Advancing through the forest, he felt the uneven ground beneath his feet. Light bathed the canopy in a vivid gold.
With every step, a wave of rediscovery washed over him. The scent of damp earth, the distant song of birds at dusk, the soft wind caressing his skin—it all seemed simple.
But for someone who had lived so long confined to the void, these small things were almost unbelievable. The world around him pulsed with a beauty he had never appreciated so deeply.
"Everything has changed... even me," he thought, sliding his fingers across the rough bark of a tree. The world was new.
The sounds intensified. Small animals scurried in the bushes; leaves rustled, revealing hidden creatures. Suddenly, he stopped. A pair of eyes watched him from the shadows.
An imposing, graceful stag stood there, though it was different from those he had once known. The animal remained alert, ears pricked, as if trying to comprehend the stranger's presence.
Staring at it, the man felt a strange connection. It was as if the remaining Mana of the forest flowed through that creature as well.
— Do you feel it too? — he murmured with a faint smile. The stag tilted its head, curious, but soon returned to grazing calmly.
In ancient times, such a being would have fled at the slightest sign of a powerful mage. Now, the magic within him was merely a distant echo.
"The Mana is weaker... what else has changed?" he wondered. He observed ancient trees that had seen generations of humans born and gone.
Ahead, a flock of birds took flight, crossing the sky with a lightness that seemed almost out of place. He stopped to contemplate them, admiring the simplicity of that freedom.
The animals followed their lives, indifferent to time or the transformations of the world. They were constants in nature, while he, molded by magic, now felt displaced.
As he moved forward, nostalgia began to invade his heart. It brought back memories of ancient teachings and the disciples who once followed him.
Suddenly, he was in the past. The faces of his students, filled with expectation, flooded his mind.
He saw himself sitting before the attentive youths. The first sorcerer of humanity possessed a striking presence.
Long golden hair fell over his shoulders, and his crystal-blue eyes revealed how unique he was. To look at him was to think of a single word: Miracle.
The disciples gazed at him while his look—a blend of patience and severity—swept over each of them. The aura around him was physical, radiating a calm power that made hearts race.
— Today, we shall dive into the fundamentals of magic. — The air vibrated with his presence. Every word was measured, carrying a weight that transcended common teaching.
— This is the beginning of a long journey. Each of you will find your own path with the Mana. — He made a subtle gesture, guiding the energy around them.
— In the beginning, you will feel the Mana flowing in your bodies. It is like an invisible current—subtle, yet powerful. — He opened his palm, revealing a small blue light floating in the air.
The golden glow of his hair reflected the light, and his piercing eyes held everyone's focus. — See, this is how the first contact begins. —
The students watched, fascinated. A curly-haired boy leaned forward, lips parted. A young woman with dark skin and braids kept her eyes fixed on the light.
— We call this the Ring of Awakening. Close your eyes and try to feel the flow within your bodies. Practice is the key. — Silence fell.
Some furrowed their brows, struggling to grasp the sensation. Others remained serene, patiently seeking that perception.
— Feeling Mana is not like touching or seeing something ordinary — he said, his deep voice almost hypnotic. His blue eyes shimmered.
— It is like awakening a new sense. Imagine it as hearing colors or tasting the light. — — In the beginning, it will be like trying to see the wind: subtle, invisible, but present. —
— Mana has always been there, a silent current. Do not search with your common senses. Feel what lies beyond. — — Gradually, you will perceive something in the air: a slight pulse, an almost imperceptible vibration. —
— When it happens, do not ignore it. Let it envelop you. This is the first step: revealing a new layer of reality. — He watched them in silence, attentive to expressions of effort, doubt, and frustration.
— Remember — he said calmly —, the journey is different for everyone. Some move fast, others slowly. But each path is unique. — Minutes passed. The master walked around them, his golden hair brushing his dark tunic.
His penetrating eyes jumped from one student to another, measuring progress. Then, he stopped.
— Now, let us move to the Ring of the Inner Forge. — The tall figure moved to the center of the circle, radiating contained power.
— Here, you will learn to use Mana to strengthen your bodies and imbue objects. — He raised his hand, and dense energy coiled around his fingers. His skin glowed gold.
With a swift movement, he sliced a thick log in half. The wood split cleanly, like torn fabric. The sound echoed loudly.
The students' eyes widened. They trembled. A tall lad with light brown hair and pale skin dared to speak:
— Is this truly possible for us? — The blue gaze settled on him, heavy with wisdom.
— With patience and practice. Each Ring is a step. Do not hurry. It is through daily dedication that a true mage is forged. — He walked to a crystalline fountain. He touched the water, raising a small wave that hovered in the air.
— In the Ring of Expansion, you will learn to control the elements. Water, fire, earth, air... all respond to the Mana of those who understand them. — The students were captivated.
The young woman with braids bit her lip in disbelief. The curly-haired boy clenched his fists, determination in his eyes. — Finally, the Ring of Harmony. Here, you will not just manipulate elements; you will become part of nature. —
A soft breeze swept through the clearing. Leaves danced around the great sorcerer. — Imagine invoking storms, moving mountains, shaping destiny. But this requires a connection few achieve. —
The wind played with his golden hair. Each leaf twirled with precision. It was not a common breeze, but perfect calculation. A golden sphere emerged in his palm, pulsing with life.
— In the Ring of Mastery, you will not only control Mana. You will create it. It will flow in you, a part of who you are. With this, you will have the power to shape the world. — The students remained silent, absorbing every word.
The sphere dissolved, and his firm gaze fell upon them all. He knew many did not comprehend the extent of the journey, but they were ready to begin.
— Remember — he said at last —, true power lies in balancing the desire to control Mana and the freedom to let it flow with your imagination. — Back in the present, the man took a deep breath.
— Indeed... those were good times. — A faint smile appeared. — How did they grow, I wonder? How far did they go with the power they received? —
The soft glow of the forest seemed to answer his thoughts. For an instant, he wished to see them again.
With one last look at the sky, where the sun hid behind the trees, he turned. The weight of memories still accompanied him.