Continuing my quest for answers, my journey unfolded with the discovery of two more planets barren of mana and devoid of the presence of Shades. My curiosity deepened, pondering the origin of elemental mana that seemed conspicuously absent in these distant realms. I mused over the notion that mana was intertwined with the very pillars of existence, which were omnipresent even in the cosmic vastness of space.

The absence of elemental mana led me to contemplate its source. Where did it originate, and was there something overlooked in my observations? The prospect of uncovering hidden truths fueled my eagerness as I pressed forward, determined to leave the Shades' territory behind and unravel the questions I had at hand.

Since Elemental mana, wasn't present everywhere and it wasn't present in space. Then that must mean it comes from a certain source. Now the question was, where exactly? Somewhere I didn't see before?

Thinking about all of that made me look forward to coming across a world with mana. Swiftly navigating through space, I carefully avoided worlds tainted by the Shades, opting instead for unexplored territories. Surprisingly, my voyage remained relatively smooth, a testament to my strategic choices amid the ongoing war and ever-shifting borders.

In turn, It didn't take me long before I found myself back to what I assumed was Dragon territory.

The landscape was marred by battles and conflict. While I refrained from interference in seemingly controlled skirmishes, my thoughts fixated on a singular question: the origin of elemental mana.

Initially, I assumed that specific elements gave rise to corresponding mana – fire begetting fire mana, and water yielding water mana. Yet, the mana-less worlds shattered this simplistic belief. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, I set out to find the source.

I didn't know why, but my curiosity had gotten the best of me, and since I was on my way back home anyway, then it shouldn't matter much.

Finding a world with mana in our territory was surprisingly easy. It only took a few dozen teleportations before I found myself floating in front of a medium-sized planet.

Teleporting directly into this realm, I was greeted by the sight of an expansive mountain range and a vast valley. I scanned the surroundings, my senses attuned to the elements. Earth mana permeated the environment, yet, to my dismay, I realized I no longer held the ability to command it.

Closing my eyes, a wistful smile played upon my lips as I shook my head in acknowledgment. Though I could perceive and interact with the elements, the mastery I once possessed had dissipated. The journey, now intertwined with nostalgia and the pursuit of understanding, continued with a newfound purpose.

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"That's a strange feeling," I sighed.

Sensing the elements around me acknowledging my presence, a bittersweet realization washed over me—I could feel their essence but lacked the ability to shape even the simplest earth spike. "I guess you never appreciate what you have until you lose it," I sighed, the weight of my newfound limitation settling in as I began to stroll around the peak of the mountain.

Initially, my observations focused on the ebb and flow of mana in this peculiar world. Unlike the mana-less realms, there was no distinct mana stream here, yet mana permeated the environment. Curiosity sparked within me—what set this world apart from those devoid of mana?

In a whimsical attempt to glean insights, I engaged in a one-sided conversation with an earth element floating near my claw, a hopeful smile on my face. "Any chance you would tell me where you came from?" Unsurprisingly, silence met my inquiry. Undeterred, I continued to observe the small, seemingly adorable elemental being when something unexpected suddenly happened, it vanished from my sight.

Perplexed, I scanned the surroundings. The earth element I had been watching had disappeared, leaving behind only its counterparts. "Wait, what?" I muttered, puzzled by the sudden disappearance. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed a faint strand of cosmic mana materializing in the space the element once occupied.

"No, It didn't disappear."

Examining my open claw, I marveled as another almost imperceptible strand of cosmic mana appeared. "What is cosmic mana doing here?" I questioned the cosmic forces that seemed to be interwoven with the more familiar elemental energies.

Refocusing my attention on the remaining earth elements, I randomly selected another to observe. True to the pattern, after a few minutes, it too vanished, accompanied by the subtle trace of cosmic mana. The phenomenon was nuanced, almost escaping notice, had I not been paying attention, I would have most certainly missed it.

Just to be sure, I continued my observation for a few more minutes, before I finally came to the conclusion. The elements were being teleported somewhere. Not only that, they were also being teleported here from somewhere.

With that out of the way, it was only a matter of finding out where. So, I picked an unsuspecting Earth element and used my connection to the cosmic mana to cast a faint link to it. It wasn't much, but it should be enough to allow me to track the element, after that, it was only a matter of waiting.

Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for long as the element disappeared right before me. I kept tabs on it using the link of cosmic mana before a frown made its way across my face.

"Astral plane?" The link that connected me to the element shattered shortly afterward but It didn't matter since I already found what I was looking for.

"The elements come from the Astral plane?" I scratched my head in confusion. "Do they?"

My memories of the Astral plane were not the best. My first time 'accidentally' visiting the place was far from ideal after all, but now things were different. I was different.

"Still, maybe I should wait until I have more information," I spoke to myself.

There was still that prickly feeling that made my scales stand on edge every time I stepped onto the Astral plane. Not to mention, I don't really understand what kind of place it is, exactly.

"I need to ask Grandma," shaking my head, I shot off the mountain peak and into the sky, teleporting outside of the planet and into the comfortable embrace of space.

'Well, at least I figured out where elemental mana is coming from… I think. Now it's just a matter of finding out what exactly is the Astral plane.'