Midnight struck on the vintage grandfather clock in the living room and Kova woke up, having been asleep practically all day, still having yet to recover the energy from the immense stress his body had been put under during his time at the hospital. He’d get up and stay in his clothes from the night previously - deciding he’d take his shower and change momentarily after his first attempts at casting magic, as he was almost sure he’d be working up a sweat tonight.

He’d take off his socks and go downstairs - bare feet tapping against the cold tile, he ran into the kitchen to get some water, putting his mouth under the faucet and staying there for what seemed like a minute and a half.

“Aaaagh” he quietly exclaimed, a bubble of water getting stuck in his chest.

He’d punch his sternum in order to get it down, and opened the sliding door which led to the outside - going onto the porch, leading him to the backyard. He dug his feet into the grass as he stepped on it, and tried to feel out the ground with his rune-stamped feet, to see if there was a reaction. Nothing. He’d sigh and sit down, closing his eyes - thinking that maybe meditating on the matter would help. He crossed his legs together, placed his hands on his knees, and closed his eyes, breathing with a rhythm - metaphorically grounding himself to the Earth. His mind was completely blank - and he subconsciously considered the matter, recounting the events of the previous couple days, especially the conversation between him and the mystery woman. He sat there for a moment. Until he got angry - and exclaimed

“Oh, god, this is FUCKING USELESS!! HEY, YOU, WOMAN!! IF THERE’S AT LEAST ONE THING YOU COULD BE LESS CRYPTIC ABOUT WITH ME - IT’S HOW TO USE THESE STUPID FUCKING POWERS!!!”

But he heard no reply. Elide silently watched him from her bedroom window, not making herself known.

“FUCK! Man, what is it that I’m doing wrong!?” He questioned himself.

Apparently, he was very impatient. Not even out there for more than thirty minutes and he was already considering punching something. He’d stomp repeatedly, hitting his left foot against the grass.

“Stupid.. Son-uv-a-bitch!! FU—” Suddenly, he was cut off by an explosion that set off below his feet - the rune firing off a burst of Energy that sent him skyrocketing up two stories high

“hhhhhhaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!” Kova shrieked in terror. When he smacked against the ground - while a normal human would’ve broken bones, and retained some kind of head injury with the way he landed - he instead bounced and painfully sat back up, gripping his head and exclaiming:

“Dammit!!”

Ringing amplified throughout his ears - it was apparent that his durability had substantially increased. He was almost sure something was broken, but after a few minutes when the pain subsided, there was nothing. He was shocked to say the least. Not only did he just get blown 30 feet high, land, and get up without as much as a scratch - but something actually happened!

Elide ran outside, yelling in concern

“You idiot, what did you just do!?”

“Hell if I know but whatever happened, something worked!!!” He claimed excitedly, hopping on his toes and smiling. He scratched his head, however, and thought about what just happened.

“That’s not what I’d imagine my Magic taking the form of. Hell I, uhm.. didn’t really manifest it through thinking at all beforehand. That was sort of out of nowhere. Maybe I’ll start working on whatever that was, first! Then move on to more complex things.” He thought out loud

“Be careful.. you always get in over your head about this kind of shit, Kova.” She said as she wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him tight

“I’ll, uhh… Try..” he replied, reciprocating the motion and wrapping his arms around his sister

-

He was back in his room and drifted off to sleep - returning to his dreams. This time, instead of being inside a void, he was walking through an empty high school gymnasium - one that echoed with each step he took, with windows of stained purple and green glass. He attempted to open the door in order to see where this dream would take him, but found that it was locked. He was trapped, essentially. He went to take a seat on the bleachers, leaning back and looking toward the ceiling. With a long, annoyed sigh - he questioned, sarcastically:

“So what is it this time? That guy you work for decided it’s time to punish me for knowing too much?”

He didn’t really expect an answer - in fact, he believed that this was just a dream which would pass in time.

“The Highest has little interest in life forms below divinity, as explained. You called, and I responded.”

He sat up straight, and looked toward the ceiling of the gymnasium, shockingly exclaiming:

“Oh lord, you actually are real?? Okay, well… for starters, can you explain what the HELL I’m doing wrong? Up until that energy bursted from the bottoms of my feet, I was trying to be totally collected about the whole thing.. So what more can I do than I already am now!?”

There was a few second pause before she spoke again.

“For one, you’re looking at it… how do I say, incorrectly? Your belief of how this works comes from an understanding of television and animated cartoons. Rather than a superpower, it is an assisted processor to what was already there.”

“What was already there, you say?” He questioned “You mean to tell me that all living souls are capable of.. special abilities? They just have to materialize it through some sort of.. learning process, I guess? I don’t really know how to put it into words..”

“Partly.” She responded “Much like physical traits and attributes, all are born with it, engraved in their DNA. Manifestation comes from Conceptualization, Practice and Time. And you have nil but time on your side.”

“Wish you weren’t so fuckin’ cryptic.. but Thank You, this helped. Do me a favor and call me back here when I’ve finally begun to realize how to use it.. I’ll have more questions.” He demanded, sighing

“Likewise.” She said

“..Excuse me?...” he replied, nervously

-

The Next Day

Riiiiing… sounded the school bell, and they were off to their classes. First up on his list were science courses - he’d been out of school for about three weeks by this point, and his friends were pleasantly surprised to see him as Kova walked through the halls with a hoodie on. “So far so good” he thought, no one seemed to take notice

He entered the science lab - and was pleasantly surprised to see the seating arrangements changed, to where it put Kova next to the smartest in class, Hiroyoshi! He was more than excited to make a new friend, as he normally would be, he really only got to smile and wave while passing in the hallways when it came to himself and the other student in question. He’d met just about everyone, but Hiroyoshi was an exchange student from Tokyo, Japan, that not many people really interacted with.

As the teacher began their lecture, Kova and the rest of the class took their seats, and Kova opened up his Magic Books, deciding to skip out today on whatever the teacher might have in mind. Less time to train and figure this all out if he listened to the useless general education course, he thought. Cracking it open and flipping it to the first blank page - he took note in the corner of his eye that Hiroyoshi was looking at him fairly confused, yet for now, ignored it. He’d introduce himself when class was over.

He tried heeding the word of whatever kept visiting him in his dream, imagining the newfound “power” he “attained”, or more accurately, always had, as an extension of his own body rather than something which could be carelessly generated. Focusing in on the top left side of the page - he tuned every other sense out, other than his sight. He felt something running through his bloodstream as his focus became sharper, some sort of warming energy - an unmistakable feeling, something strong, formidable, something that felt like it’s always been there but has only now been physically utilized for the first time. He used this as his chance, attempting to redirect the energy that he felt to his orbitals - in order to emit Magic essence through his eyeballs. He did exactly as mentioned a little bit earlier by Elide.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

To see with Mana.

He did just that, the words fell on the page like pieces on a puzzle, he was able to read it so long as he focused in

“I did it!!” He yelled, excitedly

The teacher yelled at him from across the room

“Kova!! Go to the office now! First day you come back and you’re already causing bullshit, I won’t be having it!”

“But what did I..—” Kova started

“NOW!” The teacher commanded

“Suck one then you balding old divorced cocksucker!” He shouted, leaning over his desk

The class fell silent - and he could feel the eyes on him. Something changed in his psyche, a chemical imbalance. He had developed anger issues he never once had from the crash. He walked out of the classroom, and once out of sight, took off running with his books, deciding to just hop the fence and ditch for the day.

-

Hopping the chain-link fence out of school and beginning his walk home, he decided to stop at his dealer’s house and buy some weed. He pulled out his wallet and counted the cash - From his allowance he had about $250 in cash, and $1,500 saved up from what his parents gave him over the past two years on his bank card. Putting it all away, he started walking away from the school and texted his dealer, getting a speedy response. $180 an Ounce the text read, it was just enough for what he held in his wallet. He had to walk through a dangerous neighborhood to get to his dealer’s house, so he patted his side to check and make sure his knife was still there and was off shortly after confirmation. However, when he turned to his left to start walking, he crossed paths with a man who looked oddly similar to when Kova underwent changes giving him a side-eye from across the street. A completely silent interaction - it seemed as if he knew something Kova didn’t, there was almost a connection between wills and energies between them - some sort of clash between minds Thoroughly unsettled, he kept walking, with a purpose now to get out of this situation. The man’s fur vest flapped as he swiftly turned to face Kova

“Hey. Hold on. I can feel that from here.” The stranger spoke

He stopped in his tracks and turned around to face him, looking back towards the newfound acquaintance he’s come across.

Feel… that? “Does he know something about what’s going on?” Kova thought to himself

“Feel what? Are you coming on to me or something?” Kova sarcastically replied

“Whaaat? No, I’m straight. On top of that I’m Eighteen, and a tertiary factor - I have a lover. I’m talking about the energy you’re giving off, Kid. There’s no mistaking it - You’re probably a newborn, and can’t suppress your—” He started,

“What did you just call me you waste of human li—” Kova interrupted,

But he was stopped short in this argument.

“I’m going to excuse what you just said and advise you to choose your next words wisely. Nice implication of how your Mother raised you, little asshole. Calm down. You’re a newborn. What that means is your network of mana and energy has just been newly established, and for the moment - You aren’t doing a very good job of hiding just who You are to anyone that’s looking for people like Us” The man said.

The size difference between the two became apparent as the strange man approached. He was already around 6’2 in height while Kova was only a mere 5’9 compared, still growing.

The resemblance was striking. Reddish tips to his jet black hair and unnaturally colored eyes. However it seemed like they were more versed and experienced just by looking at them - The male was a lot larger in muscular stature, and for that matter, he could make sense of this entire thing.

“Let’s start over” he said with a sigh, after a long pause “I’m Jordan” He said as he outstretched his hand to the kid in front of him.

Kova outstretched his, each coming together and gripping by the thumb, pulling each other in to connect forearm to forearm in some sort of chest bump.

“I’m Kova.. I have a favor to ask you. What I was doing a bit ago can wait.. I.. Want to know what the hell all of this is. I’ve been walking around clueless for the past few days. All I’ve managed to do is minimally read with this whole Mana thing, and some sort of blast came out of the bottom of my foot when I got pissed.” Kova admitted.

“Sure. I live by the school. Once I graduated last year, I got a place in the area because it’s close, and I know the place. Follow me.” Jordan said as the two began their walk.

-

They walked up to an apartment building, Jordan pulled out his keys and unlocked four different locks. These locks were most likely installed after he moved in given how this man had lived there for a year. The locks also seemed to be a bit weathered. He'd then turn the knob to open the door. At the moment, it seemed as if no one was home. It was a well furnished place, in fact - Kova thought it was just his style. Comfortable furniture, an appealing look to the eye with the colors - a mix of gray wooden floors and blue-ish walls, with a loft above and the bedroom downstairs.

Jordan walked through the doorway and let Kova in - and the first thing that caught his eye was the amount of weaponry in the house. There were swords displayed on the wall made of all kinds of materials, some with writing engraved on them - even a massive halberd displayed above the ottoman in the living room.

Once closing the door and locking it, Jordan sat on the couch and slapped the seat near him - pointing for Kova to sit down.

And once he did, the first lesson began.

“First, I’ll explain what actually happened to you, since you mentioned not knowing what’s going on—” Jordan started

“Thank you, by the way, you seem to be the only person who knows what the fuck this entire concept of magic is..” The eager Kova interrupted

Jordan smiled, chuckling - not really paying mind to the fact that he was cut off at this point. Kova was confused, and he understood this as his superior.

“It’s alright, don’t worry” he replied, waving his hand “You’re learning. Albeit a little older than most people I teach, you’ll catch on very quickly. Right now your brain is a sponge. Have you had a near death experience recently?”

There was a long pause, and Kova had a shocked expression plastered across his face, wondering to himself how Jordan knew. The mental wounds hadn’t quite healed, he was stressed out about the situation.

“Yeah.. I took my Dad’s car out just so I could have some fun for a night, my Sister and I were gonna go out. Maybe hit up a couple parties, be back in the morning kind of thing. Honestly, kind of usual for us. Some drunk asshole came up and totaled my Dad’s car with his big ass fucking truck, and, thankfully - It hit my side, and not my Sister..” Kova explained

Jordan nodded, and parted his lips to respond

“I see. I’m sorry that you and your family had to go through that. You’re very strong for coming out of this with a relatively level head. I know for a while I couldn’t accept my experience. We were on the receiving end of a drive-by shooting - Kokoro and I were in freshman year at the time, coming home from a football game - This all black car with tinted windows pulled up next to us. Apparently when they got caught, they admitted they got the wrong people, but they rolled down the passenger and back windows, and that was history. Some surgery and over a buck-fifty stitched up, and here I am.” Jordan explained

“Those motherfuckers…” he replied, listening attentively

“Don’t sweat it. These kinds of things happen every day. Much like you probably did - I woke up in a bed a few rooms down the hall from her. Didn’t have any lasting wounds. In fact - It seemed as if I was completely healed. I began researching, started to understand what exactly happened. It’s a near one in four billion occurrence - But some who navigate a realm even further between the realm beyond life and death have the chance of coming back. It’s essentially the tunnel of light, where as you walk toward it, it becomes brighter. Except you end up right back where you started before” Jordan pointed towards the floor with his right index finger “Here. Earth. But you’ve changed. I can’t explain why people like us have come back as opposed to others who’ve crossed into the afterlife - But what I can tell you is that the moment you came back, your spiritual body fused with your mortal body, and the establishment of a Magic and Energy network began during your sleep. You may be the same person you once were mentally and spiritually - but physically, you’re unrecognizable. You’ve changed. And that’s okay.” He got up from his seat and gripped two blades, sheathing them and situating them behind his back with straps that went around each shoulder, before walking to the center of the room “Arm yourself with a weapon and stand with me over here. You’ve been invited into the Recondite Academy of Magic and Swordcraft. You’ll make a fine student.”

Kova was stunned. He wasn’t sure what to make of all of this - Or how he was going to tell his family he had to go.

“But what about my family? And high school? I can’t just abandon everything and everyone..” Kova replied, concerned

“But you’re not.” Jordan replied “We have a contract with the administrators of our district. One of both confidentiality and the ability to pass accredited diplomas under another name. Most you’ll have to do is head home tonight, pack up, and tell them where you’ll be going, then meet me back here.” He assured

It was a new beginning. Kova looked at the weaponry displayed around the room, and decided

“I think I’ll go with this one…”