Axis finally opened his eyes, the mana settling down as if obeying his command. "How was that?" he asked, his tone calm and composed.

"Disappointing..." Mathrilda replied, her words deliberately sharp. She watched for any reaction, but Axis remained unphased, simply raising an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Sighing, she continued, "You're no fun. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, and it's truly disappointing that you weren't sent to awakening sooner."

{Ding...}

Task: Mana Circulation

Status: Completed

Rewards: Random skill upgrade x2 (moved to inventory)

Axis remained silent, processing her words. "Could you elaborate?" he finally asked.

"Oh, did you not know?" Mathrilda leaned back in her chair, studying his expression.

"Know what?"

"It was Elya's stubbornness that delayed your mana awakening for so long. She insisted on holding it back as much as possible."

"I awakened on time, didn't I?" Axis responded, slightly confused.

"By common standards, yes. But among the nobility and many prominent clans, mana awakening often happens much earlier."

"How early are we talking about?"

"Some undergo the awakening the same year they are born. Rare cases experience it the moment they enter the world. Others, like you, awaken a bit later—anywhere from ages two to seven."

Axis's gaze darkened. "So, compared to them, I'm at a disadvantage."

Mathrilda nodded. "Yes, though you've shown remarkable progress for someone who awakened just a day ago." She thought inwardly, 'In reality, you're far ahead of most in terms of mana circulation and control, even with a late awakening.'

"It's brutal to think that even newborns undergo such a dangerous process," Axis mused, his tone contemplative.

"It is," Mathrilda agreed solemnly. "Most don't make it, but the world is cruel. There's no escaping that truth."

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A silence fell between them as Axis sank into his thoughts. Sensing that she might have dampened his spirits, Mathrilda offered, "You've got good enough control. If you can answer a few of my questions, I'll teach you some 1st and 2nd circle spells. What do you think?"

"Really, Aunt Rilda?" Axis's eyes brightened with interest.

"Sure. If you can answer some basic questions, I'll teach you any spell you want from the 1st and 2nd circles. However, I'll only teach you the next spell once you've mastered the first one successfully."

"Ready. You can ask," Axis said confidently.

Mathrilda smirked slightly, asking a question she'd posed to many trainees before, none of whom had given her a satisfying answer. "What is the nature of mana?"

Axis didn't hesitate. "It depends on the one who is using it. Mana can be fierce like fire, smooth like a river, destructive like thunder, soothing like wind, or warm like light. For me, mana is energy, and its nature is decided by those who channel it. Like a weapon, it's not the weapon that gives it meaning, but the one who makes and wields it."

Mathrilda stared at him, her mind whirling. 'So, it's the individual that shapes mana. Mana itself is nothing but energy—how it's channeled gives it its properties, not the other way around. I've been asking the wrong question all this time. At its core, mana is simply a means, a form of energy.'

" What is the quality of mana ? "

" The mana we absorb from surrounding is impure affected by many conditions with each cycle and as we grow stronger mana we process increases in purity taking it one step closer to its original pure form "

She nodded thoughtfully before moving on to the next question. "What affects the efficiency of spells?"

"The efficiency of spells is influenced by a combination of factors: the caster's control over mana, the quality and quantity of mana they possess, their understanding of the spell's structure, and the affinity they have with the element or nature of the spell. Additionally, the environment and external factors can impact how efficiently a spell is cast."

Mathrilda leaned back in her chair, visibly impressed. "His understanding is far beyond his years. This level of insight… Elya may have delayed his awakening, but he's absorbing knowledge at an extraordinary rate," she thought, marveling at the boy before her.

"Very good," she said aloud, her voice carrying a tone of approval. "You've grasped the fundamentals well. Now, as promised, I'll teach you a spell. Which one would you like to learn first?"

"I'll leave it to you, Aunt Rilda," Axis replied with a small smile.

"Alright, come here then," she said playfully, her eyes gleaming.

"Here?" Axis asked, glancing around the room.

"Of course not," Mathrilda said, smirking as she pulled him towards her. With a sudden burst of mana, a glowing wand appeared in her hand. Before Axis could get a closer look, they vanished from the room, leaving behind a gust of swirling air and a slightly chaotic mess.

follow and leave reviews to let me know that you guys are liking the novel.

Note: it’s my original novel.

support me on patreon : patreon.com/anh_sirel

Hi guys i made discord server for you guys and me to interact with each other if you guys interested join in.

Discord server link: https://discord.gg/htcCHBHjXd