As the day reached a close,
I was dreaming.
In my dream.
I was standing in an abyss.
The area was half black and half white.
Stairs towered up to a throne.
I was confused.
I wondered where I was.
Then an unfamiliar voice called out.
"Hey, you can stop looking, we're here."
Two things that look like people walk past me from behind.
One on the white side was a black figure.
And the other was a white figure on the dark side.
I watched them closely.
They ascended the stairs and positioned on their throne.
I was stunned.
Not knowing what to ask.
The black figure talked.
"Pretty good entrance, huh…"
They finally managed to convey their thoughts.
"Huh…?"
The white figure speaks with a sneer.
"Ugh… don't tell me you're an idiot."
My confusion deepened, and with it, a feeling of frustration began to take hold.
I also began to feel irritated.
Who is this thing disrespecting me here?
"Aye, what with the disrespect. Like I just meant you, and I don't know who you are or what's going on here."
The dark figure looked at the white figure.
"Wow… you going to say something about this?"
The white figure answered.
"Look, we don't have enough time here. So say what you need to say. Get it over with."
The black figure looks at me.
"Okay, so Maikeru let me explain what's going on here cause you're going to be here a lot."
I calmed myself.
"Okay, I'm listening."
The black figure uttered again.
"This is not a dream. What you perceive as this space is actually your consciousness—a realm where your inner powers manifest. We represent fundamental aspects of your magical abilities. My name is Yin, but you may refer to me as Zedros. I embody your dark power, while the white figure to my left is Yang, who represents your light power. However, I refer to her as—"
Yang interrupted Zedros.
Yang interrupted Zedros, signaling him not to tell me.
Zedros continued where he left off.
"Well, she likes to be called Yang, and she is an entity of your light power, but here the thing— oh wait, we ran out of time. You need to wake up."
As I was still interpreting what he said.
Something click.
"How do I wake up from my own consciousness?"
Yang speaks up.
"Well, there's one way I can help, but I don't know if it will work."
I shot a concerned glance.
"Ho—"
BIIING!!
Yang shot a beam at my heart.
Everything quickly went dark.
I then woke up.
Freaking out.
I looked around, noticing the area.
I was in the hideout bedroom.
RUMBLE…RUMBLE…
I heard several people rushing in.
BAM
Erma, Lele, and Crystal stormed into my room.
Erma yelled–
"Are you okay? How are you feeling?"
I replied–
"I'm okay, what's going on? Did something happen?"
Lele placed her hand on Erma.
Then look at me.
A few minutes ago, we were having breakfast when we suddenly sensed your energy fading.
I didn't understand what they discussed.
Like, what do they mean by my energy depleting?
Right when I was about to question them.
Someone open the door.
It was Eren.
"Hold your question, Maikeru. Allow me to explain what they're talking about."
I positioned myself on the bed, attentive and ready to listen.
Eren continues.
"Everything contains mana. Only those who reach a certain age can sense it. When mana in something begins to deplete, it indicates either excessive use or the passing away—death—of its bearer."
I started to understand why the ladies looked so worried.
Since I don't know how to really use mana.
The only conclusion they had in their mind was.
That I was about to pass away.
But how did it come to that?
Was it because of Yang for shooting a beam at my heart?
But right now, I needed to learn the basics of Magic to use my power.
But right now, I have to understand the principles of Magic to use my power.
As I was deep in my thoughts.
Eren notices me trying to figure things out.
"Welp, let's waste no time on this. Today we'll begin your training, Maikeru."
I looked up at Eren, questioning.
"What training?"
Eren smiled.
"Yes, training. Right now, you're just a baby who has just learned how to walk. We're going to drill everything into your head like the history of magic, how to feel magic, how to use it, and how to fight with your magic."
I then ask.
"So who's going to train me?"
Eren answered–
"Lele will teach you what magic is and how to feel the mana around you. Crystal will teach you how to control the mana and how to use your magic. And Erma will teach you martial arts and how to fight with your magic. This is the best we can do for your sense, your power is rare, and there's no book about light and dark magic unless you either go to the demon realm for the dark book or the church for the light book."
I'm was surprised by what Eren just said–
"Wait, I'm really going to be training and understanding magic."
I was so excited that I really had to ask the same question twice.
Eren smile.
"Yup, and let's go, it's time to start your training right now."
I got off my bed feeling excited.
And followed them to the basement, where the training room is.
At the training room.
Lele was standing in front of me.
And everyone else was behind me.
Lele announced–
"For the start of your training, I'm going to be the first to help, as Eren told you. You're going to learn what magic is about and the history of it, then you'll learn how to sense mana, and last, you'll be tested on what you learn. If you pass, you'll graduate by completing my training, and you will be advanced to the next training. Understand."
I replied–
"Yes, ma'am!"
Lele cleared her throat and continued with the teaching.
"First, I'm going to explain the history of magic. We, the people, had magic for generations, and in the past, Aethercraft users were known as the rarest, but at the same time, the weakest and primal users were common, and also the strongest. But as time passed, the population of Aethercraft User grew, while the population of Primal User decreased to the point that Primal User became the rarest user."
I then asked a question–
"What is the true difference between Aethercraft and Primal class?"
Lele answered–
"Before magic was studied, it was simply felt. The world answered human emotion — fire to rage, water to calm, wind to freedom. This was Primal Magic: the raw power of the world itself, wild and impossible to control."
As I pay attention, I ask–
"What about Aethercraft Magic?"
Lele continued–
"Fearing the chaos of the world's power, humanity turned inward. Within every soul, they discovered Aether — a well of mana waiting to be shaped. Through discipline and will, AetherCraft was born: the art of mastering the power inside."
I started to understand the distinction between Aethercraft and Primal magic.
As I pondered the distinction, another question arose in my mind.
"There's something I don't understand."
Lele gave a questionable response –
"What is there you don't understand?"
I continued–
"Before I got my power, there was a boy who became a Primal user of Light, and everyone was praising him, but when the other became a Primal user of dark, he was banished. Why that?"
Lele answered firmly.
"Long ago, there was conflict between us humans vs the demon realm, and there was only one Primal user who had darkness and another Primal who had light. Each Primal user aids them in battle, but then the demon went after the Primal user of the darkness family and slaughtered them. The dark user begs his companions to take revenge on the demon for what they did. Everyone looked to the light user for guidance, but he said everyone should focus on protecting humans. The dark user could believe what he hears and separate himself from the group to go solo to the demon realm to have his revenge."
I was flabbergasted by what I'm hearing.
"But that shouldn't have people hate the dark user more than. Since it is for his own benefit."
Lele continued talking–
"The thing is, everyone only hates the Primal dark user. He was hated because he became a demon lord in the demon realm. Marking anyone with a Primal user of dark is automatically bad."
I was speechless.
That user became the demon king.
Lele spoke.
"Not everyone could master Aether. Some feared living powerless in a world ruled by magic. So humanity carved magic within symbols. Runic Magic — a rare craft where runes hold power within objects. Mana may awaken them for a moment…but to bind their power forever, the runes demand a darker price: demon blood."
Okay, so to summarize it.
Primal Magic is the strongest form of magic, but it is rare to get.
Aethercraft Magic is just a branch of the Primal Magic, and it is common to get.
And Runic Magic is basically a magic item.
Then Lele's tone became serious.
"Even though all of this sounds awesome and stuff, there is always a cost for those powers. We are limited on how much mana we have, and overusing our mana will have an impact on our body and mind. But there is another level of overusing your power called a Flux Vein. A Flux Vein occurs when the soul is pushed beyond its limits, and something breaks. Grief, rage, and anguish tear open the soul itself. At that moment, magic surges without restraint. This is the Flux Vein — power beyond control, beyond reason, and rarely survived."
So Flux Vein represents the price of gaining strength.
Wow, this is a lot of information in one day.
Does the Flux Vein have the same cost as the other ones, or a different one?
"Does the Flux Vein bring the same consequences?"
Lele's answer–
"So Primal Magic isn't controlled… The world is simply responding to the soul. AetherCraft… the power was inside us the whole time. Runes aren't spells — they're instructions. Mana can awaken them briefly… but only demon blood can bind their power forever. This isn't a technique… my soul is breaking. This must be the Flux Vein."
So, depending on which user you are, the level of damage is different.
I look at Lele, asking.
"So, what types of ways can I start sensing Mana?"
Lele looks at Eren, signaling to him that it's time.
Eren walked up to us.
He's raised his hand.
Aiming at nothing.
I was curious about what he was doing.
Then the nothingness Eren is aiming at started to rotate.
I thought I was seeing something.
Then, an electric spark started popping out.
The rotating space started to spin faster, trying to take form.
Then it took colored form from a portal.
I looked at Eren.
"Is your power making portals?"
CLAP!CLAP!
I look at Lele, noticing her clapping her hand.
Telling me to pay attention.
Then Lele walked through the portal.
I followed her.
Passing through the portal.
I saw a bunch of trees.
Then Lele looked at me.
"Alright, right now you are in the woods, and it's a perfect place for you to sense Mana."
What she said got me confused.
"So what do I do to start sensing mana?"
Lele answered–
"Number 1: I'm going to blindfold you because sensing mana is not feeling, but seeing.
Number 2: I will cast wind magic to direct you to the hideout, but you won't feel the wind, and you have to sense the mana of the wind so you'll be able to follow it.
Number 3: You will be alone doing these, and the faster you finish this, the faster you can continue with the next training."
Hearing this, I imagined how overwhelming such an experience would be for an ordinary person.
The idea of crossing the unfamiliar woods while blindfolded, depending exclusively on the elusive sensation of mana, appeared nearly unreal—at that moment, my senses intensified, and the burden of the challenge pressed in around me.
But it's not going to be easy either.
And yet there are real questions I must ask.
"So, how do I start feeling the mana?"
Lele came closer to me and then raised her hand.
As I look at her empty hand.
Lele used her raised hand and grabbed my hand.
As I was at a loss.
"Do you feel it?" Lele asked
As I concentrated on Lele's hand
I saw a transparent wave on her hand.
On top of that, my body suddenly started feeling warm.
So, is this what mana is supposed to feel like?
Lele let go of my hand and stood up.
"Now you have an example of what mana feels like. Try feeling the mana inside yourself, then expand it."
I sat down on the ground.
Closed my eyes.
Then start focusing on the mana inside me.
As time passes.
Nothing has happened yet.
Lele looked at me.
Seeing me struggling.
"Try looking deeper. You will see it," Lele spoke.
I started to breathe in and out, calming myself down.
Then I started to focus deeper.
Soon I start to feel warm.
The identical warmth Lele showed me.
I move my focus towards that comfort.
Then all that comfort started to heat up, feeling like fire.
My body feels like it's on fire.
Lele spoke–
"Now expand it through your body."
I tried to follow what Lele said.
I focused on that heat inside me.
Slowly… carefully…
I saw the heat spreading.
From my chest…
To my arms…
To my legs…
At first, nothing happened.
Then—
THUMP.
My heart beat loudly.
The warmth itself suddenly washed over me like a wave.
"AH—!"
My body jerked forward.
Heat flooded my veins, like fire running under my skin.
Lele's voice remained calm.
"Don't fight it. Guide it."
I gritted my teeth.
Guide it… guide it…
I imagined the warmth itself moving gently, rather than exploding.
Little by little, the burning sensation softened.
The heat turned into something lighter.
Comfortable.
Alive.
And then—
I felt it.
Something around me.
Slight movements in the air.
As unseen currents rub against my skin.
My eyes shot open.
"I… I feel something!"
Lele smiled slightly.
"Good. That is mana."
The forest suddenly appeared different.
The trees weren't just trees anymore.
They were breathing.
Flowing.
Everything carried energy.
It was everywhere.
Lele stepped back.
"Now follow the wind."
Suddenly, nothing happened.
No sound.
No movement.
But faintly…
I sensed a thin stream moving forward.
Like a trail only my body could feel.
"That way…" I muttered.
Without thinking, I began walking.
Step by step.
The feeling weakened whenever my focus broke.
When my thoughts wandered, the sensation disappeared.
When I calmed myself again—
It returned.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
My steps became unstable.
The mana trail faded.
Fear grew inside me.
"No… no… I'm losing it…"
The heat inside my chest fluttered dimly.
Then—
Darkness slipped into the border of my vision.
My legs gave way.
I collapsed onto the ground.
"I… can't…"
My body refused to move.
Every warmth drained from my body, leaving behind a cold emptiness that intensified the sense of crisis.
Cold replaced it.
For a moment…
I thought I was dying again.
Then—
A faint voice sounded inside my mind.
"…Pathetic."
My eyes widened.
That voice.
Zedros.
"You're collapsing from something this small?" Yin said mockingly.
"I used all my strength…" I uttered weakly.
Yin chuckled.
"That's because you're wasting it like an idiot."
My breathing was heavy.
Every muscle in my body felt numb.
"If you want to survive in this world, you can't fall every time things get difficult."
His speech became colder.
"Stand up."
"I… can't…"
"You can," Yin replied. "You just don't want to."
Silence filled my mind.
Then he spoke again.
"Didn't you say you wanted strength?"
Images gleamed in my mind.
The church.
Shamueru is being dragged away.
The guards are calling me a disgrace.
My mother is looking away from me.
My fists slowly clenched.
"…Stand up," Yin repeated.
My arms trembled.
My legs shook violently.
But slowly—
I pushed myself off the ground.
One step.
Then another.
The mana trail appeared again.
Faint—but still there.
"I'm… not stopping…"
I continued walking.
Even when my legs throbbed.
Even when breathing hurt.
Eventually—
A known sensation appeared.
Warm.
Safe.
The hideout.
I removed the blindfold.
The portal stood in front of me.
Lele and Eren were waiting on the other side.
Lele nodded with approval.
"You made it."
The moment I came through—
My body gave out.
I collapsed forward.
Eren caught me before I hit the ground.
"Haha… looks like someone hit their limit."
I tried to speak but couldn't.
Everything became heavy.
Lele looked down at me seriously.
"This is the first cost of strength."
She continued,
"Power is not free. Every move forward demands something from you."
My sight blurred.
But for the first time…
I felt proud.
"I… did it…"
Eren smiled.
"Yeah. You did."
As consciousness faded, I heard him say one last thing.
"Rest well, Maikeru. Tomorrow… real training begins."
Darkness took me.
But this time—
I wasn't alone.
Because somewhere deep inside my soul…
Yin was watching.
And for the first time…
He sounded amused.
"Heh… maybe you're not completely useless after all."
The next day I woke up.
I walked out of my bedroom and headed to the kitchen.
"Hmm…hmmm"
I suddenly hear someone humming.
I looked up and saw Eren sitting upside down on the ceiling.
Eating bread and drinking coffee.
The more I looked at him, the more confused I was.
"How are you sitting upside down on the ceiling, and how are you even drinking coffee?"
Eren instantly stops moving.
Then move his head to look at me.
He slowly moved his coffee from his mouth.
"It's gravity magic…"
I confusedly replied
"Wait, gravity magic!? I thought you had the portal magic!"
Eren slowly levitated down.
Planting his foot on the ground.
"Well, my true power is absorption Magic. And I can have up to three different magic types."
I became increasingly curious.
"So what type of magic do you have?"
Eren gladly explained.
"Well, as you already know, I have Portal and Gravity Magic, and as for my last magic, it…"
A woman's voice cut into Eren.
"It's Spatial Magic."
It was Crystal, wearing her usual Gi clothing with an energetic personality.
Eren, with a disappointed look, asked.
"Why did you have to steal my thunder!?"
Crystal chuckled.
"You took too long to tell him. So I sped it up for you."
Eren sighed while scratching his head.
Then Crystal looked at me.
"So Ma…Mi…Mo… ah Merkano right."
I quickly replied—
"It's Maikeru…"
Crystal with the realization in her face.
"Yes. Maikeru… hurry up and eat your breakfast because this time I'm going to be your teacher."