Chapter 3: Mana
Jack and Aeris sat in the middle of the training room as Aeris guided him on how to relax his muscles and feel his mana core. The warmth in the room and the soft glow of the white lanterns gave their session a mood.
"This is the most important part of each person’s magic possession." She opened her eyes slightly to see Jack still deep in meditation, a little smile playing on his lips. Seeing this, she smiled too and let her eyes drift closed again.
The memory of Raiden being perpetually stuck on this exercise flashed through Jack’s mind, making him bite back a laugh at how pathetic that seemed.
"To possess any ability or maintain it, managing your mana core and increasing your mana pool is paramount. Try to sense it within you, pulsing like a heartbeat. Yes, it is the very heart of your magic."
Jack remained quiet. Meditation sessions were familiar territory for him—in fact, they were the only training he’d ever found enjoyable. This would be simple enough as he absorbed Aeris’ words.
"Feel your mana..."
Jack nodded, and slowly Aeris’ voice became distant as he turned his attention to his heartbeat. An hour passed in concentration, yet he still couldn’t feel his core. He plunged deeper into himself until he could sense his heartbeat in every extremity, even his toes, but his mana core remained elusive.
"It is getting late... you need to return to the library and protect the book," Aeris said, gently drawing Jack out of his trance.
Jack looked at her with bewilderment, then glanced back at his shoulder. Aeris seemed genuinely afraid of just the look he’d given her. Where he came from, interrupting meditation could cost someone their life. Seeing her cautious reaction, the reality of her words hit him with the force of a gut punch.
He rose silently, stepped outside the door, turned right, and headed for the library through the stairwell. The palace’s design ensured that wherever the bookkeeper might be, getting to the library was always straightforward—corridors throughout the building were specifically laid out to lead there.
The moment Jack left the room, however, his steps became sluggish as his mind raced. If he wanted to reclaim his life soon, he couldn’t put all his faith in Aeris alone. He started digging through Raiden’s memories about the mana crest.