The Secret of Mana

It is now the night of Thursday March 14, 3011. Which means it’s been three whole days since Eve began giving me this wacky training regimen of hers. Which means for three whole days, after already being tired out from school, Eve would torture me in order to prepare me for the appearance of my next “foe”. This included me pulling her on a tire while being tazed, balance walking over a pool of electrified water, running away from a frenzied pack of dogs, and pushing a car up a hill. If you asked how I currently feel, I’d tell you I’m at the end of my rope. Proof of that would be what I’m currently doing right now.

****

“GET OVER HERE YOU LITTLE DEVIL!”

“Fiesty now aren’t we.”

“YOU SAY THAT AFTER GETTING WORN OUT FOR THREE DAYS STRAIGHT!”

There I was, chasing Eve down with a metal bat. It was actually a part of my training, to see if I could manage to tap her with the bat at least once. Fine by me, this allows me to burn off some frustration. Although I’m finding myself a bit pissed off because of that giddy expression she has on her face. She’s dodging everything I throw at her, what the hell am I supposed to do? Wait a minute, I have an idea!

“Hey Eve!”

“Yeah what’s up slowpoke!”

“The Old Man dies later in the series!”

Eve’s expression looked blank, she then held her head and started screaming. The old man I was talking about is the coach in the boxing anime she likes, what I said was a lie of course. Eve doesn’t know that however, and the effects of my fib can already be seen.

“WWWAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! NOT GRAMPS! HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WATCH POCHI BECOME A WORLD CHAMP! THIS ISN’T FAIR!”

“This is my chance!”

I ran to the crying Eve and raised the bat above my head.

“THIS IS FOR MY TEARS YOU FIEND!”

“Huh?”

*tap*

…Wait, why is her head so hard? I noticed a small dent in the bat, crap how strong is this girl physically! While I thought about that, Eve kept whimpering as she realized what just happened.

“*Sniff* Well done, *Sniff* you managed to hit me…”

“...Eve”

I feel bad seeing her like this, I didn’t mean to make her cry. I guess I should tell her.

“I was lying about what I said, I honestly don’t know if the old man dies or not.”

“....”

“Eve, are you okay? It’s alright to be mad, I did something mean afterall.”

I looked at Eve, her face was clouded in darkness. I suddenly got chills down my spine, immediately Eve grabbed the bat and squeezed it hard. The result was the bat getting bent, she then threw the bat aside and stared at me with her eyes closed. She then gave me a whimsical smile and addressed me.

“Hey Thomas, or rather Lying Boy Tom!”

“Y-Yes!”

“What was it that you said before?”

I didn’t understand what she meant, but I did understand something after seeing the veins on her hand popping out. I was in for a world of hurt!

“Oh right, you said GIVE ME BACK MY TEARS YOU FIEND!”

****

So there I was, walking next to a laughing Eve. Holding my red left cheek, I guess I deserve this. Eve on the other hand looks at me and gives me a pat on the back, considering what happened a few moments ago I’m surprised.

“You did well Thomas, using such a dastardly plan. Are you sure you don’t want to become my apprentice?”

“Yeah I’m sure, I don’t want to be some washed up hack like you.”

“You say that now, oh well! On the flipside, you’ve managed to meet the requirements I set.”

Requirements? What requirements, is there something I’m missing here?

“Congratulations Thomas, your mana veins have been opened!”

“My what!”

Mana veins? Wait, Eve confirmed the other day that mana is real. In fantasy media, Mana is the power source for magic. If these Mana Vein things I have really opened, does that mean-

“Wait, I CAN USE MAGIC NOW!”

“Of course not, you just took the first step in that direction though.”

No way, so Eve’s training is gradually enabling me to use magic? Wait a minute!

“Eve how the heck is this possible, more than that isn’t this too fast!”

“I’m glad you noticed, well I’ll tell you now the reason for the fast developments isn’t because I’m a good teacher. Although I won’t stop you from praising me!”

Just get to the point already, you senile old crone.

“All humans have the innate ability to use mana, most of the time their abilities are tempered by their environment. You’re an example of this, because those items you carried tempered you.”

“Wait, what are you saying!”

“Those cursed items you have are surrounded by a potent dark mana, being around them for so long started giving you a slight resistance. It also allowed your mana veins to be close to the surface, even without me appearing you’d eventually awaken.”

Dear god, so those items I have really are cursed. If they’ve affected my body as much as Eve said, wouldn’t that make me some kind of mutant? It’s strange, I don’t feel so creeped out about this. I guess as long as I don’t start growing claws out of my hands I should be fine. Wait, now I’m a bit curious about something.

“Eve, I know this training was probably meant to awaken my mana veins, but why was it so physically driven?”

“You didn’t notice? Tell me Thomas, in all the training exercises you had, what’s something that I’ve used throughout them?”

Good question, I’ve only focused on how she’s been tormenting me the last few days. How couldn’t I, for the past three days Eve’s been using her magic to-Wait, that it!

“You’ve used your magic against me in every exercise!”

“Exactly! I used my fabulous magic to finish your tempering process, this was also the fastest way to achieve your wish. Afterall, people who’ve awakened their mana are physically stronger than those who haven’t.”

Fabulous magic my-Wait, what did she just say!?! So now that my mana’s awakened a bit, I should be stronger! I don’t feel stronger though.

“You probably want an example, go over there and punch that fence!”

“I can’t do that, it's someone’s-You know what fine.”

The fence Eve was talking about was actually more like a metal gate, behind the gate was a fancy house. It must be made with some good materials, so I doubt anything would happen if I gave it a good jab. I walked over to the left side of the fence, and got in front of one of the railings. Just as planned I gave the fence a quick jab, how bad could this b-

*RATTLE*

“...Huh?”

The metal fence began rattling wildly, that was just a light jab! Soon enough I heard a clicking sound, I looked over to see the gate of the metal fence creaking open. Crap! Well it’s alright no one was around to-

*WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*

I began panicking as a siren started blaring, soon enough bright lights began to shine from the top of the fence. I started to back away, that when I heard a voice echo from beyond the fence.

“INTRUDER AT THE FRONT GATE! CALL FOR BACKUP!”

Uh oh! I got to get out of here, I better grab Eve and-Wait, where’s Eve? I looked back to find empty air in the space Eve was before, she didn’t ditch me right? I could hear footsteps getting closer to the gate I caused to open. Fearing what would happen if they caught me, I ran away leaving the same amount of dust Eve left behind.

****

“...hmmmm? What’s up with all the noise?”

I heard the sirens going off right as I started drifting to sleep. I know it’s the weekend after tomorrow, but I need to rest up for school. I wonder what’s going on? I pulled the covers off my body and put my night coat over my jacket, I then walked over to my window to see what was going on. The guards seem to be running towards the front gate, did someone try to break in? *Sigh* Couldn’t this wait until tomorrow? Soon enough I heard footsteps rushing towards my room, based off the sound I already know who it is.

“*BOOM* LADY STACY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!”

“Yes Raphael, I’m fine.”

Perfect timing as always Raph, if only you had that much speed when carrying me. I wouldn’t have to take public transport to school, then again it would be embarrassing to be seen in a scenario like that. Raphael’s doing his usual fake cough routine now, and of course it’s followed by him scratching those face lines he has. Hehe, I always loved those peculiar traits of his.

“Excuse me M’lady.”

“Yes, what is it Raph?”

“Is there anything I could do for you? The guards should be able to handle this level of intrusion, shall I bring you some tea?”

“That won’t be necessary, I’ll try to get back to sleep.”

Raphael nodded his head and left quietly. It’s strange though, how did the gate open by itself? It’s strange, but the moment it opened I felt weird. It was like a chill went down my spine.

“Hmmm, maybe a ghost did it. Hehehe, like that would happen.”