At the end of the day.
I was dreaming.
In my dream.
I was standing in an abyss.
The area was half black and half white.
With stairs tower up to a throne.
I was confused.
Wondering where I am.
Then a voice unfamiliar to me call out.
"Hey, you can stop look we're here."
Two thing that look like people walk pass me from behind.
One on the white side was a black figure.
And the other figure was white but on the dark side.
As I watch them.
They walked up the stair and sit down on their throne.
I was stunned.
Not knowing what to ask.
The black figure spoke.
"Pretty good entrance huh…"
The finally found a way to speak.
"Huh…?"
The white figure talk with a disgusted tune.
"Ugh… don't tell me your and idiot."
I got even more confused.
But I got upset too.
Like who is this thing giving me disrespect here.
"Aye, what with the disrespect. Like I just meant you and I don't know who you are nor what going on here."
The dark figures look at the figure.
"Wow… you going to say something about this?"
The white figure replied.
"Look, we don't have enough time here. So say what you need to say and. Get it over with."
The black figure look at me.
"Okay, so Maikeru let me explain what going on here cause you going to be here a lot."
I calm down.
"Okay, I'm listening."
The black figure continues talking.
"This isn't a dream. This area is your consciousness, we are an entity of your power. My name is Yin but I want you to call me Zedros. I'm part of you dark power and the white figure on my left is Yang but I call her-"
Yang interrupted Zedros.
Signaling him not to tell him.
Zedros continued where he left off.
"Well she like to be called Yang and she is an entity of your light power but here the thing— oh wait we ran out of time you need to wake up."
As I was still learn what he say.
Something click.
" how do I wake up from my own consciousness."
Yang speak up.
"Well there one way I can help, but I don't know if it will work."
I gave a concern look.
"Ho—"
BIIING!!
Yang shot a beam to my heart.
Everything quickly went dark.
I then woke up.
Freaking out.
I looked around noticing the area.
I was at the hideout bedroom.
RUMBLE…RUMBLE…
I hear multiple people running here.
BAM
Erma, Lele, Crystal barge into my room.
Erma yelled–
"Are you okay? How you are feeling!"
I replied–
"I'm okay, what's going on? Did something happen?"
Lele put her hand on Erma.
Then look at me.
"Couple minutes ago, we was eating breakfast then suddenly we sense you energy depleting."
I didn't understand what they what they talking about.
Like what do they mean about my energy depleting.
Right when I was about to question them.
Someone open the door
It was Eren.
"Hold your question Maikeru. Let me explain what they talking about."
I got myself comfortable on the bed ready to listen.
Eren continues.
"Everything has mana. It's only for people who reach the proper age to sense it. And when something with mana starts depleting it mean couple thing like overusing mana, or someone is passing away aka death."
I started to understand why the ladies look so worried.
Since I don't know how to really use mana.
The only conclusion they had in their mind was.
That I was about to pass away.
But how did it come to that?
Was it because of Yang for shooting a beam to my heart.
Maybe.
But right I need to know the foundation of Magic so I'll be able to use my power.
As I was in deep in my thoughts.
Eren notice me trying to figure things out.
"Welp let's waste no time on this. Today we'll going to begin your training Maikeru."
I looked up at Eren questioning.
"What training?"
Eren smiled.
"Yes, training. Right now you're just a baby who just learned how to walk. We're going to drill everything into your head like the history of magic, how to feel magic, how to use it, and how to fight with your magic"
I then ask.
"So who's going to train me?"
Eren answered–
"Lele will teach you what magic is and how to feel the mana around you. Crystal will teach you how to control the mana and how to use your magic. And Erma will teach you martial art and how to fight with your magic. This is the best we can do for your sense your power is rare and there no book about light and dark magic unless you either go to the demon realm for the dark book or the church for the light book"
I'm was surprised on what Eren just said–
"Wait, I'm really going to be training and understanding magic"
I was so excited that I really have to ask the same question twice
Eren smile.
"Yup, and let go it time to start your training right now"
I got off my bed feeling excited.
And followed them to the basement where the training room is.
At the training room.
Lele was standing in front of me.
And everyone else was behind me.
Lele announced–
"For the starting of your training I'm going to be first to help and as Eren told you. You're going to learn what magic is about and the history of it, then you'll learn how to sense mana and last you'll be tested on what you learn. If you pass, you'll graduate by completing my training and you will be advanced to the next training. Understand."
I replied–
"Yes, ma'am!"
Lele clear her throat and continued with the teaching.
"First I'm going to explain the history of magic. We the people had magic for generations and in the past Aethercraft user was known as the rarest but at the same time the weakest and primal user was common and also the strongest. But as time past the population of Aethercraft User grew as for Primal User decreased to the point that Primal User became the rarest users."
I then asked a question–
"What is the true difference of Aethercraft and Primal class?"
Lele answered–
"Before magic was studied, it was simply felt.The world answered human emotion — fire to rage, water to calm, wind to freedom.This was Primal Magic: the raw power of the world itself, wild and impossible to control."
As I pay attention I asked–
"What about Aethercraft Magic?"
Lele continued–
"Fearing the chaos of the world's power, humanity turned inward.Within every soul they discovered Aether — a well of mana waiting to be shaped.Through discipline and intent, AetherCraft was born: the art of mastering the magic within."
I started to get the different between Aethercraft and Primal magic.
Then I had another question.
"There something I don't understand."
Lele gave a questionable response –
"What is there you don't understand?"
I continued–
"Before I got my power there was a boy who became a Primal user of Light and everyone was praising him but when the other became a Primal user of dark he was banished. Why that?"
Lele with a firm tone.
"Long ago there was conflict between us humans vs the demon realm and there was only one Primal user who had darkness and another Primal who had light. Each Primal user aid them in battle but then the demon went after the primal user of the darkness family and slaughtered them. The dark user begs his companions to take revenge on the demon for what they did. Everyone looked at the light user for his decision but he said that everyone should focus on protectioning human. The dark user could believe what he hear and separate himself from the group to go solo to the demon realm to have his revenge."
I was flabbergasted from what I'm hearing.
"But that shouldn't have people hate the dark user than. Since it for his own benefit."
Lele continued talking–
"The thing is everyone only hate the Primal dark user only. Because there reason he was hated is because I became a demon lord for the demon realm. Marking anyone with a Primal user of dark is automatically bad."
I was speechless.
That user became a demon king.
Lele spoke.
"Not everyone could master Aether. Some feared living powerless in a world ruled by magic. So humanity carved magic into symbols. Runic Magic — a rare craft where runes hold power within objects.Mana may awaken them for a moment…but to bind their power forever, the runes demand a darker price: demon blood."
Okay so to summarize it.
Primal Magic is the strongest form of magic but it is rare to get.
Aethercraft Magic is just branches off the Primal Magic and it common to get.
And Runic Magic is basically magic item.
Then Lele tone became serious.
"Even though all of this sounds awesome and stuff, there is always a cost for those powers. We are limited on how much mana we have and overusing your mana will have an impact on your body and mind. But there is another level of overusing your power called a Flux Vein. A Flux Vein is When the soul is pushed beyond its limits, something breaks.Grief, rage, and desperation tear open the soul itself.In that moment, magic surges without restraint.This is the Flux Vein — power beyond control, beyond reason, and rarely survived."
So Flux Vein is basically a cost of getting strength.
Wow this is a lot of information in one day.
But does the Flux Vein give the same cost or different.
"Does the Flux Vein bring the same consequences?"
Lele answer–
"So Primal Magic isn't controlled… The world is simply responding to the soul. AetherCraft… the power was inside us the whole time. Runes aren't spells — they're instructions.Mana can awaken them briefly… but only demon blood can bind their power forever. This isn't a technique… my soul is breaking.This must be the Flux Vein."
So depending on which user you are is the level on damage.
I look at Lele asking.
"So what type of ways for me to start sensing Mana."
Lele look at Eren signaling him it time.
Eren walked up to us.
He's raised his hand.
Aiming at nothing.
I was curious on what he doing.
Then the nothingness Eren is aiming at started to swirled.
I thought I was seeing something.
Then electric spark started popping out.
The swirling space started to spin faster trying to take form.
Then it took colored form a portal.
I looked at Eren.
"Is your power making portals."
CLAP!CLAP!
I look at Lele noticing her clapping her hand.
Telling me to pay attention.
Then Lele walked through the portal.
I followed her.
Passing through the portal.
I saw a bunch of trees.
Then Lele looked at me.
"Alright, right now you in the woods and it a perfect place for you to sense Mana."
What she say got me confused.
"So what do I do to start sensing mana."
Lele answered–
"Number 1: I'm going to blindfold you because sensing mana is feeling not seeing.
Number 2: I will case wind magic the direct you to the hideout but you won't feel the wind and you have to sense the mana of the wind so you'll be able to follow it.
Number 3: you will be alone doing these and the faster you finish this the faster you can continue with the next training."
Hearing this it feels insane for a normal person.
But it also not going to be easy.
And yet there real questions I should ask.
"So how do I start feeling the mana?"
Lele came closer to me then raise her hand.
As I look at her empty hand.
Lele use her raised hand and grabbed my hand.
As I was at a lost.
"Do you feel it?" Lele asked
As I focused on Lele hand
I saw a transparent wave on her hand.
On top my body suddenly started feeling warm.
So is this what mana supposed to feel like.
Lele let go of my hand and stood up.
"Now you have an example of what mana feels like. Try feeling the mana inside yourself then expand it."
I sat down on the ground.
Closed my eyes.
Then start focusing on the mana inside me.
As time pass.
Nothing happen yet.
Lele looked at me.
Seeing me struggling.
"Try looking deeper. You will see it" Lele spoke
I started to breathe in and out calming myself down.
Then I started to focus deeper.
Soon I start to feel warm.
The same warmth Lele showed me.
I move my focus towards that warmth.
Then all that warmth started to heat up feeling like fire.
My body feel like it on fire.
Lele spoke–
"Now expand it through your body."
I tried to follow what Lele said.
I focused on that warmth inside me.
Slowly… carefully…
I imagined the warmth spreading.
From my chest…
To my arms…
To my legs…
At first nothing happened.
Then—
THUMP.
My heart beat loudly.
The warmth suddenly rushed through my body like a wave.
"AH—!"
My body jerked forward.
Heat flooded through my veins like fire running under my skin.
Lele's voice remained calm.
"Don't fight it. Guide it."
I gritted my teeth.
Guide it… guide it…
I imagined the warmth moving gently instead of exploding.
Little by little, the burning sensation softened.
The heat turned into something lighter.
Comfortable.
Alive.
And then—
I felt it.
Something around me.
Tiny movements in the air.
Like invisible currents brushing against my skin.
My eyes shot open.
"I… I feel something!"
Lele smiled slightly.
"Good. That is mana."
The forest suddenly felt different.
The trees weren't just trees anymore.
They were breathing.
Flowing.
Everything carried energy.
It was everywhere.
Lele stepped back.
"Now follow the wind."
Suddenly, nothing happened.
No sound.
No movement.
But faintly…
I sensed a thin stream moving forward.
Like a trail only my body could feel.
"That way…" I muttered.
Without thinking, I began walking.
Step by step.
The feeling weakened whenever my focus broke.
When my thoughts wandered, the sensation disappeared.
When I calmed myself again—
it returned.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
My steps became unstable.
The mana trail faded.
Panic rose inside me.
"No… no… I'm losing it…"
The warmth inside my chest flickered weakly.
Then—
Darkness crept into the edges of my vision.
My knees buckled.
I collapsed onto the ground.
"I… can't…"
My body refused to move.
The warmth vanished completely.
Cold replaced it.
For a moment…
I thought I was dying again.
Then—
a faint voice echoed inside my mind.
"…Pathetic."
My eyes widened.
That voice.
Zedros.
"You're collapsing from something this small?" Yin said mockingly.
"I used all my strength…" I whispered weakly.
Yin chuckled.
"That's because you're wasting it like an idiot."
My breathing was heavy.
Every muscle in my body felt numb.
"If you want to survive in this world, you can't fall every time things get difficult."
His voice became colder.
"Stand up."
"I… can't…"
"You can," Yin replied. "You just don't want to."
Silence filled my mind.
Then he spoke again.
"Didn't you say you wanted strength?"
Images flashed in my mind.
The church.
Shamueru being dragged away.
The guards calling me a disgrace.
My mother looking away from me.
My fists slowly clenched.
"…Stand up," Yin repeated.
My arms trembled.
My legs shook violently.
But slowly—
I pushed myself off the ground.
One step.
Then another.
The mana trail appeared again.
Faint—but still there.
"I'm… not stopping…"
I continued walking.
Even when my legs screamed.
Even when breathing hurt.
Eventually—
a familiar sensation appeared.
Warm.
Safe.
The hideout.
I removed the blindfold.
The portal stood in front of me.
Lele and Eren were waiting on the other side.
Lele nodded approvingly.
"You made it."
The moment I stepped through—
my body gave out.
I collapsed forward.
Eren caught me before I hit the ground.
"Haha… looks like someone hit their limit."
I tried to speak but couldn't.
Everything felt heavy.
Lele looked down at me seriously.
"This is the first cost of strength."
She continued,
"Power is not free. Every step forward demands something from you."
My vision blurred.
But for the first time…
I felt proud.
"I… did it…"
Eren smiled.
"Yeah. You did."
As consciousness faded, I heard him say one last thing.
"Rest well, Maikeru. Tomorrow… real training begins."
Darkness took me.
But this time—
I wasn't alone.
Because somewhere deep inside my soul…
Yin was watching.
And for the first time…
He sounded amused.
"Heh… maybe you're not completely useless after all."
The next day I woke up.
I walked out of my bedroom and headed to the kitchen.
"Hmm…hmmm"
I suddenly hear someone humming.
I looked up and saw Eren sitting upside down on the ceiling.
Eating bread and drinking coffee.
The more I looked at him the more confused I am.
"How are you sitting upside down on the ceiling and how are you even drinking coffee?"
Eren instantly stop moving.
Then move his head to look at me.
He slowly move his coffee from his mouth.
"It's gravity magic…"
I confusedly replied
"Wait gravity magic!? I thought you have the portal magic!"
Eren slowly levitated down.
Planting his foot on the ground.
"Well my true power is absorption Magic. And I can have up to three different magic type."
I became interesting curious.
"So what type of magic do you have"
Eren gladly explained.
"Well as you already know I have Portal and Gravity Magic and as for my last magic it…"
A woman voice interrupted Eren.
"It Spatial Magic."
It was crystal wear her usual Gi clothing with a energetic personality.
Eren with a disappointed looked ask.
"Why did you have to steal my thunder!?"
Crystal chuckled.
"You took too long to tell him. So I speed it up for you."
Eren sighed while scratching his head.
Then Crystal looked at me.
"So Ma…Mi…Mo… ah Merkano right."
I quickly replied—
"It's Maikeru…"
Crystal with the realization in her face.
"Yes. Maikeru… hurry up and eat your breakfast because this time I'm going to be your teacher."