—Two More Weeks Later—

Flip*

—The four races also have their strength, and that comes in the form of [Roles] Mana Manipulators take.

There are two roles:

[Martials], Mana Manipulators who specialize in augmenting their bodies and enhancing their strengths bypassing the body's limitation.  They do not use Spells, but instead Martial Arts. Because of their stronger body, they can even sometimes match a Monster.

[Mages], masters of the elements who have varying abilities. Manipulating the Mana on the atmosphere to conjure spells of varying effect, they have immense destructive capabilities with varying range. Their weakness lies in their frail bodies and the long-time they needed to cast spells depending on the level of spells they cast.—

So, they have differing ways of fighting, one fights by transforming their body and the other by warping mana to suit their desires.

Considering Martials can react faster and should be able to dispatch with a weaker body than they are, then they should be the antithesis of Mages.

But, considering Mages can use much more devastating Spells and have more variation in terms of defense and offense, then, they could be stronger than Martials.

“Von, who do you think is stronger?”

“Hmmm… Martials can beat a Mage one on one, but a Mage can beat an army of Martial. In short, depending on the situation, one can beat the other, but I did hear that great Martials and Mages doesn’t have limitations and logic doesn’t apply to them. It’s base on the person, really, depending on who you are fighting, their trickiness varies.”

“So you don’t know?”

“Yup, now go and drink your milk, we’re sleeping.”

“But—”

“No buts, I’m going to tie you up if you don’t comply. Now, clean it up before I stand up.”

“…okay.”

—Seven More Weeks Later—

After many weeks, I was now about to finish the book. Actually, I only had about five hundred pages left, but it took so long because Von’s frequent intervention.

He would always ask me to sleep early and such, he’s acting weirder than normal. But, I could only sigh as I do not have the power to go against his desires.

However, after seven weeks, I finally finished that meager number of pages.

It took me four months or so, but I am now about to finish it all.

Flip*

—If you want to become either of the two, one must then be in possession of either’s Unique Mana Channels:

Martial Channels: a crimson-colored channel that operates internally and augments the body. Martials relies on their skills mana purity. (Note: Though Martials augments the inside of the body, it is not restricted to it and have shown the ability to augment their body composition and weapons with the help of an element.)

Mage Channels: an azure-colored channel that lets a Mage manipulate the elements to their will and effect the world around them. Spells are their offense and defense, thus it’s a Mage’s job to improve their spells. Spells vary in power in terms of its caster, if an [Elementary-Level] Magic is caster by a [Magus] then that Magus

(Note: to aspiring Mages: Against popular belief shouting the incantations louder does not correlate to the strength of the spell.) —

Mana, Mages, Martial, Manipulation, Spells, Techniques, Casting, Execution, Strength, Weakness, Calculations, and so many more, everything was being given to me as time went on.

Aside from monsters, there were beings like myself, humanoid beings, who were weak, yet strong. They are strong when young but have potential of growth.

Some does not have much desires, while others want to dominate the rest — so not much different from a monster.

Polishing his wooden carving, I noticed Von had a downcast expression, more so than usual.

When I asked him what was wrong, he grumpily answered, “It’s the weather.”

And that’s the answer I received for four weeks straight. It is completely illogical, but as I lack the knowledge, I am beginning to think that it was indeed the weather.

Hmmm… I left it alone for the time being.

I now understand a lot of things in regards to becoming a Mage and Martial, but the most striking to me would be that, your Role is decided the moment of your birth.

These roles were different, and they have their own strengths and weaknesses. I want to know their limitations. But, before I could know it, I must first awaken my Channels.

I wonder, what kind of Channels I would have? Would it be Martial or Mage Channels?

—When can potential Mana Manipulators experience their Awakening

The time of Awakening varies by age for each race. Humans awaken at the age of ten to seventeen years old: Elves awakens at the ages eight to twenty: Dwarves awakens at ages nine to fifteen: Titans awakens at the age of six to twenty years old.—

I was getting a little frustrated because the age variable basically meant I would be unable to awaken before I turn eight or ten. I am, after all (according to Von), a half-breed between an elf and a human.

“Does this mean I’ll have to wait for years?”

“Not exactly.”

Surprised by his words, I turned to Von with probing eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“…Sigh… Well, you see, as you might expect, you’re a special child. Age and the like don’t really apply to you.”

“Really? Why?“

“…Well… it’s because Lethias made you special… don’t worry about it, just learn how to awaken your Channels, I’ll be here to assist you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, have I ever lied before? You know what? Don’t answer that quest—“

“Yes, you have, several times.”

“Just get to it, Xir.”

He urged me to begin with a chuckle escaping his mouth. Picking me up, he placed me on his lap.

“What is this?” I questioned.

“Nothing, just read.”

I really wanted to question why I was placed on his lap, but I stopped myself. I quite like this.

—Going through Awakening.

Although the age rate varies, one can start feeling the Mana around them as early as they can meditate. This way, the chances of Awakening earlier than normal is possible.—

This statement put a smile on my face.

I looked back at Von, “It would appear it doesn’t have anything to do with being special, after all.”

“…yes.” He smilingly answered before laughing wildly, “You’re really easy to trick, you know that?” he said but I just ignored him and continued reading on.

—First sit cross-legged and close both eyes. Breath in accordance to the instruction…—

I started reading the instruction with great intent, and I followed them down to the dot.

After an hour of reading, I jumped off Von’s lap and then I sat on the floor. I closed my eyes then began, my search.

‘Take in deep breaths and hold it for five seconds before taking in deep breaths once again and then this time hold it for five seconds. Once I reach the twenty seconds mark…I would see the lights…there it is.’

I saw white light particles surrounding me, fascinating. But something’s wrong, as soon as I saw these white lights, I managed to get a glimpse of a condensed mass of silvery ball of light on my chest.

‘Is this a Mana Core? How? I have yet to undergo an awakening.’ I remembered Von’s words, special, he said, and as I see this ball of white light within me, I managed to understand what he meant.

‘Am I special because I was already awakened? And these Channels were azure…’

Twelve azure channels were attached on the silver ball of light. These twelve channels seemed to be at the brink of exploding. The instant I laid my eyes upon them, a powerful burst of energy escaped my body.

This powerful force passed through my bodily pores, escaping my fleshy coil as I felt tremendous and sharp pain.

Abruptly opening my eyes, I screamed in pain. The pain overtook, and I soon lost my mind. I then remembered the last few lines of the book.

—The Awakening will be known as completed when a burst of Mana escapes the body through the Mana Pores, this burst of Mana will come from either the Martial Channel or the Mage Channel. The crimson Martial Channel and the azure Mage Channel will appear. The highest number of channels will be nine. Once the channels appear and the pores open, it will be time to create the Mana Core.—

I began to lose consciousness.

 I heard Von's voice and as I saw his face, I saw anxiousness, similar to when I first saw him.

Light gathered around him as I warm liquid escaped my body, I saw a red puddle escaping me.

I looked at my arms from my half-closed eyes and saw cracks where blood seeped out.

It was painful at first, but I soon grew numb, feeling nothing.

The Silver Ball of Light seemed to be fluctuating, it was trying to escape my body, but the twelve Mage Channels kept it in place.

I bled and then, I saw Von’s warm eyes, “It’s going to be all right.” He said to me as purple light escaped from his body.

His eyes turned yellow and different, as overwhelming pressure escaped out of him.

Wind gathered around us, as if there was a storm coming, yet, the only thing I felt, was warmth.

And as I began losing consciousness, I remembered the books’ contents.

That fucking book lied to me.

‘There were twelve mana channels goddammit, and awakening was dangerous, more than anything else.’