Chương 24: Infinite Mana, Baby Steps

The carriage had barely left town when Edric opened the cloth pouch and counted Sieghart's earnings again. Ten silver coins rested inside, producing a satisfying metallic sound whenever the wheels struck an uneven section of the road. Sieghart sat between his grandparents while watching the town disappear through the window. He had already counted the coins twice, but seeing them again still felt strangely satisfying. They represented more than purchasing power. They were his first small piece of independence.

"The business of fighting sure is convenient," Edric said.

"Weapons always need to be repaired, charged, or replaced. Making this much money in a single day at your age is something else."

"We charged weapons," Sieghart replied.

"We didn't fight."

"Those weapons exist because someone plans to fight." Elara tied the pouch closed before returning it to Sieghart. He accepted it carefully and placed it inside the small traveling bag they had brought from the farm.

"It was only possible because Sieg possesses an unusual amount of mana," Elara said.

"An ordinary child couldn't have charged even one of those weapons." Edric nodded. The pride in his expression faded slightly as he considered the implications. Sieghart's ability had earned money, but it could also attract the wrong attention if the shopkeeper discussed it carelessly. Master Thorne had seemed trustworthy, at least by the standards of an old man who considered magical explosions an ordinary occupational hazard.

Nevertheless, merchants talked to customers, customers talked to guards, and guards eventually reported unusual information to their commanders. The firstborn son of Lord Emberhart possessing enough mana to charge several magical weapons would make an interesting rumor. If anyone learned that Sieghart had performed the work without becoming tired, the story would become considerably more dangerous.

"In any case, it is better not to spread that information," Elara said.

"You don't need that kind of attention, and I doubt you want it. Right, Sieg?" Sieghart nodded.

"I don't." That much was entirely true. He wanted access to the town, magical shops, books, teachers, and anything else that might help him progress. Unfortunately, greater freedom would also provide more opportunities for people to notice that his abilities weren't normal. He had already attracted the curiosity of one shopkeeper. Master Thorne now knew that Sieghart possessed an enormous reserve and could use Mana Transfusion well enough to activate forgotten storage arrays.

That was more information than Sieghart had intended to reveal during his first day. Fortunately, the old man needed him. Revealing Sieghart's ability would invite competitors, nobles, military officers, or the Emberhart family to interfere with their arrangement. Protecting the secret served both of them.

"I'll remind Thorne to remain quiet," Edric said.

"He understands how dangerous valuable information can become during wartime."

"He was excited," Elara said.

"He becomes excited whenever an old weapon works."

"He looked more excited about Sieg."

"I noticed." Sieghart leaned against the carriage seat and considered the problem. He wanted the freedom to travel between the farm and town whenever he pleased, but obtaining that freedom too quickly would require revealing more of his magic. A moving platform of sand remained his best transportation idea. If he could make it stable and fast enough, he wouldn't need to hire a carriage.

However, a four-year-old gliding along the road on a wave of earth would attract more attention than a noble child working inside a magical shop. Flying with Wind Magic would be even worse. He could already imagine the rumors spreading through the territory. The useless firstborn of House Emberhart had learned to fly over farms while launching fireballs and carrying sacks of enchanted weapons. Lord Alaric would probably send someone to retrieve him before the story finished crossing the first tavern.

Sieghart had no desire to discover whether his father's sudden interest would be motivated by concern, embarrassment, or the possibility of using him. He could afford to wait. His new body was only four years old, even if his mind carried memories from another life. Rushing to obtain complete independence might expose the very abilities that could eventually provide it. For now, becoming stronger mattered more than traveling freely.

Strength would give him options, while attention would give other people reasons to control those options. Remaining underestimated was frustrating, but it was also safe. Sieghart rested one hand over the pouch containing his silver coins. He could continue visiting town with his grandparents, charge equipment when Master Thorne came to the farm, and slowly purchase the books and materials he needed. That would be enough for the moment.

He didn't need to build a magical business empire before learning how to tie his own boots properly. Having ambitions was useful. Attempting all of them immediately was how reincarnated protagonists became cautionary tales. The journey home took another two hours. Sieghart spent most of that time reviewing Mana Transfusion inside his head, recreating the sensation of gathering raw mana and guiding it toward an external target.

Unlike elemental magic, the Transmission Path didn't require anger, serenity, or any other emotional state. It relied entirely on control and intention. That made it easier to use under pressure, although transferring mana still required something capable of receiving it. When the carriage finally reached the farm, Sieghart helped his grandparents carry their purchases inside. He ate a late meal, completed several minor chores, and then returned to his room with the practice charm and his notebook.

Sunlight still entered through the window, giving him several hours before bedtime. Sieghart placed the practice charm on his desk but didn't touch it. Recharging the small object would only repeat something he already knew. Mana Transfusion had taught him how to move raw energy beyond its normal channels. The next logical step was learning how to release that energy without providing an enchanted object to receive it. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Sieghart raised his right hand. He focused on his internal reserve and guided mana through his arm, using the Transmission Path to keep the energy from transforming into fire, water, wind, or earth. The process worked until the mana reached his palm. Energy gathered beneath his skin, producing a faint pressure and a weak silvery glow. Sieghart extended his fingers and tried to push it into the air. Nothing happened. The mana remained inside his hand.

It pressed against an invisible boundary but refused to move beyond it. Sieghart increased the amount, expecting the pressure to force the energy outward. The glow became brighter, but the mana still didn't leave his body. Without an enchanted object pulling from the other side, Mana Transfusion couldn't complete the transfer. Sieghart changed his intention. Instead of imagining mana flowing into a tool, he pictured it gathering into a small sphere above his palm.

A Mana Bolt seemed like the most basic possible application of raw magical energy. Fireball required emotion and elemental transformation. A Mana Bolt should only require him to gather power, shape it, and launch it. At least, that was how the spell worked in practically every game and novel he remembered. Reality remained uncooperative. The mana collected beneath his palm without forming anything outside it. Sieghart could feel the potential for movement, but something prevented the energy from detaching.

As usual, there was another wall blocking his progress. Each time Sieghart discovered a new path, he found an obstacle waiting several steps ahead. Infinite mana apparently came with an infinite supply of locked doors. He lowered his hand and released the gathered energy back into his internal reserve. The failure didn't trigger a notification, reveal a hidden clue, or reward him for making a reasonable attempt. A Mana Bolt would require more than raw output.

Perhaps he needed a new branch of Arcane Magic dedicated to projection, or a spell capable of maintaining mana after it separated from his body. Sieghart wrote the observation in his notebook. Arcane Magic Experiment: Raw Mana Emission Mana can be gathered inside the palm. Mana Transfusion cannot release energy without a receiving target. Possible missing requirements: Projection Path External mana shaping Stable construct Greater Arcane Magic level Staring at an incomplete ability wouldn't make it unlock faster.

Instead of allowing the failure to bother him, Sieghart turned his attention toward something he could already use. He activated Protection. White mana spread beneath his skin and covered his entire body. The familiar reinforcement tightened around his muscles, bones, and organs, increasing his resistance against physical force. Protection normally consumed a steady amount of mana. Sieghart had always supplied exactly what the spell required because adding more energy hadn't appeared to improve its effect.

Mana Transfusion had changed his understanding of magical output. Old weapons possessed internal channels that limited how quickly they could accept power. Spells might follow similar rules. If Sieghart increased the amount gradually, he might force Protection to adapt instead of overwhelming its structure. The process would be similar to charging the magical bow, except his body was now the enchanted object. That comparison was less reassuring than he had hoped. Sieghart concentrated on the flow of White Magic.

He increased the mana supplied to Protection by a small amount and waited for a response. At first, nothing changed. The spell continued reinforcing his body at its normal strength. Sieghart increased the output again, carefully monitoring his skin and muscles. Warmth spread through his arms and chest. It wasn't painful, but the sensation became stronger with every additional portion of mana. Protection compressed closer to his body, increasing the density of the magical reinforcement.

Sieghart maintained the higher output. His skin grew hot, and pressure built behind his eyes. The discomfort came from the mental strain of controlling the spell rather than a shortage of mana. He could stop immediately without suffering any consequences. Instead, Sieghart held the spell and allowed his mind to grow accustomed to the increased flow. Ten seconds passed. Then twenty. Sweat formed along his forehead. His breathing became heavier, but Protection remained stable.

The spell didn't crack or lose its shape. It simply demanded more concentration than before. Sieghart increased the output one more time. The layer of White Magic compressed sharply. Heat rushed through his body, and the reinforcement beneath his skin became noticeably stronger. A blue notification appeared. Protection has reached Level 2. Physical reinforcement increased. Mana output limit increased. Mentality +1 Sieghart released the spell immediately. The heat faded, leaving his body tired but unharmed.

His mana remained infinite, but the pressure inside his head confirmed that his mental endurance had once again reached its limit. He sat on the floor and waited for his breathing to return to normal. Protection's second level had increased the amount of mana the spell could accept, which should make the reinforcement stronger. The result confirmed his theory. Improving a spell wasn't only a matter of range, damage, or repeated use.

He could level it by forcing more mana through its magical structure until both his mind and the spell adapted. That method suited him perfectly. Other people would struggle to practice through constant high-output casting because their reserves would empty. Sieghart only needed to manage the mental strain. He considered keeping Protection active throughout the day. If his brain constantly maintained the spell, the process might eventually become automatic.

Once the normal output stopped feeling difficult, he could increase it again and push toward the next level. The idea carried risks. Maintaining Protection while sleeping could exhaust his mind without waking him, and increasing the output too quickly might damage his body. Infinite mana didn't make him immune to stupidity. A gradual schedule would be safer. He could keep Protection active during farm work, meals, reading, and physical training.

Each day, he would extend the duration or increase the output by a small amount. Once his mind adapted, the spell would require less conscious attention. That reduced strain could then be invested in stronger reinforcement, multiple spells, or more complicated forms of magic. Sieghart opened his notebook and recorded the results beneath his failed Mana Bolt experiment. Protection Training Protection reached Level 2. Greater mana output increases reinforcement. Limiting factor: mental strain and body heat.

Training plan: maintain Protection during daily activities. Increase duration first. Increase output gradually. Do not practice at maximum output before sleeping. He underlined the final warning twice. Ambition had already killed him once if falling asleep beneath an unsecured library shelf counted. He had no intention of dying again because he forgot to deactivate a defensive spell. Sieghart reviewed everything he had accomplished that day.

He earned ten silver coins, unlocked a reliable job, practiced Mana Transfusion, discovered the limitations of raw mana emission, and raised Protection to its second level. The progress wasn't dramatic. He hadn't learned to fly, created an enchanted weapon, or discovered how to fire Mana Bolts. Tomorrow, he would still wake inside the body of a four-year-old and spend part of the morning watering crops. That didn't matter.

Great changes were built from small improvements repeated until they became impossible to ignore. Sieghart only needed to push himself slightly harder each day without attracting enough attention to ruin everything. He closed the notebook and climbed onto his bed. His legs still weren't long enough to reach the floor while he sat on the edge, providing an unavoidable reminder of how far he had left to go. His progress would continue one careful step at a time.

Considering his current height, they were almost literal baby steps.