Roland's premier Meat shop
Periun city, Kettlia Region
Ashtarium Nation
North American Continent
October 3rd, 2019
They came to a halt in front of Jacien's meat shop, Jack's brow furrowed in confusion. He hadn't realized the direction they were walking would bring them here. The familiar red-brick storefront loomed ahead, a few crates stacked neatly by the entrance, as if nothing had changed. Yet something had.
Waiting just outside were Jacien and Yomen, both wearing the kind of awkward, tight-lipped smiles that only deep secrets could carve. As Jack and Nico came fully into view, their expressions stiffened further.
Jack's gaze bounced between Jacien and Nico, suspicion rising. There was a familiarity in the way they acknowledged each other—subtle, but undeniable.
"What's going on?" Jack asked, his voice sharp with unease. "Why are we here? This is my workplace."
Nico gave a casual shrug, though his tone remained measured. "Jacien offered me a place to stay while I'm in the city. I've been living in the apartment above the shop."
Jack blinked, then slowly turned toward Jacien. "You two... know each other?"
Jacien let out a rough exhale and rubbed the back of his neck, guilt plain in his eyes. "Sorry, kid. I wanted to be upfront with you from the start. But... the law's clear. Mundanes aren't supposed to know the truth."
Jack's heart skipped. His voice dropped to a whisper, edged with betrayal. "You knew? About my Awakening? This whole time?"
He looked to Yomen, silently pleading for an explanation. She couldn't meet his eyes, her expression tight with regret.
"I didn't want to lie," she said softly. "But we weren't allowed to tell you. Not until it happened naturally."
Jacien sighed. "Everyone who works full-time here—they're all Manaborn. The shop's more than just a butcher's, Jack. It's a safe house. You and Sarah... you were the only Mundanes on the staff. Well," he added, his voice trailing into a thoughtful murmur, "you're not exactly Mundane anymore, are you?"
Jack stood there, stunned, the weight of their words crashing down like a wave he hadn't braced for.
"Come on," Nico said gently, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Let's talk inside."
The bell above the door jingled softly as they stepped inside. The familiar scent of cold meat and spice rubs lingered in the air, but beneath it, Jack sensed something else now—an undercurrent he hadn't noticed before. Something… charged. It prickled at the edge of his awareness like static before a storm.
The interior looked unchanged. The long glass counter still displayed cuts of meat, neatly labeled and chilled. Hooks hung from metal bars along the back wall, and the old freezer unit hummed softly. Yet the stillness carried weight. Jack could feel it in his bones.
Jacien locked the front door behind them, flipping the sign to "Closed."
Yomen moved ahead without a word, slipping behind the counter and disappearing through a beaded curtain at the back. Jacien motioned for Jack and Nico to follow.
"This way," he said.
They passed through a narrow hallway that led into the stockroom, then deeper still—toward what Jack had always assumed was just a storage closet for dry goods. Jacien reached for a rusted hook on the wall and gave it a sharp tug. With a low mechanical groan, the back panel of the shelving unit slid aside, revealing a hidden staircase descending into the dark.
Jack blinked. "What the hell…"
Jacien chuckled. "We call it the Cold Hollow. It used to be an old bomb shelter before I repurposed it."
They descended into the earth, the air growing cooler with each step. Lights flickered on automatically as they moved, casting a pale glow across the concrete walls. When they reached the bottom, the space opened into a vast underground chamber, at least twice the size of the shop above.
The walls were lined with sigils etched into steel and stone, glowing faintly with Mana. Arcs of energy flickered from crystal nodes embedded into the floor. At the far end of the chamber, target dummies stood riddled with burns, slashes, and embedded force marks. A series of mats had been laid out for sparring, and several weapons—both traditional and arcane—rested on nearby racks.
"This is where we train," Jacien said, his voice echoing slightly in the chamber. "Every full-time Manaborn in my employ practices down here. Helps us stay sharp… and helps us protect ourselves from any danger out there."
Jack turned slowly, taking it all in. "This was underneath me the whole time?"
Jacien smiled faintly. "You think a bunch of Manaborn would work out of a normal butcher shop?"
"I thought you were just really good at cutting meat," Jack muttered.
"I am," Jacien said, grinning. "But I'm also a Mana artist—Master rank. I set this place up as a sanctuary. For us. For people like you."
Jack glanced at Nico. "Did you know about all this?"
Nico nodded. "I trained here once. Years ago. Before I became a Warden. Jacien was one of my instructors."
That earned a double-take. "Wait, you were trained by him?"
Jacien shrugged modestly. "Everyone has a past, kid. Mine just happens to involve a few wars and a lot of sharp blades."
He stepped toward a small pedestal near the center of the room, placing his hand atop it. The air shimmered around the pedestal before forming a hovering glyph—a spinning construct of energy and code.
"This interface links with the training array," Jacien explained. "We can simulate elemental fields, hostile mana constructs, and even mimic real-world pressure zones. It's how we teach newbloods how to control their abilities before they go hurting someone—or themselves."
He turned to Jack, eyes narrowing slightly. "You've awakened now. That means the seal on your soul core has broken. But raw power without discipline? That's a recipe for disaster."
Jack stepped closer, drawn to the flickering glyph. He felt it hum in his chest, in tune with something now awakened within him.
"So what now?" Jack asked. "You're going to train me?"
Jacien gave a sharp nod. "No more hiding. No more pretending you're just another kid in the city. If you're willing, we'll teach you to master your Mana. And when you're ready, we'll help you carve out the path meant for you."
Nico crossed his arms, his expression solemn. "Because whether you like it or not, Jack… the world already knows you've awakened. And it won't be long before they come looking."
Jack glanced around the chamber once more, a knot of conflicted feelings twisting in his chest. The place was incredible—raw, charged with purpose, humming with the echo of battles fought and techniques honed. And yet, beneath that awe, there was something bitter. Jacien, someone he'd known since childhood, had been hiding all of this from him. The butcher shop was a front, the friendship a veil. Still… the thought of finally learning to control his powers, of uncovering the truth about the world that had cracked open around him, stirred something within him.
Something like wonder.
"Fine," Jack said, exhaling. "What do I have to do?"
Nico stepped forward, arms crossed, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Start by telling me what you know about Mana."
Jack shrugged. "Well... all I really know is that it's some kind of weird energy inside me. I have to tap into it if I want to use my ability."
"Not wrong," Nico said. "But there's more to it than that. A lot more."
He began to pace slowly, his boots echoing across the training floor. "In our world, there exists a race of beings known as the Manaborn. They're people born with the innate capacity to harness Mana. Sometimes that comes with special traits—racial gifts, inherited bloodline abilities, or spiritual talents that only awaken through cultivation. What matters is this: not all beings born on Earth are the same. There are nine major Manaborn races."
"Nine?" Jack echoed, blinking.
Nico nodded. "Vampires. Seraph'ilim. Nephilim. Wytches. Dragons. Fey. Lycans. Daemons. And finally…"
He let the silence linger.
"And…?" Jack asked, leaning forward, drawn in despite himself.
Jacien picked up from there. "Humans. Your kind wasn't always counted among us. In the early days, humans were considered Mundane—fragile, ordinary, unworthy of the power we wielded. But over time, that changed. Some humans awakened, defied expectations, and even defeated Manaborn elites. Eventually, the society had to adapt. Now, humans are recognized as the ninth race—though still seen as the weakest."
Jack's eyes flicked between the two of them. That last part wasn't lost on him. "So what about you two? What race are you exactly?"
"I'm a Lycan," Jacien said plainly. "And him?" He gestured toward Nico. "He's a half-breed. Nephilim."
Jack's breath caught for a moment. He looked at Nico with a new weight in his eyes. The word Nephilim stirred something primal—stories, warnings, whispered doctrine from old sermons and late-night television specials. Descendants of angels, half-human, half-divine.
"So… angels are real too?" he asked, voice low.
Nico nodded. "They are. Though you won't be seeing them anytime soon. Most haven't walked this world in millennia. They and their opposites belong to another order entirely. A higher realm, outside the jurisdiction of the Manaborn. You're not ready for that conversation yet."
"Right," Jack muttered, trying to process it all. "So let's stick with Mana."
"Good choice," Nico said with a faint smile. "Here's the truth: Mana is the structured, harmonized expression of Spirit energy."
Jack tilted his head. "Spirit energy? That sounds even more confusing."
"Think of Spirit energy," Nico explained, "as the raw, primordial essence of existence. It's metaphysical. The foundation of life, matter, soul, even dreams and thought. It exists everywhere—within ley lines, soul cores, divine realms, even in the void between worlds. But on its own, it's chaotic. Too wild to be useful."
"And Mana is how we… make it usable?"
"Exactly," Nico said. "Your soul core acts as a filter, taking in Spirit energy and refining it into something your body and mind can wield. That refined force is what we call Mana. During the Awakening phase of cultivation, your body starts this process. Once you've stabilized your soul core, the next step is forming your Mana core. That's what allows you to channel the energy through your body and shape it into techniques, spells, or abilities."
"Like my Zone Drive?" Jack asked.
"Precisely," Jacien said with a nod. "Your ability doesn't just rely on Mana—it also draws from your Vitality and Stamina."
"Stamina?" Jack echoed, brow furrowing.
"Yes," Nico stepped in. "Stamina is the threshold of exertion your body can endure when both Mana and Vitality are in use. It's the physical limiter, the point where your system starts to break down under strain. Vitality, on the other hand, is the life force—the physical embodiment of Spirit energy within your biological body."
"Vitality nourishes your form and sustains your stamina," Jacien added. "Think of it this way: Vitality is the battery's full capacity—how much energy your body can hold. Stamina is the current charge—the usable portion you draw from when activating your abilities."
Jack's eyes widened. "So all this time I've been using my power, I've been…"
"Draining both Mana and Vitality," Nico said plainly. "Mana is what triggers the ability—what shapes the metaphysical function of it. But Vitality is what sustains it. It primes your body's receptors to handle the spiritual effects, aligns your nervous system with the ability's demands. Without that, the strain could tear you apart."
"And your stamina," Jacien added grimly, "is what keeps you conscious, alive, and functional during all of it. The more you use your ability, the faster it burns through stamina. And when that hits zero…"
"It means death," Nico finished. "Instant collapse. No second chances."
Jack swallowed hard.
"That's why learning to control your Mana isn't just useful—it's essential," Jacien said, voice low and firm.
"There are four fundamental methods for controlling Mana," Nico continued. "And nine tiers of application—each one more refined and dangerous than the last."
Jack blinked. "Four methods? Nine levels?"
"Exactly," Nico said. "And if you want to survive long enough to master your Zone Drive… you're going to have to learn them all."
Jack's breath caught. "Four methods and nine levels? That sounds like... a lot."
Nico gave a wry smile. "It is a lot. But you'll learn it. Everyone starts at zero, Jack. Even the strongest."
Jacien stepped toward the glyph pedestal again, and with a flick of his hand, four runic diagrams shimmered into view in the air—each glowing with a distinct hue, each marked with spiraling inscriptions.
"These," Jacien said, gesturing to the projections, "are the Four Fundamental Methods of Mana Control. Mastering these forms the foundation of all Mana usage—whether you're a spellcaster, martial cultivator, or ability specialist like yourself."
"The first method is called Flow control," Jacien said. "It is the conscious effort in controlling the flow of mana through one's Mana Lattice, or Mana circuit. It is the system of networks in one's body that manages and regulates the flow of Mana within the body. To have great mana flow means being able to efficiently manage your mana usage. This method is essential to forming the Mana core within your system, and achieving the first form of Mana application, which is Awakening."
"Reverse Flow Control – more advanced," Nico said, taking over. "Reverse flow means pulling Mana back—inverting the current, absorbing external forces, or rerouting feedback loops. It's dangerous without proper practice. Get it wrong, and the recoil can rupture your soul core."
"Release Control –This is the art of externalization," Jacien continued. "Shaping and projecting Mana beyond the body. Energy blasts, barriers, constructs, elemental shaping—it all stems from how well you can control what leaves you."
"Output Control – The final method is about regulation," Nico said. "How much Mana do you use in a moment. Too little and your technique fizzles. Too much and you burn yourself out. Output control is what separates amateurs from veterans—precision over power. Of course, there are more ways to command Mana, more advanced Mana manipulation skills, but those aren't what you should concern yourself with right now. You're a Novice, so the Basic should do just fine for now."
Jack stared at the glowing runes, committing them to memory. "And the levels? The application stuff?"
Jacien nodded, dismissing the current diagram and conjuring another—a nine-tiered circle, each segment radiating with growing intensity.
"These are the Nine Application Levels of Mana—the evolutionary steps in how you wield and embody Mana."
"Awakening – Where you are now," Nico said. "You've awakened your soul core, begun to perceive Mana. Raw, unstable, but present. Normally, in the Awakening stage of cultivation, the focus should be on forming and strengthening one's Mana core, and then one can manifest an ability factor. But you... It seems like your ability factor awakened at the moment your soul core awakened. Which means you already formed a nascent Mana core. Now, all you have to do is strengthen that Mana core to increase the Mana reserves you have in your body."
"Infusion –The ability to imbue Mana into objects or your own body," Jacien said. "Weapons, skin, nerves, even your breath. It's the first form of inner enhancement. Just by activating the flow of Mana through your system is enough to increase your physical prowess, which is something I heard you're already doing instinctively." It must be because of my Zone Drive. Jack thought.
"Reinforcement –Focused self-enhancement," Nico added. "Using Mana to temporarily boost strength, speed, and senses. Every fighter relies on this."
"Mantle –The shroud stage," Jacien said. "Coating your body in a layer of Mana. Defensive and offensive. Like armor made of will."
"Manifestation –Turning Mana into visible form," Nico said. "Swords, chains, fire, constructs—whatever your affinity or will dictates."
" Willforce Infusion – Where your will becomes part of the energy," Jacien said, his voice lower. "This level turns Mana into something personal, something metaphysical. You're no longer just using it—you're shaping it with your essence and using it to affect the world around you."
"Mana Field –At this level," Nico explained, "your Mana spreads into your surroundings. You control the environment. Enemies step into your zone—and they play by your rules. From what I've analyzed of your ability factor, it seems this level might come easily to you thanks to the nature of your ability."
"Avatar –A form beyond the self," Jacien said. "You shape a secondary form, a projection of your power and identity. Some call it a battle spirit. Others, a war god."
"Territory –The pinnacle," Nico said. "A complete metaphysical domain. Your will becomes law within it. You reshape reality on a limited scale. Only Sovereigns and above typically reach this."
Jack stared at the chart, the weight of the path ahead sinking into him. "And I'm… at the first level."
"For now," Jacien said, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. "But with the right training, you'll rise fast. You've already done something most people never do—you awakened without guidance."
"And now," Nico added, a faint gleam in his eye, "we're going to help you rise—one method, one level at a time. Starting with how to consciously use Infusion without relying on your Ability Factor."
Later that night, Jack walked home beneath a sky veiled in clouded moonlight. The streets were quiet, the usual city hum softened into a lull, but his mind remained restless. His body ached—not from combat, but from hours of stillness, of forced focus and relentless mental exertion. Meditation, he'd learned, was no passive act. It was war in slow motion.
Even just sitting had left him sore, his muscles protesting each step as if the very act of trying to feel Mana had wrung him dry.
He exhaled slowly, the familiar alleyways of Periun guiding him back to his apartment. Still, he knew he wasn't alone. Nico was likely tailing him from a distance—silent, watchful. It didn't bother him. Not tonight. If anything, it made him feel a little less hollow.
His thoughts drifted inward, his consciousness brushing against that strange presence nested in his soul. The Codex.
Did you catch any of the terms I just learned? Jack asked mentally, projecting the thought into that shared inner space.
"Affirmative. The Codex has successfully assimilated the terminology of Mana control," came the mechanical, almost serene voice in response.
Jack scowled. What? Then why didn't you tell me about them before now?
"Because the Ascendant would have encountered these principles through combat escalation," the Codex replied. "Such knowledge is typically revealed when physical or metaphysical thresholds are reached. The Codex would have guided you after the appropriate triggers were met."
Jack's jaw clenched. So, if I hadn't met Nico, I would've had to figure all this out the hard way?
"Correct. It was unexpected that the Ascendant would initiate contact with the mentor subject before combat progression required it."
Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. So I would've learned eventually… but not in time. Not fast enough.
His thoughts drifted to his mother, to her still, broken body lying helpless in the next room, each morning he left for school. I don't have the luxury of waiting.
That much was clear now. Every day wasted was a day stolen from her. From himself.
Maybe Nico showing up when he did… was a blessing, Jack thought, a flicker of resolve flaring behind tired eyes. If I'm going to have a chance to heal her… I can't afford to waste a single second.