Void space

The voice echoed in my mind, soft yet undeniable: "If you are listening to this, it means you're attempting to restore your mana through human methods. But I'm about to share with you a technique used by dragons. If humans adopt it, even a small child, one without a core, could forcibly create one."

I paused, taking in the words. My heart raced as I processed the strange information. The voice continued, calm and steady, almost as if it were speaking directly to me from some distant, forgotten time.

"Now, child, don't be startled. This isn't some figment of your imagination. It's a recording, one that I've stored deep within your unconscious mind. You will hear more in time, as the moment calls for it. This is just the beginning."

I felt a strange sensation—an unfamiliar warmth spreading through my chest as the voice resumed.

"Focus now, child. Feel the mana around you, and when you do, reach for it. As it touches your skin, concentrate deeply. Imagine it, visualize it breaking into tiny particles. Then, mix it with your blood. You must guide it, slowly, toward your heart. Once it reaches there, coax it downward, further into your body. You see, creatures like dragons already possess a core and mana channels. They only need to fill their core to allow the mana to flow freely again. You, however, will have to unblock your own pathways, but the process is the same. This is the first step. There are two ways to fill your core with mana."

The voice grew softer, almost like a distant whisper, but its words rang out with a finality that I could not ignore.

"This method is used by dragons to rapidly fill their cores, to speed up their strength-building. Trust me, child, use this. It will serve you well when you face the supreme creatures."

I felt the weight of the voice's words, but it wasn't over yet.

"Practice this method daily. It will take time to master. When you finally do, I will send another message. One that will guide you further in your journey."

And with that, the voice faded, leaving me with a silence so profound, it seemed almost unnatural.

'...'

A heavy stillness descended as I sat in the darkness, trying to absorb what I had just heard. It was as though the world itself had paused, waiting for me to make the next move. I took a deep breath and thought to myself, 'It looks like that's the end of the message for now. Time to begin.'

I closed my eyes, trying to center my thoughts and focus. I reached out with my senses, attempting to feel the mana as instructed. But nothing happened. No surge of energy, no crackling of power. Only the quiet brush of air against my skin. Frustration bubbled inside me as I struggled to feel anything beyond the emptiness.

I sighed. There had to be a way.

'Let's break this down,' I thought. 'Step one—feel the mana. Step two—bring it inside. Step three—mix it with my blood. Step four—guide it near my heart. And step five—move it to my core.'

The steps seemed simple enough in theory, but in practice, they were another story entirely.

'Let's try again.'

But even after several attempts, I still couldn't feel the mana. It was as though there was a barrier, something blocking my senses from accessing the energy that surrounded me.

YUNA KRATER

Every day, after finishing my chores, I would visit the storehouse. I never knew exactly what drew me there, but every time I arrived, Cape was always waiting for me. One of the old books I had.He would stare at the pages, his intense gaze fixed on the text. I had to admit, I was curious. Was he truly reading it? Or was he simply examining the pictures?

I had taught him the basics of reading and writing, just enough to let him understand the simple stories. Yet, what struck me was how quickly he picked up on it. His progress was astounding, much faster than any child I had ever known. He was also learning to walk and crawl ahead of his age group, and his ability to focus on things was well beyond his years.

I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of wonder whenever I saw him with his father in the field. The way he watched the trees fall with barely a flinch, his eyes wide with curiosity rather than fear. Even when his father began to teach him swordplay, Cape didn't cry or complain. Instead, he smiled and mimicked the motions with a wooden stick.

It was clear that Cape was no ordinary child. Over the years, his growth had been nothing short of miraculous. At times, I could hardly believe the things he was capable of. And yet, there was something about him that felt... off. Something secret, something hidden deep within him. I often wondered if he was keeping something from us, though I never asked. I trusted that when the time was right, he would share it with me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that Cape was destined for something greater than the life we had imagined for him. But no matter what path he chose, I knew that I had to remain vigilant. I had to be strict with him in the future, ensure that he grew up with a strong sense of self and responsibility.

As I gazed at him, my thoughts drifted. I had raised a genius, and though it filled me with pride, it also filled me with concern. The world would not be kind to him, especially if he grew too strong, too powerful.

ONE YEAR LATER

RAYON KRATER

I sat cross-legged in the storeroom, my mind focused as I entered the third month of practicing the mana breathing technique. It had been a year since I first began trying to master it. Slowly, painfully, I had made progress. Yesterday, I had finally managed to transfer the mana through my blood vessels. Today, I would take it a step further.

I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. Slowly, I began to draw the mana into my veins, feeling it pulse within my body like a second heartbeat. But it wasn't enough. I needed to guide it toward my heart.

The task was daunting, but I didn't stop. I felt the mana shift, move, but it wasn't yet where I needed it to be. After what felt like an eternity, the mana finally reached the core of my being. I could sense it, pulsating with power. My body hurt, my veins screamed, but I endured. I knew that this was the moment of truth.

And then, it happened.

Something shifted inside me, something I hadn't expected. I felt lighter, as though a weight had been lifted from my chest. At the same time, a force surged through me, an energy that I had never felt before. My body crackled with it, like I was a conduit for something far greater than myself.

I was an augmented and a conjurer as well.

My heart raced as I stepped outside the storeroom. The world seemed different now, as if everything around me was heightened, alive with possibilities.

I thought back to the voice's words. "You will face the supreme creatures. This power will help you when that time comes."

I knew, deep in my soul, that I wasn't ready.

Now, it was time to test this new power. But first, I needed to learn how to control it. With newfound determination, I opened the box and pulled out the old books on mana control and elemental manipulation.

And thus, my journey truly began.