"I don't know how long it will take, so don't call me unless it's urgent," Jack said, shutting the door behind him with a firm thud.
He stood inside a vast training hall with polished wooden flooring. Various weapons lined the walls on both sides—blades, spears, halberds—each resting on ornate racks. The air smelled faintly of steel and varnished wood.
Without so much as a glance at his prized collection of swords, Jack walked to the center of the hall, the old book gripped tightly in his hand.
His mind was heavy with thoughts, especially about Princess Seraphine's impending arrival in the duchy. But she was still two weeks away from the capital—and at least another week from Greenriver Castle. Three weeks. That was all the peace he could hope for.
He had no idea what storm would follow once she arrived.
So he chose to train—to bury himself in mana and spells, anything to ease his restless mind.
He laid a meditation mat on the floor and sat cross-legged, opening the ancient tome.
The yellowed pages greeted him with a bold heading:
[Chapter 1: Understanding]
"What is mana?"That was the first question I asked myself when I began my training as a mage. And throughout my life, I've asked that same question to many outstanding practitioners of the arcane. Each gave a different answer.
For some, it was a warmth that flowed through their body.For others, it was the natural energy they sensed emanating from the world around them—like the trees, the wind, or the earth.Some called it a concept, a truth to be grasped.Others believed it a divine gift—a blessing to be cherished.
Over time, I came to see mana as none of those things, yet all of them at once.
To me, mana is natural energy.Not a blessing from gods.Not a curse from demons.Just a fundamental force of the world—an unseen current that flows through everything, everywhere.
My understanding was later confirmed by many scholars who dedicated their lives to the study of magic and mana.
So, to answer the question, what is mana?
I would say:
Mana is a natural energy, a medium through which we may influence the natural order.
Take fire, for example.In nature, it requires three essential elements to burn endlessly: air, fuel, and heat.Remove even one, and no matter how fierce the flame, it will wither and die.
In magic, we refer to these as points. Each point corresponds to an element or force required to create or sustain a magical effect.
The most basic fire spell is called Spark.It is a single-point spell—also known as a first-grade spell.
When activated, Spark generates heat at a concentrated point on the target. This effectively creates one of the critical components needed to ignite fire.
Spark is deceptively simple. On its own, it might barely warm the skin or light a candle.But when used in the right environment—say, near dry grass or spilled oil—it can escalate into a disaster of great proportions. Nature itself becomes its accomplice.
Normally, to cast Spark, a mage must recite a few words—incantations—to manipulate their mana and direct it outward.
Yes, words are the most common and reliable method for shaping mana.These incantations act like commands—coded language the mana understands.
There can be multiple incantations for the same spell, depending on language, region, or tradition.But there are never multiple spells for the same incantation. Each spell has a unique magical signature bound to its words.
However, this introduces a problem:The more complex the spell, the longer the incantation.
Spells above first grade often require multiple points—each representing a force or requirement to be manifested.The result?Long casting times, leaving the mage vulnerable in fast-paced combat.
And let me remind you—magic is a tool, not a weapon.
Using it as a weapon is possible, yes—but not without difficulty.
In my later years, however, I came to a different understanding...
"
Jack continued to read until a knock broke the silence.
"My lord, I've brought food," a timid voice called from beyond the door.
Jack scowled, annoyed that his focus had been broken—he was just starting to truly immerse himself in the flow of mana. But then his stomach rumbled in protest, betraying him. With a resigned sigh, he stood and opened the door.
A tall maid stood before him, her short black hair tucked neatly behind her ears. She wasn't just tall for a woman—she matched Jack in height, which was rare.
"What's your name?" Jack asked, his tone neutral but firm.
"Lucy, my lord," she replied quickly.
"Lucy... from now on, bring food only when I ask," Jack said in a flat tone, his gaze unreadable.
"As you wish, my lord," she stammered, her voice laced with panic. She bowed slightly before hurrying away.
After satisfying his hunger, Jack returned to the center of the hall and sat cross-legged on the mat. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, then began repeating the incantation for the basic fire spell—Spark.
The first few attempts yielded nothing. His mind wandered. His focus faltered.
But on the seventh try, something stirred.
A familiar warmth—subtle, gentle—began to emanate from deep within him, just like the day he unknowingly formed his mana core. It crept upward, flowing through his veins like golden mist, gathering slowly at his right index finger.
Then, at the tip—heat.
A faint pulse. Then another.
And there, just above his fingertip, a tiny spark flickered into existence—hovering in the air like a firefly refusing to die.
His eyes widened.
And then—it vanished. The moment his concentration broke, it dispersed like smoke in the wind.
But Jack wasn't disappointed. He was shocked—even baffled—not because the spell worked, but because it worked without him finishing the incantation.
His mana core had reacted before he completed the words.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
The mana didn't gather neatly at the target point—just like it always failed to during his sword training. It dispersed after a certain limit, slipping away before it could nourish or empower. But this time... it escaped him in a raw, uncontrolled burst. And yet—somehow—that untamed mana still formed a spark after leaving his body.
Jack sat frozen for a moment, heart pounding.
Had he just cast a spell... without finishing the incantation?