Ryo sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, his fists clenched tightly in frustration. His young face was drawn, shadows of defeat lingering in his expression—a bitter echo of the day's relentless failures. Outside, the wind stirred the leaves of ancient trees that surrounded their quiet mountain home. But inside, silence weighed heavy between him and his grandfather.
The old man sat across from him, unmoved, his calm demeanor shaped by years of discipline. His eyes, deep with wisdom and weathered by time, studied Ryo carefully.
"There are three methods to manifest magic," he said at last, breaking the silence. His voice carried the weight of truth, low and resolute. "Until now, I've only taught you the safest one. It uses only the faint traces of mana that naturally cling to the palms of your hands. That's why your spells seem so weak—because there isn't enough mana for them to truly take shape."
Ryo's eyes widened, and a flicker of hope stirred in his chest. "Then teach me the other two, please!" he pleaded, leaning forward with anticipation.
But his grandfather's gaze darkened. His expression turned grave, and the lines on his face deepened, shaped by the burden of what he was about to reveal.
"I will," he said slowly, "but only on one condition."
Ryo held his breath.
"You must promise me that you will never use these methods to harm anyone," the old man said, his voice firm and unwavering. "They offer power—real power—but with it comes great responsibility. You may use them to protect yourself, or to defend others, but never to attack out of anger or vengeance. Do you understand?"
The weight of the words sank into Ryo like stone. He remembered the sting of mockery, the helplessness that haunted him. But he also remembered the people he wished he could shield—the ones who needed someone strong.
He took a deep breath. "I understand," he said at last, his voice steady. "I promise. Please… teach me."
His grandfather studied him for a long moment before nodding solemnly. "Very well. What I am about to share with you is the truth behind magic. This knowledge marks the beginning of your real training."
He folded his hands before him, and his voice softened—measured, yet intense.
"Mana is the energy that flows through all living things," he said. "It is categorized by the elements—fire, water, wind, earth, and others. For example, when you manipulate fire mana, you create fire-based spells."
He raised one finger.
"The first method, which you already know, draws from the trace amounts of mana that cling to your palms. It's simple, stable, and safe—but extremely limited."
He raised a second.
"The second method draws mana from the atmosphere around you. This allows for much stronger magic. However, there is only so much mana in the air, and it can be exhausted during extended battles. That's why this method is often used to enhance spells that have already been cast."
Ryo leaned forward, eyes wide. Every word pulled him deeper into a world he'd only glimpsed.
Then, his grandfather raised a third finger.
"The final method," he said, his tone growing solemn once more, "is the most powerful—and the most dangerous. It involves drawing mana from within yourself."
Ryo blinked. "Inside… myself?"
His grandfather nodded. "Yes. Deep within you flows your true mana. But to use it, you must first feel the natural flow of that energy. Then, you must create a core—a center of magical focus within your spirit. The size of the core, and how efficiently it channels mana, will determine the power of your spells. But be warned: drawing too much from yourself can harm you. This path demands balance, discipline… and time."
The room fell silent once more, but this time, the air thrummed with promise.
Ryo exhaled slowly. His heart was racing, but his spirit was calm.
He was ready