n

n

n

"Okay... Now... What does knowing this help us?

" Eldrian asked while switching between the spells he knew and was most comfortable with.

n

"Obviously it means we no longer need all the math, we now know what to focus on first. So we should be able to form a spell module by just determining the form and mana flow of the module.

" Two replied.

n

"Sure, sure. But is that all?

" Eldrian asked, as determining the form and mana flow would still require a large number of experiments and calculations.

nThese spells he was summoning to observe were just Tier 2 and 3, but they had anywhere from 15 to 30 nodes and the same or even double that number of pathways.

n

"Of course! We should remember that our question wasn't about the nodes but about mana.

" Two exclaimed with bubbling enthusiasm.

n

"The states?

" Eldrian questioned.

n

"Yes, the nodes just confirmed that it was possible to change between mana types through them. But how would the nodes be capable of doing that?

" Two questioned, only half having the answer.

nEldrian's eyes flew open as he realized what Two was getting at.

"I see! Right, we were already able to mimic the nodes through concentrating!

"

n

"Yup, auras are an extreme form where the mana becomes elevated to the max, at least according to what we know. Divine might be above that.'

n'Sure, but ignoring divine, for now. Emotional spells are a step-down but still linked-

" Eldrian continued.

n

"And elemental is another step-down, with raw mana being below that or something, not sure. Right, we might not know how it works but we can guess.

" Two continued again.

n

"...

"

n

"Aren't you going to suggest something?

" Eldrian asked after a few seconds of silence passed.

n

"I'm thinking,

"

n

"Alright, then let me propose an idea. What if different types of mana work on different frequencies? And only by being able to connect to the correct frequency can you feel that mana type? Kind of like how radios work?

"

n

"Oh? That sounds quite perfect and in that case it would also explain how the spins can alleviate the need of being on the right frequency especially when we consider that spell modules rely on the Mageia Avyssos which is a crutch Skepsi made to help people connect with magic!

" Two shouted in one breath due to his excitement.

n

"That might even be how the spins are added!

" Eldrian blurted out in surprise, having always wondered just how the Mageia Avyssos was supposed to help people like Vivian with connecting with their mana and casting spells.

nNow it made sense, not only was it a link if they lacked the talent, but it also fixed small errors in the spell modules. Presumably then, if the error is too large then there would be backlash due to the fix not being able to be completed and thus the mana sent forth having no way to go.

n

"Interesting, it might indeed be the case. It would also explain why Zamia said that she couldn't connect with the magic abyss. Since they have an intrinsic connection to mana, there might be some backlash if that happened-

"

n

"Ceph!

" They both shouted as they recalled the problems they had faced when trying to bond with the little Alicorn. Having resulted in destroying what Eldrian could only think of as a national grade treasure; while also exhausting two of the strongest people (Alicorns) on the planet.

n

"...' Both stayed quiet as they went through the implications this meant. Most likely, it meant that the magic abyss was not a place welcoming to those who have a direct connection with mana. The only reason Eldrian had no problem was likely because of his uniqueness as a player.

nAfter a few minutes had passed and both had managed to come to their own conclusion, which was also the same conclusion, they looked at each other and nodded.

n'How do we make use of this knowledge?' They both thought and asked.

n

"We can attempt to examine active spells to find the spin, and if we can copy or replicate the spin we can feel the excitation of the mana. Which might help us learn the frequency and how to connect with it.

" Two replied.

n

"My thoughts exactly, so let's start then with ether-

" Eldrian stopped and looked at where he was. While the Mageia Avyssos was a bridge between people and magic, it had no mana itself. At least not mana whose frequency Eldrian knew and could connect with.

nThe most he could do was force his will onto this area, which he now knew was indeed a form of mana manipulation. However, he did not think he could bring elemental mana here, not at will right now.

n

"See ya, Two...

" Eldrian said but stopped himself from leaving at the last second,

"Do you ever feel lonely?

"

n

"Don't worry, I'm not like you. I'm not like Tranquility, but I do have far fewer emotions and the other normal human things. I'm just part of your subconscious after all.

"

n

"And- Are you happy with that?

"

n

"Happy? No, but few people are happy with their existence. Most are simply content, they can find the joy in the moments of happiness and fight through the times of strife.

"

n

"I might not have that, but I am still content.

"

nEldrian nodded and decided to leave it at that. Even if Two was unhappy with how his life was limited to an observer, Eldrian couldn't do anything about it.

n'On that point, is he limited to my soul in ANW, or-?'

nEldrian realized that the question's answer was likely a double-edged blade. He did not want to go more into that can of worms than he needed to.

nBack in his body, Eldrian looked around at the clearing in the forest with a little genuine smile. 'Don't think I need to ask Zamia about 'that' anymore, but I can ask if she knew about the frequencies.'

nBut before that, Eldrian focused and summoned Frost Needle. He focused on the ether of the spell and tried to shift his perception of mana to a wider range. Knowing that so far, things were always based on some conception of feeling. Be it emotional or physical, in the ethereal.

nHours quickly passed as Eldrian continued to try this simple task. He constantly switched between the ways he could cast spells, trying to feel the differences between them and hopefully with that finding a lead.

nAs the sun rose, so did Eldrian's smile.

n'There you are!' He thought and his excitement caused him to lose the sliver of strange mana he had felt.

n'Interesting, it certainly feels different. Didn't get a good sense of it, but it is totally different from the others. Auras are emotions, that is simple enough. Elements are their respective element, fire is hot, ice is cold. Again, simple enough.'

n'Raw mana was stranger, feeling like potential energy. Like when you are filled with energy but can't do anything with it. A bubble of latent energy.'

n'This ether, it instead feels like someone is pulling at my mind. It reminds me of the Magic Crystal and mana crystals. But the pull isn't quite the same.'

nEldrian continued to try and narrow in on this feeling. Finding that at times it felt like someone was pushing him, at other times like they were pulling. The difference between this and previous similar force-like feelings was that this time the connection felt physical, while previously it felt more like the force of magnets.

n'Okay, I get why I couldn't detect it before. And I think I get why mana sense showed it, but this is completely a different feeling. Now if-'

nEldrian was interrupted as three Alicorns came his way. Canceling his spell and smiling in greeting, Eldrian focused as he waited for the telepathic link to form.

n'What form are you?'

nAN: A big thanks to everyone who supports the novel by constantly voting for it!

n:)

n