"Mana is an energy produced by all living beings, whether human or not."
"No one really knows why it exists. Many say it's the energy of God, and it's thanks to it that the first living organisms were formed. Over time, they evolved into the beings that now inhabit the universe."
"Whether you believe in God or not, there's an undeniable truth, mana is essential for life. Not a single living creature has been found anywhere in the galaxy that doesn't produce at least a little mana. Even plants generate it."
"It's been proven that we humans produce mana through our hearts. The energy is stored in a small organ located just behind the lungs, which we call the core. Thanks to it, we're able to store mana in our bodies and control it."
"This, at least in theory, allows us to do almost anything, since mana itself has influence over everything that makes up the universe, from the tiniest particles to the most complex molecules. That's the main reason many people refer to it as 'the energy of God.'"
"And if we can control it through the core, then theoretically, we can control anything in the universe."
"For example, we could manipulate hydrogen and oxygen molecules to trigger a reaction and cause an explosion."
When the teacher said that, we were all left with our mouths hanging open.
Could we really do anything with mana?
The teacher noticed our expressions and smiled a little.
"Kids, what I'm saying is definitely possible and there are clan members who've done it. But reaching that level is extremely difficult for ordinary people. Controlling mana requires intense, dangerous training."
"The reason it's not recommended to train anyone under the age of ten is, first of all, because controlling mana puts a huge strain on the body. At first, it'll feel like you're being crushed by an invisible weight."
"Second, it requires a level of focus that's far beyond what most young kids can manage. And third, if you try to use a skill without proper control, you could seriously hurt yourself… or even die."
"That's why many parents, afraid their children might try something behind their backs, prefer not to teach or even talk about mana until they're older. It's also been shown that starting training too early can cause psychological issues sometimes making the child dangerous."
"That's why the first two years at the Academy are pretty gentle. The main goal is to prepare you physically and mentally to become a mana user. Actual skill practice won't begin until the third year and only under strict supervision."
"Teacher, how many skills are there?" asked a girl sitting in the corner of the classroom.
"I don't know the exact number. New ones are still being created all the time. But without a doubt, we're talking in the thousands."
"We'll go into more detail in future lessons, but here's a little preview."
"There's a classification system for skills based on their level:
Basic Level
Low Level
Medium Level
High Level
Special Level
Elite Level
Demigod Level"
We were all stunned when we heard the name of the last level.
"The higher the level, the more powerful the skill but also the harder it is to use, control, and the more mana it consumes."
"That's why one of the key factors in moving up the clan ranks is how much mana your core can hold. This mana reserve can be increased through consistent training."
"Mana reserves are measured using special tools created by the clans. It's worth noting that two people at the same rank might have very different reserve capacities either because of genetics or focused training."
"It's been proven that the higher your parents' rank, the larger the mana reserve you're born with."
"And this becomes crucial during battle. You might have all the knowledge and technique to use a skill, but if your core can't supply the needed mana… it's useless."
"Now… if you're in a life or death situation and have incredible willpower, your body can release mana directly from your heart, bypassing the core. But that method is extremely dangerous. The pressure on your body increases exponentially causing serious damage, shortening your lifespan… and of course, leaving you unable to fight afterward."
"Only use that option if you have no other choice."
"Mana is measured in units."
The teacher wrote on the blackboard behind her.
Average mana reserve per rank:
Initiate: 100 – 200
Apprentice: 250 – 400
Novice: 450 – 600
Rank 3: 650 – 1200
Rank 2: 1300 – 2000
Rank 1: 2100 – 2600
Captain: 2700 – 3200
Commander: 3300 – 4000
General: 4200 – 5000
Elite: 5100 – 6500
Paladin: 6600 - unknown
Mana cost per skill level:
Basic: 10 – 30
Low: 35 – 550
Medium: 600 – 1100
High: 1150 – 2500
Advanced: 2600 – 4100
Elite: 4200 – 6000
Demigod: 6100 – 8000
"Teacher, so… is mana reserve the most important thing in battle?" a student asked.
"No. While it's definitely important, there are many other variables. For instance, someone with a lower reserve might have a heart that produces mana faster. That means their core 'recharges' more quickly, helping them keep up."
"Equipment matters too. There are weapons designed to store mana and execute abilities with lower consumption than usual."
"Hand to hand combat is another factor. Some fighters specialize in enhancing their physical abilities using mana. While almost everyone learns the basics of this, some take it to the extreme and gain extraordinary strength."
"And of course, someone might just be a better fighter knowing which skills to use and when to use them."
"As you can see, many elements define a real warrior. All of them are taken into account when evaluating a clan member's rank."
Woah… this is way more complicated than I thought.
Wait…
"Teacher, can we learn any skill, as long as we have enough mana and know how to use it?" I asked this time.
"Good question. In theory, yes. But in practice, no. There are different types of skills."
"Some create fire, others water, ice, electricity, and so on. Each requires a specific type of focus and control. When it comes to low-level skills, most people can handle several types without too much trouble."
"But starting at the medium level and up, things change. Most people only have an affinity with a few types. That affinity depends on a mix of natural talent and the kind of training you've had since you were young."
"Creating your own skills is possible, but very risky and difficult. That's why skill manuals are so important. They explain, step by step, how to perform a specific skill."
"Manuals are one of the most valuable assets a clan or family can possess."
"The great clans have manuals for nearly every type of skill. But elite and demigod level manuals are extremely rare. A clan that owns manuals of those levels becomes a specialist in that type of skill by default."
"For example, the Evans clan specializes in space and time manipulation."
Cool!
"The other great clans have their own specialties as well."
"And with that, we wrap up today's class on mana and how it works."
"Alright, now…"
Phew… looks like I've got a lot to learn in the coming days.
I wonder how my siblings are doing on their mission…