Krrk!
After the spell was completed, the book underwent a radical transformation.
The cracks and layers of dirt fell away from the book, turning what was originally a dirty, dull book, into a sophisticated and intricately patterned grimoire. A deep purple color was revealed, dyeing the grimoire's outer cover. At the same time, the pages inside shifted, becoming more ancient than worn-out; the grimoire's mana flowed in a far preciser, controlled stream.
"Excellent.", I smiled in satisfaction as the book levitated, floating in various directions according to my will.
The previously faded symbols on the cover now became clearer, spelling out the word 'Mundane', of which would be magically understood by both humans and demons.
However, just before my expectations spiraled out of control, I turned the pages of Mundane. They were engraved with magic circles, most somewhat faded. Taking a look at the overall design of the magic circles, I could easily discern what spells were present and which weren't. Not to my surprise, most of the magic circles in it couldn't be activated.
As expected. Since it's been left behind for so long, most of the spells have been either degraded or locked away. It was a pity. It was the same when the protagonist had originally found it.
Still, I could find the spell that I'd been aiming for in this grimoire.
Of all of them, there were 5 abilities present. They were [Decayed] [Faded Existence] [Levitation] [Incomplete Mana Recycling] and [Soulbound]. [Soulbound] and [Levitation] had already been demonstrated.
As for [Decayed], it was one of the book's properties after decaying over an extended period of time. Its effect was that the book would be unable to be decayed further than it already has, effectively giving it damage immunity. It was why it survived the protagonist in the original novel.
[Faded Existence], on the other hand, is another of the book's property. There are currently no records or documentation of it as a grimoire in the world, so as a result, it obtained the property to have its power locked away in accordance to how much the bounded owner knows about the book. This was a part of why the protagonist couldn't discern that it was made by a demon immediately.
[Decayed] - Mundane cannot be decayed further than it has already been
[Faded Existence] - The power behind the book is locked according to how much the bounded owner knows about the book
However, what I was aiming for in the first place was neither of these. It was the ability, [Incompete Mana Recycling].
"This spell has degraded as well, but it would still be a big help in the entrance exams.", I inspected the exterior of the activated grimoire.
[Incomplete Mana Recycling] - Incompletely recycles excess mana of the bounded owner's casted spells into reusable mana
It was a spell that was enchanted by its creator when it was made. Even if it's degraded since then, it would still help a beginner incredibly.
It basically allowed me to recycle mana and reuse it for further spells. It wouldn't be relevant when I got stronger and could optimize my spells more efficiently, but at my current state, it could be considered a headstart.
Right, I wonder if I can make a status screen for this?
Curious, I attempted to use [Visualization] to create a status screen for the grimoire--and it worked without fail.
Mundane
Bounded Owner: Cael Seryth
Trait: [???]
Property: [Decayed] [Faded Existence] [Soulbound] [???] [???]
Enchantments: [Levitation] [Incomplete Mana Recycling] [???] [???] [???] [???] [???]
I tested the ability out for some time, and successfully, it was able to cut my spell casting time by half.
"Not bad.", I set the grimoire down at my side.
Considering I know everything about the book, [Faded Existence] did not hinder me too much. So the reason most of the abilities are still unavailable likely means that my physical body and mana capacity are just not ready to handle them.
I estimated the amount of time I should have left in the day- I think I used up about 2 hours?
A slight intrigue pervaded my heart. I wonder if I'll be dead or alive in the next 24 hours?
I stretched to get some tension out of me, "Now, the mana core is the last thing I need to get."
Mana cores were essential if a magician wanted to advance in spellcasting. They were considered mana centers, and were one of the two ways a magician could acquire a center.
Without beating around the bush, mana centers were like the hearts of your circulatory system. When a mana center is created, a new system set aside in the spiritual realm would form on top of the magician's heart, with mana 'veins' growing and spreading across the entirety of their body. This system is called the Cardio-Manavascular system. Manavascular or simply, mana vein system for short.
While mana centers don't increase raw mana alone, the mana system would do 3 things, which could be summed up into stabler circulation, physical reinforcement, and mana storage. Without it, manipulating mana itself would become dangerous.
I mean, Elemental Embodiment is the only reason I can even practice magic right now. I shrugged, internally thanking the trait.
Without proper circulation, mana would pool near the head, heart, or wherever, and cause internal damage or even more dangerous, mana poisoning. And in severe cases, death. Like alcohol poisoning, but less noticeable.
Thus, circulation keeps mana moving, like blood preventing clotting.
As a side effect from the circulation, this then causes real physical reinforcement. This is why despite not working out much deliberately, many magicians are still stronger than most ordinary civilians, human or demon.
As for mana storage, it's basically the core being able to store mana you have affinity for. It doesn't get much more complicated than that.
There were two types of mana centers, divided by race; humans could form mana circles that went around their heart, while demons formed mana cores on top of it.
The type of mana center I would be forming now would be the 'mana core'. Simply put, it's a sphere of mana on my heart. All I would need to do is to absorb mana into my body and condense it until it forms a solid mana sphere.
Usually, directly absorbing mana is a more aggressive method of cultivating, so moving or fighting while creating the core is ideal. I'm not interested in brute force though, so I'll be doing it while sitting to create a core more aligned with precision and control.
I smiled awkwardly, "Easier said than done though."
However, at this point, perhaps because I had become desensitized after being subjected to numerous life-or-death situations, I didn't feel as nervous.
Let's get to work. Entering a meditative lotus position, I closed my eyes to focus.
Fussing quite a lot, the mana particles surrounding me struggled before being pulled in by a strong will, forming a whirlpool of mana--with me at the center.
For demons, forming their mana core was the first and most important step in the entirety of their magic journey.
After all, to disguise myself in demon society, I have to follow their traditions. Sweat trickled down my back.
Once you formed a mana core, it was irreversible, and you were stuck with what you made. The reason for this is that the mana core formation would absorb why you wanted to make the mana core in the first place, and whatever emotion that was strongest while forming it would shape how the mana veins grew, affecting how mana was circulated.
I breathed out calmly. But of course, I don't need to think much on how I'm going to form it. I know exactly how to do it perfectly.
Many demons could only pray that how their mana core had formed would end up suiting their preferred casting style and specializations later on.
But why end up stuck on just one emotion?
The best and most complete way to form a mana core was to pour your entire life into it.
Everything I remember, my life on Earth, what I had been through now, all the emotions I have felt--every single little thing.
Thus, in this way, a mana core embedded with my very being would be made.
So, I got to work.
Swoosh- Subsequently, just like the grimoire's mana, the surrounding whirlpool of mana was being dyed a mix of black and dark red.
The black mana became thick and dense, fluttering innocently like the darkness of a horror-filled night; while the dark red mana glided like blood on a flowery field, consuming minds and embodying their flesh.
Absorbing the darkness and mind element mana that filled the room, it was as if I had become a vessel, my entire body rampant with uncontrolled termites.
"Kuk!", I choked, blood leaving and dripping from my mouth, seeping into the wooden floors.
My entire body felt like it was on fire, tearing up and burning to bits.
No, I need to continue. I can't stop. My breathing became ragged.
I must complete the process.
Staying still, I didn't move a single inch for the next few hours, using both [Immersion], [Visualization], [Killing Intent], anything else I could muster in order to keep myself from collapsing.
If I wanted to defeat Lucen, the protagonist, this was only a necessary step.
Yet, just before my consciousness was about to collapse, the raging storm of mana suddenly calmed down, and the damage to my body ceased.
My eyes shot open. I could tell that I was injured, having several muscles torn up due to the rampaging mana. I didn't pay it any mind; I pressed my hand on my chest.
My eyes widened. I can...feel it.
A wonder surfaced in my heart; a sphere the size of my heart, full of dark red mana, sitting unceremoniously inside of me.
However, immediately, I could tell something was off.
Only the core had formed, without any mana veins or system being developed.
I felt around my body frantically, "Where is it? No way, why is only the core there?"
A deep foreboding feeling sunk into me.
You must be joking...
Did I..fail?
It was something I couldn't believe.
My mana core was incomplete.
I panicked, quickly getting up and exiting the training room to look at the sky.
"Orange."
I barely even had about 2 hours before night would settle. It wasn't enough to fix whatever mistake I had made, not to mention to figure out why it had formed incompletely in the first place.
I repeated helplessly, "No way..."
Impossible. I stared at the sky blankly.
...My mana core formation had failed.
Is it because I've never done this before? No, everyone who forms a mana core would be doing it for the first time. Is it because I'm not experienced in this world? But some can form mana cores even when their just 5 years old.
I clutched my chest. Perhaps, I was wrong that I wasn't nervous? Perhaps I had been overconfident.
There was no clear answer I could come to.
Even after reentering the training room and attempting to pour more mana into the core, restart the process, or try to forcefully continue from before--nothing worked.
And I needed to take the entrance exams in a few hours.
I put a hand on my face, facepalming, my pupils trembling without a clear focus. I gritted my teeth in panic.
No, it's fine. Even if the manavascular system is incomplete, it's fine, isn't it? My thoughts spiraled. The exams don't test baseline strength, only talent. As long as I have my mana core, it's fine. It's fine.
As the sky got darker, however, I could do nothing but force myself to confront reality, and to accept that my mana core formation had failed, resulting in an incomplete Manavascular system.
I took a deep breath, "Hoo... I need to get to the entrance exams now."
In the end, it doesn't matter. The entrance exams only test talent, not strength. I can deal with this later.
Plus, if I successfully passed and got in, one of the first classes would almost certainly be about mana cores, and fixing those that had failed to form a complete system like mine.
"That's if I get in though."
Regardless, I exited the training room with a heavy heart, and headed to a familiar building. Mundane silently circled around me and stuck itself to my waist.
Demon Academy Registration Office
"Hello, I'm a cadet. Cael."
Handing over the white two-demon horned badge, I was allowed in and entered a small elevator-like space, a dull magic circle engraved into the floor.
Standing in the middle of the circle, I recalled all that had happened until now, from escaping the assassins to renting the inn.
My head faced forward, teeth gritted, and I solidified my resolve.
No matter what happens...
I've come too far.
There's only one reasonable outcome.
Survival, or death.
I must survive.