Arthur returned to his room at the inn after spending several hours in the Scholar’s Guild library. The soft glow of the lantern on the wooden nightstand cast flickering shadows across the modest room, highlighting the simple furnishings.

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled a small, translucent crystal from his pocket. The low-grade mana stone glowed faintly blue in the dim light. According to the books he had read, mana stones were formed naturally in areas where pure mana accumulated over centuries, condensing into solid crystalline structures.

Holding the stone between his fingers, Arthur activated Energy Absorption.

A subtle shift occurred in the air as an unseen force flowed from the mana stone into his body. A warm sensation spread through his veins, like the gentle heat of sunlight on his skin. The energy coursed through him, drawn not only from the crystal but also from the surrounding environment. However, the difference in density was stark, the ambient mana in the air was thin, almost negligible, while the mana within the crystal was concentrated and potent.

He focused, allowing the energy to sink deeper into his body. The stone’s glow dimmed gradually, its light flickering as if struggling against an inevitable fate. Within minutes, the last traces of mana within the crystal were drained, and the once-solid stone disintegrated into fine dust, vanishing into nothingness.

Arthur exhaled, opening his eyes. His body felt… unchanged.

He frowned. Despite successfully absorbing the mana, he couldn’t feel any tangible difference, no increase in strength, no sensation of power surging through his limbs. He clenched his fist, trying to channel the absorbed mana, but nothing happened. It was as if the energy had dispersed into a void within him.

He had expected some kind of result, even if minor. Yet, the mana he had taken in remained dormant, unresponsive to his will.

“…Tch.” Arthur clicked his tongue in mild irritation.

According to what he had learned in the library, the ability to manipulate mana wasn’t something everyone could do naturally. Unlike martial artists who refined their own life force (Chi) through training, mages required special conditions to wield magic, their innate affinity and meditation techniques.

In this world, people were born with natural affinities to various elements. These affinities determined how efficiently one could interact with mana and what kind of spells they could cast. The most common elements included fire, water, earth, and wind, while rarer hybrid elements such as ice, lightning, metal, and plant were highly sought after.

[A/N: There are other elements, but they will be mentioned in the story later.]

A person’s affinity wasn’t something that could be changed. It was innate, part of their very being. Without an affinity, mana absorption was meaningless, well at least most people thought so. But there were people with no affinity present in the mages circle, they were called affinity blank mages. They could only utilize the basic mana to form spells and are generally weaker than mages who have an affinity.

Arthur leaned back against the headboard, deep in thought.

‘So that’s the problem…’

If the people of Thyrandel were naturally predisposed to magic through their affinities, then his lack of immediate control over mana could mean one of two things.

He had no affinity at all and his talent is not high enough to naturally manipulate mana, or he was completely incapable of using magic due to differences in physiology from the humans of this world.

The books also mentioned that mana affinity tests were commonly conducted at a young age, usually with specialized tools or rituals at Magic Academies. If someone had an affinity, they would begin training immediately. However, if their affinity remained dormant, it required external stimulation to be activated.

Arthur thought the logical next step was to attend a Magic Academy.

…

Arthur sat up, recalling the details he had read about Magic Academies. These prestigious institutions were established thousands of years ago by powerful mages who sought to strengthen humanity’s control over magic. They were scattered across the continent of Arkanis, with some renowned for specializing in certain fields, combat magic, alchemy, enchantment, and even forbidden arcane studies.

While theoretically open to all, the cost of attending was exorbitantly high. Tuition fees, accommodation, spellbooks, and magical reagents required immense wealth to afford. Because of this, nobles and the wealthy elite dominated enrollment.

However, that didn’t stop commoners from trying.

Magic was a status symbol in Thyrandel. A mage was respected, feared, and valued across all walks of life. They earned far more than an average worker, held positions of influence, and even lived longer due to their enhanced lifespans. For many, becoming a mage was a dream, a path to power and prosperity.

But talent played a decisive role.

Magic was not something that could be mastered through effort alone. While hard work was crucial, one’s potential was ultimately determined by their affinity and ability to manipulate mana. Those with high affinities soared through the ranks, while those with weak or incompatible affinities often found themselves stuck at lower levels.

Additionally, there was an age limit.

Most students enrolled at fifteen, as that was considered the ideal age to begin mana training. The body at that stage was developed enough to endure the strain of magic but still young enough to rapidly adapt. While people could technically join as late as thirty, the later one started, the harder it became to advance.

Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. ‘This world’s physiology must be different from mine…’

Back in his previous world, supernatural elements didn’t exist, no mana, no affinities, no magic. Here, however, magic was woven into the very fabric of life itself. If he lacked the same inherent mana pathways as the people of Thyrandel, it could explain why he was struggling to use the mana he had absorbed.

‘If I want to use magic, I need to understand how mana works for them first. And get hold of a meditation technique.’

A Magic Academy was the best place for that.

Arthur stood up, pacing the room. His boots barely made a sound against the wooden floor as he contemplated his next move.

There were multiple academies across Arkanis, but the closest one to Durnholde was Velcrest Academy, a mid-tier institution known for its combat magic curriculum. While not as prestigious as the Royal Academy in the capital of the kingdom he was currently in, it was still well-respected and offered training for battle mages, spellcasters, and enchanters.

The problem? Entry into a Magic Academy required either money, noble status, or talent.

Arthur lacked noble status, but he had enough money for an entrance fee. But if his affinity wasn’t awakened, he might not even qualify.

There was only one way to find it, a talent assessment.

Many academies conducted entrance exams where applicants could showcase their abilities. If he could demonstrate something impressive, he might be accepted.

First, he needed to visit Velcrest Academy. Tomorrow, he would make preparations. Arthur closed his eyes, resting his head against the pillow.

…

The next morning, Arthur awoke early, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the wooden shutters of his room. The faint chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day. After a quick wash and breakfast, a simple meal of bread, cheese, and a warm herbal tea. He made his way to the innkeeper, a woman in her mid thirties and a kind demeanor.

“Excuse me,” Arthur said, setting down his empty cup. “Do you know the fastest way to Brightwater City?”

The innkeeper, who had been cleaning a nearby table, looked up with a thoughtful expression. “Brightwater, eh? That’s a fair bit away, but you’re in luck. Every morning, carriages leave for the city from near the gates. If you hurry, you might just catch one.”

Arthur nodded. “Thanks. That saves me some trouble.”

The woman hesitated for a moment before reaching into her apron and pulling out a small pouch of coins. “By the way, lad, you paid for a few nights in advance, but you’re leaving early. Here, take back what’s left.”

Arthur glanced at the pouch and shook his head. “No need. You gave me useful information, and your hospitality was worth it.”

The innkeeper chuckled, slipping the pouch back into her pocket. “A rare sort, you are. Well, safe travels, then, and may fortune smile upon you.”

Arthur offered a small nod of gratitude before heading out.

…

As he made his way toward the city gates, Arthur noticed a familiar face amidst the bustling morning market. The merchant who had sold him the mana stones yesterday stood by his stall, arranging a new batch of wares. The man, a hooded trader with a round belly, looked up as Arthur approached.

“Ah, you again! Did the mana stones work out for you?” the merchant asked, rubbing his hands together.

Arthur didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his pouch and pulled out several gold coins, letting them clink against each other. “How many mana stones can you provide? I’ll take them all.”

The merchant blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then his face split into a wide grin. “All of them, you say?” He quickly glanced at the gold in Arthur’s hand, his business instincts kicking in. “Well, well, my friend, you’ve got expensive tastes. I like that.”

Arthur remained silent, waiting for the man to get to the point.

The merchant chuckled and started counting. “Let’s see… I’ve got about 257 low-grade stones and… hmm… nine mid-grade ones.” He rubbed his chin. “One mid-grade is worth a hundred low-grade, so that’d be ninety gold coins for the mid-grade batch and… let’s say another twenty five for the rest. Hundred and fifteen gold total.”

Arthur didn’t haggle. He simply handed over the required amount.

The merchant whistled as he pocketed the gold. “Pleasure doing business with you. But tell me, what’s a fine young man like yourself doing with so many mana stones? You planning to resell them, or…?”

“Not your concern,” Arthur replied evenly, taking the pouch full of stones.

The merchant laughed. “Fair enough! As long as the gold’s good, I won’t pry.”

With the transaction complete, Arthur adjusted the weight of his bag and turned toward the city gates. The merchant called after him, “If you ever need more, you know where to find me!”

Arthur didn’t reply but nodded. His mind was already on his next destination, Brightwater City. If he wanted to understand magic, he needed to reach Velcrest Academy, and for that, he needed to be on the next carriage out of town.

He quickened his pace, weaving through the morning crowds as the city gates came into view.

***

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