Chapter 40: [40]What do you mean, Mana Hates me.

--Chapter 40--

Title: What do you mean, Mana Hates me.

"Odd how?" Takeshi looked down at himself.

"I don’t know yet," the answer came without hesitation.

’What do you mean. You don’t know.’ he thought.

She studied his mana again before continuing.

"Most people have a limit to how much their bodies can handle at once. I can easily feel that limit when someone uses mana even for the first time."

She paused, her lips splitting slightly. But Lana and Nyxara intercepted her delay.

"Yours is difficult to judge Master."

The Vampire and the Demoness looked at each other with quiet understanding.

Takeshi on the other hand, remained silent.

Solaria’s brows drew together slightly as she massaged his left shoulder with her right hand.

"Relax master," She continued. "It’s just that, when you gather mana, the pressure doesn’t behave the way I would expect from someone at your stage."

Takeshi snapped his head to the side. Seeking answers. "What does it do?"

"It feels hollow, like there is too much room," she hesitated. "More room and paths to cultivate than there should be."

Takeshi looked at the front of his hand.He didn’t have enough knowledge of this world’s magic to know what that meant yet.

But he understood the implication. His body wasn’t simply producing power.

Something about the way it held that power was unusual.

Solaria lowered her hand. "I don’t want to make a conclusion yet. You need to see more."

Takeshi nodded. "Then we’ll keep testing it."

Her expression softened slightly and nodded. "Yes."

He looked at his open palms again. Giving himself a mental commend. "Again."

***

They continued until the light outside had faded into late gray. And thickening dark clouds.

Takeshi repeated the exercise several more times, each attempt forcing him to pay attention to sensations he had never needed to notice before.

The amount of mana he gathered remained small, but he was beginning to recognize the difference between holding it and simply forcing it to stay in place.

Solaria watched each attempt meticulously, trying to understand his path while observing mistakes.

"Slower," she reminded him when his control became too rigid.

Takeshi eased the pressure accordingly and this time, it remained stable for several breaths before he released it himself.

Solaria gave a small nod. "You’re getting better master."

Takeshi opened his eyes and released the stance. "Moulding that one felt different."

"It was," Solaria stepped closer.

She stepped closer and examined his hand, her finger drew an unseen circle on the point where Mana gathered previously.

"You know...it really hates you. But it answers without a choice."

Takeshi looked at his palm and then at Solaria completely puzzled. His expression baked in confusion.

Staring at his expression. Nyxara burst out laughing. "Look at your face, Master!"

Lana shook her head. And pointed at Takeshi. Who was now compounding annoyance to his confusion.

"What she meant is...."

"Mana hates you," Nyxara stopped laughing and intercepted Lana. She didn’t want the Vampire to steal her spotlight.

"Hates me?" Takeshi’s confusion deepened as Solaria nodded in affirmation.

"Yes... Because you are amongst a chosen few who can abuse it--" she paused.

"And break the balance..." Solaria placed the icing on the cake.

"So I am overpowered somehow?" He asked, trying to understand their point.

"You have the potential," Lana responded as she finally took a seat. She was done with surveillance.

Before Takeshi could go further down the rabbit hole of confusion. Solaria came from the side, pressing her perfect breasts on his arm with a softened expression.

"Don’t worry too much about it master. This is why you have me."

"US!!" Nyxara corrected.

Takeshi looked at the three women, he didn’t know much about what they were saying but he would have to find out more.

For now, he held on to the fact that he had the potential to personally became over-powered.

Reaching out his left hand. Takeshi pulled Solaria forward. Where he could see her and prevent her instigating actions.

"Can I control Mana fully?"

Solaria frowned and waved her head. "Master...control is your ability to learn what to leave alone."

The answer felt like being shot in the head for Takeshi. He was expecting some secret trick or technique but all this angel was giving him was more of everything he wanted.

"Let’s keep going, you will understand what I mean."

Without another word, Takeshi began the processing of moulding mana again. With all three women watching closely.

The pressure formed in his palm, smaller than before but noticeably steadier. He could feel it without needing to constantly adjust it.

He took a breath and it curved on the left. He took another and the almost transparent hue of the energy gained a red taint.

After the third and fourth breath while maintaining the stance.

Takeshi was staring directly at a round mass of red energy that settled in his palm.

He held it for about thirty seconds then it faded naturally.

Solaria’s eyes remained on him for another moment. The Mana he conjured disappearing without leaving a trace.

’Hmm...’ she thought, saying. "You learn quickly."

Takeshi shrugged at the compliment."I have a good teacher."

Out of nowhere, a faint cherry red flush rose from down below and reached her cheeks.

She looked away before he could see too much of her reaction.

"You also listen. T-That helps," she said.

Takeshi smiled softly even as Nyxara scoffed, resting her body further into her chair. Threatening the life of the wooden chair.

The room had grown considerably darker now. Only the remaining light from outside and the lamps along the walls kept the lower room visible.

Solaria looked toward the windows.

"We should stop soon."

Takeshi turned to glance at the fading light.

"How long have we been doing this?"

"Long enough..." Nyxara answered for everyone.

He flexed his fingers. His body was tired, but it was a different kind of tired from the exhaustion he had felt after fighting in the Tower. There was no violent strain, no desperate need to recover.

It felt like productivity instead. And that alone made him want to continue.

Solaria noticed the expression on his face.

"You want to keep going?"

"Obviously."

She smiled, more excited than she let out.

"Then one more."

--End of Chapter--