Finally—text.
He leaned closer and began to read. It was a basic introduction to mana, a more detailed version of what Leona had told him earlier: how mana flows through the body, nourishes the blood, strengthens the bones, and settles into the core.
It described the way mana responds to emotions, willpower, and focus—something that explained why he might have succeeded earlier.
Curious, Kael turned the page again. This one had a title that immediately caught his eye:
Breakthrough.
His heart thumped.
He read eagerly.
After mana nourishes your core, the core begins to expand. With each expansion, the limit of what you can absorb and control increases. This is what is known as a breakthrough. Without it, one remains at the same level, unable to grow stronger.
There are three basic stages before one is considered a true practitioner:
Initiation Stage – When one first senses mana and begins to absorb it.
Formation Stage – When the mana begins to swirl and form a small pool within the core.
Stabilization Stage – When the core adapts and can hold mana without leakage or rejection.
Kael's eyes widened. So I haven't even stepped into the first stage yet... Initiation.
His rate of absorption was so less that it couldn't even be counted as a success.
But now he had a guide. Tomorrow, I'll try again.
Kael turned the page again, eyes sharp with curiosity.
Only after reaching the Stabilization Stage can one choose a path—Mage or Magic Swordsman.
He blinked.
Mages use their own bodies as vessels to shape and channel magical spells. They master spells, formations, enchantments. Few in number, their training is intense and solitary. But those who succeed become some of the most terrifying forces on the continent.
Magic Swordsmen, however, fuse swordsmanship with magic. They use their blades to extend and refine their magical capabilities. While harder to train and more demanding on the body, their strength on the battlefield is unparalleled.
In the Kingdom of Ernes, it is an ancient practice for two Mages to serve directly under the king. But it is said that, at equal levels, a Magic Swordsman would always have the edge in a duel.
Kael closed the book halfway, his expression unreadable.
Mage or Magic Swordsman...
He already knew what he wanted. His fingers curled slightly, imagining a blade cloaked in lightning, killing his enemies.
His decision was already made.
Determined, Kael turned the page, but met only emptiness. Again. Blank.
He flipped faster—page after page, yet not a single word followed. His brow furrowed, confusion deepening. Was it broken? Had he done something wrong?
Only the very last page was different.
No text. No diagrams. Just a strange, embedded gem that pulsed rhythmically with a golden glow, like a heartbeat. Kael leaned closer, his heart racing. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as he instinctively hovered his fingers near it.
Should I touch it...? The thought raced through his mind.
What if it's dangerous? What if it's cursed?
But a stronger voice within him whispered: What if it's destiny?
He swallowed hard, bracing himself. Then—he touched it.
The surface was oddly smooth, like polished glass. But just as he made contact, the gem trembled. Slowly, it expanded—swelling, twisting, morphing before his very eyes.
Kael backed away in shock as it grew, forming into a visible shape.
A newborn child.
Then an infant.
A young girl.
A teenager.
And finally, a fully grown woman.
She floated above the book, her presence radiant and mysterious. Long green hair cascaded like silk, reaching her knees, while her sharp emerald eyes shimmered with mischief. Her beauty was unearthly—elegant yet wild, soft yet bold.
Kael stood frozen. This... this was not what he had expected when sneaking the book.
The woman slowly opened her eyes, and they locked on him. Her lips curled into a playful smile as she leaned forward, voice as smooth as wind passing through leaves.
"Oh... look at this pretty young boy," she whispered. "Did you call me?"
Kael's heart skipped a beat. He stumbled back a step, overwhelmed by this sudden change of event.
"W-Who... who are you?" he stammered, his voice barely holding steady.
The woman's smile widened as she gracefully leapt from the air and landed softly on the ground,.
"Don't know," she said, tilting her head with playful curiosity. "You tell me. You summoned me, after all."
Kael stumbled back further, his back nearly hitting the wall. "I-I don't know!" he blurted out. "I was just reading this book and then you... you came out of it!"