TBATE - The Second Son

Chapter 10: The Core

The days passed by quickly, as I put most of my time into improving my physique, mana core, and learning more about this world. Soon, six months would have passed.

My sister was born weeks after my awakening. Her name is Eleanor, but my parents call her Ellie. We pretty much share the same features given by our parents. As an older sibling, I must uphold my brotherly duties to my younger sibling.

"I wonder if it would be better if I helped her awaken earlier," I stated out loud. I then considered what would happen if she did awaken early. "Nope", unless she's also someone who also reincarnated, it would only spell out trouble for her with the number of expectations placed upon her awakening and those around her.

"So no early awakening I guess" as I went to pat the head of my little sibling who was sleeping beside me.

"August, how's Ellie?" Mother said as she brought a tray of snacks.

"She's still sleeping peacefully", I said as I flipped a page of the book I'm reading.

"Have some snacks", she said.

Tempted by the offer, I closed the book I'm reading and took some cookies from the tray.

"This tastes as good as always, mom!" I said.

"Of course it is, you've been working really hard these past few months since you've awakened, you should rest more." She said with a worried look.

I was already planning to rest since my body is sore anyways. "Sure thing mom," I said.

"Great, now watch Ellie for a bit more. I just have some stuff to do." She said.

"I will." I then stared at the floor and contemplated the dream I had again. It's the main driving force why I've been seriously pushing myself these past few months. Despite how strong I am in there, even stronger beings dominated, different races lay around dead. For the second life I was given, I'll do everything I can to prevent that scene from ever happening.

Right now, I need to find a teacher in the magic department. Dad would suffice with physical combat training since I'm still young. I would soon need a mentor capable of different weapons, be it short-ranged, long-ranged, and hand-to-hand combat or have a mentor each and try to mix the fighting styles to create an unpredictable fighting style.

I barely have any fighting experience despite all the knowledge I've gained in that life. I don't know how talented or strong other people are so I'll use unpredictability, this intellect of mine from both my past and present life, as a weapon.

WEEKS LATER

My mana core seemed different from the others. It was said in books that a black mana core is simply black. There was never a record stating it has a purple glow, at least according to the books present inside the manor's library. I want to ask my parents about it but it might raise suspicion. Then they might inquire others about my question and would discreetly spread it to someone crazy enough to think about experimenting upon my body due to its obscurity if that were the case.

I guess I seriously need to find a trustworthy mentor who can keep secrets to know the case of my mana core. I also need to go to Xyrus Academy to acquire information from books not present inside this household. I need to know how others comprehend and perceive mana.

Going back to my core, I sense two different power sources, one I can control much easier than the other, but the latter was definitely the stronger one. Using one or both of them at once would hurt my body and mind so I need to fight quickly and efficiently. Decisiveness on when to strike along with irregular moves would be my best bet to finishing a fight quickly; I guess I must put that to the test with my spar with dad tomorrow.

Focusing back on my core, I concentrated on refining it so I can at least get a step closer to reaching the black mid-stage. I focused on accumulating mana slowly and steadily bringing it to my core. As I let mana flow into my core, I felt too relaxed to the point I felt drowsy that I forgot I'm refining my core. As I felt the shades of mana flowing to my core, I saw it evolving to a new stage. Focusing back on my core, I focused on refining it so I can at least get a step closer to reaching the dark red stage. I focused on accumulating mana slowly and steadily, bringing it to my core. As I let mana flow into my core, I felt too relaxed to the point I got drowsy and forgot that I'm refining my core. As I felt the shades of mana flowing to my core, I saw it evolving to a new stage, and more cracks appeared. I then focused even more until I finally broke through to the dark red stage.

The difference seemed noticeable, so noticeable in fact that I felt so much better. The control I have over mana which was already well enough improved even more. My mana reserves also increased. I then tested out the limits of my body. I was able to go a bit faster with my augmentation and manipulate ambient mana in my surroundings without straining my core now. I practiced applying mana differently than what is normal in this world or from what I've observed. Instead of augmenting my whole body with mana, I just focus on where I'll be needing it for my movements, like the joints and muscles needed per move or action I'll execute.

The wind blew away the leaves from the tree's branch in front of me. I saw this as an opportunity to test out if my theory would work. If it did, then it would be an unfair advantage against my opponents and probably the best method I have to conserve my reserves. As the wind blew the leaf I'm looking at, I crouched down a bit like I'm stepping on a springboard, augmenting body parts to be used in the dash. I then let mana flow to me and jumped forward, also augmenting my index and middle finger. I pierced through the leaf, my form looked like I struck someone with a rapier.

This is wonderful, as I tried doing other moves with the same principle until I got tired. Exhausting mana reserves is pretty hard. It would spell troubles to the mage without mana, they would just be regular beings without a core, unable to manipulate mana.

I wonder if it's possible to gather mana as I move. Like in that one story, I mean I don't have to stay absolutely still to gather mana into my core so maybe it would work.

I tried to move as little as possible, swaying my body while I gathered mana. I was able to gather mana albeit at a slower pace. I stood up slowly to walk at a turtle's pace until I wasn't able to accumulate mana to my core. I repeated the process a few more times but by the looks of it, I need a lot more time to learn this method of accumulating mana. In the event that it would work, fatigue and an ache in my core would be the only thing that could stop me from casting.

I then made last-minute preparations for my spar tomorrow.