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Path of Mana
Chapter 3: Run and Realizations

Chapter 3: Run and Realizations

The shimmering golfball that was Lumis bobbed gracefully around a casual swipe Adam tried. As with each time Adam reached out, Lumis slid away, as if they existed just a breath apart. In the beginning it was genuine curiosity. Was Lumis solid, cold, hot? He still didn’t know. The edges of Adam's lips twitched upward; it was, he realized, a game to them both.

"You're really good at this dodge thing, you know," Adam commented, feigning annoyance but failing to suppress a chuckle.

Lumis's form brightened, casting a soft glow on the path. "Well, I've had a whole day's practice. Give or take."

Adam raised an eyebrow, his intrigue piqued. "Do you possess innate knowledge about Mana, being what you are?” he inquired, genuinely curious. While Lumis was a product of this new substance, Adam wondered if his companion had spent the day gaining a deeper understanding of its nuances. With his own body now intertwined with this enigmatic force, Adam naturally felt a powerful urge to grasp its intricacies.

Lumis seemed to consider the question for a moment, the light of his form fluctuating. "Ah, Mana," he said with an amused tone. "I was, in a manner of speaking, born just yesterday. But I was indeed born from Mana. So I can assume a bit. But, I am like you—a lot—made of mostly your thoughts, emotions, a smidge of your attitude—oh, and the knowledge of humanity up to about 60 years ago."

The curious twist in Adam's mouth deepened. "Why only up to 60 years ago?" he pressed.

Lumis emitted a soft sigh, the light around him dimming momentarily. "Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe that's all the data ManaTech could acquire?"

Adam pondered this, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But you can help me understand it better?"

Shifting in his ever-fluctuating form, Lumis gave off a vibe of excitement. "Definitely. I might have protocols to help you navigate the system. Plus, asking questions, making you think, helping you learn."

"So, Mana…" Adam pressed on, "it's everywhere already? But restricted?"

Lumis paused, the glow around him softening to a gentle hue. "No, not really. Someday, I’m sure. That’s the goal. Right now, I think it’s you, that tree we just came from, and James, of course. Maybe some other ManaTech earlier testers. But knowledge about Mana is both present, because I am it, and limited, because they’re messing with both of our potential. You understand why. It was all in that agreement. The potential power."

The city was alive with sound as they moved through it. Advanced propulsion vehicles gave off a gentle whirr, overhead drones hummed rhythmically, and snippets of conversation hinted at a world constantly in motion. Every corner was bathed in the glow of holographic advertisements, each skyscraper reaching for the heavens seemed to be alive with augmented realities—reserved for those with the right gear to perceive them.

But as they ventured further, the bright glow of the city's heart began to dim. The towering, luminescent giants gave way to shadows of the past: weathered buildings that had seen better days, streets that no longer gleamed but were instead coated in the patina of neglect.

In the distance, the ever-growing tree stood as both a marvel and a warning. It wasn't just a testament to Mana’s evolution, but a gauge of the city's transformation. Each new branch, each added height, marked ManaTech’s ever-growing footprint, a stark reminder of the relentless march of the future into the now.

Amidst the progression of the city's character, Lumis floated beside Adam, his radiant form undulating gently. Adam's fingers twitched again, a persistent urge to touch the glowing figure.

"So just tell me. If I took you by surprise, what would I actually feel if I touched you?" Adam pondered aloud, casting a sidelong glance at Lumis.

Lumis brightened a shade. "Premise incorrect. You could never take me by surprise. But, while I can manipulate Mana to become tangible objects, smart matter, or even enhance your physical attributes, right now, I'm just directing subtle beams of light only at your retinas. That's why others don't notice me and why I seem to move at the speed of light—because I am!"

Adam absorbed this, his instincts already on high alert, eyes darting around to see if anybody was indeed watching them—or if they were pointing and laughing and the guy appearing to talk to himself. Yet, the city's inhabitants were engrossed in their own worlds, none paying heed to the man conversing with himself. It was all too common in this age, with AI companions and devices pinned to shirts or built into all sorts of interfaces. "So, could you fuse into my legs and make me faster!?" Adam queried, intrigued by the realm of possibilities.

A soft luminescence pulsed from Lumis. "I am already in your legs. Well, I could be, but right now I’m spending most of our energy on being a thinking and talking light in your eyes. But harnessing Mana in this manner, by yourself, requires understanding and practice. Mana is throughout your body now, in every cell, every atom. Its potential is vast, and until you can instinctively harness it on your own, which will be a major evolution in your…evolution, I can and will help. Your brain and nervous system is not yet equipt to entirely handle it, I can help guide and optimize its usage, as you want to try new things. I can help come up with some ideas too. Mana is and I am simply part of you now. I do like experiments, though, and enhancing your physical capabilities is one of the simpler applications we can explore together."

Their journey took deeper into the urban maze, further into the bowels of the city, where clean facades gave way to graffiti-streaked walls, signaling their descent into the city’s underbelly. As they walked, Lumis guided Adam in understanding the nuances of Mana. "When you see system text," Lumis explained, "it's simply my way of interpreting the data and presenting it directly to your vision. I’m surprised you haven’t asked yet, but check this out…"

Before Adam could respond, Lumis concentrated his form, manifesting letters and symbols in front of Adam. It formed not only text, but a stylized sculpture of his own body.

Character Sheet Human, Mortal, Level 1. Attributes ------------ Constitution 9 Perception 11 Agility 11 Strength 11 Wisdom 9 Intelligence 9 Willpower 12 Karma ------ Neutral Skills ------ Identify, Level 1 Summon AI, Level 1

Studying the presented numbers, Adam's eyebrows knit together. "These numbers," he ventured cautiously, "are they... good?"

Lumis's radiance softened. "In the realm of Mana, even the slightest edge over others can signify a world of difference. These stats are a testament to your life choices thus far—your body before it was even touched by Mana. They're your foundation—a platform that Mana can help enhance and build upon." He paused, pulsating gently as he scanned the city inhabitants nearby. "Today's average human relies on technological crutches—interfaces, cybernetics, aids that, theoretically, we could easily disrupt, but might take some of them above 15 in some areas. The ideal non-aided human, untouched by Mana or technology, could achieve a score of 10 across all skills. Most of these around us? Likely a mere 7 in each category."

Lumis focused on Adam once again. "Your numbers, especially being above 10 in some crucial attributes, highlight the strength of your character. And your willpower, being a significant 20% higher than a peak non-Mana-infused human, is the very reason I probably can exist in this form already. It's a testament to your potential, amplified perhaps by your status as a beta user. But that, I can't say for certain."

Adam's eyes lingered on the word "Karma," a term vaguely familiar yet mysterious in this context. Noticing his intrigue, Lumis swiftly crafted intricate patterns in the air, each design representing a facet of Karma's significance.

"Throughout human history," Lumis began, "Karma has always signified the results of one's actions, a cosmic cause-and-effect. In our world of Mana, it will likely serve as an indicator of the harmony between your intentions and the desires of Mana—well, ManaTech—well, James himself. As for James," Lumis paused, recalling their recent interaction with James' AI, Atlas, "my hypothesis is that you'd garner more Mana or gain heightened control if your Karma aligns with James' vision for humanity."

Adam absorbed this, pausing at a graffiti-covered wall to reflect. "So, by understanding and aligning with what some old man wants, I can influence this Karma and, in turn, shape my destiny?"

Lumis literally beamed. "Likely. Again, most of my hypotheses are based on our shared experiences, particularly what we discerned at the signing. Every intention, every action, casts its ripple in the vast ocean of Mana. Think of it like James and his AI directing a vast network through decentralized control over the countless nanobots that constitute Mana. The true challenge for them lies in maintaining this equilibrium, especially while the technology is still in the beta phase. Their success, while likely, isn’t set in stone. After all, I am granted significant autonomy, as are you–if you think about it, you are now essentially made of Mana as well. Although your very being is now intertwined with Mana, your essence and your thought patterns remain untouched. Still, our manipulation and application of Mana are governed by The System’s rules, much like Earth’s orbit around the Sun adheres to the laws of gravity."

Adam started a light jog. Lumis seamlessly vanished from sight, as his—Mana’s—influence became palpable. Melding with Adam's legs, Lumis didn't necessarily increase his speed, but every stride felt more effortless, each step imbued with a newfound grace.

The deeper they ventured into the city’s unloved sectors, the more the environment seemed to shift around them. Streets once wide and bustling, narrowed into claustrophobic corridors where fractured remains of city lighting beacons provided dim, unreliable light. Ancient storm drains dripped, creating echoes, and forgotten fire escapes loomed overhead, like rustling skeletons clinging desperately to the sides of buildings.

Every so often, a metallic clang from some heavy machinery in the distance or a hushed whisper from a shadowy doorway punctuated his hearing, hinting at clandestine transactions and unseen watchers. A palpable tension was always in this part of the city, the sense of being on the fringes of order, in a realm where conventional rules had faded like old memories. Some storefronts, with fogged up windows, hinted at their previous lives: a faded sign for a pawn shop, a long-closed diner with chains stacked and left to gather dust.

With every step deeper into this area, Adam felt the rising unease of being closer to home. Here, the past seemed to lurk around every corner, a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities he once faced and the shadows he now sought to confront. With Mana. With Lumis by his side, the world felt both tangible and ethereal—a blend of past, present, and future possibilities.

Adam noticed he had gotten faster as he jogged, easily sprinting at the effort of what used to be a brisk walk. With excitement, Adam asked, "So, what else can I do?", his breath steady after his effortless sprint.

Lumis reappeared in wisp form. "So far, your best superpower is that you can rest really, really well and recover efficiently. Mana's constantly working to restore your body with endless energy."

"Like instant healing?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lumis bobbed thoughtfully. "I don’t know, I doubt it. Want to test?"

Without waiting for an answer, the two sparred. Adam lunged, ducked, and weaved, but Lumis evaded him with surreal ease. Suddenly, Lumis's form solidified and tapped Adam. A light slap. It stung for a split second before fading.

Adam touched the spot, “That didn’t really prove anything. It was just a light tap.”

Lumis replied, “True. I can’t seem to really inflict any serious harm, especially not to you. We’ll need to find another way to test the limits of your healing.”

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Adam blinked, "Wait, you were solid that whole time? I just assumed it was the whole light show thing…”

Lumis chuckled, “Yeah, I’m matter right now. I matter right now. What’s the matter? Smart matter."

Adam found himself questioning AI humor, AI sanity? He went in for another strike, missing by a hair. "How do you dodge every move I make so effortlessly? I’m not that slow, am I?”

“Oh, because I’m in your head, remember? I’m cheating. You're a thief and I’m a cheat," Lumis teased. "I told you I’m like you but a better version of you, made from your thoughts but with the computational speed and power of enormous quantities of nanobots. Right now, we’re all pilfering your thoughts.”

"You—" Adam began.

In a synchronous blend of voices, eerily harmonizing yet distinct, they said together, "know what I'm about to do before I do."

Lumis glowed brighter, delight evident. “Neat, huh?”

Adam mulled it over briefly. "Why am I not creeped out by this?"

Lumis responded with a playful tone, "Because you realize you have an upgraded version of your own mind as your ally and best friend, helping in ways you've never imagined possible. That's me by the way! And you are loving it."

Adam nodded slowly, "True." Adam started to fear that maybe it wasn’t AI humor earlier–it was–his terrible humor, echoed and multiplied by billions of computations or something.

There was a momentary silence before Adam's next concern bubbled up. "Are you transmitting all my thoughts to ManaTech?"

Lumis's glow took on a subtle shade. "No."

Adam let out a relieved breath. "Oh, good."

"Only your every action," Lumis clarified, almost apologetically. "But you knew that, right? You remember that contract?”

Adam's eyes lit up in realization, a feeling of rightness that he experienced the contract but fuzziness on all the details. "Right, that's how I level up… actions. Achievements."

Adam started to jog again. Lumis's voice resonated in his right ear at first, and then in stereo, projecting only sound waves while he focused energy to his cardiovascular system and legs. "Regarding your abilities," Lumis began, his tone informative and oddly more professional again, "you've mostly rested since your introduction to Mana. Thus, you've started to hone your efficiency in sleep and rejuvenation—and don’t underestimate that. It is a very important physiological process. I would not actually be surprised if The System acknowledges your incredible ability to sleep deeply with some sort of skill some day. But keep it up, and even meditation, and this running, of course, and The System likely will."

Adam blinked, processing the information. "It felt like just one night. All consumed by the dreamscape Atlas made. How long was I out?"

Lumis paused, weighing his words. "Almost a week in that tree."

"A week?!" The shock propelled Adam forward harder, his legs finding a rhythm he hadn't felt before. The ground seemed to fly beneath him, each stride stronger and yet more effortless than the last. There was no labored breathing, no burning in his muscles. Instead, an invigorating energy pulsed within him, harmonizing with his heartbeat.

The realization was like a gut punch, and his internal compass immediately oriented itself towards a familiar destination—home. Not a haven of warmth and comfort, but a den of deceit and manipulation, where his step-father waited, ever eager to claim the fruits of Adam’s illicit endeavors. The place where Adam had always brought his stolen goods.

As Adam's memories flickered, a series of images crossed his mind: cold, harsh eyes; a voice dripping with sarcasm and greed; a constant underlying threat that kept him compliant. That was "home" to him—a sanctuary turned prison, governed by a step-father more crime boss than parent, running a game of coercion and control, forcing Adam into a life of unwilling servitude and treacherous tasks.

"You're heading to him, aren't you?" Lumis's voice sounded in his head, neither accusing nor sympathetic, just a statement of fact. It was as if Lumis could glimpse the shadows that lurked in Adam's past, yet chose not to cast any judgment.

Adam exhaled, acknowledging the truth in Lumis's words. "Yeah, it's complicated."

Lumis continued, voice even, "Just remember, you're not the same person you were a week ago. Or even a day ago."

Adam pondered that, allowing the reality to settle within him as he raced forward. The looming confrontation with his step-father felt both inevitable and frightening. But with Lumis by his side, he felt an inkling of newfound strength. The game, it seemed, had changed.

As Adam ran, Lumis spoke up, distracting him from his thoughts and explaining the sensations he was feeling. "I am integrating with your bloodstream, enhancing your muscles' aerobic capacity. It minimizes the shift to anaerobic activity, even as you accelerate."

With each stride, Adam delved deeper into Lumis's words, sensing their veracity. The more he ran, the sharper his mind became too, the world transforming into a vast landscape of learning with every step, as Lumis continued his lecture series. Traditional education had eluded Adam, he had never spent more than a week in school. Now, Lumis was his gateway to knowledge. The unfamiliar terms "aerobic" and "anaerobic" cascaded through his mind, their meanings unraveling seamlessly as Lumis spoke, imparting a spontaneous biology lesson as they moved. He envisioned the wealth of stories and literature from the world's golden era—the early 21st century—now accessible to him. It was a feeling of being dwarfed by history yet empowered by potential.

Engrossed in this newfound understanding, the rhythmic beat of his footfalls became a distant lullaby. It was only when he was nearly abreast of a tense situation that his attention snapped back to the present. An elderly woman, her face shadowed with dread, was being threatened by a wiry man with unkempt hair, a jagged scar across his cheek, brandishing a knife menacingly. Its shimmering edge gleamed menacingly under the streetlights. But it wasn't just any knife—it bore the unmistakable design of a NanoBlade, the pioneering marvel from ManaTech.

For a split second, echoes of the old Adam reverberated within him. Just a week prior, his first instincts would have been to gauge the worth of the knife and the purse, measuring for any potential profit gained against any risk, deciding whether to ignore, or perhaps even capitalize on the situation. Yet now, with Lumis's influence, recent awakenings, and the subtle nudge of Karma, a different impulse took shape. He could step in—not solely for personal gain, but also driven by a budding sense of morality. Lumis’s earlier assessment of his attributes bolstered his confidence against this would-be assailant.

Adam's decision was swift. He approached the scene, his intent clear, ready to utilize his newfound abilities and knowledge. The man with the knife was about to face an opponent unlike any he had ever encountered before.

The aggressor, sizing up the new variable in his equation, shifted his attention from the old woman to Adam, a sneer forming on his lips. But before he could react, Adam lunged. He aimed a precise fist strike at the man's arm. But the thug was quicker than he appeared, slashing the knife across Adam’s shoulder. The sting was sharp, a warm rush of blood following, but Adam didn’t falter.

Adam darted left, then right, evading the thug's strikes with a nimbleness born from the Mana, amplifying Adam’s will to move with Lumis’s guidance of energies. The man's frustration grew with every missed attack, making his actions increasingly wild and erratic. In a desperate swing, he Managed to land a punch square on Adam's jaw, the force of which would have floored any ordinary man. Adam staggered but remained on his feet, Mana anchoring him.

Seeing his moment, Adam closed in, wrapping his hand around the wrist holding the knife and, with a twist and a sharp pull, disarmed the assailant. The NanoBlade, ManaTech's once-pioneering product, was now in his possession.

The tables turned, the thug's arrogance evaporated, replaced with apprehension. Before he could gather himself for another attack, a voice bellowed from a distance, “Hey! What's going on there?” The thug, realizing the odds were no longer in his favor, turned on his heel and disappeared into the maze of alleyways.

Catching his breath, Adam glanced around, searching for the old woman. To his surprise, she was nowhere to be seen. "Figures," he muttered with a wry smile, "Not even a 'thank you'". Still, holding the NanoBlade and feeling the twinge from his wounds, Adam couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. With Lumis by his side, he was only beginning to discover the potential within himself.

Adam didn't hesitate, perceiving the attention that was surrounding him. He darted around the nearest corner. Just ahead, the skeletal framework of a dilapidated building under renovation loomed. The glint of metal scaffolding caught his eye, and he sprinted towards it, ascending with an ease that surprised even him.

Once he reached a stable platform, Adam settled down, trying to steady his racing heart, the height providing a temporary sanctuary. He took a deep breath, allowing the crisp air to cool the sweat on his brow.

As the remnants of the encounter echoed in his mind, a profound digital inscription materialized before him:

Karma earned. Good deeds are rewarded.

The words didn't merely present themselves; they seemed to weave into the very fabric of his being. Almost instantly, from the direction he had been running from all day, a surge of foreign Mana raced towards him, merging seamlessly with his core until he could no longer distinguish it from his own essence.

Nestled within the shadows of the scaffolding, Adam closed his eyes, taking a moment to inspect his fading injuries. With each passing second, the pain diminished, the raw sensation of torn flesh and bruised muscle giving way to a soothing calm. It felt alien, and yet, at the same time, it was as if his very body was rapidly adapting and evolving to this new order of things.

"So that's what Karma does," Lumis declared, his voice infused with newfound authority and understanding. "It brings you more Mana. Even more transactional than I’d assumed. Quite fast too, I wonder how far it traveled since Mana has not permeated the whole city yet."

Adam's fingers wrapped around the blade he'd acquired—a tangible testament to his latest endeavor. It was, undoubtedly, a stunning piece. "It's one of those new-age knives, isn't it? The ones that made ManaTech famous? They made it for kitchens and factories and it ended up in hands like mine."

Lumis chimed in, enthusiasm evident in his ethereal voice. "Exactly. Embedded with early nanotechnology, it remains perpetually sharp. The nano-infused structure ensures its surface is harder than a diamond and honed to a fine edge capable of cutting one…I have an idea, an experiment…"

Lumis gestured toward the blade, urging Adam to focus on it deeply. "Let your consciousness envelop the knife. Breathe. Feel its essence."

Adam did as instructed, feeling a strange communion with the weapon, as if its molecular structure unveiled itself to him. Lumis seemed to absorb the essence of the knife, then said, "Blueprint copied. Lend me some more of your Mana."

Adam was momentarily taken aback. "I can do that? Wait, I thought you were my Mana? I’m still confused."

"Yes, just will it. You possess the necessary willpower, I need your…authorization to try something," Lumis reassured.

Adam concentrated, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact moment he transferred the energy, or to what from where. Before his eyes, a conjured exact replica of the knife materialized out of thin air, and Adam instinctively reached out, clutching it with his other hand. The sensation of holding two identical blades was exhilarating. "Whoa," he whispered in awe. "Could you keep replicating these? We could sell them and—"

Lumis interrupted gently, "Certainly. But at a cost. Should you wish to continually create these, it'll drain your Mana substantially. To you, creating one might feel inconsequential, and you’ll regenerate the cost of one over time. But a hundred? It might incapacitate you, or worse, and you couldn’t afford even the upkeep cost. I'd advise against tempting fate in that regard."

Adam smirked, eyebrows raised in playful challenge. "So, what about organic things? Could we make... I don't know, cake?"

Lumis replied, an undertone of amusement coloring his digital voice, "Well, in theory, we might be able to duplicate a cake, with practice. Challenging. With enough practice… But if it's forged from your own Mana, it'd likely taste right but lack any substantial nutrition or caloric benefit, exceeding the cost to create it."

Laughing, Adam quipped, "Who eats cake for its nutritional value? And caloric benefit? There’s no benefit to cake but the taste!"

Lumis, as if not hearing, lost in intense computations at having a cake and eating it too, continued. "Interesting though. First, I'd need to conduct a thorough scan, especially since it's organic matter and underwent changes during cooking. The intricacies of its composition might take a bit longer to capture than simpler inanimate objects."

He continued, his tone thoughtful, "Energy conservation is indeed the prime factor. Mana, in essence, is your personalized matter. If you were to consume something crafted from your own Mana, the caloric sustenance you might expect to derive from it could be nullified, simply because you're essentially consuming your own energy."

Lumis' voice then took on a speculative tone, "However, if someone else ate the replicated cake, it might be a different story. They wouldn't be consuming their own energy. Or perhaps, if you allowed your Mana to replenish and re-replicate fully before consuming the cake, the effects could differ. But again, this is all theoretical. I'd be quite interested in experimenting, should you feel inclined."

Feeling rejuvenated, Adam shrugged as he pushed off from the scaffolding. It occurred to him that it had been a week, but he wasn’t really hungry or thirsty. The thought of cake did sound good though.

His healed shoulder moved effortlessly, and with a knife in each hand, he exuded newfound confidence. The recent skirmish had been a mere prelude. Now, he braced for the climax he'd been building toward for years. The jagged outlines of the city skyline drew his eyes to an old, battered apartment complex. It stood as a monument to his stifled youth, a grim reminder of his confined past.

As he gravitated closer, each step resonated with memories from the recesses of his mind. Lumis's voice cut through his thoughts, probing and reflective. "Adam, what pulls you to that place? Is it personal healing you're after or a reckoning with the man inside?"

Adam's grip on his knives tightened, his resolve steely. "I've got scores to settle there," he whispered.

Lumis continued, gently yet persistently. "Facing your past head-on, is that the only way you see to find peace? A week has passed. To him, you might be gone or even dead. Does his opinion still hold sway over you?"

Frustration clouded Adam's voice, each word dripping with the weight of suppressed pain and anger. "It's always been about survival, Lumis. For years, he's kept me under his thumb, using manipulation laced with bursts of violence. My own fears, my perceived weaknesses, prevented me from standing up to him sooner. But things are different now. I'm not the same person. I no longer need him. He no longer gets to use me."

Pausing, Lumis posed a question, his tone filled with caution, "If you're the one to make the first move, Adam, how would you justify it? And how do you think Karma would judge it?"

Adam halted, conflicting emotions swirling within him. Haunting memories of oppression and manipulation surged forth, but the promise of a fresh start also beckoned. Torn between retribution and redemption, he mused aloud, "What if Karma doesn't work in my favor?"

Lumis's silence was palpable, allowing Adam's ponderings to echo in the stillness. The questions weren't merely academic; they challenged Adam's very moral core.

As the apartment, a mute witness to years of torment, awaited his approach, Adam grappled with his choices: Confront his past or carve a new path forward? Or just turn back to the city and find some cake?

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