Chapter 10 - Mana Awakening

Alistair sat cross-legged in his dimly lit chamber, sweat trickling down his pale face. His body trembled as he focused, attempting to store mana within his Dantian. The moment he tried, searing pain erupted through his core. A choked gasp escaped his lips as he coughed violently, splattering blood across the cold stone floor. His vision blurred, and a sudden bright flash appeared before him.

Status Window Alert!
[Warning! Severe internal damage detected!]
[Warning! Poison interference at critical levels!]
[Continuous mana absorption will lead to death!]

Alistair clenched his fists. He had anticipated pain, but this was beyond anything he had ever experienced. The Status Window flickered again, and this time, detailed information appeared.

Status Window
Name: Alistair Drakos
Age: 11
Race: Human (Drakos Bloodline)
Title: None
Blessings: God of Creation (Sealed), God of Dragons (Sealed)
Mana Affinity: ???
Physique: Weak
Condition: Poisoned (Stored in Dantian), Critical Mana Interference

Alistair’s eyes widened. The poison is stored in my Dantian? A realization struck him—if the poison was embedded in his Dantian, then every attempt to store mana there would only accelerate his death. His mind raced. Is there another way?

His thoughts drifted back to what Archmage Eldrin Faelora had explained earlier:

"Mages refine mana outside their bodies before drawing it in, channeling it through their meridians into their Dantian. Knights, on the other hand, circulate aura through their bodies, refining it in their bloodstream and muscles. Your Dantian is simply the storage vessel—but who decided mana could only be stored there?"

A sharp pain shot through his chest, pulling him back to the present. His breath was ragged, his body growing weaker. He had no answers, no guidance. He gritted his teeth in frustration. What should I do?

Just then, another Status Window flashed before him—except this time, it was glowing a strange green color.

Beginner Quest 1:
Objective: Store mana in the heart.
Rewards:

Title: First Person to Store Mana in the Heart (+10 Mana, +5 Physique)

5 Beginner Mana Stones

Beginner Short Sword

Beginner Quest 2:
Objective: Create a mana circle around the heart.
Rewards:

Title: First Person to Create a Mana Circle Around the Heart (+20 Mana, +5 Intelligence)

5 Beginner Mana Stones

Beginner Short Staff

Alistair stared in disbelief. Mana can be stored in the heart?! His mind reeled at the implications. This went against everything he had learned about mana cultivation. Before he could fully process it, another coughing fit wracked his body. Blood splattered onto his robes.

He had no time to hesitate. He had to act now.

He forced himself back into meditation, directing his remaining willpower toward his heart. He envisioned the mana flowing into it, attempting to store it there instead of his Dantian. The moment he tried—

A devastating backlash struck him.

A searing pain unlike before engulfed his entire being. It felt as if his heart was being crushed. He gasped, his vision blackening for a moment. His hands clutched at his chest, but he did not stop. He gritted his teeth and tried again.

Focus. Store it in the heart.

Another backlash. More blood spilled from his lips. His body trembled violently.

Failure. Again. And again. And again.

Panting, he forced himself to think. Why isn’t it working? Then it hit him—something crucial.

"Knights and mages alike circulate mana through their bodies. If mana can travel through the heart, then it must become a part of the body—like blood itself."

His eyes widened. I’ve been trying to store it like a Dantian. But the heart isn’t just a storage vessel—it’s the center of circulation!

A surge of determination ignited within him. This time, he wouldn’t try to store mana in the heart directly. Instead, he would let mana flow through the heart, just like blood.

Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply and focused. Instead of forcing mana into one place, he guided it to flow through the heart and into his bloodstream, spreading it throughout his entire body.

The difference was immediate.

A strange warmth spread through him. Unlike the excruciating pain before, this felt natural—like a river coursing through its path. Mana surged through his veins, carried by his blood, flowing to every limb.

His entire body began to glow faintly.

The agonizing pain in his Dantian vanished.

Alistair opened his eyes, his breath steady. His hands trembled as he looked at them. His body no longer ached—rather, he felt light, energized, and stronger. A joyous smile stretched across his face.

He had done it.

Just like the knights and mages he had seen training, his body now pulsed with flowing mana.

He clenched his fists. His journey had only just begun.

His golden eyes gleamed with newfound excitement.

“Now, it’s time for the quest.”

Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Lady Seraphina, Alistair’s first stepmother, received a confidential report. Her fingers tightened around the parchment as she read the contents—detailing Alistair’s private meeting with King Aldric, Knight General Darius Valeheart, and Archmage Eldrin Faelora.

Her lips curled into a smirk. “Interesting… That worthless prince still lives.”

She turned to her attendant. “Send word to our informants. I want every detail of his progress.”

A shadowy figure bowed and vanished into the darkness.

In the royal council chamber, King Aldric Drakos sat at the head of a long obsidian table, his gaze sharp. To his right sat Queen Eleanor, her serene expression unreadable. Across from them stood the two Knight Generals, the two Magic Tower Masters, seven Dukes, and two additional Dukes from Aurelius.

The atmosphere was heavy. A report lay before them, detailing disturbing news.

“The surge of monsters along our borders has worsened.” One of the Magic Tower Masters, an elderly elf, spoke gravely. “It is no longer a simple beast tide. These creatures show signs of external influence.”

Knight General Darius exhaled sharply. “And the Drak Forest, near the Twelve Legendary Beast Mountain Range, is stirring. If those ancient beings awaken, our empire will face an unprecedented disaster.”

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to King Aldric.

He closed his eyes briefly before speaking. “We cannot act rashly before the Blood Renewal of Drakos next month. Keep searching for clues.”

To Be Continued...