I opened the book, flipping through the first few pages, I saw the intricate illustrations, the long patches of text in black and dark red ink. There were biological illustrations of a human's Solar Plexus.
I narrowed my eyes, slowly making sense of the text, I read out aloud:
"The Core of a Human is what produces magical essence. It allows the person to store the mentioned essence and release it in the form of affinities, which requires the person to awaken to the first stage of Core Reformation."
Being an individual who indulged himself in magic and system based novels often, Leiter, or in this world, Artorius found it really easy to understand.
Ah!
I exclaimed in triumph.
"So this is the equivalent to a Mana capacity, allowing a person to hold and release mana. It's really simple to understand. I thought it'd be more complicated." I smiled to myself, with this new found excitement in my heart. It soon went down though.
I read another sentence next to the former.
"The capacity of an individual's Core is predetermined, but it can be increased with each reformation."
I felt fear well up in my heart. Negative thoughts enshrouded my mind.
Wait, what if I don't have enough capacity to use magic? Huh? What if, since I wasn't born normally, I don't have a Core at all! It could be a case, I've read such cases in many novels. No no no nonono...
I can't let this happen… I don't wanna be mana-less.
I took a few deep breaths, closing my eyes and calming my racing heart down.
No, I'm sure I can use it. After all, on the other hand, there are those reincarnated beings who are born with cheat-skills. I must surely be on that side!
With that, I read page after page. There were many topics and terms which I wasn't familiar with, but I had a general idea due to my knowledge from reading hundreds of Fantasy system-based novels.
Hm.. so there are two types of magical essences.
Firstly, Raw Mana. It is the magical essence that is available in the atmosphere. It is very rich in arcane particles–which form up magic essences– but difficult to control and utilise. It is used during 'Core Reformation' to provide mana to an individual's Core so it can reform.
Secondly, Core Mana. It is the magical essence which the person uses to utilise his magic affinities. A person's Core Mana is usually determined at birth. It can be increased through 'Core Reformation'. It is very easy to utilize and control, unlike Raw Mana.
Now, for what Core Reformation is- It is a method of refining your Core by purposely breaking your Mana capacity through repeated cultivation of Raw Mana. Each reformation increases a person's physical attributes, magical prowess and their spirituality.
Physical attributes such as agility, endurance, strength and flexibility of one's body increases with Core reformation.
It doesn't necessarily make your body very strong, but makes it capable enough.
From what I read, a body must be trained enough to hold a higher reformed core. The stronger the core, the more you have to work on increasing your limits, otherwise your body would completely shut down.
For example, when you go to the gym- which I've never been to due to me being ridiculously broke -you can't just start pumping the big, heavy weights unless you want your body to feel like it endured severe beating. You slowly work with each weight, making your body able to handle it. Same applies with the body and the Core.
Moving on, Magical prowess is very self explanatory, if you've been a hardcore reader as myself. It increases our talent and potential in magic I suppose. With higher magical prowess, one can use it with efficiency and increase its effectiveness too.
Lastly, Spirituality. I spent far too long trying to understand what this meant. I'm not sure if spirituality is some religion-related thing here or something much more greater than just some faith. Well, I won't go too deep in it for now. Currently, I'm interested in increasing my magical prowess.
I got off my chair, with the book in both my hands, too heavy. I quickly settled it on my round noble-like bed.
"This book mentions some things about how Raw Mana can be cultivated." I muttered to myself, thinking far into the distant future, imagining myself some great prodigy wizard. A creepy grin appeared on my face, my nose curled and my mouth reached up till the lower ends of my ears, my shining cloudy diamond-like blue eyes containing a dangerous glint.
"This might be perfect." Artorius spoke, grinning and giggling to himself like a madman. Or, madboy, since he reincarnated. He was deep into fantasizing himself being a great strong overpowered hero with a harem. Well, everyone dreams.
"Ahem, I shouldn't get carried away.. I need to learn these techniques.. Wait, can three year olds, or almost three year old children use these techniques?" Doubt started clouding my thoughts.
"Violet didn't seem to mind me being able to speak almost perfectly at this age.. I wonder if children grow up early here.. though, considering Illa and Grey when I was first born into this world, I don't think that might be the case.." I was having an inner conflict with myself.
It shouldn't be the case though… I've read multiple Isekai novels with reincarnated men in bodies of infants being able to completely utilize magic. I should give it a try, but keep it hidden, I suppose.
"Anyways.. let me see…" I subconsciously spoke to myself as I searched through pages for when people start showing signs of talent for magic.
Then, I found it. I read the text written:
'Children start showing signs of magic around the age of 5.
They have their Mana Capacity determined by a trusted Core Doctor at the age of 6.'
Ah… so that means.. Grey should have his Capacity determined this year… Come to think of it, I did hear a conversation on this topic a few weeks ago, I just didn't pay any attention to it.
I recalled this moment.
Father was teaching Grey the basics of Swordsmanship. He handed him a wooden sword and taught him how to swing and pierce the opponent.
"Yeah, like that!" Father exclaimed with excitement engulfing his voice. Grey had finally successfully cut two wooden planks with one swing of his sword, though the cut wasn't that smooth. It was impressive though.
"That reminds me.. you'll have your Mana capacity measured this year.. I'll get in touch with a Specialist!" Father spoke.
"Oh right! I read about that in a textbook! I'm so excited! I can't wait to grow up quickly and join the ranks!" Grey exclaimed with bright, shining eyes. Father returned his enthusiastic response with another challenge; Breaking a thick log of wood.
Grey cleared that with intense focus and sheer will too.
My eyes beamed at that sight.
I wanna do that too! I thought.
"Ah, Tori. Do you like swords like your big brother and father too?" Mother looked at me, asking me with a tone of disappointment. She hated violence. Especially any sharp or destructive object. Illa followed in her footsteps.
"Mhm! Towi thinks swords are cool!" I exclaimed in a very childish tone. I deliberately spoke in an imperfect manner, only to avoid gazes of suspicion.
My mother gasped, overwhelmed with my cuteness.
"Aw! You're so cute! I love you so, so much Tori! Even though you like swords, as long as you stay cute like this, I'll always support you!" She tightly hugged me as she rambled about my cuteness. She loves me too much.
Once, I got lost in the manor and she fainted for three hours because I wasn't found till the evening from the morning. She really does love me unconditionally.
I hope I'll always spend my time with her.
My mother is one of a kind. My siblings aren't much less too, and my father too.
I remember my mother telling me how my father searched the entire four sides of the forest and the front & backyard for me.
My siblings frantically searched for me including their maids and Violet too. Violet cried like a baby when I was found.
Back to the present.
I found three methods of Reformation.
Firstly, Crystal Cultivation: A method which requires a special type of crystal that can be a medium for providing Mana to cultivate.
It is the most common method and widely used among nobles, since the crystals aren't cheap.
Secondly, Beast Cultivation: It requires the use of a beast capable of holding and releasing Mana, which provides Mana for cultivation to the individual. Though, this method isn't popular, since by the end of the process, the beast would usually die due to depletion of its magical essence to the point of death.
Thirdly, Manual Cultivation: It is the hardest form of Reformation. It requires no medium. You focus all your energy and the innate Mana in your body in your solar plexus, which allows the opening of a 'gate' in your Core. Unlike the first two methods, this one includes direct absorption of Raw Mana.
Hm… this explains a lot. Well, I can't ask for any crystals… and Beast Cultivation is definitely a no. I don't wanna sacrifice a poor animal's life. I guess, it all comes down to Manual Cultivation.
"It's the hardest, I wonder if I'll even manage to get around the age barrier." I muttered to myself.
"Well, it'll be worth a try." I stretched my little limbs.
I'll need to have a headstart if I want to be a protagonist.
I won't miss this chance.
I'll grasp it and achieve what I desire!