After arriving at the mansion a month ago, my life became overwhelmingly busy. During the day, I train my body over its limits for the second transformation, and at night, I sneak into the library to gather knowledge about this world.
In a month, I devoured nearly about 1,500 books with the help of Aster's scanning skills. A month ago, if someone had told me that I could absorb this much knowledge in so little time, I would’ve laughed. But thanks to Aster's scanning skills, learning at a rapid speed becomes my second nature.
The more I learn, the more I realize just how vast and dangerous this world is. The planet, Vareen, is nearly twice the size of Earth. It is a realm divided into nine vast continents surrounded by seven endless oceans.
Humans are one of many intelligent races, alongside dwarves, elves, demons, fairies, and countless other beings, each with their own histories, cultures, and traditions. But it isn’t just the people who are fascinating.
There are plants that can walk, trees that hunt prey, and beasts capable of wielding innate magic thanks to the mana cores they are born with. And then there are the monstrous demonic beasts—creatures like goblins and trolls, with overwhelming strength and intelligence.
Vareen is breathtakingly beautiful but equally dangerous. Power is the only currency that matters here, and without it, you are as good as dead.
----------------------------------------
“Today’s the day!”
The thought shoots through me like a spark of electricity, sending waves of excitement rippling through my chest. Today isn’t just another day of training or late-night study. Today marks the beginning of my deep dive into the heart of this world: magic.
Aster and I have been waiting for this moment. We’ve spent the past month combing through books on history, politics, and geography, but this... is different. This is the core of everything—Vareen’s raw, untamed power.
Slipping through the balcony gate, I enter the grand library. I can feel Aster’s excitement like an overeager puppy waiting for its favorite treat.
“I can feel your excitement,” I tease Aster.
Oh, shut up. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this!
Aster replies with his excited voice. I can almost picture him wagging an imaginary tail, vibrating with energy. As I stroll toward the shelves, Aster buzzes impatiently in my mind.
Why are you walking like a snail? Are you savoring each step or just wasting time?
“Relax, we’re not in a race.”
Oh, but we are—a race against your eternal slowness. At this rate, I’ll grow cobwebs.
“You’re awfully dramatic for someone who doesn’t even have a physical form.”
Our banter has become routine by now. Yet, in some strange way, it has also become comforting.
At first, Aster didn’t care about my feelings or emotions. But recently, I noticed he was trying to understand them more. In a way, he is becoming more human. His sarcastic tone is still sharp, but now there is an underlying concern in his words—something that hadn’t been there before.
As I reflect on Aster’s change in behavior, my attention shifts to the magic section. I walk over and glance at the two hundred books lined up neatly on the shelves. The selection is overwhelming, but one book catches my eye immediately.
"The Essence of Magic."
The title alone tells me this is an introductory book, perfect for what I need. I pull it from the shelf and make my way to my usual spot: a quiet corner by the window.
As I open the book, I feel Aster’s presence buzzing, his thoughts clearly circling around the book in my hands, impatient yet intrigued.
“Finally! Let’s see what this world’s magic is really about.”
With Aster’s scanning skills, precious information starts flooding into my thoughts, and I feel the words materializing in the air around me. The pages describe mana as the lifeblood of magic, a natural energy flowing through everything in Vareen—the air, the earth, even water. Without mana, no spell or enchantment could exist.
I nod to myself, absorbing every word. This isn’t just some abstract concept—it is the very essence of survival here.
I turn the page, and the next wave of knowledge hits. The mana core is a mystical organ that forms when an individual awakens their magic. The core is created when a person absorbs enough mana from their surroundings and channels it into their heart, crystallizing it into a solid yet ethereal core. This core acts as a reservoir, a conduit for all of your magical abilities.
I let the words settle in. The mana core, I muse, is the source of all magic. Without it, there can be no spellcasting, no magic at all. It’s as if it’s the key to everything.
Once the mana core is formed, it allows the individual to tap into the energies of the world and manipulate them at will. But... not everyone is capable of forming a mana core. It requires a combination of talent, will, and unique potential. The stronger your affinity for mana, the easier the process, but even then, it’s not guaranteed. Some are simply... unable to form one.
I shiver slightly at the thought. The idea that I might not be able to form a mana core, that I might be powerless in this world, is a terrifying one. But I force myself to focus. There are more details I need.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
To form a mana core, one must absorb ambient mana from the world around you. The air, the earth, and even the water around you contain mana. With time and the right environment, you can begin to gather it. Once enough mana enters your body, it flows toward your heart. This is the first stage—the awakening of your potential.
I close my eyes, picturing it in my mind, thinking about the next data.
The mana begins to circulate through your body, flowing toward your heart. That’s when you’ll feel it—the pressure, the warmth. The mana condenses, gathering in your chest, until it forms a small, glowing nucleus. This is where the real work begins—when the mana starts to crystallize into a core. But you must control it. If you absorb too much without stabilizing it, the excess mana will cause damage. It can result in mana deviation, a dangerous condition that can destroy your body.
Eventually, as the mana solidifies and stabilizes, it becomes your mana core. This core becomes the center of your magical ability; it’s where your power is stored, refined, and drawn upon to perform spells. It’s a living organ that pulses in sync with your heartbeat. The stronger your core becomes, the more powerful your magic will be.
I sit there, digesting it all, thinking.
So, once I have a mana core, I can just... start casting magic?
Not really.
Aster replies, sounding more like a teacher than ever.
Once you form your mana core, you still need to learn how to manipulate it to control and direct the mana. But yes, your core will act as the foundation of your magical ability. The more you grow your core, the greater the power you’ll have at your disposal.
Trying to process Aster’s words, I flip to the next page only to find a chart about mana core stages.
Mage Ranks Based on Mana Core Stages
Mana Core Stage Rank Mana Capacity Mage Traits Dormant core 8 Minimal Novice, weak magic Spark core 7 Low Basic spells, weak control Flame core 6 Moderate Versatile spells, increased stamina Forge core 5 Stable Intermediate spells, good mana reserves Stream Core 4 High Advanced spells, great endurance Storm Core 3 Very high Destructive magic, intense focus Star Core 2 Vast Extraordinary power, reality manipulation Ethereal Core 1 Near limitless Mastery over magic, world-shaping abilities Void Core 0 Infinite Near-godlike abilities, reality-bending
I stared at the chart, tracing the stages with my eyes. The more I read, the more I understood. The Dormant Core is where it all began. The first spark of magic. It is the beginner stage, barely anything—just a flicker of potential. Then, you worked your way through each stage, refining and strengthening your core until you reached the pinnacle.
The Void Core... It is a dream, an impossible level of power. It isn’t just more mana; it is infinite mana. A power so immense, it can bend the very fabric of reality. I can hardly comprehend it. Only ancient beings, like elder dragons who had lived for thousands of years, could even dream of achieving such a rank.
My breath hitched. To reach the Void Core meant an unthinkable power. I could barely grasp it. But the Void Core isn’t just some theoretical thing. It is the ultimate goal of every mage—though getting there would require passing through every stage before it, building power step by step.
As I lingered on the words "Void Core," another set of thoughts crept into my mind, expanding my understanding. Magic wasn’t just about raw power. It was also about the way you wielded it. The types of magic you could learn were just as varied as the mana cores themselves.
I blink as the next piece of information floated through my mind, details forming one by one. There were different types of magic, each with its own unique way of using mana.
~Elemental Magic: Drawing on the fundamental elements—fire, water, earth, air. It was the stuff of legends—casting fireballs, summoning lightning, creating walls of water.
~Healing Magic: Restoring health, mending injuries, curing poison. It was the power to save lives.
~Illusion Magic: Creating false perceptions, deceiving the senses. Disappearing in plain sight, confusing enemies, creating distractions.
~Necromancy: A dark path, dealing with the spirits and the dead. Raising the deceased, communicating with spirits, even controlling the undead.
~Spatial Magic: manipulating space itself. Teleporting, creating barriers, bending dimensions to your will.
~Time magic: It is a dangerous art, requiring immense control. Slowing time, speeding it up, altering your perception of time itself.
~Runic Magic: Using ancient symbols to carve out magic. Protective wards, enhancing weapons, creating powerful traps.
~Enchanting Magic: Imbuing objects with magical properties. A sword that could never break, a cloak that granted invisibility.
~Alchemy-Based Magic: Combining magic with scientific methods. Transmuting materials, creating potions, and even turning lead into gold.
~Summoning Magic: Calling forth spirits, creatures, and mystical beings from other realms.
~Beast Taming: The ability to tame wild beasts, to control them, and turn them into loyal allies.
A world full of magic, each type has its own potential. My mind reels under the weight of it all. And to think—this is only the beginning of discovering magic.