36 Beyond Mana

The Ethereal serpent was a creature shrouded in mystery. Information was scarce, yet it was a renowned legendary beast with mystical abilities. Rumours said it could even command the four primary elements to use overbearing, yet unusual spells.

Such a rare core was essentially impossible to buy with money. Only favours could permit a noble to acquire it. Luckily, Lucius had a strong connection with a marquisate, obtaining the core with promises and gold. With this investment, the baron showed how much he valued the boy's talent and efforts, going all in to help him develop.

"Julius, we hope you will grant us a request before proceeding with the ritual," Eleanor said, her face solemn and her voice firm.

"Sure! You have been so good to me and Mom since we arrived here," Julius answered, rising to his feet and slightly bowing his head in gratitude.

"Once you're grown up, we want you to help your brother manage the territory and expand the family's influence." She revealed straightforwardly. Contrarily to Lucius, she wanted to show the boy her trust to earn his back.

"As long as he doesn't ask me to do bad things, I promise," Julius said, smiling radiantly.

The couple smiled in return, reassured by their choice and the boy's honesty. After all, not everyone repaid kindness with kindness.

On the other side of the table, despite her confusion about all the magical discussions, Alina nodded in approval, proud of her son's integrity.

"Thank you, Julius. I'm sure you are dying to unlock your talent." Lucius said, standing up and adding as he left the room. "Come to the alchemy chamber whenever you are mentally ready. I have already prepared everything."

"Chase him, fool! I want to see that talent ritual." Adam yelled, impatient to see the ritual.

As eager as his big brother, the boy excused himself and swiftly raced to join Lucius, his head filled with dreams and his heart with hope.

Two minutes later, he stood before the door, asking his big brother, "What talent do you think I'll unlock?"

"Heh, look at your potential. You'll obtain the worst talent for sure! HAHAHA." Adam mocked, acting like a kid because of his jealousy.

Julius knew answering was a waste of time. He couldn't beat him verbally, so he quietly ignored his big brother and pushed the door open, revealing its new setting.

He gazed at the arcane symbols and mystical inscriptions softly glowing and humming in amazement. In the center, he saw an ornate white altar upon which the Ethereal Serpent's core was carefully placed, pulsating with ethereal energy.

"Stand before the altar. You won't need to do anything." Lucius instructed with a smile, ready to start the ritual.

As he followed the baron's guidance, anxiety gripped his heart, and questions flooded his mind. 'What if big bro is right? What if I unlock a useless talent?' He thought, his steps gradually becoming heavier, and his hands trembled.

Noticing his panic, Adam gently grabbed the boy's shoulder, silently showing his support. Reassured by the gesture, Julius' eyes brightened as determination chased away his negative thoughts.

Soon, he stood before the altar, and Lucius started chanting. Words in an ancient language echoed through the room and resonated with the core first, then the boy. The inscriptions hummed to life in response to the magical incantations, casting dancing shadows on the chamber walls.

Subsequently, the Ethereal Serpent's core brightened and connected with Julius' heart, attuning and resonating with one another rhythmically. After a moment of profound connection, the core's energy slowly and gently transferred itself into Julius' heart. Passing through his undeveloped mana circuits, the transition was seamless, as if the ethereal energy was back to its rightful place in the boy's body.

Once the energy depleted, the core cracked and turned into fine dust, blown by the boy's excited breathing.

Feeling better than ever before, Julius clenched his fists a few times in amazement. He felt an entirely new energy course through his body, making him wonder why it differed from mana.

As he mused, confusion covering his features, Lucius unsteadily walked towards him, his face pale and blood dripping from his nostrils.

Noticing the boy's worried glance, he swiftly said, "It's difficult for me to conduct the ritual using a tier four core. Quick! Tell me. Do you feel a stronger connection with mana?"

His eyes glowed with unconcealed expectation. He didn't doubt the boy would unlock the best mana-related talent from the beast. With it, his path to becoming a mage would be smooth, and his family would immensely benefit. Even rivalling higher-ranked noble houses would be possible.

In addition, if he could have a tier-four mage guide and teach his descendants, after a few generations, his house was bound to rise to prominence. At that time, today's investment would have brought endless profits.

Ambition flared in his heart as he gazed at the boy, waiting for him to end his self-assessment.

"Huh... sorry. I don't feel anything different concerning mana." Julius revealed, his cheeks blushing in shame. He didn't want to disappoint his kind father-in-law. Yet, what he obtained from the ritual was out of his control.

Lucius pinched his nose's gape and sighed in disappointment. But everything wasn't lost yet. It would still be fine if the boy obtained a talent related to affinities. However, confusion gained his heart as he heard the following words.

"But I feel an entirely new energy following a distinct path flow through my body," Julius said, hoping it was an outstanding talent.

"Not mana? It's the first time I've heard something like this..." Lucius answered with a frown. After all, he only had shallow knowledge about the ethereal serpent except for its bizarre elemental spells.

"Try to harness it," Lucius asked, hoping to be agreeably surprised.

Julius did as told, feeling a weird sensation of warmth in his abdomen. As he revelled in it, he sensed a strange connection with his surroundings and perceived the natural energies dancing around him. 

He tried to gather and guide them inside his body as he did with mana. However, he instinctually knew that guiding it to his warm abdomen would yield better results.

Passing through pathways he had never felt before, the energy eventually reached his abdomen, engulfing itself in a new ethereal organ. Then, it merged and reinforced the one already present. 

The process took twenty long minutes. But after claiming the energy, all trace of tiredness was gone, as if his vitality tremendously increased. He also felt a little stronger and more aware of his own body.

'Wow! That feeling is amazing,' Julius thought happily, finding that talent of his extraordinary, before describing his sensations to Lucius.

"Sigh... What a waste. You unlocked the worst kind of talent... A body-reinforcing one..." Lucius said, his voice laced with despair and his tears almost welling. All his plans and dreams collapsed in his mind. Nothing was sure anymore.

However, someone in the room didn't share his opinion. Standing above the boy, Adam looked at him wide-eyed, his mouth agape after hearing the narration.