Chapter 8 Understanding Mana

“According to Father,” Amos said while crossing his arms, “this is where every single Patriarch of Kyros learn.’”

The Kyros manor library was huge. Not just big—monstrous. Shelves towered like the walls of some ancient fortress, crammed with books bound in leather, silver-threaded cloth, and odd dark materials Amos couldn’t name. Ladders leaned against shelves so tall they disappeared into the dim shadows above, just beyond the chandelier’s glow. The air was thick with the smell of old paper, polished wood, and ink.

Amos E. Kyros stood silently in the middle of it all.

“This is really excessive.”

“Yes,” Elena replied immediately.

Ambrosia slowly looked around with widened eyes.

“There are these many books?” Ambrosia blinked.

The deeper Amos went into the Kyros manor library, the more he realized something horrifying. Entire sections stretched endlessly beneath enchanted lights, divided not by simple categories, but by subjects so absurdly specific that Amos began questioning the sanity of whoever built this place generations ago.

Ambrosia strolled leisurely beside them, her gaze drifting over the nearby shelves.

[Military Strategy I-II]

[Political Manipulation I-X]

[Trade and Economics I-V]

[Ancient Monster Anatomy I-VII]

[Interrogation Techniques I-IX]

[How To Detect Lies I-V]

[The History of Noble Betrayals Volume I–XII]

“This library has everything, solution from every problem,” she whispered.

“Yes,” Elena agreed.

Amos stopped before another section.

Then frowned.

“Why does Father borrow a book called ‘How to Maintain Fifty Years of Grudges’?”

Elena glanced at the title.

“It has been frequently borrowed by previous patriarchs.”

“That explains many things.”

Another shelf immediately caught Amos’s attention.

[Ancient Rituals]

[Forbidden Magic]

[Methods of Counter-Assassination]

[How To Survive Poisoning]

[Dragon Physiology]

[The Cultural Differences Between Demon Tribes]

Amos slowly looked toward Elena.

“These are pretty good.”

“A patriarch must be prepared for many situations.”

Ambrosia carefully peeked toward another shelf.

Then immediately looked away.

“Why are there romance novels here?”

Amos blinked.

“There are?”

He wandered over with curiosity, then stopped dead in his tracks. An entire section stretched before him—massive, almost absurdly so. Shelf after shelf after shelf, packed tight. The titles ranged from refined, noble romances to ones that sounded downright questionable.

[The Tyrant Duke’s Secret Love]

[Fated To the Cold-Hearted Sword master]

[The Maid and the Dragon King]

[Captured By the Beautiful Villainess]

Amos stared silently.

“Why are all these recent.”

Elena answered instantly.

“Because previous duchess donated them.”

“That explains everything actually.”

Ambros’s cheeks were already tinged with red. Amos grabbed another book, only to set it back down right away.

“Why is this one wrapped?”

Elena smoothly took the book from his hand.

“You are that is for when you are older. Some knowledge is better left untouched.”

“That makes me want to read it more.”

“You absolutely should not.”

“This section is more suitable for you.”

Amos read the titles.

[Basic Mana Theory]

[Introduction to Magic Control]

[Safe Magical Practices for Children]

Silence.

“You insult me.”

Ambrosia quietly covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh.

Amos clicked his tongue dramatically.

His eyes drifted upward, higher still, past the ordinary shelves. They settled on a secluded floor, guarded by silver barriers and etched with ancient runes. There, carved into the surface, was a single emblem—the crest of House Kyros.

“What’s up there?”

Elena paused slightly. “The private collection of the Kyros patriarchs.”

“Meaning?”

“Books, records, artifacts, research journals, forbidden knowledge, sealed histories, and personal writings accumulated over generations.”

Silence.

“Can I enter?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You are not the patriarch yet.”

“Sooner or later, I will be.”

***

Elena calmly pushed the cart alongside them.  

“Young Master,” she began.  

“Yes?”  

“You requested books on mana, beginner-level magic theory, and monster ecology.”  

“Yes.”  

“And three books on magical artifacts, which aren’t related.”  

Amos glanced away.  

“Knowledge is important.”  

“You simply got distracted.”

“Same thing.”

“No.”

Ambrosia quietly stared at the cart.

It was already stacked dangerously high.

“Can he even finish all of these?”

“No,” Elena answered.

“I heard that.”

The three wandered further into the library until they reached a circular reading nook beneath a towering glass dome. Soft sunlight spilled down over the space. Amos wasted no time in taking the largest chair—naturally. Ambrosia eased herself into a seat across from him, while Elena remained standing close by.

“You can sit too, you know” Amos said while opening a book.

“I am working.”

“You have been standing since morning.”

“I like standing.”

“Sit.”

“Understood.”

Elena sat beside him. Amos nodded proudly.

He opened the first book.

[Introduction to Mana and the Flow of the World]

“This sounds important.”

“It probably is,” Ambrosia said softly.

Amos flipped the page dramatically.

Then immediately frowned.

“Why does this book start with philosophy?”

Mana is the will of existence given form.

It flows through all things equally—the noble and the beggar, the dragon and the insect, the saint and the sinner. Yet mana itself holds no morality. Fire may warm a home or reduce a kingdom to ash. The difference lies not within mana, but within the hand that guides it. Those who seek only power are often consumed by it because mana responds not to talent, but to one's desire.

A fearful heart might create unstable mana.

An angry heart might create violent mana.

A calm heart might create refined mana.

And a determined heart it just might shake the very world itself.

Mana is not to be conquered. It is understood.

The world breathes, the body breathes and mana also breathes alongside them. To move with it is to become something greater than mortal. To fight against that flow is to try and change the world itself.

Elena glanced toward the page.

“Because mana studies and philosophy are deeply connected.”

“That sounds troublesome.”

“Mana itself is troublesome,” Elena replied.

Ambrosia leaned slightly forward.

“What exactly is mana?”

Amos immediately answered.

“Energy.”

Elena looked at him.

“That explanation is oversimplified.”

“It is correct.”

“It is incomplete.”

Amos clicked his tongue slightly.

“Then explain it, oh wise maid.”

“Mana is the energy that exists within all living things and throughout the world itself. It flows through the atmosphere, the earth, living bodies, and even thoughts to some extent.”

Ambrosia listened attentively.

“Most humans possess mana naturally,” Elena continued, “but the quantity and quality differ greatly.”

“Some individuals are born with abnormal capacity.”

Ambrosia tilted her head.

“How does someone use mana?”

Elena picked up another book and opened it.

“There are generally three stages.”

She pointed calmly.

“Perception then control then manifestation.”

Amos rested his chin on his hand.

“Meaning?”

“First, you must sense mana.”

“Then control its movement.”

“Then transform it into phenomena.”

Ambrosia blinked.

“Phenomena?”

“Fire. Ice. Lightning. Reinforcement. Healing.”

Elena turned another page.

“Magic is essentially giving form and purpose to mana.”

Amos narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Then why can’t everyone become powerful mages?”

“Because talent exists.”

Ambrosia looked down at the pages quietly.

“So, mana is everywhere.”

“Yes.”

Elena gently tapped the table once.

“Close your eyes.”

Both of them looked at her.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Amos shrugged.

Then both he and Ambrosia closed their eyes.

“Breathe slowly,” Elena instructed.

“Do not think too hard.”

“That sounds difficult for him,” Ambrosia whispered accidentally.

Amos opened one eye.

“Little sister...”

“S-Sorry.”

Elena ignored them both.

“Focus on your surroundings.”

“Do not merely feel the air.”

“Feel what exists within it.”

A strange sensation brushed against his skin.

Like invisible droplets floating through the air around him.

His eyes slowly opened.

“Oh.”

Across from him, Ambrosia opened hers as well.

“I felt something.”

Elena nodded once.

“That is mana.”

“It will be easier if I just take off my ring that father gave to me to blocks my perceptions.”

“Yes.”

A small blue light suddenly flickered above Elena’s fingertip.

Ambrosia’s eyes widened immediately.

A much similar orb appears above his palm.

“I could also do that.”

Elena glanced at the orb, then shifted her gaze to Amos.

“Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“It's too bright.”

“Oh.”

The light immediately vanished.

Amos slowly looked away.

“We should leave.”

“Yes,” Elena agreed immediately.

Ambrosia grabbed her books quickly.

The three children escaped the scene with astonishing speed.

Several elderly scholars and servants hurried toward the reading section in shock, while Amos strolled casually down the hallway as if nothing had happened.