In that very moment, the lonesome former Swordmaster, Blade, as the Future Archmage, Caelum Anachronis vowed to protect the sight of the blooming fields, the childrens' laughter, and the people living their lives.
He willled upon himself to prevent the resurrection of the demon god.
"I'll work hard, father." He says.
...
*Swoosh* A wooden sword slashes downward. The butler's perplexed face appears on the side–watching the son of the greatest mage... train in the sword.
"29... 42... 75... 158... 380... 729... 844... 998... 999... 1000." After the thousandth slash, Caelum falls in exhaustion.
As the mellow light of his room creeps into his eyelids... he awokens. Albeit unable to move after pushing his body to the limits.
"I need to make proper use of the time gifted to me. This chance I received from the dearest friend... I'll make sure to succeed." Caelum forces his body to sit up in a meditation position.
"According to this body's memories... I have to follow a specific breathing rhythm and intensity." After doing it for 5 minutes with no changes...
"Ack! Damn this!" I complain. "Why the heck isn't it working?!" Frustrated, I lay down and stare at the ceiling.
...
Wait... when I first entered this body I had 3 mana circles around my heart. But when I fainted and woke up again they were gone.
... *Thinking deeply*
Could it be... does the mana of the world recognize me not as Caelum but as Blade? Then that would mean that mana itself is capable of recognition... thus... mana isn't simply an energy but a living being?
The space around me folds into itself and I find myself in a pitch black void.
"You're correct." An unfamiliar voice says.
"State your name! Who are you!?" I say, reaching for my non-existent sword.
"Calm yourself, human." The voice says.
Soon after, a snap resounds and I appear back in my room once more. Drenched in sweat, I look around and notice a figure sipping tea at the corner of the room.
Without making a noise, I reach for the dagger in my bedside... and lunge at it. Yet... I go through the man's body, as if he were a ghastly being.
*Thud*
The man stares at Caelum and continues sipping his tea.
After some time, Caelum wakes up and sits next to the mysterious man.
"Who are you?" he says to the man.
"Finally ready to listen?" The man replies. "This is why I dislike humans."
"Since you appeared while I was deep in my thoughts... are you mana????"
"No." The man says. "I am Manael, the lord of wisdom. I am a higher being that you humans call 'god'. Albeit I am mainly the god that the elves worship. Most importantly, however, I am the source of mana. The mana you humans use is simply another form of divine power. Which is why it cannot be used alongside another god's divine power."
"...I see. Then that would mean that there are only 2 actual Types of power that humans can use... which would be divine power and qi."
"That's correct. Mana is collected around your heart in the form of circles, but the process of gathering mana is to breathe it in from nature." Manael explains.
"Human child. I truly pity your fate. But the demon god must be stopped; and so I shall lend you my help." Manael reaches into the air, a pocket appears where manael's hand went through, and he grabs an item that seems to resemble that of a pendant.
"This is a 'Medallion of Manael' an artifact that will allow you to summon me. You will only have 3 uses for it, so use it wisely. You may also use it as a token of identification in the elven regions."
Caelum steps beside Manael, and kneels on one knee. "Lord Manael of Wisdom, This lowly servant of yours humbly accepts this gift."