energy was drained from them, they would also die with it.
So every time he finished, he would pluck the wilted plants and secretly toss them into the trash before anyone noticed.
"My Lord, do you want to be left alone again?"
Lionel turned to the voice and saw a familiar face. It was a young maid standing a few steps behind him, bowing politely.
Her name was Mira. She was one of his maids. She looked to be around sixteen or seventeen. Mira has short brown hair that was tied neatly behind her ears.
"Yes, Mira," Lionel muttered. "All of you can go now. I'll stay here for a bit."
"Would you also like me to bring you some tea, My Lord?" Mira hesitated.
He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just want some quiet time."
"Understood, my lord. Madam Diane will fetch you in an hour for your swordsmanship class." Mira bowed her head again before excusing herself.
When she left, Lionel waited until everyone disappeared before exhaling quietly. The garden was silent now, with only him around.
"Alright," he murmured under his breath. "Let's get this done."
He crouched down beside a cluster of magical flowers. Their petals shimmered faintly when sunlight hit them. They reflected the sunlight like glass. He removed his ring and placed his hand over one of them before closing his eyes.
Warm energy pulsed against his hand soon after.
He could feel the mana swirling inside the flower. It was soft, tiny, and gentle. Slowly, he guided it toward himself, letting it flow through his fingers and into his core.
The flower's glow dimmed. Almost instantly, it withered away.
[+0.5 Mana]
He opened his eyes and stared at the now-withered plant before moving to the next one.
Just like earlier, he felt warm energy. A small light flickered around his hand.
[+0.5 Mana]
Lionel smiled at it. Each flower gave him half a unit of mana.
"Just a few more… and I'll be done." He smiled faintly.
The garden glowed softly around him as he continued absorbing the energy in silence
[+0.5 Mana]
[+0.5 Mana]
[+0.5 Mana]
"Almost there…" Lionel smiled faintly.
His fingers brushed over another flower, and another pulse of warmth spread through him. The mana core within him felt fuller. It was like water was being poured into a cup to the brim.
[+0.5 Mana.]
[Current Mana: 99.5/100]
"One more flower," he muttered. "Just one more, and I'll complete the mission."
He reached for the next glowing flower. He absorbed its energy just as usual.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host. Your Mana has increased.]
[Mana: F → E-]
[Ding!]
[Mission Complete.]
[You have received +1 Skill Point]
[New Skill Unlocked: Basic Mana Control]
Lionel straightened up.
"Finally…" He let out a slow breath before a smile rose to his lips.
He clenched his fists, feeling the mana swirling faintly inside him.
"I actually did it," he whispered, a laugh escaping his lips.
Slowly, he raised his hand, excitement bubbling inside him.
"Alright, let's see if I can actually use magic now."
He closed his eyes and focused, imagining the energy flowing out of his palm. He waited in anticipation… but nothing happened.
He frowned and tried again. This time he tried to push a bit more mana outward. But still, there was nothing.
Not even a spark.
"Huh?" Lionel muttered, lowering his hand in confusion. "Why isn't it working? I have mana now, right?"
He looked down at his palm as if the answer would show up there. He could feel the mana inside him, but it just wouldn't come out.
[Ding!]
[The host can't use magic yet.]
[To activate, please proceed with Elemental Affinity Selection.]
[Would the Host like to choose an elemental power now?]
"Elemental Affinity…?" Lionel frowned.