The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [86] The Swordman

Tanisha found constantly cycling seiðr to her daggers and armor to be a menial task. It did require a small amount of her attention to maintain the connection but not much more. The wendigo already had an innate ability to channel their mana through their bodies. This was further amplified after she evolved into a greater. Fuyumi appreciated the fact that she could channel her energies so well.

"If you keep this up we will be able to add these items into your armory in just two weeks." Fuyumi said with a nod. "Can you channel your alloy like this while you sleep?"

"While I sleep?" Tanisha chuckled thinking she was kidding. "How would that even be possible?"

"Channelling mana while you sleep is a common trait for mages once they reach higher ranks." Fuyumi said seriously. "It is just like Chakra users and their breathing techniques. Most of the truly powerful people will have their bodies enhanced at all times. Not only does it keep you alert but it also helps you to control your powers better."

Tanisha raised a hand, "if high level mages are doing that all the time that means that they're constantly expending mana. How? It may be small but that does wear on the mind, right? Using mana always takes a mental toll. How can anyone maintain that and function day and night?"

"It becomes second nature, I am not saying that they are battle ready at all times," Fuyumi clarified. "What I am saying is that having your magic moving and flowing is what separates a true high level mage from an amateur with a lot of power. You might feel like magic is instant when you cast it, but it's not. Even for someone who can cast without incantations, there's a fraction of a second where energy must flow, gather, and release. That delay might seem negligible to a novice, but to a seasoned mage, even a moment's hesitation can be fatal."

Fuyumi's gaze sharpened. "Think about it—when you're fully engaged in battle, doesn't the world seem to slow down around you? That's your enhanced cognition, a result of magic sharpening the connection between your mind and core. The stronger that connection, the faster you can think, react, and act. Those fractions of a second stretch on to feel much longer. They can be the difference between victory and becoming rust on an enemy's blade."

Tanisha pressed her lips together, her thoughts swirling. Everything Fuyumi said made sense, but it also felt overwhelming. There was no shortcut, no alternative. All that was left was to put in the work and to push her seiðr to cycle faster, to establish an unbroken connection between her core and her mind, and to hone her control until it became as effortless as breathing.

Noticing Tanisha's silence, Fuyumi offered a faint smile and rose to her feet. "I'll leave you to your contemplation," she said, moving toward Aurelius to oversee his cultivation training.

Tanisha closed her eyes, retreating inward to her core. The silhouette of her body formed in her mind's eye, and she began the process again, guiding the energy upward, cycling it back, and striving for the control that would one day set her apart.

***

"This is the door we went through," Tanisha said, pointing to the dried patches of congealed blood on the ground. "I believe this leads to the Manufacturing Wing."

Aurelius crouched briefly, studying the ground. "Looks like you two went through quite the ordeal," he said, rising and turning his gaze toward the door. "How many of the sword golem things were there?"

"Just one," Tanisha replied. "The rest were equipped with those loud crossbow thingies. Bjorn and I destroyed every one that came for us."

"Impressive, I still haven't seen one of those things in action." Aurelius said with a nod. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Can I try fighting it alone? I'm close to a breakthrough, and this could help me put what Fuyumi taught me to the test."