The day began like most others at the Academy, with the crisp chime of the morning bell pulling me from restless dreams. I found myself unusually eager to reach Mr. Guseman’s lecture hall. His previous discussions about the Nexus and the interconnectedness of Minor Eden had lit a fire in me, one that Hexa’s incessant analysis only fueled.
Today’s lecture promised to be particularly interesting: the properties of mana and its role in shaping the civilizations of the Nexus.
----------------------------------------
Mr. Guseman wasted no time diving into the lesson, his commanding voice filling the hall as he gestured to the glowing map hovering behind him.
“Mana,” he began, “is the essence of life within the Nexus. It is the source of our magic, our technology, and, ultimately, our survival.”
He tapped the map, and the image shifted to display a series of concentric circles. At the center was a gleaming orb labeled Terra Primus.
“Mana density,” he explained, “is not uniform. Worlds closer to the Nexus’s center, like Terra Primus, are saturated with mana, allowing their inhabitants to develop technologies and magics far beyond what we in the outer reaches can achieve.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. “Many of these advancements were pioneered by non-human civilizations, such as the dwarves and elves. Their mastery of mana manipulation predates human settlement within the Nexus by thousands of years.”
I leaned forward, absorbing every word. The idea that other races had shaped the very fabric of life in the Nexus was both humbling and frustrating.
----------------------------------------
Mr. Guseman continued, his tone reverent as he described the elves of Terra Primus and their unparalleled control over nature.
“The elves,” he said, “are renowned for their ability to weave mana into the very essence of their environments. Their cities are not built but grown, their structures alive with the pulse of magic.”
He then shifted to the dwarves, his voice tinged with admiration.
“The dwarves, on the other hand, have mastered the art of mana-based engineering. Their forges produce weapons and tools of unimaginable power, many of which were instrumental in constructing the Nexus’s webways.”
Hexa chimed in, her voice analytical. “The technological disparity is staggering. If the dwarves and elves have been advancing for millennia, their capabilities likely far exceed anything you’ve seen so far.”
----------------------------------------
The lesson took a darker turn as Mr. Guseman introduced the concept of living mana.
“Living mana,” he explained, “is a rare and volatile resource found only within the webways themselves. It is a byproduct of the Nexus’s unique energy flow and is considered one of the most valuable substances in existence.”
The map shifted again, this time highlighting the glowing threads that represented the Nexus’s webways.
“Harvesting living mana is both dangerous and controversial,” he said. “The webways are not inert—they are alive, in a sense. Mining living mana risks awakening the sprites that guard the Nexus, entities of pure energy that do not tolerate interference.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. The idea of a living, sentient defense system woven into the fabric of the Nexus was as terrifying as it was fascinating.
“Living mana,” Hexa said, “is likely a keystone resource. Its properties could revolutionize magic and technology, but its scarcity ensures that only the wealthiest and most powerful civilizations have access to it.”
----------------------------------------
Mr. Guseman’s voice softened as he addressed the darker implications of living mana.
“It is said that those who consume living mana can achieve unparalleled growth, both physically and magically. But such power comes at a cost—both to the individual and to the Nexus itself. Entire worlds have fallen into chaos over access to this resource.”
I couldn’t help but think of the pay-to-win mechanics in MMOs from my previous life. The idea that wealth could dictate access to power was depressingly familiar.
----------------------------------------
The discussion shifted to mana density, a concept I’d already begun to notice during my time at the Academy.
“Mana density,” Mr. Guseman explained, “dictates the potential of a region, a city, or even an individual. Areas with high mana density allow for more advanced technologies, stronger magics, and greater prosperity. Conversely, regions with low mana density are often underdeveloped and vulnerable.”
He gestured toward the map, highlighting the Ash Kingdom and its surrounding territories.
“Minor Eden, as a peripheral world, suffers from relatively low mana density compared to worlds like Terra Primus or Major Eden. However, even within Minor Eden, disparities exist. The capital of Ash, for instance, enjoys significantly higher mana density than outlying regions like villages.”
I thought back to the gradual increase in my stats during the journey to the capital. The difference was undeniable, but it also felt inherently unfair.
----------------------------------------
Hexa broke into my thoughts. “Mana density functions as a natural gatekeeper. It dictates not only technological and magical advancement but also access to education, resources, and opportunities.”
Her tone grew contemplative. “This raises an important question: is the Nexus’s structure naturally occurring, or is it an artificial construct designed to enforce these disparities?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The idea of the Nexus being an intentional design made my stomach churn.
----------------------------------------
As Mr. Guseman moved on to another topic, Hexa continued her analysis in the background.
“There is evidence to suggest that the Nexus operates on a network-like system,” she said. “The interconnectedness of the webways and the role of mana flow hint at a potential for instantaneous communication across worlds.”
I frowned. “You’re saying there could be a mana-based internet?”
“Precisely,” Hexa replied. “Such a system would require advanced mana manipulation and infrastructure, likely beyond the capabilities of Minor Eden but potentially accessible to central worlds like Terra Primus.”
The thought of a magical internet was both thrilling and infuriating. If such a system existed, it meant that knowledge—true, unfiltered knowledge—was being hoarded by the elite.
----------------------------------------
By the end of the lecture, my mind was buzzing with questions and frustrations. The Nexus was a marvel of interconnected civilizations, but it was also a system that thrived on inequality.
“Hexa,” I thought, “how do people here not see how unfair this is?”
“They likely do,” she replied. “But for most, survival takes precedence over idealism. The structure of the Nexus is self-perpetuating; those at the center have little incentive to change it, and those on the fringes lack the power to do so.”
Her words stung because they were true.
----------------------------------------
As I left the lecture hall, I couldn’t shake the sense of injustice that had taken root in my mind. The more I learned about the Nexus, the more it felt like a gilded cage—a system designed to reward the few at the expense of the many.
But if I was going to survive here, I needed to understand that system, to navigate its intricacies and find a way to carve out my own place.
Time passed as days and weeks at the academy blurred into each other and before long the class found itself reconvened in the letucure hall The classroom hummed with quiet anticipation as Mr. Guseman stepped to the front of the room, his ever-present map already shimmering into life behind him. Today, the map displayed a kaleidoscope of colors, each marking territories and regions across the Nexus.
“Today,” he began, his voice firm and steady, “we turn our focus to the Nexus’s most important resource: its people. The races of the Nexus are as diverse as the planets they inhabit, each contributing uniquely to the fabric of our interconnected worlds.”
I straightened in my seat, curious to hear more. While I’d encountered beastfolk and goblins in the raids back in Valda-Ashdock, my understanding of the Nexus’s inhabitants was limited at best.
----------------------------------------
Mr. Guseman began with the elves of Terra Primus, their central role in the Nexus evident from the reverence in his tone.
“The elves,” he said, gesturing to the glowing outline of Terra Primus, “are among the oldest races in the Nexus. Their mastery of mana and their connection to nature have allowed them to build civilizations that seem more like living organisms than cities.”
The map zoomed in, showing an elven city with structures that spiraled like trees, their branches forming glowing bridges and homes.
“Elves are known for their longevity and their strict hierarchies,” he continued. “While they rarely leave Terra Primus, their influence extends to every corner of the Nexus, largely due to their innovations in mana-based technologies.”
Hexa’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “The elves’ focus on sustainable development suggests a level of technological advancement beyond most human kingdoms. Their reluctance to share this knowledge is likely a key factor in the disparities within the Nexus.”
----------------------------------------
Next, Mr. Guseman turned his attention to the dwarves of Major Eden, their industrious nature evident in the way their territories were marked with dense clusters of forges and mines.
“The dwarves,” he said, “are the architects of the Nexus’s webways. Their engineering prowess and ability to manipulate mana into physical constructs have shaped the infrastructure we rely on today.”
The map shifted to show a dwarven city, its architecture rigid and functional, with glowing veins of mana running through its walls like arteries.
“Unlike the elves, dwarves are more willing to trade their technologies, but always at a steep cost,” Mr. Guseman explained. “They view the Nexus as a grand forge, one that must be maintained with precision and discipline.”
Hexa chimed in again. “The dwarves’ transactional approach to technology ensures their continued dominance in engineering, but it also perpetuates the economic disparities between worlds.”
----------------------------------------
The discussion shifted to the beastfolk, a term that encompassed a variety of sentient races adapted to different environments.
“Beastfolk,” Mr. Guseman said, “are unique in their diversity. From the snow-dwelling ursine clans of Minor Eden’s northern reaches to the nimble avian tribes of Major Eden’s skies, their adaptability is their greatest strength.”
The map displayed an array of beastfolk territories, each one reflecting the unique mana-dense environments they called home.
“Unfortunately,” Mr. Guseman continued, his tone darkening, “many beastfolk tribes are treated as second-class citizens or, worse, as tools of war. Their natural abilities make them valuable assets in both raids and conflicts between kingdoms.”
----------------------------------------
When the subject of goblins arose, the room grew noticeably tenser.
“Goblins,” Mr. Guseman said, “are perhaps the most misunderstood race in the Nexus. They are often vilified as raiders and thieves, yet their rapid reproduction and adaptability have allowed them to survive in even the harshest conditions.”
The map highlighted goblin territories, most of which were located on the fringes of more powerful kingdoms.
“Some dwarven kingdoms,” he continued, “have even incorporated goblins into their defenses. By using them as fodder during raids, they reduce their own population losses while maintaining their cities’ mana density.”
The room buzzed with whispers, students murmuring their surprise or disgust at the idea of using an entire race as expendable soldiers.
----------------------------------------
As I listened, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to my own world. The hierarchies, the exploitation, the systemic inequalities—it all felt painfully familiar.
“Hexa,” I thought, “it’s just like Earth, isn’t it? Different names, same problems.”
“In many ways, yes,” she replied. “The Nexus’s structure reflects the same patterns of power dynamics, resource control, and social stratification that defined your previous life. However, the integration of mana adds a layer of complexity.”
----------------------------------------
Mr. Guseman’s lecture concluded with a discussion of the Ash Kingdom’s policies toward non-human races.
“The Ash Kingdom,” he said, “is predominantly human, and its isolationist tendencies have limited its interactions with other races. While some non-humans reside within the kingdom, they are rare and often regarded with suspicion.”
He gestured to the map, highlighting the Free Duchies of Umbar as a counterpoint.
“By contrast, the Duchies of Umbar are a model of coexistence, with mixed-race cities that thrive on diversity. Their openness to trade and cultural exchange has made them one of the most prosperous regions on Minor Eden.”
----------------------------------------
As the lecture ended, I lingered in the classroom, my mind racing with questions. The diversity of the Nexus was astonishing, but it was overshadowed by the exploitation and inequalities that seemed baked into its very fabric.
“Hexa,” I thought, “how do you fix something like this? It’s too big, too ingrained.”
“Change requires time, effort, and, most importantly, knowledge,” she replied. “Your current position offers limited influence, but that may not always be the case.”