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Chapter 13 - Chapter 18 "Mana and Laughter"

"A Small Spark"

"Left foot forward… No, no, that was your right. Wait—are both your feet left feet?"

Altan swung his wooden sword but lost his balance and stumbled. Llyn, a few steps away twirling her blade, was barely holding back laughter.

"Altan! If you ever become king, make your first law: 'Walking with mismatched feet is a crime.' Might help you figure it out."

Altan drove his sword into the ground and turned. "I'll show you… right after I find my footing."

Master Thalor sat atop a massive log, whittling a piece of wood with a knife. His ears, however, were fully tuned in.

"All jokes aside," Thalor said, "both of you have mana traces. Weak, but present."

Altan's eyes widened. "Really? So… the time has come to unleash the beast within!"

Thalor rolled his eyes. "You have as much mana as a candle's glow. Not even a spark. But sparks… can burn forests."

Llyn asked with a serious tone, "So what exactly is mana? And why do some people have it, while others don't?"

Thalor straightened up slightly and stabbed a stick into the dirt. He drew a few symbols on the ground.

"Mana," he began, "is the essence of life. Every living being has it. But not all can use it. Using mana depends on three things:

1. Natural potential.

2. Compatibility.

3. Discipline."

Llyn raised a finger. "Let's say we have the first. What about the rest?"

Thalor smiled faintly. "That's why you're here."

He then drew six lines in the dirt.

"Mana levels:

Dormant

Awakened

Flowing

Forged

Merged

Ascended

You two… aren't even 'Dormant' yet."

Altan placed his hands on his hips. "But I feel a dragon inside me, waiting to awaken!"

Llyn gave him a sharp look. "You might have a snoring frog inside at best."

Thalor chuckled. "Don't fight. You'll learn in time. Now we test your mana."

He lined them up side by side. Small stones, leaves, and dirt were placed in front of each.

"Focus. Feel the energy within you… Which element do you connect with most?"

Altan closed his eyes. Silence fell.

A few seconds passed…

Then, a click sound.

The stone in front of Llyn moved slightly.

As for Altan's—

BOOM!

A tiny spark burst. The stone jumped, leaves scattered, and a cloud of dust flew up.

Llyn immediately turned to Altan. "What did you do?!"

Altan stared at his hands, stunned. "I don't know! I just… thought… and then BOOM!"

Thalor stood up and approached them slowly. His eyes, for the first time, were serious.

"That wasn't luck," he said in a low voice. "The mana inside you… responded. At this level, that kind of reaction… is rare."

Altan grinned proudly. "So I'm… special?"

Thalor shook his head. "No. I mean yes… but also no. Maybe. Time will tell."

Llyn still looked annoyed. "I made a pebble twitch, and he exploded like a grenade! So unfair!"

Altan leaned in. "Healthy competition is good, Llyn. Want me to try again—?"

Thalor raised a finger immediately. "Don't. Or half this forest might vanish."

Just then, Altan paused and asked:

"Master… who's the strongest person in this world?"

Thalor froze. Silence followed. His eyes drifted far away.

"There once was a name… no longer spoken. Some believe he's dead. Others say he lives… in the shadows."

Altan leaned forward. "What was his level?"

Thalor squinted and whispered:

"Beyond Ascended… A level unknown to kingdoms. Some called it 'Voidborn'."

Altan's eyes lit up. "Then I'll reach it too."

Llyn smirked. "Let's hope you figure out left and right first."

Thalor sighed. "Children… This is just the beginning. Tomorrow, we begin your first mana flow training. Be prepared. Because if you're embarrassed while in pain— I won't help."

Altan and Llyn glanced at each other, then said in unison:

"Wonderful

The camp was dead silent. Only the crackling of the fire and the rustling of the night filled the air. Llyn stretched slightly, lying back comfortably, while Altan had his eyes closed, trying to focus on the feeling of mana.

"My mana… I still don't get it. What is it reacting to?" he murmured.

"Probably your temper," Llyn said with a teasing smile.

Altan raised an eyebrow. "I'm not angry. I'm cautious."

At that exact moment, an arrow shot silently from between the trees.

Thwip!

A deadly strike aimed right for Altan's head — but his body reacted before he did. He didn't even flinch. His knee bent, his head tilted, and his right hand caught the arrow midair. Then he stood up calmly.

"What… what was that?" Llyn gasped in shock.

Altan muttered, "It happened again. My body moves before I can think."

Thalor stood slowly, eyes narrowing. "That's the clearest sign of reflex mana. It's confirmed now."

But Altan couldn't respond. Footsteps started echoing around them.

From the shadows, glowing eyes appeared. They moved in silently, purposefully surrounding the camp.

Mercenaries. Well-armed, dressed in dark leather and chainmail. Every movement showed they were trained professionals.

One stepped forward, wearing a half mask. "Leave the kids. We want the man," he said coldly, locking eyes with Thalor.

Thalor smiled slightly and took a single step forward. "So you know who I am."

"They're paying well for your head, old man. Don't struggle. It'll be painless."

Altan unsheathed his sword. "This man may not be my master… but everyone in this camp is my family."

The mercenaries chuckled. "Brave boy!"

But right then, Altan felt a pulse of mana. His body moved again without command. He shifted position before the attack even came and blocked the first strike aimed at Llyn.

⚔️ Battle at the Camp Begins!

Altan readied himself. Llyn panicked but soon composed herself and joined the fight, forming a glowing orb of energy in her palms.

Thalor stayed still at first, observing. But as Altan's mana began reacting to every blow before they landed, a glint sparked in his eyes.

"This boy… he fights with instinct."

Altan dodged every swing a second early, redirected sword strikes, and struck back at enemy weak points with uncanny precision.

Llyn provided magical support from the rear, firing bursts of energy to disrupt formations.

One of the mercenaries charged at Altan with incredible speed. Just as he brought down his sword, Altan's reflex mana activated. He blocked with his left arm and struck the attacker's knee with his right hand.

The man collapsed.

"What is this kid?" the mercenary gasped in pain.

Thalor finally drew his blade. "Enough."

In a blink, he dropped three enemies with one motion. Effortless. He hardly moved. Every attack missed him as if fate itself bent around him.

"You… you're Thalor!" someone shouted. Panic spread.

Altan rushed to Llyn. "Are you alright?"

Llyn grinned. "A bit burned… but weirdly—I feel great."

Thalor turned and nodded. "Now this is a team."

---

🔹 Aftermath

Only unconscious or fleeing mercenaries remained. Thalor sat back down by the fire, his expression thoughtful.

Altan sat opposite him. "Do you think… this mana was born with me?"

Thalor shook his head slowly. "No. This mana… chose you."

---

📜 End of Chapter Note:

First victory.

First reflex.

Altan is now in the battlefield.

And mana… is fully awake.

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