. . . I listened attentively to Medea's teachings, marking the first time I truly learned Magic properly, rather than relying on the System and Skills. "Mana is unique because it is the only particle that 'responds' to us," Medea said. "It is… a living being in its own right. A phenomenon exclusive to Mana itself! Life Force can be shaped similarly, but that's expected, as it originates from life itself." "I see…!" I nodded. "Did you know? Roughly thirty percent of this universe's matter consists of Mana," she explained. "Mana exists within everything, forming a fundamental building block of reality. However, to most people or living beings, it remains invisible. Scientists outside the Underworld have yet to discover it due to its elusive nature. Mana chooses those with potential, allowing them to perceive and interact with it." "So we are chosen by magic?" I asked. "Yes, though some, not chosen, discover it through luck and attempt to interact with it without gaining its attention," Medea said. "Magic Artifacts, using Magic Items packed with large quantities of Mana, can forcefully alter reality and thus 'enslave' Mana to their will." "…You make it sound worse than it seems," I said. "Fufu, my apologies," she giggled. "Those who force Mana into submission are known as Alchemists. They combine science with their knowledge of Mana and the Supernatural to create Magical Reactions through action, not Spirituality." "Like Doc?" I asked. "Yes, like Frankenstein," she nodded. "So you don't like him, then?" I asked. "I have nothing against Alchemists, and I practice Alchemy myself," she said. "When someone chosen by Mana practices Alchemy, they are far more proficient than those not chosen, fufu. But those that are not chosen by Mana usually have the advantage of being unbound by Mana's influence." "Interesting…" I said. "So what will I do in this class?" "Now that you understand the basics of Mana and its interactions with you and the world, it's time to commune with Mana," she said. "Not with Spirits, Gods, or Demons. Some Magicians take the easy route, forging pacts with beings already proficient in manipulating Magical Reactions to gain instant proficiency. Though I learned from many Demons, I never made a contract granting me their power. I learned from their words, just as you're learning from mine." "So you chose to learn independently?" I asked. "I already had the talent. Forging soul contracts to gain their power would have diminished my potential," Medea said. "The same applies to you. We will avoid choosing an 'Arcane Patron.' You will learn the finest Arcane Path Method I know, one I've mastered over my long life…" I reviewed the three items she had given me again. [Abyssal Crimson Codex Grimoire: Volume 1] [Abyssal Chaos Mana Core Forging Scroll] [Primordial Abyss Magic Circuit Synthesizing Scroll] "Do I need to use any of these?" I asked. "Not yet! Not even the Codex. You're not ready," she said. "For now, learn from me and listen well. This Method is called… the Quintessential Mana Entanglement Method," Medea said, spreading her hand to manifest pure Mana in large, compressed quantities. "It is the unique ability to manipulate, bend, and transform Mana to your will, to restore it quickly, and to store it in vast reserves that can ultimately elevate your Mind, Consciousness, and Heart Essence." "Quintessential Mana Entanglement Method…" I muttered. "It isn't as dull as it sounds," she explained. "Among its unique abilities, it allows you to entangle Mana permanently to yourself, chaining it to your essence. This means you will become permanently attuned to the Mana of your surroundings and even the Universe itself." "Meaning I can restore my Mana super quickly?!" I asked. "Yes! Even faster than before, and over time, you'll increase your internal storage capacity by hundreds of times," she said. "But that's merely the smallest benefit. Other effects include expanding all senses through Mana, creating pocket domains, communicating with stars, seeing through fate, and observing wherever Mana exists, as I did when I shared what I saw." "So that's how you did it. That's amazing…" Some of those powers are part of my Skills, but… most rely entirely on the System! Without the System, I'm someone who lacks knowledge and doesn't truly understand what she's doing. I must learn. "Please teach me," I said, bowing to her. "I'll do my best to learn everything I can." "Yes, excellent!" Medea nodded. "For this method, read this book." She handed me a book of two hundred pages. "Once you absorb its philosophy and method, you can practice with my guidance," she explained. "O-Okay…" This was my first time reading an actual magic book, so I opened it and began reading. Faster and faster, until I had memorized it completely. Once memorized, I recalled it in my mind repeatedly to avoid becoming idle or bored. "Okay," I nodded. "I think I grasp it now." "Very well, let's begin!" Medea said. "First, use your Intent to 'touch' Mana and create a Reaction." "…" I stared at the empty air. With my thoughts converging, compressing, and releasing from my mind… FLUOSH! A reaction occurred. The air twisted briefly, producing a faint blue light. "Good, it's working well! Do it at least a hundred times to fully grasp the sensation," Medea said. "A hundred times?!" I asked. "Ugh… alright…" After performing it a hundred times, my head ached, but the effect shifted from a mere coincidence to a change I could freely control. "Excellent. Now we diverge from traditional methods," Medea said. "Using what you've learned, grasp the Mana you're manipulating and entangle it within your Consciousness, young lady!" "Yes!" Using what I learned, I grasped the Mana I was manipulating and entangled it within my Consciousness. This meant permanently "merging" the Mana I had grasped into my Consciousness, allowing it to expand as my Mana grew, or something like that. It felt complex, yet it was surprisingly simple. Still, it was such a challenging method that few would dare attempt it, especially since Medea warned that a normal person might go mad. To my surprise, however, it wasn't that difficult! . . .