Ryo sat cross-legged once again, his eyes reflecting the quiet fire of determination. His grandfather stood before him, the flickering lantern light casting long shadows across the wooden floor.
"Now, Ryo," the old man said with calm seriousness, "I will teach you how to circulate your mana. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Ryo answered, his voice sharp with anticipation. "I'm ready."
His grandfather stepped forward and gently took Ryo's hand. "Good. I'm going to let my mana flow into your body. Don't resist it. Just focus. Feel how it moves. Then try to guide your own mana in the same way."
Ryo closed his eyes, and a warmth crept into his body—subtle, but undeniable. It started at the edge of his skin, traveled up his arm, passed through his chest, and slowly exited from the other side. The sensation was gentle, almost like a soft breeze flowing within him, but with a steady rhythm—measured and purposeful.
"Now concentrate," his grandfather's voice came softly. "Follow it. Mimic it. Try to move your own mana the same way."
Ryo nodded silently and sat upright, closing his eyes again as he tried to copy the movement. He focused with all his might, but each time he reached out to grasp his own mana, it slipped through his awareness like mist between his fingers.
"Grandfather…" he said finally, confused and frustrated. "I—I don't even know how to begin. I've been sitting here trying, but nothing happens."
His grandfather smiled gently, the warmth in his expression undimmed by Ryo's struggle. "That's natural. Don't worry, Ryo. Remember—mana is like blood. It flows through your body naturally. But the sensation is faint. To control it, you must flow it along with the rhythm of your blood. Let it travel through your body, circulate it slowly. Your goal is to make your body familiar with that feeling. Once you've done that, you'll be ready to begin your mana core training."
Ryo took a deep breath and gave a firm nod. He would not give up now. He settled into a quiet stillness, his breath deep and steady. First, he simply tried to feel the mana again—the same gentle current he had sensed before.
At first, there was only silence. Nothing moved. He sat motionless, allowing his thoughts to quiet, allowing his awareness to sink deeper into himself. Then, an idea sparked in his mind. Instead of reaching outward, he turned his focus inward. He stopped chasing the mana and instead let it come to him.
And there it was. A faint warmth, like the touch of sunlight on skin. He followed it. He imagined his blood moving through his veins and urged the mana to follow the same path. Slowly… steadily… he began to guide it. He directed it through his arms, his legs, his chest—letting it move throughout his body in a calm, natural rhythm.
Time passed, but Ryo didn't notice. All that existed for him in that moment was the quiet dance of energy within.
Finally, his eyes snapped open, gleaming with joy. He could feel it—his own mana flowing clearly and freely through his body. He could move it. Control it.
"Grandfather!" he called, unable to contain his excitement. "I did it! I can circulate my mana!"
The old man turned toward him, his expression filled with quiet pride.
existed for him in that moment was the quiet dance of energy within. Finally, his eyes snapped open, gleaming with joy. He could feel it—his own mana flowing clearly and freely through his body. He could move it. Control it. "Grandfather!" he called, unable to contain his excitement. "I did it! I can circulate my mana!" The old man turned toward him, and his face lit up with genuine pride. "Well done, Ryo," he said. "Very few manage to achieve that so quickly. You're ready now… for the next step. Mana core formation." Ryo's heart pounded with excitement. A new chapter of his journey had begun—and this time, he was truly ready.