I opened my coin pouch and counted how many I had left.
"Hmm, 6 gold coins, 1 silver coin, 5 copper.", I iterated.
I went over to the table and checked the todo list.
Learn how to use my traits and talentFoodConvert gold coins into silver coinsLearn how to use manaForm a mana coreObtain a weapon
Half of these could be checked off, and I don't think I'll be able to convert my gold to silver today. That means the only things now are learning how to use mana, forming a mana core, and obtaining a weapon...
I looked at the sky from the window; it had turned orange. I've already used up half of the day. I figured I could do the last two items tomorrow, exchange some gold with silver through the receptionist, then go to the entrance exams.
"I wonder if I should make a plan to pass the exams..?", I contemplated out loud.
But I didn't consider it. It would be difficult to plan my exact movements, and it'll take up precious time, so it's better to focus on what I need to do for now.
Mana.
Mana in this world are known as particles in the air, and the only type that can be inherently manipulated by living beings using nothing more than will. Using it, living beings can power spells; mana serving as the fuel for magic.
Mana as particles could come in many elements, typically aligning with certain aspects and parts of reality. The main elements that have been discovered so far are earth, fire, wind, water, metal, darkness, light, with many others that dominate more niche roles. The 'main elements' are simply the most common affinities that appear in humans and demons.
The protagonist's affinity should be...all of them, all of the main elements, except for darkness. I thought with a painful heart. As for mine, Cael's, it should be darkness and mind.
I winced at the thought of having to face a monster wielding 6 elements with fate on his side. And that's not even accounting for his teammates.
Affinities are just what mana elements that a person would be able to sense and manipulate the easiest. There are elements which someone might have strong affinity for, and some none at all. Since mana is the source of magic, it typically indicates what type of magic they would then specialize in.
"I also should be able to sense different mana elements...", I closed my eyes to focus on the mana particles around me. However, I couldn't discern what elements they were, and could only sense certain mana particles that I felt particularly drawn to.
Given I don't have a mana core yet, it's enough for now.
By learning how to use mana, I meant learning my first basic spell or two, but I'll probably need some practice. I sat on my bed. Though they aren't truly spells without a mana center, I'll finally have a way to defend myself.
It made sense I couldn't sense the elements even with the [Elemental Embodiment] trait, learning magic was an inherently difficult thing in this world. That trait typically isn't useful at this stage of mana cultivation. Still, it might be doable for me to in half a day, especially since I've successfully manipulated mana in the cave previously, even if it was flimsy.
Nevertheless, to get to that point of learning a spell, I first practiced for the next two hours by swirling around mana particles in the air, creating shapes using them and [Visualization].
But I could barely hold them together, and the invisible shapes drawn looked like an elementary student's drawings.
"...It's difficult.", I sucked in a breath.
Haven't I done this before? Maybe it's because I'm trying to be more precise, different from last time.
But control should be Cael's expertise in mana. Am I not using his talent properly?
In the novel, he was a mage, and that's the path I intend to take as well. I remember exactly how I designed that one dark and mysterious scene of Cael learning how to use mana, so I automatically thought to just copy that method since it was a tried and proven one.
I crossed my arms, the mana system's details flowing in my mind.
Grab a hold of mana particles.Apply your will onto particles.Manipulate the particles.
Some people had added extra steps in, but Cael simplified it as much as possible to cast spells quickly.
Since I was in his body, it should work for me too...
After some time of thinking, I made a relatively inconclusive guess: "I wonder if I could switch some of these steps?"
Though, it wasn't like there were many steps in the first place. I figured it was harmless to try anyway, despite not thinking much of it. Let's try switching the first and second step.
Apply your will onto particles.Grab a hold of mana particles.Manipulate the particles.
Seems more aggressive, but there shouldn't be major problems.
Closing my eyes again, instead of focusing on certain particles first, I applied my will to all the particles near me. Immediately, they became agitated and rapidly began moving away from me...except for some, that stayed behind and moved closer.
"Huh?", I exclaimed at the result, "It's pretty good??"
The mana nearly instantly sorted themselves out, being way faster than after seizing and freezing the particles in my novel.
However, I noticed my control slowly slipping so I quickly attempted to regain my focus.
Unfortunately though, most of the particles that had stayed behind already moved away, with my will having already dissipated.
I exited [Immersion] and clicked my tongue. I'd made a mistake. No matter, I'll just do it again.
And surely enough, the subsequent attempts to manipulate mana were exceedingly better than before, and in just an hour, my control had improved from elementary level to high-school student drawings, which is about as good as it gets for the average person.
I opened my eyes and breathed deeply, "How intoxicating."
Manipulating mana is indeed addictive. It feels like I have reality at my fingertips and I could do anything that I wanted. This is why magic is so sought after and prized.
I looked at the sky through the window. Seeing that it had already become dark, I hurriedly went to close the curtains, and crawled back on the bed.
Now that I can somewhat control mana, it's time to do what I intended to do in the first place.
There were two spells in mind that I wanted to learn. The first was one centered on destruction.
{Mana Burst}
A spell where you gather as much mana as you can control into a single point and detonate it. It has the potential to either be a small spark or a devastating explosion. However, given that it is a low-level spell, it generally tends to get unstable the larger the gathered mana gets.
I shook my head.
Obviously, I can't explode mana here in this room, but detonation is easy enough that practicing isn't necessary. The only difficult part is actually learning how to gather mana and keep it there long enough to detonate all at once.
Thus, after recalling all the information I had of this spell, I got to work for the next 30 minutes.
But just as expected, the gathered mana was unstably holding their positions, a struggle to get it any larger than a pea without collapsing spontaneously.
I massaged my temples, gradually getting a headache from the continuous slow progress. Frustration was building, but I knew I shouldn't worry. Things would pick up soon enough when I successfully form my mana core...
I had to look for solutions again.
"Hmm.. Is there anything that could assist right now?", I recalled ways people typically casted spells in my own and other novels.
Don't characters in fantasy novels usually put their hand up or use a staff to cast spells? Lully was using a staff as well.
However... A frown formed on my face. It's inconvenient.
Putting your hand up opens a gap to easily get your arm severed, and would render you useless in a situation where you can't safely hold your arm in a specific position for long periods of time. Likewise, for a staff, it's as if you would lose your life if you lost a single limb, except a staff is much easier to knock away from a magician.
Certainly, it would speed up my practice if I put my hand up or broke a random piece of the wooden table to use. Perhaps I could manifest the spell within another hour. But the thing is...I don't want to get dependent on it, and have to relearn everything later.
I felt annoyed. It'd be easier if I could just cast a spell instantly and be done with it.
I thought a little more.
"Alright! Let's just not do it then."
Sacrificing a few hours of time, I stubbornly and persistently tried to gather mana for {Mana Burst} without breaks, and, failed without any sign of success.
It got closer and closer to midnight, and me getting less and less sleep. Until, just 3 million and a half hours later, I had succeeded in forming a ball of mana.
"Ah...aha..", slurred laughter came out, the eyes of a dead fish embodying my tiredness at this moment.
Fwoosh! A ball of mana gathered stably in my palm.
First spell complete.
I mean, I did it. But what exactly did I do this for..?
The next spell was easier than {Mana Burst}, being {Mana Arrow}. It emphasized precision more than the destructive {Mana Burst}. It was a simple, manifested arrow made of mana, that I could control and shoot at any foe that faced me. A versatile spell.
I quickly sped through the practice.
Manipulating mana being easier due to succeeding in the first spell, I was able to learn this spell within 2 hours, and like that, the moon was at the top of the sky. The owls hooted to fill the silent night.
"This is not relaxing at all."
I laid down on my bed in relief. I learned two spells in half a day, nearly impossible for many. I felt I could safely focus on the next two goals I had to accomplish tomorrow.
I took the white two-horned badge in my inner pocket and fiddled with it.
Soon, I would be plunged again into a whole other hell, and I can do nothing but prepare myself with the little time I have left.
I wish I had a talent like the protagonist. Like 'Destiny's Second Child' or something. Middle child even. Two children of destiny competing. Wouldn't that be more fun? I sighed.
"Haa.."
Pulling myself under the blankets, I fell asleep to the thoughts of the numerous possibilities of dying during the academy's entrance exams.