We waited for Master Swert.
Then—
Creak.
The door groaned open.
My head snapped toward it.
Master Swert stepped out.
He wore the same plain clothes as the rest of us.
Brown trousers and a white buttoned shirt.
A sword hung at his waist.
Step.
There was weight in each step he took as he walked toward us.
He stopped a few paces in front of us.
The others bowed in unison.
I moved a breath later, mirroring them.
Their greeting rang through the yard.
"Good morning, Master!"
He nodded, accepting the greeting.
"Morning."
His gaze moved then, traveling from face to face and paused at last on Sam.
"All present?"
Sam straightened at once, voice firm.
"Fifteen present, Master. Plus the new arrival."
Swert gave a short nod.
"At ease."
Shoulders dropped a fraction, and held breaths slipped out.
His eyes swept over us again, landing for a moment on me before he spoke.
"Today, we begin with theory. Since we have a new arrival, we'll review the foundations together. Sit."
The others stepped forward and settled into a wide half circle around him.
I followed their lead and lowered myself to sit when his voice cut through.
"Lucien. Sit at the front."
I froze, then moved to the center of the curve and sat.
Swert unsheathed his sword after we settled down.
Shing.
And drove it into the sand with a firm push.
Thud.
Both of his hands rested on the hilt as he leaned against it slightly.
His voice came clear and firm.
"First. The Path of Mana, and the stages we all must pass through."
His eyes moved through the circle before landing on me.
"Lucien. How much do you know about the Path of Mana?"
I drew a breath and spoke.
"The Path of Mana is divided into two parts. Awakening and Adaption. Each has three stages."
Swert inclined his head.
"Tell us about the stages."
I nodded once before continuing.
"Awakening... The first stage is called Dormant. Every being is born with a mana core. From birth on, the core lies dormant within them. Present, but inactive. You cannot use mana."
Master Swert gestured for me to continue.
"The second stage is called Flowing. Reaching it is called Awakening. The core liquefies inside the heart, and mana begins to flow through the body, carving your first Mana Pathways. You can channel mana to strengthen yourself at this stage."
I steadied my breath, reciting the words I had learned.
"The third stage is called Condensed. Over time, you will naturally absorb mana from your surroundings. When the amount exceeds what your core can hold, it will begin to refine itself. The liquid hardens, and the core fuses with the heart."
I drew another breath.
"The core becomes the heart, and the heart the core. Your Mana Pathways expand as well, which makes channeling mana easier. Reaching this stage is called True Awakening, since your mana will take on the color of your Soul Affinity."
Swert listened without interruption. Then gave a small nod.
"Good. Seems someone listened during his lessons."
Chuckles stirred around us.
My lips twitched at the words, but the sound faded when Swert spoke again, his eyes fixed on me.
"Those are the stages of Awakening. What about Adaption?"
I shook my head.
"Nothing, Master. I was told not to learn them."
He nodded.
"True. Too much knowledge too soon can hinder progress. But you are all old enough to hear of it at least."
He shifted in the sand, eyes sweeping the half circle.
"Who can explain the stages of Adaption?"
Bodies shifted. Eyes dropped. Sand hissed as someone adjusted a knee.
Then Sam raised a hand.
Swert saw him but let the silence hang for a moment longer.
"Go on, Sam."
Sam began, voice steady.
"Adaption. The first stage is called Strengthening. After the core condenses, focus shifts to the body. From Awakening onward, every time you use mana, a trace leaks into your muscles. It damages, then regenerates them stronger and more resistant to mana. Over the years, it seeps into every fiber, toughening the body and preparing it for your affinity."
He took a sharp breath before continuing.
"This all is being finalized in the Strengthening stage. Reaching this stage will make you able to use mana not only internally but also externally, like enveloping objects."
Sam paused, waiting for Master Swert's approval before continuing.
"Affinity Manifestation. Here, mana transforms, fully integrating the user's Soul Affinity into their core, body, and mana. It begins back at Condensed with color, but now the mana itself starts to shift. It will hurt at first. No matter how strong your body becomes, the raw affinity will damage it."
He took another breath before continuing.
"Just like during the Strengthening stage, your body will start to adapt again. The affinity will damage your body, and you will grow more resistant after it heals. This process can take years until you can fully use your affinity, for some—their whole lives. But once your body adapts to your affinity, you can wield it freely."
Sam's tone grew firmer.
"Fusion. The pinnacle of the Path of Mana. Your body fully adapts to your mana, and your mana adapts to your body. We call it Body and Mana Union. Reaching that state can take even decades. After accumulating enough mana from your surroundings and your core overloads, reconstruction will begin."
He glanced at Master Swert, confirming whether he should go on before continuing.
"The overloaded core will push the excess mana out, spreading it into every cell and fiber of your being and transform your body. But even then, the core will still be overloaded and on the verge of collapse. That's when your core splits apart and gives birth to your first Star, a mini core. It's also the first step to reach the Path of Stars."
Sam finished, and Master Swert gave him a nod before taking over.
"Some pieces are missing, but that's enough for today. These are the six stages of the Path of Mana. You will walk them at your own pace. Some faster, some slower. Don't let yourselves be consumed by jealousy and focus on your own path."
My thoughts already circled as Master spoke.
I heard bits and pieces about the other stages from our knights, but never knew for sure.
This information was quite valuable for me, but my mind focused on another thing besides the Path of Mana.
The Path of Stars.
And my goal for coming here.
'How many stars does Father hold?'
'I never asked. But he feels weaker than Master Swert…so perhaps.'
My hand lifted before I knew it.
Swert's eyes flicked toward me.
"Master. How many stars do you have?"
The other teens leaned forward, curious about the answer as well.
Master Swert chuckled once at my question before answering.
"Three. If Ragnar grants me grace, four before long."
'Three… That means Father has likely two or fewer...maybe even one.'
A ripple spread across the half circle.
"Three stars?"
"Soon four?"
"Master is a mountain."
Swert's voice cut them down.
"Quiet."
The chatter died at once.
"That is enough for the Path of Mana. We will return to it when your bodies are ready to feel what your ears hear."
His gaze swept over us as he spoke.
"Now we speak of Beasts."