CH45 – Side Story 1- Ben’s time at the church, Part 2

“Wait, is there even any point? You already said I can’t use magic right?”

“Well that’s still true, but there’s more you can do with your mana than just magic. Magic just happens to be highly mana intense, however all of your skills are going to use at least a little to properly power them, not to mention if you want to use any magic tools,” she patiently explained to him.

“Okay sounds cool,” It was already infinitely better than hearing about trade agreements and what nations and cities provided what resources. “How do I do it then?”

“We’ll try the more peaceful method first, if you can’t get a feel for it in an hour we’ll try and shock your mana.”

“Not really sure I like the sound of that. What’s the peaceful method?”

“Meditation. Lay down and try to focus on the energies inside of you.”

“Lay down here? The library floor?”

“It should be quiet enough that you’ll be free of any distractions, go ahead.”

Well whatever. The explanation sounded like hippy nonsense to Ben, but he would give it a try. Besides he couldn’t really call it nonsense when he’d already been shown that magic was real. He laid on the ground, closed his eyes, and tried to feel some mysterious energy inside of him.

“Well that was a bust,” He said as he opened his eyes.

“It was a bit of a long shot anyway, that strategy works better for races that have an innate magic. Of course it was supposedly a common way for different races to try to learn their magics before they came to this world, when full-fledged mages were more rare, but here with the system in place magic is a lot more viable to learn if you have the proper affinity, and there are mages around who can awaken your mana for you.”

“That sounds so much easier, why didn’t we lead with that?”

“It can feel a bit unpleasant. You have to use one of the magics that can be applied directly to the body. Either light, life, death, dark, or time. Luckily for you I have life magic, it and light are the most pleasant to go through. In desperation you could probably awaken it with one of the affinities I didn’t mention, but that would actually be even more unpleasant than having death magic cast on you.”

“Why’s that? From everything I read, death magic sounds pretty unpleasant to experience.”

“Let’s take my water magic as an example, it would be a little hard to use since it’s bound to you, but high-level mages can move the liquids in your body. I don’t think I need to mention just how watery that can be.”

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Ben’s first thought was having his blood messed with, but why stop there? Wasn’t there also brain and spinal cord fluids in him as well? He had a small shudder. “Sounds pretty dangerous.”

“It would be, but it’s also not that easy to use your magic like that unless you try to specialize in it, which is why even death magic is considered an acceptable way to awaken it, though admittedly it’s the last choice for most. On that happy note let’s get started. Sit on a stool with your back to me.”

He did as he was told and took a seat. She pulled up a stool behind him, sat down, and pulled off his shirt, before placing her hands on his back.