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(N) TRT Chapter 9: Mana Core
🕑 Added 2025-05-13 04:33:24 +0000 UTCI studied the wooden door in front of me. It had all sorts of magical symbols and arcane runes carved into it. Each one glowed with a faint blue light. This door led to a meditation chamber, a special room enchanted to gather and collect mana. Both martial artists and wizards used them for cultivation. It was also the ideal place for me to form my mana core. While I could form it anywhere, it was safer to do so in a place with abundant mana.
This particular meditation chamber was located in the Northern Annex’s cellar. The floors and the walls were all stone, while the ceiling was wood. It felt cool and dry down here. Glowstone lamps illuminated the area. It was rather dusty, since no one had lived in the Northern Annex for years. Every time I breathed through my nose, I felt the urge to sneeze. Breathing through my mouth was little better, since it meant tasting the dust. It was a mistake to wear a white training outfit, since just entering the cellar was enough to dirty it.
Leroy stood by my side. Like me, he wore a white training outfit.
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Lord Gabriel?” he asked. “It would be safer to ask Lord Sturm or Lady Sturm to watch over you, just in case.”
I glanced over at him. He made a fair point. When a martial artist first formed their mana core, or a wizard first formed their magic circle, it was best to have someone with more experience supervise them. That way, they could intervene if something went wrong. However, that wasn’t necessary for me.
“I’d rather get this over with,” I said, shaking my head. “I already waited an entire month. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
The past month had been a grueling one for me. After I received the box of Training Elixirs from my mother, I lived and breathed training. Every day, from sunup to sundown, I focused on nothing but training. I even stopped my evening learning sessions, just so I had more time to train.
Of course, I didn’t spend all of my time training. Every now and again, I followed my mother’s advice and visited my parents at Sturm Manor’s main building. However, these visits were the exception.
As my stamina increased, I pushed my body further and further. After a certain point, my days blurred together. I trained, I slept, I woke up and resumed training. The people around me grew worried when they saw how hard I pushed myself, but I reassured them that this was a temporary state of affairs. It would all be over soon.
In the end, all my effort paid off. With the help of the Training Elixirs, I condensed a year’s worth of training into a single month. My body went from frail and thin to lean and toned, which made me very happy. When I saw that I had abs again, I almost cried tears of joy.
“Besides,” I said, shrugging, “I see no reason to bother my parents over something trivial.”
Leroy gave me a flat look.
“You and I have different definitions of the word ‘trivial’, Lord Gabriel.”
I grinned at him. For most, forming a mana core/magic circle was a momentous event. It was a major milestone, when a martial artist/wizard took their first step towards becoming something more than human. In my case, I saw no reason to make a big fuss of it. After all, this wasn’t my first time forming a mana core.
“Just guard the door and make sure nothing interrupts me.” I said. “I’ll be out soon.”
Despite his reservations, Leroy nodded. With that, I opened the wooden door and entered the meditation chamber. The moment I crossed the threshold, I found it difficult to breathe. There was so much mana in this meditation chamber, that it was almost suffocating, literally. I could almost swim through the stuff.
The mediation chamber itself didn’t look special. It was a simple stone room, illuminated by a single glowstone lamp hanging from the ceiling. Unlike the rest of the cellar, it was pristine in here. There wasn’t a single speck of dust.
In the center of the meditation chamber, carved into the floor, was a runic circle. Wizards used them when they wanted to create enchantments and long-lasting spells. They could also be called magic circles. However, people called them runic circles, to avoid confusing them with the magic circles that wizards formed inside their bodies and cultivated.
I closed the door behind me, before I walked over to the runic circle and sat right in the middle of it. After getting myself into a comfortable position, I closed my eyes and focused my senses on the mana swirling throughout the meditation chamber.
For me, this was a form of meditation. Before I even attempted to form my mana core, I needed to focus my mind. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. A single stray thought could result in failure and injury. In the worst case scenario, failing to form a mana core resulted in death. I wasn’t worried, but a little caution never hurt.
Mana was formless and lacked physical substance. Despite this, it had a profound impact on the physical world. It was present in everything, living beings in particular. By controlling and manipulating mana, a person could achieve incredible feats. It was the means by which wizards cast their spells, and martial artists used their techniques. However, it wasn’t just power. Mana was the lifeblood of the universe. Without it, life as we know it wouldn’t exist.
Once I achieved the necessary mental state, I started taking in mana and began forming my mana core. To cultivate, martial artists used cultivation techniques while wizards used mana formulas. Despite the different terms, the two were the same thing. While the results and the end goals differed, martial artists and wizards used the same means and methods.
I used the Storm Dragon cultivation technique, which I developed with Teacher’s aid, to take in mana and circulate it through my mana veins. These were similar to veins and arteries but for mana instead of blood. This was a painful process, which was why it required my complete focus. Any distraction could prove lethal.
As I circulated the mana throughout my body, I felt a stirring in my soul, which I expected. That was the storm dragon part of me responding to the Storm Dragon cultivation technique. However, I also felt a stirring in my blood, which I didn’t expect. It burned, like lightning coursing through my body. This almost caused the mana to run wild, but I managed to catch it in time and keep it under control.
A small part of me wondered what was going on, before I realized the truth. Unlike in my previous life as Brandon Norwood, I now had both the soul of a storm dragon’s descendant and the blood of one. Of course this would affect the formation of my mana core. I felt annoyed at myself for not realizing this beforehand.
After regaining control of the mana flowing through my body, I continued forming my mana core. Once the mana made a full circuit, I directed it towards my heart before condensing it into a sphere. The mana bucked under my control, like a trapped animal seeking to break free, but my will held firm.
I continued to feed mana into my nascent core, condensing and compressing it. Pressure built up inside of me. Together with the burning in my blood, it felt like an explosion waiting to happen. Despite this, I remained calm and focused. Rather, instead of trying to relieve the pressure, I built it up instead.
The heat and the pressure continued to rise, until it felt like I was bursting at the seams. And then, just as when it seemed like my body wouldn’t be able to last much longer, my mana core ignited. The moment this happened, my core sucked in all the mana inside my body and demanded more. I could barely keep up with it using the Storm Dragon cultivation technique.
At the same time, I felt my mana core changing my body. It purified and refined my flesh, my bones, my blood, and my organs. My senses grew sharper, including my mana sense. I felt myself become more than human.
Time slipped away from me as I took in mana and fed it to my core. After a while, it settled down. Mana circulated through my body in a steady flow, with my now-formed core acting like a second heart. The center of my being no longer felt empty. Instead, a blazing white star burned inside of me.
I opened my eyes and let out a joyful laugh. Finally, I felt whole again.
***
After they found out that I formed my mana core, my parents threw a celebration feast for me. Well, first they scolded me for my recklessness. They said that I should’ve asked one of them, or even Caitlyn, to supervise the process. While a little annoying, I bore with it since I knew their words came from a place of concern. However, I still had my limits. When my mother wanted Joanne to examine me, just in case she said, I put my foot down.
The feast itself was a small and intimate affair. It took place that evening, on the same day I formed my mana core. Besides my parents and I, the only ones in attendance were the members of House Sturm that knew about Murim and martial arts: Caitlyn, Leroy, and Joanne. We ate in Sturm Manor’s private dining room, the one usually reserved for members of the main family. However, on this occasion, my father made an exception.
The food, of course, smelled delicious and tasted even better. House Sturm’s chefs were among the best in the Solarian Empire. Even the food on Earth couldn’t compare. The six of us ate, drank, and made merry.
After we finished eating, we retired to the drawing room for drinks and conversation. Well, most of us. Leroy returned to the Northern Annex, saying he wanted to wake up early in the morning for training.
Like the rest of Sturm Manor, the drawing room was simple but elegant. It was furnished with comfortable leather chairs and decorated with a few tasteful art pieces. Glowstone lamps filled the room with warm light.
My parents sat next to each other, while I sat a little apart from them. Caitlyn lounged in her chair with Joanne sitting next to her. Everyone held a glass of wine. I wasn’t a big wine guy but this stuff tasted pretty good, if a bit drier than I preferred. I liked sweeter wines.
As we drank, Caitlyn and Joanne shared several stories about my mother in her youth, to the latter’s embarrassment. It turned out that my mother had been a rather fiery young woman. Fighting bandits, slapping arrogant young masters across the face, and so on.
I also shared some of my adventures from my time on Earth. Everyone found this fascinating. After all, it wasn’t every day that they got to hear about another world. They found the concept of gates fascinating. While pocket dimensions existed here on Lumina, they were all artificial. They didn’t naturally occur.
When I finished telling one of my stories, Caitlyn barked out a laugh and nudged my mother with an elbow.
“Ha!” She said. “Lord Gabriel reminds me of you when we were part of the Adventurers Guild.”
My mother wore a proud smile on her face.
“Of course,” she said, “He is my son after all.”
I blinked her in surprise.
“You were part of the Adventurers Guild?” I asked.
Caitlyn and my mother both nodded their heads.
“Yes.” My mother said. “It’s a common practice for young Clan scions to disguise themselves and join the Adventurers Guild. That way they can gain experience in the wider world.” She glanced at my father. “In fact, that was how I met your father.”
My father nodded, a fond smile on his face.
“A cult of demon worshipers established themselves in a nearby territory.” He said. “The House in charge of that territory asked us for help. They also hired several adventurers to make up the numbers. Your mother was one of those adventurers. For me, it was love at first sight.”
“Aw, I love you too, Bryce.” My mother said.
My father grabbed my mother’s hand. They gazed at one another, lost in each other’s eyes. I resisted the urge to roll mine and turned my attention to Caitlyn.
“I’m curious,” I said, “What exactly is your relationship with my mother? How did you two meet?”
Caitlyn glanced at my mother, who was busy exchanging sweet nothings with my father, before shrugging.
“Eh, it should be fine to tell you.” She said. “It isn’t as if it’s a big secret. Her grandfather, your great-grandfather, is my master. He taught me everything I know about martial arts. Your mother and I grew up together.”
Ah, that explained a great deal. The relationship between teacher and disciple was akin to that of parent and child. In that regard, Caitlyn was family, even though we didn’t share blood.
I wanted to ask her more about this great-grandfather of mine, but I held back. While I wanted to learn more about my mother’s Clan, I also didn’t want to hurt her by reopening old wounds. Thus, I kept my curiosity in check.
“After the Martial Arts Alliance banished Lady Sturm from Murim,” Caitlyn continued. “My teacher asked me to watch over her, and even pulled some strings to make it happen. That’s how I ended up becoming her so-called watchdog.” She glanced at my mother. “She was always his favorite grandchild.”
Joanne snorted, before taking a sip of her wine.
“He spoiled her, you mean.” She said afterwards. “Half the reason she got away with as much as she did was because of him.”
My mother, who was apparently paying attention to our conversation, looked over at us.
“Of course.” She said without an ounce of shame. “What’s the point of having a powerful backer if you don’t take advantage of them?”
Caitlyn and Joanne both rolled their eyes at her.
“Your grandfather sounds like an interesting character,” I said, “I wish I could meet him.”
“You will,” my mother said, a serious expression on her face. “Once he realizes that you joined Murim, he will come see you for himself. His curiosity will compel him. That’s the kind of person he is.”
“Speaking of which,” my father said, “When do you plan on leaving, Gabriel?”
My parents already knew that I planned on joining the Adventurers Guild. When I first pitched the idea to them, I expected resistance. However, to my surprise, they agreed right away. My father even offered to procure a disguise and a fake ID for me, which I accepted.
This confused me at the time, but I decided not to question it. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. However, now I knew the truth. My parents expected me to follow my mother’s footsteps and join the Adventurers Guild.
“That depends.” I said. “When will the necessary documents be ready?”
“About a week from now,” my father said.
I sipped my wine.
“Then I’ll leave in a week.”
My mother looked dismayed by this.
“You’re leaving so soon?”
I shrugged.
“Now that I’ve formed a mana core, I see no reason to delay things.”
My mother pouted.
“That’s not fair.” She said. “Your father and I barely got to see you over the past month. Now you’re telling me that you’re leaving Sturm Manor in a week.”
My father patted her hand with a sympathetic expression on his face.
“Gabriel needs to spread his wings and fly.” He said. “He can’t stay cooped up his entire life. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times he has left Sturm Manor.”
I winced. My father made a fair point. During my first life, I was a homebody. The only times I left Sturm Manor was to attend important social events, which wasn’t often. Otherwise, I spent all of my time at home. I broke this habit on Earth, when I became a hunter and traveled all over the world to enter Gates and hunt monsters.
“I know,” my mother said, sighing, “It’s just… We almost lost Gabriel once. I don’t want to go through that again.”
My heart went out to my mother. However, I could not abide by her wishes, not in this case. I wanted to go out and explore Lumina. Most of what I knew about my native world came from books. That wasn’t the same as seeing it with my own eyes. Hell, in some ways, I was more familiar with Earth than Lumina, which was sad now that I thought about it.
“Don’t worry,” Caitlyn said, “My boy will tag along and keep an eye on Lord Gabriel. Leroy will keep him safe.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. Who would keep who safe? I think she got the order mixed up. However, I kept my mouth shut. While they stung my pride, Caitlyn’s words reassured my mother. That’s what mattered most here.
“Very well.” My mother said with a sigh. “Just make sure you return in two months, Gabriel.”
“So we can pick up Kaylee from the Solarian Imperial Academy, I know.” I said, before taking a sip of my wine.
“Well, yes, that too.” My mother said. “However, that’s also when you’ll meet your prospective bride.”
My wine went down the wrong pipe, resulting in a coughing fit. After I managed to clear my airways, I stared at my mother in disbelief.
“What did you just say?”
Comments
hearthshope
I'm thinking of releasing a short story every now and again about Gabriel's life as Brandon Norwood.
Lon
Oh you think that just because you formed your own mana core you are free from marrying another noble? Well think again lover boy 😂 Anyhow, it will be a problem for two months from now. So we solve that when we reach there. So the Mana core that was formed using a method related to Storm Dragons, that stirred both his body and soul, was changing his own body huh… I wonder if his bloodline will come into play in making him a better martial artist. Like, higher output with his affinities and other similar things. Or maybe dragon traits? Like scales, fangs, eyes and even dragon form? Ngl, I kind of wished that Gabriel shared that story of his adventuring days with us readers too. It would have been interesting. Even if glossed over a bit, it would be a good insight into how he lived his life too.
