Nearly a week has passed since the day me and Illois talked about the idea of creating an Magic-Power compatible golem.
And currently, me, Alice, Anna and Illois are all within the workshop, experimenting with different ways to connect a Magic-Power user with the mana-core the golem has. Actually, what we realized to be the greatest problem is still the way of how to control the golem on a distance, as when the user stops touching the mana-crystal, the golem stops moving.
Well, in the morning after the day we initially came up with the idea, Illois showed up with an overly eager expression and stacks of papers filled with theories and ways on how to make this happen, also containing various plans.
Well, normally we would only work on this for two hours a day before my training begins. Yet due to the fact that Illois is so focused on this project, we are unable to hold his history-lessons, so they are postponed until we finish the project, or Illois gets tired of it. Though, I did learn from Uncle Black that it would be a miracle if he gets tired of it, as he can seemingly keep himself motivated even with the smallest of chances for success.
Well, my project aside, my training with Uncle Black has also become harsher, and more focused on my mana and Magic-Power control. Luckily, my power seems to have calmed down again, and the Origin seed or whatever returned to its initial position without further movement. Though even so, the power I have is already here, and controlling it has become harder, especially with my constitution and aura appearing to change slowly.
So under the strict observation of Uncle Black, I use my raw mana and Magic-Power outside my body, controlling it carefully while trying to keep it from lashing out. Yet, is is easier said than done, due to simply controlling the amount I release has become hard.
On the other hand, thanks to Uncle Black's guidance in controlling the mana-flow more carefully and actually being cautious of my mana-pool's release as a whole, I am able to control it again to a certain degree.
The main problem currently is that my body can't handle the amount of mana my mana-pool possesses, so I have to pay close attention when using magic, as otherwise I might injure myself. Uncle Black said, that my mana is like a large lake, but I only have a small pipe to take from it, and it will break if I let too much mana flow through it.
And so, after this week of hard training, I finally managed to return my mana to the usual flow while keeping my mana-pool from flooding my body all at once. With this, I can now slowly increase the strength of my mana as well as its quantity step by step until I am used to it and capable of keeping it under control. Also, I didn't notice when my mana was overflowing, yet there are small streams of energy flowing from the origin-seed through my whole body, somehow strengthening it. I also believe that they are responsible for the weird change in both my constitution and aura emitted by my mana-pool. Though Uncle Black said that I should just leave them alone for now, and focus on keeping my mana in check.
And so, due to being unable to strain myself, my magic may have become stronger, but it is still limited to what I already learned and am capable of wielding, with me having to restrain myself from going overboard. Though thanks to the magic-crystal installed in the staff gifted by Scyrra, my control is made a bit easier, and my learning-speed increased.
Meanwhile, I also kept training my new weapons, as well as techniques Uncle Black is trying to teach me. And with my now increased speed and strength, I can already keep up with Uncle Black when he holds back just a bit, with me even surpassing him in speed. But in the end, his experience and technique triumphs.
Though there is one thing I can't forget, something he said to me while I was fighting with him in a training-battle using the sword I got to my birthday.
“Arin, I know you are strong, and will become even stronger in the future, but please listen to my words. A staff can be used to defend and attack, or even spare an opponent, but a sword is made to cut down and kill, especially one like yours. So please, promise me, that you will only use the sword against someone when you are truly prepared to go for the kill, please promise me that.” (Uncle Black)
On that point, Uncle Black was unrelenting, until I looked him in the eyes and made a solid promise to never use the sword unless I am prepared to kill, or protect those close to me with my life on the line.
After I did that, Uncle Black once again returned to his usual self, but I felt something heavy in his tone when he made me promise that. Maybe a bad experience, or regret? There is no Malice, but I can still feel negative emotions, even if I am only aware of them without them actually influencing me anymore.
Though, I would have never guessed how important that promise would be in my future, but now, I did only take it as something important, without taking it serious. Yet even in the future, I would never forget it.
Well, after that, my time in the mansion continued as usual, and today, on the day of darkness, we nearly completed our first prototype of the new golem.
Appearance wise it isn't much different to the usual ones, but unlike them, there is a small string made with molten mythril connected from it's core to a small device held in Illois hand.
The device isn't much different from a usual Magic-Power converter, but it is a lot smaller and more compact. Though it still is the size of my palm. Not that that would be large...
Anyway, with this device, and a bit of focus, Alice actually managed to control the golem for a few moments. Yet due to the inefficiency of the converter and the short length of the connecting wire, it has very limited use.
Yet even then, Illois was happy with the result, as well as Anna and Alice. Still, in the end it was decided that we will continue to experiment with it, though due to finally passing the first hurdle, Illois actually managed to get himself away from the drawing-table and teach me and the girls how to manipulate Magic-Power, as well as how to set up ones own domain.
Illois isn't really the best teacher, but thanks to him showing us how to use Magic-Power himself, we don't have a hard time following.
Also, now that I have my mana under control again, I can fully focus on Magic-Power for a while, even if I feel weird since I can actually use both. Well, Illois said that he made some scans on me when I was unconscious back in the mountain lab, trying to figure out a way to safe me back then. Still, even with those scans, there isn't much too see, aside from the fact that, and this is Illois highest chance theory, is that my mana with all elements affinity actually not interferes, or actively changes the Magic-Power entering the body.
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Well, Illois also gave us a bit more of a detailed rundown on how Magic-Power and mana works individually on a persons / beings body.
While I am aware that Magic-Power is like the gas form of mana, it appears that mana is actually the liquid-form of Magic-Power. The difference isn't big, yet unnaturally significant.
The research on this matter, based on Illois words, had been thoroughly and very well executed, allowing them to gain enough insight into the matter.
So, normal beings have a mana-pool, and even if minuscule, it produces mana. Though unlike many powerful beings, the mana it gains naturally is too low, so it absorbs the rest from the surrounding atmosphere, in other words: Magic-Power.
The magic-power when entering a body 'corrupts' and takes on the unique form of the mana contained in the body, like fire-type mana if within a fire-affinity mage. So, everyone's mana is mostly unique, making the Magic-Power they absorb corrupt differently. On this note, even if someone normal tries to use Magic-Power, it is impossible because this beings mana would 'corrupt' the pure magic-Power in the atmosphere instantly should he try to channel it through his body, that is unless it is controlled by someone.
Now, High Humans don't have a mana-pool, making the Magic-Power free to flow through them. But as even High-Humans have affinities, they can only control certain aspect of the Magic-Power.
I actually asked Illois what his attributes are, but he denied letting me know, at least not yet. Meanwhile, Anna seems to be proficient in wind and Light, while Alice appears to have low power, but high control fire affinity.
Now, a High-Human requires a domain to cast his powers, one like Anna already could set up one meter around her. This domain is actually just using the Magic-Power in the surroundings and changing it instantly into ones own affinity, creating something like pseudo-mana. If mana is water and Magic-Power is gas, then that state of power could be called mist, not as much raw impact as mana, but a lot more versatile and agile.
Within the domain, the High-Human practically rules everything, unless another High-Human with stronger affinity in the same element shows up and dominates. Meanwhile, while nearly invincible within a domain, High humans can also create magic through channeling the Magic-Power around them through their body before forming a magic based on their element. Unlike with domains, those are weaker, but harder to detect.
Well, once a magic is formed, is is like any other, and will continue attacking unless blocked, destroyed or cut off by the caster. So even if the Magic-Power magic impacts a mages body, due to being manifested and changed by a High-Human, it won't corrupt at the enemies mana.
No, if the Magic-Power is strong enough and the control of the caster very good, it can even interfere with the enemies casting by internally causing damage, as Magic-Power, unless in bulks, cannot be kept from entering the body.
Of course there are defensive ways, Illois assured us, yet it is still terrifying. Think about it, you may escape a High-Human or even manage to make him draw back, but if that High-Human is strong enough, you will slowly die or at least lose a lot of your magical-capacities.
While I still felt a shiver run down my back, Illois started teaching us the correct way of establishing a domain. Luckily, due to my personal experience in the use of mana, it wasn't hard for me to practically force my affinity onto the surrounding Magic-Power.
Yet, to mine and everyone else surprise, my domain may have only been slightly bigger than Anna's, but its silver glow started to affect the surrounding Magic-Power outside my domain, letting the air around the whole mansion glitter in a light silver color. Even the domains coming from Alice and Anna are visibly shaken, but instead of crumbling, they appear somehow stronger.
While everyone is still in a daze, Illois suddenly breaks out of his stupor and yells at me to stop my domain, retracting my influence over it. And so, following his instructions, I control the Magic-power emitting from me to be sealed again, causing the domain to vanish, but the silver lights in the air to remain.
Everyone, without exception, is surprised, staring at the surroundings of the mansions, which now appears like someone threw a massive load of glitter-dust into the air. Meanwhile, Illois, who already regained his calm, uses his experience to check the Magic-Power in the air.
Though once more, his expression stiffens and his mouth opens uncontrollably, letting us become conscious of what is happening. Yet after Illois was finally able to speak once more, he let out a serious of words in a broken, while also slightly excited voice.
“Arin!... this Magic-Power... it appears strengthened... like a superior Magic-Power... maybe because you have all elements... oh my goodness... could it be... no... but a pure domain... probably because of his origin... maybe...” (Illois)
While becoming more and more distant with his mutterings, all we understood was that my domain is apparently a 'pure' domain and that it strengthens Magic-Power or something. Well, even Uncle Black appears unable to follow the mutterings coming from Illois, so I will stop thinking about it until Illois is able to explain it to us.
Well, there were some aftereffects, though I would only learn of that later, but it is said that the vegetable-garden of the mansion never had such a high amount of yield with most of the vegetables being massive and healthy. Additionally, the butler Elrion and the maids working in the mansion mentioned more than once that for some reason, their sleep became wonderfully easy, and that they somehow barely felt tired even after a full day of work.
Also, when I entered the workshop again, for one reason or the other, all the magic-liquids were fully charged, while the golems and enchantments were activated, even if only for a moment.
Still, that is for later, as currently Illois is still talking in a broken voice while staring at the silver sparks jumping around in the air.
Luckily, the silver shine didn't remain for long, and after a bit more than an hour, everything appeared normal again. But unlike before, if one concentrated, it is easy to detect that the Magic-Power in the air around the mansion is more thick and powerful, probably a consequence from whatever happened with my domain.
Though, like expressed beforehand, when Illois gathered himself again and explained his theory, it appears that due to me being an all-elemental, the Magic-Power didn't change into a certain dominating aspect, but strengthened as a whole, causing the surrounding Magic-power to be affected as well.
Well, even so, after everyone calmed down, we left the field for today, as too much happened in a short span of time.
Meanwhile, Saria and Elrion prepared snacks for us, with nice tea by the side. I actually wasn't a fan of tea back in the orphanage, but the tea here is somehow delicious, and I like it.
Well, the reason might be because Mama Lumi said that she was a tea-lover, so maybe I inherited that appreciation towards it?
Well anyway, after today's events, many things were decided, such as me being only moderately trained in Magic-Power as mine has great influence, while more focusing on mana-based magic.
And with those days passing on at an increasingly quick rate, week after week went by, with both me and the girls learning more and more, gaining better control over our powers. Meanwhile even the golem project closes in on its completion, while the month of their stay runs towards its end.
Without further problems, the last week of their stay was here, and Illois prepared himself to tell us the rest of his story before Anna and Alice leave again.
Though, three days into the week, right after we all had a satisfying lunch, Uncle Black received a letter from the Arcadela Kingdom, sealed with the royal sign.
He didn't think much about it and read through it right after using a knife to carefully open it, yet after overlooking the content, he once more narrowed his eyes, read through it again before leaning back into his chair, holding his head.
After a few moments of silence, Uncle Black again opened his eyes, looking around the room before stopping on Anna and Alice.
“Girls, it appears you will stay here for another month, Arcadela Kingdom appears to... be unable to receive you currently...” (Uncle Black)
Though he tried saying something at first, he swallowed his words and said something different, and guessing from his expression, the news aren't good in any way.
But as neither of us kids have read the letter, we can only look at each other with a questioning gaze.
But there is one thing I am sure off, if something or someone tries to harm my family, I won't hold back, even if I get hurt in the process!
On the other hand, I would actually be teased about it later, but when the others saw me clench my fist with a determined expression, the mood in the room lightened up a bit, allowing everyone to smile, while some of the people around even let some giggles escape.
End of Arc 3: Human Determination.