The structure of a mana core was like a round sphere in most people.
This structure could slightly change depending on the race, but the overall mechanism stayed the same.
The mana core acted as the storage unit of mana in the body.
The mana reserves were dictated by the capacity of one's mana core.
Aside from storage, the mana core was also responsible for pumping mana to the required body parts, either through the blood or directly through the mana meridians.
The mana carried through the blood was essential for the repair and maintenance of the body.
While in combat and also during cultivation, mana moved through the mana meridians.
Mana meridians were special channels connected directly to the mana core and helped in the rapid movement of mana.
Each mana meridian was attached to the blood vessels, resulting in an efficient transfer of mana.
At the heart of the mana core lay what could be called a person's mana signature.
It was the most condensed form of mana, original to the given person's body.
The more condensed it was, the greater the power a person could wield.
This decided the talent of people from the moment they were born.
People with more condensed mana essence had higher potential for growth and were generally stronger in combat compared to their counterparts.
One couldn't increase their mana essence in any way, nor could they condense it further than its original form.
This limited a person's growth potential from the moment they were born.
Having a less condensed mana essence didn't mean that you couldn't grow strong.
Many people with little talent had gone on to become some of the greatest fighters in history.
Mana essence wasn't the only thing that dictated your power.
But…
It was one of the most important pillars of strength.
And currently, Arthur could see what shouldn't have been possible.
Kael's body was absorbing the monster's mana essence and turning it into his own!
This…
Arthur couldn't make sense of what was happening before him.
He could see the subtle increase in Kael's power, without him doing any active cultivation.
Normally, after intense combat, people meditated to let the mana from the surroundings flow into their body and regulated it through their meridians.
This helped make their cultivation more efficient.
But Kael definitely wasn't cultivating at the moment.
And—
'I should wait a bit more. Maybe that was just a fluke.'
With this train of thought, Arthur patiently stood, watching Kael kill the remaining monsters.
The same phenomenon was repeated every time Kael killed a monster.
With every kill, Kael's mana essence grew stronger and more condensed.
It became more—
Potent.
The increase in strength was noticeable.
Kael's movements became more fluid.
The force behind his strikes increased drastically.
Arthur shook his head in amazement.
This kid…
Shaking his head in resignation, Arthur made his way toward where Kael stood, soaked in the blood of the monsters he had killed.
Kael seemed to have noticed Arthur's presence.
As Kael turned to face the person behind him—
Huh?!
Arthur blinked.
He had expected to see a look of excitement on Kael's face.
Killing this many monsters in his first fight was a great achievement.
But what he saw were those same black eyes.
There was no emotion in them.
Calm.
It was the only thing that could be felt from Kael.
Not a single ounce of bloodlust oozed from him.
This…
It was a commendable thing.
To be able to control one's bloodlust was a great sign.
It meant greater control over the mind in the most intense situations.
"That was a great performance. The blood of Frosts really does its wonders, don't you thi—"
Arthur paused mid-sentence.
He stared into Kael's eyes, which looked disgusted from—
Being compared.
It seemed to have irked him.
Thinking that it might be better to shift the topic, Arthur inhaled briefly.
Steadying his thoughts, he calmly looked into Kael's eyes.
"I thought it was better for you to experience live combat before getting some proper training."
Kael didn't reply.
He just stood there like a statue, waiting for Arthur to continue.
'Interesting. He still seems to be in a combat state, ready to fight at a moment's notice.'
"I must admit, your spatial awareness is already top tier. Tell me, have you fought before?"
"…"
'No answer, huh.'
"Take a deep breath and hold it. Let the mana and oxygen flow toward your brain. Learn to bring yourself out of the battle state on your own will."
Kael followed what Arthur said, taking deep breaths to steady himself.
Sometimes, when you engage in life-threatening situations, your body gets trapped in that state for a prolonged time, fearing an attack at any moment.
That was why one must train the mind to remove oneself from this trance through sheer will.
The color returned to Kael's eyes.
He blinked rapidly, looking around to take in his surroundings.
"That was hella weird! I could clearly see and hear everything, but it felt like I was inhabiting someone else's body. I literally couldn't control my train of thought."
Kael shook his head in bewilderment.
"It really felt like watching a 3D movie through some other person's eyes."
"…"
"What the fuck was that?!"
"It was what you could call a hyper safety mode of your body. Facing the real possibility of severe injuries—or in the worst case, death—made your body hypersensitive to the nearby surroundings. In such a situation, your body feels threatened by even the slightest movements in your vicinity."
Arthur observed as Kael jumped on his feet a few times, trying to get used to his body again.
"You need to meditate from time to time to increase your willpower in order to control your mind in such situations."
"Roger!"
"…"
"What?"
"How about calling me Master?"
Kael blinked.
"But ain't I your boss?!"
Arthur took a step forward, his face looming over Kael's forehead.
"That's how you address your teacher."
Taking a few steps toward a nearby tree, he leaned against its thick bark.
"And if you have a problem with that, then I must say with regret that I won't teach yo—"
"NO!"
Kael's shout echoed.
Then, slightly bowing his head by a degree, Kael opened his mouth.
"Ma-Master!"
"Hahaha."
This…
It was a hilarious sight for Arthur.