I have now returned to my dormitory. After lying down on my bed, my mind wandered back to the intense battle I witnessed earlier, with Shotoka emerging as the winner.
After seeing him firsthand, I realized that Shotoka truly is a genius. He didn't waste a single opportunity to attack Jacob and quickly ended the fight as soon as his opponent let his guard down.
What impressed me more was his incredible ability to control release. It seems that the release he used was release magic, judging by how effortlessly he extended his silver staff. If that's the case, then he must be a Verdant mana core.
Honestly, I felt a little confused by the curriculum at this academy. They teach mana mastery at such a slow pace. In classes 1 to 6, students are only taught the mana filtering method. Then, when they reach classes 7 to 9, they learn the second method, conditioning. Finally, when they reach classes 10 to 12, they are taught the final method, release.
Because of this, I was extremely impressed by Shotoka. He had just entered class 10 and was already able to master release so effortlessly. How many students in this academy are as talented as he is?
However, setting that aside, I still feel confused by the kingdom that regulates the academy's curriculum. They are very strict and limit the teaching of mana mastery according to the class level, in stages. Why don't they teach all the mastery methods from the beginning? But well... perhaps this is an advantage for me, as I have the book Reversal Composed. With that book, I can study and master mana mastery ahead of the other students—even though I am still stuck at the stage of forming my mana core and haven't succeeded yet.
However, after watching the battle, a clear picture of mana core formation began to form in my mind. It seems I need to first consider the characteristics of my body to match the mana core I want to form.
I then sat cross-legged and began filteringmana with intense focus and closed eyes. Unlike before, this time I did it very carefully. Slowly, I channeled the filtered mana throughout my body and held it for a while. I had to force my body to adapt to the process of forming a mana core.
I continued filtering while reflecting on my body's characteristics, trying to visualize my own mana core. After doing physical exercises by running every morning, I felt an increase in stamina. My body is now strong enough for someone my age. When I first started running around the track, I could only manage five laps. But now, I can even complete five laps without resting at all.
For mana mastery, maybe because I had often done filtering, mana felt easier to adapt to in my body. Therefore, I should be able to form either an Azure or Verdant mana core with my current abilities. But... is my ability still not enough?
I continued the process, until I didn't realize that it was already eleven o'clock at night. I had to sleep soon and rest for tomorrow's classes. But before that, I decided to use the last of my energy for one final filtering.
This time, I did it more focused, more carefully. All the mana was channeled throughout my body, with one goal—forming the mana core. I gathered all the energy I had left and poured it all into the process. Little by little, the mana core began to form. I could feel the heat in my chest, hotter than before. I kept maintaining the flow of mana to keep it balanced.
About 75% of the mana core had been formed. What I had to do now was to maintain the rhythm of my mana. I couldn't let this mana Core break. But my energy was running low, and my body was beginning to struggle with the surge of mana inside me. I forced my body to hold on just a little longer.
But eventually, my body couldn't take it anymore. The mana exploded within me.
Damn... so close. But I still failed. Blood came out of my nose and mouth. The explosion seemed to have caused quite serious injuries to my body. I lay there, dying on the dormitory floor, weak and powerless.
But then, I was shocked. A red light slowly appeared from my body, followed by a warmth that returned to my chest. I could feel it—a mana core was rubbing against my heart. The red light surrounding me was a sign of the formation of a Crimson mana core.
Not Azure, not Verdant. The mana core that had formed... was Crimson.
So, I didn't fail in forming my mana core?
Then, where did the explosion and blood come from? It seems the explosion came from the mana core that had just finished forming, and the blood came because of the sudden friction between my heart and the mana core. Now, my body was slowly adapting, forming a new system with the mana core inside.
I wanted to cry with happiness because all my hard work had finally paid off. But my body had reached its limit. I fainted shortly after.
It seems I'm getting closer to mastering all the mana mastery methods.
---
Morning came.
After fainting, I eventually woke up. My head throbbed, and my whole body felt broken. I then boiled some hot water and drank a glass of warm tea while looking at the view outside the window.
As usual, the students had already started their morning training. I felt very happy thinking about last night's events. All my hard work had finally paid off. A mana core had formed inside me. What surprised me even more was that it wasn't just any mana core—it was Crimson, a very rare type.
Honestly, I felt a bit proud of that.
Just a little... of course, just a little. Hehe.
Of course, I shouldn't get complacent now. There's still the final method I need to learn. But before that, I think I need to let my body rest first. Every part of my body hurts so much. It seems I pushed myself too hard yesterday.
I continued sipping the hot tea in my hand. But before I could finish it, I was surprised by a cat that jumped into my room through the window.
It was the black cat I had adopted two days ago. Now, I took care of it and fed it every day. But yesterday morning, it had disappeared somewhere. I then brought it some fish and milk. It ate eagerly.
I gently stroked its fur. For some reason, it reminded me of a cat I had once kept in my past life. When my friends had abandoned me after I was diagnosed with a severe illness, only that cat had come close and kept me company in my loneliness.
Although we eventually had to part because my health worsened, the fond memories of our time together still live on in my mind.