Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 2: Magic Flow's

"I was wondering, do you know how we can channel our magic outward?"

"Well, it's actually something you'll learn at the academy when you take the exam to showcase your magical abilities, Normally during your time at the academy you try to find a mage with interest that aligns with yours to become your mentor." He explained

"Couldn't you become our mentor now and teach us how to use mana?"

"Although I technically could take you under my wing as my disciples it isn't that simple you need to have permission by the magic council to teach someone how to use mana."

He looked at the three of us visibly upset that he wouldn't teach us how to use our power before speaking again. "Although I can make an exception this time as long as you don't tell anyone I taught you guys, do we have a deal?" The three of us nod in agreement before he proceeds to tell us more about how to use our mana.

He instructed the three of us to stand in front of him and close our eyes and just listen to his instructions so the three of us followed closing our eyes.

"First I need for you to clear your minds, Just pause for a second and listen to the gentle rhythm of your heartbeat. Now, think of that void feeling in the core of your body how it feels empty but full at the same time. Picture it as if something is circling throughout your entire being, just like the way your blood flows through your veins. You'll have a feeling of warmth seep slowly through your body and that's your mana, your inner power, starting to awaken and come to life."

It took us all a little while to control ourselves from our excitement to calm our minds and start to activate the mana within ourselves. The first out of us three to activate their mana was Pearl followed by myself and then Edger.

We all asked Nytsul why the mana causes our bodies to feel so warm when we activate it. " The reason your body feels warm is just like when your hands get cold and you go somewhere warm and they get all tingly, the mana for the first time is circling your body activating parts of yourself that have never been used."

Now that you've activated your mana are you ready to move on the the next step?" The three of us look at each other and in unison say yes. "Okay for the next step, I need you all to place a hand palm up and close your eyes again." We do this as he continues to explain.

"Imagine yourself being in a pitch-black room all by yourself. Take your time and really visualize it. I want you to think about something that brings you a sense of relaxation and tranquility. It could be a peaceful sound, a soothing setting, or maybe even a gentle sensation. Whatever it is, try to immerse yourself in it and let it wash over you. Now, I want you to imagine that feeling slowly concentrating on your hand and forming it into a ball. Once you are able to do this I want you to open your eyes."

Upon Opening my eyes I could see an almost colorless ball with some light colors going through it sitting in my hand. Looking over at my friends I could see their eyes still closed but slowly a ball started growing in their hands like water droplets collecting together. When they open their eyes they are visibly excited but aren't able to say anything.

"Now if you look at the ball in your hand you will be able to see what your mana looks like, take your time looking at it before we move on to the next step." I look at the mana I'm holding in my hands it's maybe two inches in diameter before asking him about it.

"Is this what mana looks like?"

"Yes, it is, and you guys, let me tell you, are doing an exceptional job. It usually takes others a bit longer to understand the concept of moving the mana through themselves.

Now let's try taking it a step further, try to gather the mana that's in your body to a point. Usually, people tend to gather their mana into two different zones, the first being the core of your stomach, the second being the center of your chest and, thirdly some people gather their mana within their heads but it isn't recommended.

Once you've gathered your mana I want you to picture it spreading throughout your body in a mesmerizing yet delicate flow coursing through your veins, being able to channel your mana through your body will make it easier for you to utilize magic to its full ability, Not only that but I will help you become accustomed to its power-strengthening yourself and your ability to use more of it."

For a moment I stand there visualizing the gentle flow of mana coursing through my veins slowly gathering to my core as the mana pulses through my body consolidating and settling within my body.

I guide the mana from my core throughout my hands and arms feeling it strengthening every muscle it touches before I direct the flow towards my legs, allowing the mana to intertwine itself with my muscles giving me a sense of resilience as it moves upward to my chest and head.

When it reaches my head it's almost as if my senses were heightened, I could hear things more clearly and I could see things at a farther distance. But the most sensational feeling was when it touched my heart, the warmth slowly enveloping it making the rhythm feel smother yet stronger at the same time before making a full loop back to my core.

"Hay Nytsul, I couldn't help but notice that you were chanting something before you used your magic earlier what was that?"

"Yes Pearl, I was casting a wind spell called Uplift in order to move the tree."

"What's the purpose of chanting a spell?"

"When you use a chant it helps with maintaining stability throughout the process of spell casting."

"That means there's a method to cast spells that don't need chanting right?" I asked excitedly

"That would be correct Rune, It is possible to cast spells without using chants but if you are not able to control your mana properly it could lead to the spell destabilizing or having a weaker output compared to the chanted version.

Not to say that chanting a spell is the better option when it comes to spell-casting because most times it's easier to cast a spell without a chant if it's on a simpler level like a small flame."

"Are there other things that affect the outcome of a spell?" Edger asked

"Well, there are a few factors that affect the strength and stability of your spells. The First and foremost thing that matters is mana control, even if you're able to recite a spell it becomes meaningless if you aren't able to control the mana being infused within the spell.

The second thing that matters is the wording of your chants, For example, the spell Fireball is normally chanted like this, Oh great flame, grant me your power, Fireball." Just then a spark of fire grew in his hand creating a flame." This is how the Fireball spell is normally used.

Thirdly if you were to evoke the name of a deity when casting your spell whether that is with a chant or without one it affects the power given to the spell itself, If you were to use the name of a deity that you have favor with they can strengthen the power or control behind your spell and the opposite can be said with one that you lack favor with.

Are there any last questions before we embark on our journey again?" Nytsul said while looking at us

"How do we find the magic that works best for us Nytsul?"

"Rune that is an excellent question the majority of everyone has at least one mana attribute; some people have more than one. The way we see this at the academy is by injecting your mana into a machine and seeing how it reacts to the magic attributes.

The way we did this before the development of the machine was to gather your mana within your palm and envision the different attributes intertwining with it. There are nine fundamental mana attributes: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, Dark, Nature, Strengthening, and Sound.

When an attribute harmonizes with your unique mana, the mana that is on your palm takes on a vibrant hue that corresponds to the attribute. There is a class above these attributes called intermediate attributes, They are the more advanced version of the basic ones and they go as follows Lightning, Ice, Metal, Pressure, Purify, Void, Growth, and Imbuement."

Pearl jumped in saying "Shouldn't there be one more intermediate attribute if there are nine basic ones?"

"Indeed, there should be another intermediate attribute. However, the evolution of sound magic remains a captivating enigma, leaving us with only eight known intermediate attributes for now."

After Nytsul finished his explanation, he noticed that the captain was preparing to continue the journey. He told us to have our things ready and to drink some water before we continued ahead.