'Let me go over this again. Right now, the vast majority of my mana is being used for reinforcement and strengthening. In order to get out, I would need to use all of my mana on either "Light" or "Cross Distance". However, I would be subdued the moment I give up my reinforcement. How do I get out of this situation?'
Jane gave up on trying to escape by foot, and plopped himself down on the stone floor instead.
'Digging a hole? No, I'm probably hundreds of merds underground right now. Would I get captured the moment I fall asleep? Probably. I don't think they'll go after me while I take a shit, though. Let's see, how can I avoid sleeping?'
[Using 'Forward' on your brain can replicate the effects of sleep, even if you're only unconscious for a single second.]
'That'll only work once. They'll definitely take actions to prevent it after I do it one time, after all. Either way, I just don't have enough mana.'
"Oh."
From where he sat, Jane focused on his soul core and began drawing the ambient mana in. The amount was particularly dense, but was constantly being controlled to avoid being tamed. In the end, the rate at which he gained mana was unchanged from the usual.
Feeling a bit bored, Jane started refining his runes with the smidgen of mana he had left. Ever since first transferring bodies, he never really had a chance to become better at magic. He still harbored hopes about reaching his teacher's level of refinement. As if threatening his captors, Jane mostly refined 'Teleport', 'Reinforce Material', 'Strengthen', 'Reinforce Flesh', 'Distance', and 'Project'. Whenever his runes for bodily enhancement reached a new level of proficiency, he would painstakingly replace each of the runes in his body with the improved versions. By doing this, his pool of usable mana gradually increased.
[They're coming... It's time.]
Jane invested the rest of his mana into physical enhancement, then stood up and looked around. Even though he couldn't see anything, a foreboding feeling assaulted his mind. He was not alone. He laughed a little. The truth was, all of his efforts were pointless. While still taming the ambient mana, Jane rushed forwards and unleashed a flurry of strikes. The sheer speed of his attack allowed him to cut an unsuspecting mage into hundreds of pieces.
'I already know it. If they want to, they can keep me here forever.'
Leading with his shoulder, Jane dashed and barreled right into a mage. The moment he felt contact, he sliced that mage into ribbons as well. Hot blood and chunks of bone landed on his skin, but his next attack shook all of them off.
'If I can grow, then why can't they do the same? I'm sure the restrictions are only going to get stronger from here on out.'
Using nothing but his instinct, Jane ducked. As he did, he heard something whistle above his head. Perpendicularly to the particle's path, Jane rushed forwards and cut up another few mages. He continued his sporadic attacks for a while, eventually sensing the retreat of his opponents. Knowing he could tame mana while fighting, his enemies must have found it to be a waste of their forces.
Jane leaned on his sword for a bit, then sat down and began practicing. It was likely that he would stay in the prison forever, but for the sliver of a chance of escape, he wanted to be ready. Besides, he might go mad, doing nothing for years on end.
---
Years passed. As it turned out, his opponents did not restrict the use of 'Forward' or 'Grow' runes, seeing as their capture was already perfect. Jane had long since reached his teacher's level of refinement, and began pushing even further. There was only one possible salvation for him now.
'I still can't read it...'
No matter how precise his control over mana got, and how tiny his runes became, Jane could not make sense of the engravings covering his soul core. He had a guess as to their function, but knowing their exact purpose was necessary to use them in his escape. If he was not refining runes, he was staring at the vast expanse of syntax constantly bleeding mana.
'It should be... Right, it's responsible for the transfers. But what exactly are they?'
He thought over his experiences thus far, especially the moments when he awoke in someone else's body.
'The person who is possessed does not necessarily end up in control, but neither does the previous host. People are preserved as lumps of memories, which when referenced, exhibit their personality. In this manner, there is no difference between me and Vanessa or Fredrich.'
'However, the previous hosts have a slight advantage over the ones they take over. This is because the former would have a period of perfect memory, unlike the latter. There are two ways of staying in control. One could have a vast amount of memories and thus a strong sense or self, or they could lay traps like I did. I see. It's riskier to be killed by old people with lots of memories compared to younger ones. In due time, though, my perfect memory will thwart that.'
'Soul cores keep their engravings as they leave the body... Then, it would make sense if death was the trigger. Latching onto another one's core is easier once leaving the body. No, it seems more like incorporation. I would not be surprised if there were multiple souls composing my Manaheart.'
'The effect of my engravings is this: They store memories, they transfer memories, and they incorporate foreign soul cores. Unfortunately, I have no idea what runes compose memories. No wonder why I couldn't interpret it.'
Jane stood up, and began walking in circles.
'When living things die, their soul cores travel upwards, probably to the heavens. I don't really know, actually. What comes after death?'
While still walking, he was completely lost in thought. The mana being absorbed into his soul core stopped, and started to make it's way back out.
'I'll make a bet. I'm almost certain that this prison is located underground. Then, what's above me?'
Jane stopped in his tracks.
'People.'
"I see! That's the way out!"
He leaned back and started laughing into the darkness. There was surely someone watching on, wondering what he was doing, but Jane didn't care. He had found his escape method. With no doubt in his heart, he manifested a rune inside his head. It was a negated 'Flesh' rune.
---
"Young Master?"
"..."
"Young Master? Please respond."
"What is it?"
"If you may excuse my rudeness... You seem to be unfocused as of late."
"Is that so? Do not worry. I have simply been adjusting."
"Pardon?"
"Haha, you wouldn't understand it even if I explained. Now then, what was next on my schedule?"
"The Predios have put forth their daughter in a bid for marriage. Even if you are uninterested, you still must go for courtesy."
"Very well, then."
Jane took the final sip of his tea, and left.