GUARDIAN OF THE END

[ There are two ways to perform magic, right? ]

'If you mean usage of mana to cast magic, indeed. The first one is to use the mana produced by one's body while the second one is to use the natural mana. For the former, you need at least an A grade or higher affinity.'

Jason was currently seated on a chair in the dining hall. The food served in front of him was curry rice.

Though he hadn't eaten much of it on Earth, Jason was pleased to find out that the curry rice had a unique taste which satiated his hunger.

[ To use the former, one simply needs a mana core inside their body. It works like a heart and supplies mana to the entire body. Though the mana is in raw form so to use it, you have to command the mana. This is how magic is produced. ]

'Correct,' Jason agreed. 'A person with multiple affinities has multiple cores in his or her body, situated right around the heart. Though they can't directly be affected by anyone excluding dark and life mages.'

[ Indeed. But what if both of these ways are essentially the same? What if the natural mana is responsible for producing mana inside a mage's body? ]

'That…' Jason suddenly put his spoon down, his eyes shining. It was as though he had just received enlightenment.

[ What if all mana cores absorb the same amount of mana but the affinities of the core converts it into the respective mana usable by a person? ]

'That will explain why mages with multiple affinities have multiple cores!'

[ Not only that but it will also explain why those with higher affinities can have more mana stored in their body and can also produce higher quality of mana as compared to those with lower affinities.

Their cores have a higher level of production. Now all we have to learn is how a core is formed and then, we might be able to increase your affinity. ]

Jason could feel his blood boiling in excitement. But since he was currently eating in the dining hall, he didn't let his excitement come out.

He silently ate his dinner before approaching the old woman. She was the owner of the orphanage Jason and the others were currently staying in.

"Can I please practice outside?" Jason pleaded. "I think I might be able to make a breakthrough."

Hearing his words, the old woman was surprised. "If you are that confident, go out and try to cast magic!"

Jason nodded sincerely before dashing out of the hall. He was itching to put the system's theory to the test.

'That explains why I can't use my own mana here. The mana running inside my body belongs to another world and is therefore not being used.'

[ You are correct. If you can master the ability to absorb natural mana, you will steadily rise in power. ]

Jason appeared in the ground. Night had already settled over the entire city and the moonlight was shining across the ground.

Jason immediately focused on the magic particles around him and started attracting them towards his body.

The moment the mana entered his body, he could feel his mana increasing slightly.

[ Your cores are reacting to the natural mana! ] The system exclaimed.

'Keep a check on our surroundings. There is something that I have to confirm.'

Jason closed his eyes and focused on his element. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and stared at a huge sphere floating in front of him.

The sphere was pure purple and sparks of lightning flickered around it. Three question marks, each black in color, were etched on the core.

This was Jason's mana core, something he had seen long ago under Risa's guidance. Currently, his gaze was fixed on the flickering sparks of lightning.

Jason's core was processing the mana he had absorbed earlier. In front of his eyes, he could see the white particles of mana turning into purple sparks that were absorbed by his core.

Jason could also feel his body's mana flow being recharged. If he tried casting magic with this mana, he would easily be able to do it.

'This proves your theory to be true. But it can only be proved correct when we make it back to Clover.'

,m Jason focused again and appeared back in the ground. Using his newly acquired mana, he summoned a lightning bolt.

If the owner of the orphanage had seen him, she would have freaked out. But it would be clear in the morning and things would get interesting.

[ Give the others a hint about this in the morning. ] The system suggested.

'Why?'

[ Because its a good thing to form relationships. Even if you want to solo things, it best to have a backup just in case things go wrong. Also, helping them will make them indebted to you. ]

'That's actually pretty good advice.'

[ I swear I am changing because of you. The me from years ago would've rather pushed you to become friends with them. My thoughts have become much darker as compared to that time. ]

'Hehe, not my fault. You just go to know more of the world and changed your mindset.'

Jason made his way back to the orphanage. Following the children, he entered the sleeping chambers.

Tons of beds mattresses were spread out in one big hall. The mattresses all looked used and old and were probably bought from some nearby second hand shop.

Or perhaps they were donated to the orphanage by the people living in the city.

'Tomorrow, I will explore this type of magic more.' Jason thought before going to sleep.

Once morning arrived, all the children gathered in the dining hall again and were served their food. Plain bread with half fried omelet.

"I would like to announce something important. Hopefully, all of you brats will listen to what I have to say." The old woman suddenly announced.

Her name was Rharia and she had grown up in the very same orphanage before taking over it in her late thirties.

"Exactly three months from today, someone will come to test you to check your magical potential. If more than five of you are selected from here, the orphanage will come under the government's wing and we will get some nice money." Rharia announced.

The children looked determined except for the group of five who had come from another world.

Silently, they all decide to meet outside and further debate on this.

"Could this be a sort of trial? If we clear the test, we might be able to leave this place." Mila suggested once all of them had gathered outside.

"While that is a possibility, there is a chance that this is a trick. What if we are being tested to see how much we will stick to the rules?" Orion questioned.

'He exactly states what I am thinking. He is good.' Jason silently observed.

"Can I ask you all something?" Zeke suddenly interrupted. "You have to answer my question truthfully.

All of them went silent for a few minutes before nodding. If they didn't plan things carefully, they might remain inside their new world for a long time.

"Did all of you receive a limit where you have to grow stronger by advancing in your level of control over one or more of your elements?" Zeke finally asked the question.

One by one, the other four nodded. Zeke sighed in relief before saying, "I received the same thing. I think we have to understand how to cast magic here and grow stronger."

"I think the same."

"Me too."

"Me three."

"Same for me."

Once they had reached an agreement, the children started thinking of ways to do this. It was then that Jason decided to reveal the secret to using magic in their new surroundings.

"Do all of you know about natural mana and using it to conduct magic?" Jason questioned.

Seeing all of them nod, he proceeded. "Then use your knowledge about it here."

After giving them the hint, Jason walked away and started using the converting the natural mana into his own mana.

'It would be so good if I manage to turn this into passive ability.'

[ On Clover, this is a passive ability. All mana cores get recharged this way. That is why things that are able to increase your mana are super useful. You can basically store a ton of mana inside it and use it an any given moment. ]

'But if you can do the same with natural mana, you will be invincible. Imagine using the natural mana to create an apocalypse like environment around you. Thunder cracking and striking a volcanic wasteland.'

[ Stop daydreaming, host. Focus on your magic. ]

Jason sighed and did as told. The others were also able to realize what he had meant and had started practicing magic.

The other children could only watch the group of five produce magic with expressions of jealousy and envy visible on their faces.

As for the owner of the orphanage, she was cackling at her good fortune…

And just like that, two months flew by.