The morning air in Riverstead was crisp as Akira made his way back into town. While waiting for his swords to be completed, he decided to seek out Ren. He couldn’t stop thinking about how much there was to learn about this world, especially magic. If he wanted to pass the Hunter Exam—or survive any future fights—he needed more than just brute strength.

Akira found Ren near the market, carrying a bundle of supplies.

“Ren!” Akira called, waving him over.

Ren turned, grinning when he saw Akira. “Back so soon? Don’t tell me you’re already out of coins.”

Akira laughed. “Not even close. Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

Ren raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

“Magic,” Akira said. “How does it work? And how can I learn it?”

Ren’s grin widened. “Magic, huh? Now that’s a big question. Let’s find a spot to sit, and I’ll explain.”

The two found a quiet bench near the edge of town. Ren set his supplies down and leaned back, his expression thoughtful.

“Alright, magic,” he began. “First, you’ve got to understand mana. Mana is like energy—everyone has it, but not everyone knows how to use it. Think of it like this: your body is a water bottle, and your mana is the water inside it.”

Akira nodded, intrigued. “Okay, I’m following so far.”

“Good. Now, the size of your ‘bottle’ is your mana reserve. Some people have big bottles, while others have small ones. That’s why some folks can cast lots of spells without breaking a sweat, and others burn out after just one or two.”

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“So, it’s like stamina?” Akira asked.

“Exactly,” Ren said. “But here’s the tricky part. Just having a big bottle doesn’t mean you can use magic. You also need to know how to open the bottle—how to access your mana and direct it.”

Akira tilted his head. “How do you open it?”

Ren smirked. “That’s where things get tricky. For most people, opening their bottle takes practice—years of meditation, study, or guidance from someone who already knows how to use magic. But once you figure it out, it’s like turning on a faucet. You can control the flow.”

Akira thought about the analogy. “What happens if you pour out too much?”

Ren’s expression grew serious. “If you use too much mana, you hit what’s called ‘Mana Exhaustion.’ It’s like dehydration. Your body can’t handle it, and you’ll feel weak—maybe even pass out. In extreme cases, people have died from draining their reserves completely.”

“Sounds dangerous,” Akira said, frowning.

“It is,” Ren agreed. “That’s why Hunters train to manage their mana reserves carefully. A skilled mage knows when to hold back and when to go all out.”

Akira leaned forward, his curiosity growing. “Can anyone increase the size of their bottle?”

Ren nodded. “Yeah, but it takes time. Training your mana reserve is like working out a muscle. The more you use it, the bigger it gets. But it’s not just about the size of your reserve—it’s also about how efficiently you can use it. Wasting mana is like spilling water. The best mages can do more with less.”

Akira stared at his hands, imagining a flow of energy coursing through him. The Kaeto System had mentioned mana in his stats, but he hadn’t explored it yet.

“So how do I start?” Akira asked.

Ren grinned. “You’ve got to feel it first. Most people start by meditating—clearing their minds and focusing inward. Try to find the warmth or tingling sensation deep inside you. That’s your mana. Once you can feel it, the hard part is moving it. Some people imagine it like a river flowing through their veins, guiding it to where they need it.”

Akira nodded, storing away every word. “And once you can move it, what’s next?”

“Then you start learning spells,” Ren said, his eyes shining with excitement. “Spells are like recipes—they take specific amounts of mana and precise control. Beginners usually start with something simple, like creating a spark or moving a small object. Over time, you can learn more advanced stuff, like healing, elemental attacks, or barriers.”

“Sounds like a lot to take in,” Akira said.

“It is,” Ren admitted. “But trust me, it’s worth it. Magic’s not just about fighting—it’s about understanding the world. Mana’s in everything: the air, the earth, even the monsters we fight. The more you understand it, the stronger you’ll become.”

Akira grinned, excitement bubbling inside him. “Thanks, Ren. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

Ren chuckled. “No problem. But don’t get ahead of yourself. Magic’s not something you can master overnight.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Akira said, standing up. “But it’s a start.”

As they parted ways, Akira couldn’t help but feel a surge of determination. The Kaeto System might give him an edge, but he couldn’t rely on it alone. If he wanted to survive in Noble Eternity—and thrive—he needed to master everything this world had to offer.