Draconic Ascension - System Apocalypse Isekai LitRPG

The elf spoke.

“Pay attention to what I’m going to say from this point on.”

He concentrated.

“Circles are the foundation of Mages and variant Classes. Not only do they result in the increase of the amount of mana within oneself, but most importantly, they allow one to cast spells. Do not mix up spells and Skills. All spells are classified as Skills by the System, but most Skills aren’t spells. There is a singular feature regarding spells that make the journey to acquire them worth it.”

Tairy raised a single finger.

“Spells can be learned and improved upon without spending Skill Points.”

Michael furrowed his brow. He raised his hand and asked a question before the dark elf could continue.

“Doesn’t that apply to Skills as well?”

Tairy appeared to be genuinely surprised.

“Oh? You’ve already figured that out? The answer is yes, Skills can be learned or even upgraded without Skill Points, but that is a much more difficult and time-consuming process. What do you think is easier: learning a spell that casts a fireball or learning to do so manually, figuring out every individual step such as igniting your mana?”

“So spells are like shortcuts?”

The elven wizard laughed.

“While that description isn’t entirely incorrect, it is not complete either. At your level, yes, spells can be considered shortcuts. At higher levels, however, they act almost as a separate system of power. Virtually all Classes benefit from dipping into spellcasting; naturally, the casters are the ones who can do it best, but that doesn’t make us the most powerful. Other Classes have their own strengths.”

Michael nodded with a pensive look. As he had learned before awakening his bloodline, the average Mage was quite limited and vulnerable when traveling alone. Even the starter Skills had cast time, and he hadn’t had enough Intelligence to empower them. He had been placed in dangerous situations several times and had almost died right before awakening. He imagined that a Warrior or some variant would be the best choice at this stage. No, that wasn’t true either. Most people didn’t have what it took to fight to the death in close combat. The Classes were simply different, with their own strengths and weaknesses.

“There is one Skill, however, that you’ll benefit the most from having to learn it manually. It’s called Meditation.”

“Why do I need to learn how to meditate?”

His reply drew a chuckle from Tairy.

“It’s what you saw me doing the first time and this one. At your level, in this environment, it is also the single most effective way of absorbing mana and working toward increasing your number of Circles. Since you have a Mana Heart, the mana will also have somewhere to go. The Meditation Skill is automatically learned by all casters upon reaching Level 25.”

“What? Then why do I have to learn it manually?”

Tairy shook his head.

“I said it would be most beneficial for you to learn it on your own, not that it was your only option. Since you have already made progress toward acquiring a new Skill without spending Skill Points, you should already know that Skills are capable of much more than what the System automatically tells your brain.”

Michael nodded.

“Learning Skills through the System nets you immediate knowledge regarding how to use them, but that is all. For you to figure out how a Skill works by yourself is much more beneficial on a much deeper level. Skill Points are the true shortcut. Between two fighters at the same Level and with the same Class, the one who’s more familiar with their Skills will most likely win.”

Michael agreed with him. He had already discovered that the usage of Skills wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Being able to utilize the Mana Sphere and Mana Shield Skills in different ways only intensified that realization.

“…So, since Meditation is one of the most important Skills for a caster, I should learn it properly.”

“Yes. ‘Properly’ does not mean ‘on your own,’ however. I will help you.”

He felt sincere gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Bah, it’s the best thing to do around here. Now, we’ve talked enough. The most important thing for you right now is to establish your first Circle.”

“Alright. I’m ready.”

“Sit in front of me with your legs crossed and your back turned toward me. Since you have a Mana Heart, you could do this alone, but I will help guide you to achieve more effective results.”

Michael followed the old man’s instructions, in spite of being a bit distrustful. He felt Tairy’s hand touch his back, just behind his heart. Foreign mana entered his body, but there was no hostile intent; he forced himself not to fight it.

“Now, listen to my words and pay attention. Your objective is to gather your mana in your heart and use your blood vessels as a guide to create a ‘mana path.’ It is completely different from the Passive Skill you may have seen. What you are trying to do is mirror your blood vessels’ patterns with your mana, superimposing one another and allowing your mana channels to act as vessels for your spiritual self.”

The dark elf’s words sounded like gibberish taken straight out of a fantasy novel, but Michael knew that this was very real. Resisting the irrational urge to dismiss Tairy’s words, he tried to follow his instructions. Mana poured out of his Dragonheart, in much greater quantity than he anticipated. Tairy said nothing, but he could feel that the elf had flinched. More foreign mana entered his body. It gently guided his own mana through his vessels.

Michael tried to picture it as if a new body was being created on top of his existing one. This new body was drastically similar to his own but was composed entirely of mana. For some reason, it wasn’t difficult. In fact, he felt as if he were returning to something he enjoyed after a long time. There was a sense of familiarity and naturality. It was most likely due to his Dragon blood, or perhaps the existence of his Dragonheart. It didn’t matter; he felt as if he were a child who had received a new, long-awaited toy. Joy and serenity filled him in equal measure.

As the Dragonheart’s heartbeat continued to resound, he entered a type of trance. The mana body got increasingly corporeal, but it also changed. Small horns appeared on the forehead, while the skin at the corner of its eyes was covered with scales. While these changes didn’t go unnoticed, Michael in his current state did not care about them in the least. He had Dragon blood; why did it matter if his mana body was a bit different? Thus, the changes were then promptly dismissed.

An unknown amount of time later, just as he felt sure he had completely projected every last corner of his body in the mana version, Michael left his trance-like state. He opened his eyes, feeling that something had changed within him. In the center of his Dragonheart, a single blue mana ring floated, rotating around it. His first Circle.

He turned to Tairy, who had already removed his hand and was staring at him unblinkingly. With an incredulous voice, the dark elf spoke.

“How did you… This is a Tutorial Zone for humans alone. You…”

He struggled to find words. Michael simply stared back at him as the elf organized his thoughts. Since the cat was out of the bag, he could only wait for the consequences, whatever they were. After almost thirty seconds, Tairy spoke once more.

“…I finally understand how you have so much mana. I’m not sure what is different about you, but things suddenly make sense. You don’t have an Inferior Mana Heart; it wouldn’t be capable of such a feat. I see.”

He offered his hand. Michael blinked in surprise.

“Kid, you are so intriguing that it makes me want to Party up with you. If only I could do that. Anyway, congratulations on achieving your first Circle. You are now a First Circle Mage. Don’t worry, I won’t share your secret with anyone. Sullivan must have a few ideas, but he won’t say anything either.”

Michael shook Tairy’s hand.

“Thank you for your discretion.”

The elf nodded.

“Now, you should go to Sullivan and deliver those heads in your bag that are stinking up the place. You’ll be promoted to an ordinary Villager, gaining the right to food and water. Ask for some new clothes as well. As for shelter, I will house you in my own place. My home isn’t big, but it will do. Go there and then come back. There is much to do.”

Michael genuinely smiled. He nodded, saying he would return, and left for the town hall. This trip felt a lot shorter than the previous one. There was still a line extending all the way outside the hall, but there seemed to be fewer people. With a sigh, he accepted his fate and got in line. Time passed by slowly. A thought entered his head.

What if I try practicing my mana manipulation while I’m in line?