"Before I teach you how to control your mana," Master Blackwood said, his voice taking on a gentle, instructional tone, "let me ask you first. Are you able to feel mana in your body?"
Anton recalled what he had just read in the tome—how mana flowed throughout the body not unlike blood coursing through arteries and veins, an invisible current of power that mages learned to direct and shape. He closed his eyes, brow furrowing in concentration as he tried to sense something—anything—that might resemble this mysterious force within himself. After several moments of straining to perceive what the book described, he felt nothing but the ordinary sensations of his own heartbeat and breathing.
"No, Master," Anton admitted, opening his eyes with a hint of disappointment. "I can't feel anything."
Master Blackwood nodded, seemingly unsurprised. His face softened with an encouraging smile. "Don't worry too much about it. Only a very small percentage of people can feel the flow of mana without external help. It's like trying to notice the air you breathe. It's always there, but your mind has learned to filter it out of your awareness."
"But once your mind remembers the feeling of mana flowing through the body, you'll be able to sense it again without any external assistance. Think of it as learning to recognize a new taste that is difficult to describe until experienced, but remains unforgettable and easy to describe afterward." He gestured to the space on the floor before him. "Let me give you a push. Sit here in meditation pose."
Anton stood from his seat, slightly nervous and moved to the indicated spot and lowered himself into a cross-legged position. "Good," said Master Blackwood, circling around to stand behind him.
"Now, close your eyes and imagine that instead of blood, you have blue liquid mana pumping from your heart and coursing through your entire body. Picture it flowing along the same pathways, nourishing each organ, each muscle, each fragment of bone."
As the final words left Master Blackwood's lips, Anton felt the gentle pressure of the mage's palm against the back of his head. A peculiar sensation followed—like cool water trickling into his skull, then spreading downward.
Anton tried to visualize exactly as instructed, imagining currents of blue liquid replacing the crimson flow of blood. For the first few minutes, nothing but darkness behind his eyelids and the distant awareness of his own breathing. But gradually, almost imperceptibly at first, he began to feel something changing.
A gentle warmth spread from the crown of his head downward, as if someone had poured warm- water from the top of his head. The warmth expanded, radiating outward until his entire body was engulfed by a pleasant, tingling energy that seemed to illuminate him from within.
"Yes," Master Blackwood said softly, his voice sounding more distant. "You're beginning to feel it now. The mana is responding to you."
Anton could sense the older man's presence behind him, but his focus remained inward on this extraordinary sensation. It felt as if every cell in his body was being bathed in liquid warmth, every muscle relaxing and simultaneously growing stronger.
"Now," continued Master Blackwood, "try to change the direction of your mana flow. From within your body, guide it outward. Imagine it passing through your skin."
Anton furrowed his brow again, concentrating on redirecting the flow. At first, it seemed impossible, like trying to modify the flow of a river with mere thought. The mana resisted, continuing its established pathways through his body.
Taking a deep breath, Anton relaxed his mental grip and changed his approach. Instead of trying to push the mana, he envisioned it being gently drawn outward, like water seeping through cloth. To his astonishment, he felt the current shift, redirecting as the energy began to flow through his body.
"I—I can feel it," Anton whispered, amazed. "Excellent," Master Blackwood said, approval warming his tone. "Now, maintain this state and control your mana so that it covers your whole body like a thin layer from the outside. Think of it as a layer of mana forming on top of your skin."
Anton concentrated, guiding the flowing mana to spread evenly across his body's surface. For a brief, exhilarating moment, he succeeded, sensing the protective envelope of energy surrounding him like a cocoon. But maintaining such precise control proved challenging. His concentration wavered, and suddenly the mana slipped from his mental grasp, retreating back inside his body.
"Not too bad for your first time," Master Blackwood said, removing his hand from Anton's head. "In fact, quite impressive. How do you feel now?"
Anton opened his eyes, and the world seemed somehow both sharper and more distant. "My body is fine," he replied, surprised to hear his own voice sounding raspy and exhausted. "But I'm feeling quite lightheaded right now." He attempted to stand, but his limbs felt leaden and uncooperative. His body swayed precariously before he collapsed into a lying position, the room spinning around him.
"Don't push yourself," Master Blackwood said, steadying him with a firm hand on his shoulder. "This reaction is entirely normal for someone who has had their mana awakened for the first time. Think of it as exercising a muscle you've never used before—fatigue is to be expected."
Anton nodded weakly, finding that even this small movement sent ripples of dizziness through him.
"The exhaustion you're feeling is your body adjusting to the manipulation of mana," Master Blackwood explained, his voice taking on a more professorial tone. "Before today, your mana flowed naturally without any intervention, much like your heartbeat. By becoming aware of it and attempting to control it, you've expended considerable mental energy and put strain on your body."
"Now," Master Blackwood continued, "your task for the coming days is to practice what I've shown you, step by step. First, allow the mana to flow inside your body naturally. Then, with gentle intention, bring the mana from inside to outside of your body. Finally, maintain that external flow, creating a thin layer around yourself. Can you remember these steps?"
Anton found himself unable to form words, his tongue feeling thick and unresponsive. Instead, he managed a weak nod.
Master Blackwood smiled, patting Anton's shoulder. "Well then, I think that's enough for today. I'll ask Maria to accompany you when you go back home this evening. You'll need support—the first mana awakening often leaves apprentices disoriented for a few hours afterward."
After giving his final instructions for the day, Master Blackwood left the room with Anton lying alone with his newfound exhaustion. The door closed with a soft click that echoed in the silent classroom.
Anton remained lying on the floor, his limbs feeling as though they were made from stone. Each attempt to stand sent waves of dizziness through him. Anton thought 'Since I can't even stand properly, he thought, I might as well stay down and recover my strength'.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Time passed in a haze. Anton wasn't sure if he had dozed off when the creak of the opening door roused him.
"Don't lie down here too long," a familiar voice said, gentle but scolding. "The floor is cold, and you might get ill. Here, I'll help."
Anton opened his eyes to see Maria standing over him, concern etched on her features. She knelt beside him and, with surprising ease, lifted him to his feet. One arm went around his waist, supporting his weight as if he were no heavier than a child.
"How do you..." Anton began, his voice still weak and faltering.
Maria's lips turned into a knowing smile. "I'm enhancing my body with mana, of course. That's why I can lift you so easily." She reached down with her free hand and collected his tome. "This is one of the practical applications apprentices learn—channeling mana to strengthen the physical form."
Anton marveled at this casual display of magical proficiency. What had seemed like an insurmountable challenge to him just hours ago was clearly second nature to her.
"Can you teach me that?" he asked, his words slightly mumbled from fatigue.
Maria chuckled. "Master your basics first. Then we'll see about enhancing techniques." She adjusted her grip on him. "Come on, let's get you back to the reception area first. Small steps now."
They made their slow way through the corridors of the guild hall, Maria bearing his weight with practiced ease while balancing the heavy tome in her other hand. By the time they reached the reception area, the evening sun was casting long shadows through the windows, bathing the space in its light.
Anton had regained some of his strength during their slow progress, enough to stand without immediately toppling over. A sense of embarrassment washed over him. Here he was, a grown man, needing to be practically carried by a young woman, and in front of the guild members no less. Several apprentices and full mages glanced their way, some with knowing smiles, others with barely concealed interest.
"It's alright, Maria," he said quietly as they approached the main entrance. "I can stand by myself now. You don't need to accompany me all the way back home."
Maria fixed him with a stern look, one eyebrow raised in challenge. "Didn't you hear what I warned earlier? Your tome is valuable—far more valuable than you currently realize. Who knows if someone might try to rob you on the way home?" Her eyes flicked over his still-shaky stance. "Just by looking at how you're walking, you're sure to look like an easy target."
Anton wanted to protest further—his pride hurt a bit at the idea of appearing weak in public—but he had to admit she was right. He could barely keep himself upright, let alone defend his possession. And the tome was heavy, its weight already causing his weak arms to tremble when Maria had briefly passed it to him earlier.
"Fine," he conceded with a sigh. "Good decision," Maria said, her tone softening. She shouldered the door open, and they stepped out into the orange rays of the setting sun.
The streets of the outer residential district were quieting as dusk approached. Shopkeepers were closing up for the day, while evening lamps were being lit by the patrolling guards along the main road. An odd pair of a young man weaving unsteadily as if drunk, supported by a slender young woman who carried both him and a massive tome with ease. A few passersby gave them curious glances, but most simply smiled at what appeared to be a girlfriend or wife helping her companion home.
The sun had nearly set by the time they arrived at the city gate, its last rays painting the humble buildings of Anton's neighborhood in warm copper tones. They made their way down the familiar lane to the Weyland household, a modest dwelling set slightly back from the road.
A young girl was playing in the front yard, her ponytail hair swinging as she spun in circles. When she caught sight of them, she froze mid-twirl, eyes widening at the sight of her brother being half-carried by a stranger.
"Mother!" she shouted, running toward the house. "Someone is helping brother come home!"
Moments later, a woman emerged from the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. Orla's face transformed from curiosity to concern as she took in her son's weakened state. She hurried down the path toward them, worry etched in the lines around her eyes.
"Is he alright? Did something happen during training?" she asked, her hands already reaching for Anton, checking him for injuries with maternal care.
Maria gave the older woman a reassuring smile. "It's perfectly normal, ma'am. This is the first time he's awakened his mana, so his mind and body are simply exhausted. Let him sleep through the night, and he'll be as good as new tomorrow."
She shifted the tome hand over to Orla. "This happens to all mages during their awakening. It's actually a good sign. It means there's no abnormality with his awakening."
Orla's furrowed brow relaxed somewhat, though concern still lingered in her eyes. "I see. Well, thank goodness you were there to help him home."
A burly man appeared in the doorway, his broad shoulders nearly filling the frame. Thonar stepped into the yard, his weathered face tightening at the sight of his son's condition.
"Anton?" he called, his deep voice carrying easily across the space between them.
"I'm fine, Father," Anton managed, straightening slightly under his father's scrutiny. "Just tired from training."
Thonar approached and, after a nod of acknowledgment to Maria, carefully took Anton from her supporting arm. The transfer of weight was smooth, father replacing apprentice mage with practiced ease.
"Thanks for helping out Anton all the way back home," Orla said, her attention turning fully to Maria now that her son was safely in her husband's care. "And you are...?"
Maria gave a small, respectful bow, the gesture elegant despite the heavy tome still in her possession. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Weyland. My name is Maria, Maria Lowell. Please call me Maria."
"And you must call me Orla," Anton's mother replied warmly. Her gaze lingered on the young woman appraisingly. "Can you wait here for a bit? I'd like to give you something to take back home with you." She turned to her husband. "Thonar, come back out here as soon as you've put Anton in his bed. I want you to accompany this young lady on her way back home."
Thonar nodded, already helping Anton toward the house. "Of course," he rumbled, his strong arm steadying his son's faltering steps.
As they passed Maria, Anton summoned what little energy he had left. "Good night, Maria," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. "Take care on your way back home."
Maria's expression softened into a genuine smile, warmth reaching her eyes for perhaps the first time since he'd met her. "Mm, see you next time," she replied, the simple acknowledgment somehow conveying both reassurance and expectation. This is the last scene he saw before falling asleep in his father's arms.