FWOOOOOOSH!
A gust of wind howled through the training hall, swirling dust and mana particles in the air as Ava stood before Jack's family. Her violet-golden eyes gleamed with an unwavering resolve.
While the Angels' First Team gathered renowned Production-Class Masters and legendary powerhouses to aid in the grand development of the Otherworlders' Continent in the Central Continent, Ava had already set her plans into motion.
Her mission was clear.
She had explained everything to Jack's family, and with two of her three main tasks completed, the foundation for their ascendancy had been laid.
First, she had guided them onto the path of an Ascendant by bestowing upon them a sacred tome, a book etched with the wisdom of the ancients. This scripture held the secrets of refining mana, constructing Magic Circles and Aura Force Rings, and transcending mortal limits. It was more than just knowledge; it was a gateway to greatness, a key that unlocked the destiny of the strong.
The second step was ensuring their financial stability a foundation upon which their future strength could be built.
Originally, Jack's family was to receive 400 gold coins, a sum substantial enough to sustain them for years, covering food, shelter, and the bare necessities of survival. But survival was not enough.
Ava understood this.
Clink!
The faint chime of coins echoed through the hall as she placed a pouch before them, its weight heavy with possibilities.
She had increased the amount to 500 gold coins.
Not out of pity. Not out of charity.
But because she knew that wealth, while not the key to power, was a stepping stone toward it.
This gold could buy armor to shield them, weapons to defend them, and knowledge to elevate them. It was not merely money, it was a chance to grasp their fate with their own hands.
And yet, Ava knew that gold alone would not be enough.
Shhhhnk!
A faint hum vibrated through the air as she summoned an ornate space ring, its surface shimmering with faint engravings of ancient runes. It hovered above her palm, weightless yet containing a vast abyss within.
"This," she said, her voice steady, "is more valuable than gold."
Jack's family stared in awe.
A space ring is a treasure so rare that even nobles fought over them. To the common folk, it was a myth, a luxury reserved for kings and heroes.
And yet, it now rested in Ava's hands, offered freely.
"This ring," she continued, "will carry your burdens when your shoulders cannot."
With it, they could store weapons, provisions, armor, anything they needed without the constraints of weight or bulk. It was a gift beyond price, a tool that could mean the difference between life and death.
Jack's father reached out hesitantly, as if touching the ring would shatter the dream.
"Are… you sure?" He whispered.
Ava smiled softly.
"Take it."
The moment the ring touched their hands, a realization washed over them.
They were no longer ordinary.
Fate had granted them a path forward and now, it was up to them to walk it.
The moment had arrived.
The gold, the knowledge, the sacred book none of it would matter unless they could wield mana.
Ava stood before Jack and his family, her presence commanding yet reassuring. The dim glow of the lanterns cast flickering shadows across the room, as if the very air held its breath in anticipation.
Her violet-golden eyes gleamed, reflecting the weight of the moment.
"This is it," she thought. "This is where their journey truly begins."
She took a deep breath and spoke.
"Now, it's time to learn how to use your mana to cast spells and wield combat skills by channeling it into your Magic Circle or Aura Force Ring."
Her voice carried power, but also promise.
Thump!
Jack's heart pounded. Excitement? Fear? He couldn't tell.
His family stood beside him, their faces a mixture of anticipation and hesitation.
Could they really do it? Could they become more than just ordinary people?
Ava's gaze hardened, her tone growing firm.
"Listen carefully. No matter how much wealth or knowledge you have, it is useless if you cannot control mana.
Mana is the life force of the world. It exists in the air, the land, the stars but most importantly, in your hearts."
She raised her hand.
Whoosh!
A surge of golden mana flowed from her palm, swirling into a luminous sphere that hovered in the air. The energy pulsed like a living heartbeat, radiating warmth and power.
Jack's mother gasped. His father took an involuntary step back. Even Jack himself felt a primal pull toward the energy as if it was calling to something deep within him.
Ava closed her fist.
Crackle!
The mana dispersed instantly, vanishing into the air like it had never existed.
The room fell into silence.
Then, she spoke again.
"The first step to mastery is understanding the source of your power."
She glanced at each of them, ensuring they were truly listening.
"Your mana flows from your heart. To use it, you must first awaken it."
A pause.
Then she smiled.
"And that's exactly what we're going to do."
-----
Ava's voice was steady, yet it carried undeniable authority. She took a step forward, the faint glow of mana shimmering in her fingertips. The air around her seemed to grow heavier, charged with an energy that made Jack and his family stand straighter, their gazes locked onto her.
"As you know, the first step toward mastering mana control is learning how to use Magic Circles and Aura Force Rings with the help of mana in one's heart."
Her words hung in the air, weighty with meaning.
Jack swallowed hard. His fists clenched at his sides.
This is it. This is where everything changes.
Ava's eyes swept over them, ensuring they absorbed every word.
She took another step forward.
Thud!
The sound of her boot against the wooden floor echoed like a drumbeat, reinforcing the gravity of the lesson.
"There are procedures to control mana and learn spells and skills through simple steps.''
She paused, letting the anticipation build before continuing.
"I already gave you a book during my previous visit, one that explains the formation of Magic Circles and Aura Force Rings, the methods to control and utilize them, and the correct procedures to follow."
Jack's mother instinctively reached for the book on the table, its leather cover smooth beneath her fingertips. It held ancient knowledge, but knowledge alone was not enough.
Ava's eyes gleamed as she raised a hand.
"Now, I will explain them in more detail."
Whoooosh!
Mana flared around her, swirling in golden arcs, crackling with raw energy.
Jack felt his breath hitch. His father's hands trembled slightly.
Even the room itself seemed to hold its breath.
This was no ordinary lesson.
This was the beginning of their transformation.
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To Be Continued.....!