TBATE - The Second Son

Chapter 3: Meeting the Twin Horns

AUGUSTUS LEYWIN

A few more months have elapsed, I've come to understand that mana here is pretty much the same as those I've read in my previous life, and that mana is present everywhere around us. What baffles me is that only one in a hundred people can have the ability to control mana which is largely genetic. Since Everyone in my family can control mana, I would most likely be able to control mana in the future.

Moving on, mana can be used with different methods, but most commonly are Augmenters and Conjurers. Augmenters, just like the name suggests, augment themselves with mana, improving their physical capabilities temporarily. Basically, they're like martial artists from fiction where they can fight at insane speeds. I wonder how augmenters here can compare.

Conjurers emit mana to the outside world, allowing them to bend the surroundings according to their will. Unfortunately, they need to supplement their mana core with mana from the outside world to form a spell. Well, conjurers need mana veins while augmenters need strong mana channels. It would theoretically be possible to be able to develop both mana veins and mana channels, though it would be really hard as there is no written information about being able to use both.

So mana is something I can feel from the atmosphere since it is abundant. I meditated and tried to focus on sensing the mana from the surroundings and from my body. I sensed something faint and bright. Mother ten picked me up for dinner as I lose focus and lose track of those bright particles.

Over dinner, my parents debated about sending my brother to train since my father had nothing left to teach him. My mother said that she doesn't want my brother to be sent to a city hundreds of miles away, I agree with her by nodding my head. My brother, disappointed that he couldn't enjoy his meal, suggested that all of us come with him to meet the teacher that would train him.

My parents then laughed, both giving statements that agree with what my brother said. They both came to a conclusion that we would be going to Xyrus city and eagerly prepared for the journey.

I tried to find the book that tells about mana, I still can't read but I can tell what some of the symbols mean. Good thing the language here is the same, only the writing is different. I immediately went to my brother to ask him if he can continue reading this book to me. He agrees and closes the book of whatever he was reading.

He told me about mana cores and that it has six stages, namely: black, red, orange, yellow, silver, and white. Mana cores become purer as the impurities are filtered out over time, each stage is split into dark, solid, and light shades which serve as tiers on the different stages of the mana core.

My mother then entered the room, thanking my brother for taking care of me then telling us both to go to sleep since we will be traveling early in the morning.

She then tucked my brother on his bead as mother took me to mine and lulled me to sleep. Traveling? Would this frail body of mine even be able to handle such a trip? My only wish is to not have any tragedy struck upon me and my family, on me mostly though. I wouldn't want to die after I've been reincarnated somewhat. Who knows if there is another chance, if it would be an endless loop or I would have no more chances, that's why I need to make up the most to live a life where I can be proud of.

Time went by fast as I thought about different scenarios that will happen, I didn't notice when my mother left but now I'm really drowsy and wouldn't need to be lulled to sleep. I wonder what tomorrow brings, I hope that we wouldn't face any trouble on our journey.

The morning then came. Outside our home, a giant man was standing with a bright smile. He and my parents apparently knew each other. He introduced himself as Durden Walker while my brother also introduced himself. Since I am unable to speak, I just made audible baby noises and nodded my head. They all chuckled at my actions.

We then went to the outskirts of town, Durden helping us carry some of our belongings. A silhouette of four soon came into view with two lizard-drawn carriages to help us on our three-week-long journey through the grand mountains to Xyrus city. I wonder how Xyrus even stays afloat. Do they use pure mana or use the elements and their higher forms to let it say afloat? If so, do they use slaves? Or is it that the city itself is self-sustaining in that regard?

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a woman with blond hair, green eyes. She hugged me. Being a baby. I almost suffocated, tears welling up from my eyes. Durden noticed it and immediately took me out of the woman's embrace. Apparently, her name is Angela Rose.

I glanced at my brother and I saw him introducing himself to the red-haired man named Adam Krensh. Angela then came to my brother and hugged him much tighter than when she hugged me. Durden then came and helped my brother too.

I glanced at the other members of their party, Helen Shard, which I presume to be their leader by the way she behaves, walked over to me and patted my head, meanwhile, she shook my brother's hand. Me wanting to show off a little walked over to her and tapped the side of her boots. She looked at me, with a curious gaze and asked "what is it, little one?" with a smile. I then opened my mouth to speak, not caring about what voice my undeveloped body would produce, and raised my hand up asking for a handshake. She crouched down and shook my hands with a smile. Everyone else smiled at my action.

Finally, their youngest member, Jasmine Flamesworth. I nodded my head and so did she. She looks like an introvert who doesn't talk much, if not, at all.

We then boarded the carriages, my dad and Durden sitting at the front while my mother, brother, Angela, and I sit at the back. Seeing me drowsy, Mother asked Angela if she would want to carry me. Her eyes then shined and she said yes excitedly. My brother then looked at me with worry as I looked at him blankly. Angela then saw my brother's reaction and told him to not worry. My brother nodded uncertainly, then looked to the road. I went into my thoughts and realized that there is so much I can learn from this world.