022: Ancient Mana

Darius sat cross-legged in front of the huge stone doors. Even just from the small crack between the doors, he could sense the energy was slipping through there.

[Steady your mind and soul, let the Ancient Mana flow through your skin, into your vein, and let it condense in your Magic Core. It's located on the bottom of your navel. You should be able to feel it right now.]

"Yes, I can feel it. There's a small space inside my body. The opening is small, but it is infinitely vast inside!"

Alexa, the Magical AI lady, was surprised upon recognizing Darius' Magic Core. In the entire Known Universe, each human has their own unique Magic Core and each type depends on their affinity with magic.

Darius, however, has the rarest Magic Core that only appeared once in a billion years.

[That is your magic core, Master. Yours is a very special one. It's called, Infinity Void. Although your Magic Core didn't look like much in the early stage, this Magic Core is one of the strongest if you can cultivate it properly.]

Darius glanced at his status window to check his progress.

"Is that the reason why I have infinite mana counter?"

[Yes. But don't be complacent. Your current body is only able to store Crude Mana. To store a better quality of mana, you need to cultivate them inside your Magic Core by condensing, purifying, and solidifying them.]

Darius nodded, listening to her explanation tacitly. It doesn't take a long time for Darius to do it.

As the Ancient Mana circulated in his body, Darius distilled the crude ancient energy into Pure Arcane Energy and later forged them into Arcane Cells.

It was tedious work and was very exhausting. If a common mortal did not have enough mental fortitude, he or she could become crazy by just attempting to forge one Arcane Cell let alone hundreds of thousands of them.

Even so, there was no sour expression on Darius' face, he was determined to break through the Acolyte Stage in one day even if he had to endure excruciating pain all over his body.

Sixth Stage Acolyte Mage, Seventh Stage Acolyte Mage, Eighth Stage Acolyte Mage, his magical power soared high in an alarming state and no one knows about this, and finally stabilized at the Ninth Stage Acolyte Mage.

[You have forged 150.000 Arcane Cells!]

[Rank up! Ninth Stage Acolyte Mage!]

[You have unlocked the following book.]

[-Mortal Body Refining Manual Book]

Darius was not satisfied just yet. He wants to break through to the Mortal Refining Body Stage to become a fully pledged Rank 1 Mage and enter the dungeon. All he needed to learn was how to cultivate his physical ability to withstand the arcane's force.

Thus, he picked up the Mortal Body Refining Book.

Alexa chimed in, warning Darius about the consequences.

[Are you sure about this, Master? The path to being immortal is an arduous one. It's a one-way journey with no returning point.]

"Yes, there's no going back now, only forward. The war is coming, I can feel it, and I can not stand still and do nothing!"

The image of the burned villagers was still fresh in his mind as if it had happened yesterday morning. "I won't let those bastards trample upon my land, never!"

[Very well. Please close your eyes. I will guide your mind and show you the ropes of how to cultivate Mortal Body Refining.]

The moment when the Ancient Mana rushed into his body, Darius could feel the unbearable pain running into his spine and spread in his whole body from head to toe.

It was not pleasant as he thought at first. The only thing that made him stay awake was his sheer will and his determination to protect those he loved.

After some time, his body has gotten used to the pain, and can breathe properly. Darius forged the Arcane Cells with his mind and replaced his original brain cells with them.

At this point, his brains were not the only thing that underwent a massive evolution. His body also has changed significantly. It was sturdier, he's also become taller and muscular.

Alas, Darius falls frontward after days of excruciating pain.

"The path to immortal was an unforgiving one, if one didn't die due to exhaustion during cultivation, the enemies will." Darius thought deeply. "However, it's worth all the effort and time! Hehe! I can feel my body is getting stronger. With this body, I can perform more powerful spells!"

Beep!

[You have forged 200.000 Arcane Cells!]

[Rank up! First Stage Mortal Body Refining!]

[You are now Rank 1 Mage]

[You have unlocked the following book!]

[-Mana Absorption Arts = 10.000 LP]

[-Mana Unification Arts = 20.000 LP]

[-Intermediate Spell Book = 5.000 LP]

"Hehe! Finally!"

Darius' face changed from an exhausted bull into an excited golden retriever in an instant as the system popped up before his eyes.

"Ehh? Why Mana Absorption and Mana Unification is so expensive? What are these books anyway?"

Alexa was silent, reluctant to answer his question due to the explicit contents that were written in the two books. She couldn't believe the Library of Alexandria would recommend a young man like Darius who couldn't aim his little brother properly to read such books.

[Let us focus on learning the Intermediate Spells, shall we?] Alexa replied.

"Eh… Why?"

[It's not the time yet. Besides, you don't have sufficient Loyalty Points to buy those books.]

"Stred mik!" Darius cursed, slapping his forehead. "I forgot I had spent so many Loyalty Points to buy any book that would help me develop the village!"

Thus, he bought the Intermediate Spells Book with the remaining Loyal Points which only left him with zero LP. Despite all that, Darius was grateful to be able to learn magic literally with zero penny.

Had him enrolled himself into a Magic Academy, it would cost Darius his dear head and limbs just to afford a magical book, let alone a book that compiled various spells into one volume. This book alone would cost him hundreds of thousands of gold coins in the market.