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nIn truth, for magi above level 1, there exists virtually no difference in the quantity of mana or in their affinity towards it.

nMagi at this echelon have devised their own means to covertly siphon mana from the mana ocean, rendering their supply seemingly infinite.

nThis, on another note, reflects the limitations imposed by the human soul’s capacity.

nThe ability of a magus to absorb ambient mana is directly linked to the strength of their soul.

nTo directly assimilate the free-floating mana spanning the entirety of the underground stronghold, Two’s demonstrated soul strength would have to surpass that of a level 1 magus by more than tenfold.

nBut is this the extent of Two’s limit?

nNula didn’t know.

nNor did he know if anyone did.

nPerhaps those who did know had long since perished? Two didn’t seem to embody such a ruthless persona.

nBut without a thorough understanding of an intelligence’s operational parameters, any judgment remains unreliable.

nThe tremors in the mana did not persist for long, converging in less than the span of three breaths before and after.

nDuring this interval, Nula heard the guards outside being alerted, attempting to unlock the iron door.

nYet before it could open, all went silent.

nWhat had transpired outside?

nOnce again, fear gripped Nula.

nEach living being, to varying degrees, harbors mana within, the amount fluctuating with the organism’s constitution and energy level, but it never zeroes out.

nFor, should it ever dwindle to nothing, that life form would cease to exist.

nThe mana absorbed by Two, perhaps, was not limited to that which freely floats in the air.

n“What have you done?”

nThough he had his suspicions, Nula’s voice still trembled slightly as he asked softly.

n“The people outside, are they all dead? Did you drain them?”

n“Indeed.”

nThe reply was succinct, yet it was laden with a kind of mana—a mana potent enough to instill fear in any living creature.

nNo being is devoid of the fear of death, a terror etched into the deepest recesses of biological instinct.

nTwo lifted his gaze to meet Nula’s.

n“Do not disperse your mana shield; it is not over yet.”

nNot over? Hadn’t everyone already perished?

nWhat more was there to do?

nMatter-energy conversion.

nSuddenly, Nula remembered this term that Two had mentioned earlier.

nHe had studied the cultures of many worlds and understood this concept, which posits that the mass of material and energy can be equivalent in mathematical equations.

nThis idea overturned many antiquated physical theories, sparking a revolution in physics.

nAlthough the concept of physics per se does not exist on the Avala Continent, analogous concepts certainly do.

nMana is the cornerstone of the world.

nIt forms everything within the world, and this “everything” has never been limited to living entities alone but also encompasses the fundamental matter—flesh, bones that constitute humans, rocks and soil that form mountains, the tumultuous waves of the oceans—all are transformations of mana.

nThis has been proven on Avala, and some have considered exploiting this property for various purposes.

nTheoretically, it is feasible, but practically, it’s been deemed impossible.

nBut… could Two accomplish this?

nIf it could, does that imply its understanding of this world far surpasses what Nula and Dorek could fathom?

nAnd why does it possess such a profound comprehension of mana?

nPerhaps, this is destined to remain an unsolvable mystery.

nNula watched as the extinguished golden pupils of Two were reignited, a unique aura emanating from its being. 𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

nThough now kneeling on one knee, Two seemed to be seated upon the clouds like a deity.

n“I command, let all things return to chaos!”

nTwo’s voice was not loud, but mana served as its herald, so this decree was disseminated across the area delineated by Two in an instant before Nula could even grasp what was happening.

nThen, a peculiar sensation ensued.

nIt felt as though consciousness had suddenly plunged into a warm ocean. .

nLight vanished in a blink, and Nula’s body was seized by gravity, plummeting towards the abyss.

nThis experience reminded Nula of birds falling from the sky, perhaps they felt similar when their once powerful wings lost their mana for the first time.

nWould they feel fear? Should he feel fear? Nula tried to ponder this question, but in the warm embrace of the ocean, even thought was a forbidden act.

n“You were careless.”

nA voice carried over the water’s surface.

nIts sound, distorted after passing through the dense layers of water, was still immediately recognizable to Nula.

nIt belonged to Howard.

nYet, less than ten minutes ago, this voice had changed allegiance.

nNow it belonged to an intelligence named “Two.”

nI was careless?

nWhat does that mean?

nWhat has been done to me?

nHave I fallen into some trap?

nNula found his once infinitely diverging thoughts beginning to coalesce anew, akin to molding a clay figurine, with himself as the lump of clay being whimsically reshaped.

nThe reformation didn’t take long, or perhaps, to a disengaged soul, the very concept of time had lost its meaning.

nLight once again unfolded its embrace before Nula.

nOpening his eyes, he discovered he was standing firmly on the ground, though the mana orb that once surrounded him had vanished.

nA fear, as if plummeting into an abyss, gripped Nula tightly.

nHe finally understood the meaning behind Two’s “You were careless.”

nHis gaze shifted towards Two, who was slowly standing up without any apparent change, except for slightly dimmer golden pupils.

n“You were on the verge of returning to the embrace of the mana ocean. Had I not reacted swiftly, you would have become fundamental mana, rejoining the world by now. How was the experience of death? Intriguing, wasn’t it?”

nWhat might have been a taunting joke, when uttered by Two, carried no such sentiment.

nIt was a blunt recount devoid of any embellishment or emotion, even the question sounded like a precise record.

nWas that warm, lightless ocean the mana ocean? The place where every consciousness returns upon death, was it truly as such? Nula found it somewhat unexpected.

nAlthough the existence of the mana ocean had been confirmed long ago, such a conceptual entity remains beyond the direct observation of modern magi.

nEvery magus who attempted to observe it met the same fate: assimilation by the mana ocean, becoming the most fundamental mana to return to the world’s embrace.

nIt was a majestic form of death, one many high-level magi choose when their lifespan nears its end.

nIn retrospect, there’s something quite romantic about it.

nPursuing death in the quest for truth?

nOr pursuing truth through death? The question remains forever unanswered.

n“Not bad, better than I imagined. I thought there would be hell or something of the sort.”

nNula forced a smile, knowing that facing Two required a certain mental fortitude; no amount of shock would suffice otherwise.

n“So, those people outside… the bodies, what did you do with them?”

nNula had an inkling of the answer but sought confirmation directly from Two.

n“Matter-energy conversion, a considerably difficult technique even for me.”

n“I consumed them entirely, bodies and souls alike, leaving nothing behind.”

nWhen Two spoke these words, there was a peculiar smile on its face.

nNot terrifying, but distinctly non-human.

nBeneath the facade nearly identical to that of a human, lay a soul utterly alien.

nFor the first time, Nula felt so intensely the difference between Two and humanity, and so clearly perceived the distinction between different species.

nTo humans, the morals of ants hold no significance.

nTwo must see it similarly.

nIt’s not human, so why adhere to human moral codes? Just as humans don’t consider eating beef or mutton a sin, Two doesn’t see the consumption of human bodies as a wrongdoing.

nEveryone is similar; the only difference lies in the magnitude of power.

nTwo could have explained in a more euphemistic manner, but it chose not to.

nInstead, it laid the facts bare before Nula’s eyes.

nYou are conversing with a being you’d inevitably label a ‘devil.’

n“Gaining threefold for every energy spent, although digestion takes time, overall, it’s a significant gain. I should be able to restore quite a bit of functionality. It’s just a pity it’s not enough to reboot the secondary energy furnace; otherwise, I wouldn’t need external energy support.”

nTwo glanced at its fingers before returning its gaze to Nula’s face.

n“What’s the matter, not quite adjusting? Or is it fear? Disgust? Perhaps you want to kill me?”

n“I can understand all these reactions, but I hope you also understand something. If you make a move, the next thing I might digest could very well be your corpse.”

nSurvival is the basic instinct of all beings, ranking highest among their primal urges.

n“Is this your true nature?” Nula took a step back, retracting the short staff in his hand.

n“What exactly is your purpose? Or rather, what are you?”

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