[You have chosen the main class mage]
[Class characteristics unlocked]
[Mage:
Elementalist
Psion
Druid
Enchanter
Albus
Warlock
Necromancer
Chronomancer
Diviner]
Mavis read all the descriptions of the class characteristics and picked them apart one by one. All characteristics have their strengths and weaknesses that he carefully imprinted into his memory, and each of them is very tempting to choose. However, what he's currently looking for is the versatility to face any type of opponent and have the answer to any of their strategies and abilities.
The two that truly came out on top are the Elementalist and Psion characteristics.
Elementalists could wield and manipulate all types of elements to cause destruction all over the battlefield, unless he's focusing on only one type, he wouldn't have to worry about lacking in versatility and power. The Psion, on the other hand, uses force and a neutral type of energy to create constructs, to be used offensively and defensively. The constructs created could be as durable and moldable, as the user wills it.
With no way to truly compare the two. Mavis went with his gut this time and picked the Elementalist characteristics. He could always come back and pick Psion, whenever he could. Or if he ever thinks that the Elementalist is lacking in some places that the Psion characteristics could cover.
[You have picked the Elementalist characteristics]
[Obtained the ability "Elemental awareness"]
[Obtained the ability "Fire Bolt"]
[Obtained the ability "Earth Raise"]
[Obtained the ability "Water Sphere"]
[Obtained the ability "Air Sweep"]
Mavis immediately opened up his class tab, and what was once an empty list was now filled with new things.
[Class]
Main: Mage
Diverge:
Characteristics:
Elementalist 86%
He read through the book and learned that the percentage besides the characteristics is his compatibility with it, which is determined by the person's innate talent. The value could be increased by picking the same characteristics, every time he creates a star, at a maximum of 100%. Or through the traits and achievements.
'Seems complicated. Nothing else to do but try out the abilities I've just obtained. ' Mavis thought.
Mavis closed the screens for now, as he tried to access a new knowledge that he acquired from the system. Four of the abilities he had just obtained are spell type, which consists of the ability fire bolt, earth raise, water sphere, and air sweep. While elemental awareness is a skill type. Spells are abilities that always require mana or aura to cast, by shaping them into runes. While skills, on the other hand, only require direct manipulation of mana or aura. He had also read that some skills don't require them and merely need direct action from the user.
He stood up from his seat when he felt that he had enough knowledge to cast the spells. The runes he needed were naturally imprinted into his head when he received them. At the center of the room, Mavis willed his mana with the help of his mind attributes and tried to cast bolt". He shaped each rune meticulously, not wanting to mess things up by hastening his action. He could tell that the runes in his head were needed to cast "fire bolt", he just didn't know what they truly meant.
One by one, languages that he couldn't comprehend floated in front of him. A few seconds of complete concentration later, he was finally done casting the runes, the temperature near him went up, and a small fire ignited and replaced them. However, even before he could find a way to expel the spell, his head suddenly felt like it was about to break and the part of his consciousness holding the spell together, failed with it. This leads to the fire fizzling out of existence.
Mavis, on the ground, clutching his head as he felt his brain pounding his skull. Along with it is a new screen, floating in his peripheral vision.
[You have learned the ability "Mana Manipulation"]
He was surprised that he got an ability just by failing to cast a spell. "Was that supposed to happen?" He asked, unexpectedly, someone had answered his question.
"Yes, it was and wasn't." The system ego said, suddenly reappearing in his room. "For someone newly reintegrated, you're not supposed to be able to cast a spell, no matter how basic it is. Others tend to fail even when shaping their first rune. You, on the other hand, manage to not only complete the sequence of runes on your first try, but you have also properly converted the runes and conjured the spell. If it wasn't for your meager mana failing to power it, then maybe you could have also successfully expelled it." The system ego explained, its words mixed with compliments and blunt facts.
"Uuhh.. thanks?" Mavis replied, still not used to the entity coming and going to his room like some ghost.
"That was a magnificent display for someone so weak. Although, I encourage you to keep exploring your newfound power, as that's what the system is all about." The ego said, then like a mannequin, stayed in his position. Either waiting for Mavis to continue his experiments or waiting to answer some of Mavis's questions.
Mavis completely ignored the first sentence it said then moved on with his thoughts
He already knew that he couldn't hide anything from this entity. So while he waited for his head to recover, he might as well feed his curiosity, and ask some important questions.
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"So ego? Uhh.. can I call you that?" Mavis asked.
Which the system ego replied: "Yes, you can, Mavis."
"Can you properly explain to me the difference between mana and aura, and what they are?" Mavis inquired with anticipation.
The Ego then awkwardly mimics, what is supposed to be a nod. "The mana and aura are essence that has been tamed and converted to be easily manipulated and utilized at the user's will." Ego explained carefully, then it spread both of its hands. Two visible energies of distinct color and feeling appeared in them."Mana... is the essence of the mind. It could power abilities that use your mind attributes to activate... conjure... and materialize any concept and elements of the universe within the palm of your hands." As it said those words, the energy in its left hand, alternates from fire to water to earth- even lightning, and some form of darkness and a bright light. Some of the forms are even incomprehensible, like an invisible gravitational pull, and some even make Mavis feel like time has suddenly stopped within the area of Ego's palm. After a few more changes, the mana went back to its original blue-hued neutral form.
Ego then retracts its focus on its left, then slightly lifts its right hand. "Whereas Aura is the essence of the body... It acts as an amplifier of the body attributes to reach higher levels of power, speed, toughness, or anything that your body could perform, through the use of your abilities that couldn't be naturally produced by your physical body." Just like what it did with mana, Ego displayed the different kinds of utilization of aura. It clenched its right arm, and then it suddenly felt heavy and durable in Mavis's eyes, a moment later, Mavis noticed another change. This time, Ego's hands felt more elusive and slippery, like a snake that was about to attack.
Mavis was fascinated with the potential application of mana and aura that Ego had just exhibited to him and wondered if he was able to do that someday, as well.
"For you to display the kind of power you have just witnessed, takes a lot more practice and time. Because mana and aura do not increase along with your attributes, it has to be trained and exercised regularly so you can increase their capacity and your proficiency to manipulate them appropriately." Ego advised.
As someone who had always been an avid fan of learning new things, Mavis excitedly agreed. He would slowly but surely grasp anything that he'll encounter in the future, precisely because the things that he's about to learn are something that he couldn't even fathom fantasizing about, in the past.
Try as he may, he couldn't contain the excitement that he was currently feeling, so he simply used all that excitement as a catalyst and asked his next burning question.
"My next question is, what are runes? And where did they come from?" Mavis asked with glee, now fully accustomed to their weird connection of questioner and answerer.
And like a programmed computer, Ego promptly answered. "Runes are letters converted from the dictated law of the universe, by putting them together in a sequence through the use of spells, they become words of power that put order to the wild essence, then give you a temporary authority to create whatever you desire. They were formed by the original 7 as a way for their descendants to gain control of the limitless essence of the universe."
Mavis was confused by its words. Instead of getting answers, his mind was filled once more with questions that he couldn't understand. 'Who were the original 7, what are the laws of the universe, what is wild essence, and where did it come from?' His mind jumbled with words. He thought Ego had already read his mind and was about to answer but then, unexpectedly, Ego simply ignored it, then said:
"You are still at the beginning of your journey and you will naturally come across those answers. And if my guess is right, you might be one of the candidates for the holder of Humna's legacy."
"Who's Humna know?" Asked Mavis. If he was confused a while ago. Now, he didn't know what to make of Ego's words anymore.
"I guess it's fine to tell you who you're ancestor is." Ego stops for a second, and for some reason, Mavis thinks it is ruminating. "Humna is one of the first sapient beings, along with his brothers and sisters. He created you and named you human, a wordplay from his name. He is directly created by the creator Primordium and became the basis of his siblings. That's the reason why humans are known for their adaptation and variety of talents, humans might be the weakest at the start, but your potentials are as limitless as the essence."
What Mavis had just heard was the most mind-boggling discovery he had listened to, so far. He had just uncovered the origin of all humans and a snippet of the creatiom of the universe. 'Then does that mean humans evolving from monkeys are all lies? Am I even allowed to hear this?' He asked himself, forgetting that Ego could read his mind.
"Fret not, Mavis, this is already a very common knowledge in the universe. If I hadn't told you, you would still be able to learn of it on your own." Ego reassured him. "On that note, knowing that your mind seemed very curious about the rest of the universe, I guess I'll let you gain access to the trial library, which could only be opened after the 2nd stage of the trial." Ego said after.
"Umm... is that okay? I don't really want any preferential treatment." Mavis asked with obvious doubts in his words.
"I usually make an exception towards people who interest me. And I'm the overseer of the trial, so no one could truly say no to me." Ego said its piece then it proceeded to say its goodbye. "I'll let you deal with your thoughts for now and continue to monitor you. And Mavis, no you didn't evolve from a monkey. In my knowledge only beastians do." Ego said, then it simply vanished.
Mavis didn't know if Ego was purposely egging his curiosity more and more with its words. "Never mind then, I'll just focus on what's in front of me right now. Like Ego always said, everything will eventually make sense." Mavis said, then shrugged right after.
----------------------------------------
Hours after their last conversation. Mavis is currently practicing manipulating his mana, he has learned that the constant use of it could increase his proficiency and capacity, so he diligently did so. Every time he was nearing his limits, it would always feel like his head would explode, this led to him stopping his actions, and then routinely, he would read his status while waiting for his head to recover, which is unexpectedly fast. He had also ignored the new door that had appeared in his room for now, leading to the library, as he tried to accommodate his already full plate.
[Mana Manipulation]
Type: Skill
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Let you manipulate mana to your will.
[Elemental Awareness]
Type: Skill
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Focus your mind to sense the present elements within your surroundings.
[Fire Bolt]
Type: Spell
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Conjure a small ball of fire then shoot it toward your target.
[Earth Raise]
Type: Spell
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Errect a small portion of land beneath or near your feet.
[Water Sphere]
Type: Spell
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Covers your entire body within a ball of water.
[Air sweep]
Type: Spell
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Novice
Effect: Eject a force of wind out of your palms.
The abilities he currently had obtained seemed simple enough, though he already had plans to use their applications more effectively. He didn't want to attempt casting the spells, as he already knew that he had insufficient mana to power them. So he focused on his lone learned ability for now.
The mana seems to be situated in his brain and it siphons essence through his core, then the core siphons the essence from his surroundings. The essence entering his core doesn't stay and simply flows through it and then spreads throughout his body. Especially towards his brain and heart as each part contains his mana and aura respectively.
He tried manipulating his aura, however, it seemed to be a lot more pathetic and minuscule than his mana. He could manipulate it pretty well but it would run out a lot quicker than his mana. This led to him feeling weak like he had just run a marathon on a hot day. He also didn't have any ability he could use that utilizes aura, so he simply ignored it and focused on mana instead. He probably wouldn't even have the time to use it properly as he had no interest in learning any abilities that required any action from his body attributes. He preferred using his head, now that he could actualize it as a part of his material power.
If the feeling of manipulating raw essence is cold and unwieldy, while the aura is hot and heavy, the mana on the other hand is like a cool breeze in temperate weather. It eases his mind whenever he covers himself in it, like the warm embrace of a loved one. It helps him concentrate on a level that he hasn't felt before.
'I guess there's a reason why it's covered by the mind attributes, because for someone to cast a spell that requires mana, absolute focus and clarity are needed. Casting also puts a strain and is pretty heavy on the mind.' He mused, while still hovering over his mana around him.
A few more hours later he was distracted by the feeling of something poking his consciousness. He opened his eyes and an update on his ability appeared on the screen.
[Mana Manipulation proficiency has been increased]
"Well, that was fast." He said the tone of his voice has an obvious surprise in it. He checked his status again, now mixed with familiarity.
[Mana Manipulation]
Type: Skill
Rank: Common
Proficiency: Intermediate
Effect: Let you manipulate mana to your will.
Mavis noticed the difference, not only in his status but also in the feeling of his mana becoming smoother. The capacity was only slightly increased, but his control has significantly improved.
"I could probably try and cast a fire bolt now, and maybe succeed." He said in excitement.
A moment later, he's standing again where he had first attempted his spell-casting, then focused his mind on the runes, floating freely in his head. He checked the amount of his mana, then nodded with satisfaction. He closed his eyes for a few seconds then took a deep breath that he immediately breathed out. He opened his eyes and then proceeded to cast.
This time, the synchronization of the mana with the shaping of the runes is a lot quicker. Even if he tried to slow down, the conversion from mana to rune has significantly increased. In his first attempt, it took him at least a minute to shape them, now though, it only took him half of that. After he had fully formed the runes, he proceeded to convert the runes into the proper fire bolt spell.
But at that moment, he felt a connection that he hadn't noticed from his first attempt -probably due to excitement. Then felt someone or something at the end of it, and the presence of that someone or something was a lot more suffocating than the first time he met Ego. It was only for a brief moment but the feeling had been imprinted on his mind, body, and soul. He immediately recovered and then continued his spell. He wouldn't miss and fail this attempt this time, even if some tried to distract him.
The fire was stably conjured, and then he felt his mana still sufficient to make the final hurdle. He aimed towards an empty part of the room then he finally expelled the spell. The fire bolt exploded with a satisfying sound. Mavis freezes for a second then a moment later he celebrates by clenching his fist. He was very ecstatic about his first achievement, even though it wasn't a properly recognized one by the system.
He examined his mind and it was still perfectly stable, despite being a little bit strained. He could finally see the light in the tunnel that he has been trekking so far.