At three years old, I began piecing together the puzzle of the world I had been born into. My family—the Wolfhart family—was far more influential than I first realized.
Mother, Selene Wolfhart, was the embodiment of grace. She moved through the estate like the wind, gentle yet unyielding, always doting on me with a warm smile and a soft voice. Graceful and elegant with long, flowing bck hair. Fair, fwless skin and mesmerizing red pearl-like eyes that radiate both warmth and mystery. But her doting was relentless—escaping her protective gaze was an art I had to master.
Father, Aric Wolfhart, was a different presence altogether. He was a Duke of Wolfengarde, a kingdom under the Avalon Empire. Bck hair with streaks of silver, sharp facial features, and intense blue eyes filled with authority. Rarely home, his aura was overpowering—like a mountain that demanded respect. His eyes carried a weight I couldn’t yet decipher, but his power was undeniable.
Then there was my older sister, Cire. Beautiful and graceful with long, wavy bck hair cascading down her back. Bright blue eyes that sparkle with mischief and confidence. At 7 years old, she had already mastered the art of being an overbearing sibling. Her affection for me was suffocating at times, always smothering me with hugs and fussing over my every move. Yet, her intentions were pure, and despite her antics, I couldn’t help but appreciate her warmth.
Marianne, the head maid, ensured the household ran like clockwork. Her stern demeanor often meant she noticed whenever I slipped away, though thankfully Edwin, the loyal butler, usually covered for me.
Over time, I began to understand this world’s nguage. At first, the words were incomprehensible, but as days turned to months, they started making sense. By now, I could follow conversations and read the basic books in the library. This newfound ability unlocked a treasure trove of knowledge.
But what fascinated me most was magic.
Mana and Aura both originate from the same energy source, but their usage and mastery differ. Mana is harnessed for elemental manipution and magical abilities, while Aura focuses on physical reinforcement and combat techniques.
Mana and aura was the lifeblood of this world, and its utilization was divided into stages:
?Stage 0 (Blue)
Awakening: Common to both mana and aura. It represents the realization and sensing of the energy within oneself.
Mana Stages:
?Stage 1 (Green): Novice — Basic mana control and simple elemental spells.
Stage 2 (Red): Adept — Proficient elemental manipution with refined control.
?Stage 3 (Orange): Advanced — Complex spells and rge-scale elemental magic.
?Stage 4 (Yellow): Master — Mastery over multiple elements, capable of immense destruction.
?Stage 5 (White): Grandmaster — Refined and massive mana manipution, affecting vast areas.
?Stage 6 (Colourless): Transcendent — Reality-altering magical capabilities with unparalleled mastery.
Aura Stages:
?Stage 1 (Green): Awakening Aura — Initial awareness of aura; enhances basic physical abilities.
?Stage 2 (Red): Radiant Aura — Active aura manipution for offense and defense.
?Stage 3 (Orange): Focused Aura — Precise control for shielding, weapons, and emotional influence.
?Stage 4 (Yellow): Manifest Aura — Aura takes physical forms, like weapons and constructs.
?Stage 5 (White): Empowered Aura — Enables complex tasks, including energy flow control and superhuman senses.
?Stage 6 (Colorless): Supreme Aura — Total mastery, allowing devastating attacks and impenetrable defenses.
While mastering one is challenging, those rare few who excel in both become unparalleled forces in Arcadia.
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The library was silent, the fading glow of the evening sun casting the room in a golden hue. I sat cross-legged on the floor, shutting out everything around me. For weeks, I had been attempting to sense mana, the mysterious energy that every book described as the essence of this world.
My eyes closed, and I focused inward, tuning out the distant sounds of the household. My breathing slowed as I concentrated, my thoughts narrowing to one goal—to feel the flow of mana within me.
At first, it was faint, almost imperceptible. But then, like a soft ripple spreading across still water, I felt it. A warm, gentle current began to move through me.
It wasn’t a core or a sphere, as some texts romantically described. No, it was something far more fluid—a constant stream coursing through every inch of my body. It was faint, fragile even, but undeniably there.
I opened my eyes slowly, my small hands resting in my p. For the first time, I could sense the energy flowing through me, connecting me to the world itself. It was... fascinating.
This was what they called Stage 0. The first step toward understanding mana, something that came so naturally to most children.
I flexed my fingers, watching them move in the dim light, and quietly observed the sensation of mana within. I didn’t feel excitement or triumph. Instead, there was only a calm acknowledgment—a sense that I had unlocked something new, something I would inevitably need to navigate this unfamiliar world.
This wasn’t about power or ambition. I had walked that path once before, and I knew where it led. Now, it was simply a matter of understanding. Nothing more, nothing less.
The library was silent except for the soft rustle of pages. As I sat on the floor, my breathing steady, I felt the faint yet distinct flow of mana coursing through my body. It was subtle but constant, like a quiet river beneath my skin.
I didn’t notice Edwin at first, standing in the doorway. When I finally gnced up, his expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes studied me intently.
“Young Master Aren…” he said slowly, almost hesitantly.
I met his gaze, unbothered. “What is it, Edwin?”
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, a rare flicker of astonishment crossed his usually composed face. He straightened, his tone carrying a mix of awe and urgency.
“It seems you’ve awakened.”
Before I could respond, he turned and left the room, his steps purposeful, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
To be continued...
