Shadow Monarch: Heroines Could Hear My Thoughts?!

Chapter 120- Forms Of Magic (Part 2)

"Everything in existence has a mana core as I explained before. Even our own world has its mana core inside it that generates the world's mana. So, if there is anything that could determine whether you can be a talented mage or nothing but an ordinary person, it's this."

After that, Emilia changed her tone a little bit to a more mysterious one.

"Now, ignoring the fact that you can actually gain powers merely from killing monsters, the only real and logical way to become stronger is through this." She said as emphasized the two words 'Real' and 'Logical'.

Then, she pulled out a mana core of a random monster from her spatial ring and showed it to Rin.

"This is a freshly harvested monster core. It's still barely a few days old so the mana inside of it is still fresh and easy to use. See that bright color of the mana core, that's the mana moving inside vividly. If this was let's say more than 2 weeks old, then the color of it will turn stale and the mana inside will weaken considerably. If kept like this, in less than 2 months, it will completely turn into a manaless stone. That's how you differentiate between fresh mana cores and other old ones."

Then, she threw the mana core to him to inspect it. Rin already saw and touched mana cores before but he didn't give them any importance since he didn't have any use for them. So, after checking it for a second, he gave it back to Emilia.

"Now, these things have two uses for them. The first and the most popular one is to sell them or give them to blacksmiths to create weapons from them. Because of their nature, Mana cores are really good materiel to create mana-infused weapons that are way stronger than normal weapons by leaps and bounds. However, bear in mind that, the lower the quality of the mana core the worse the quality of the weapon is."

After that, she clenched the mana stone in her hand.

"The second use to it is to simply absorb the mana inside the mana core. Now, while this method is not the most popular way of gaining strength, it is still a viable option for many."

Closing her eyes, Emilia took a deep breath and focused on the mana core. Watching closely, Rin could see the mana core's color and the light around it growing fainter and fainter as it traveled from the core to Emilia's hand, racing through her veins and spreading quickly to every inch of her body.

In less than 20 seconds, the whole mana core was turned into a grey-colored rock with no vibrant colors like before.

Opening her eyes, Emilia threw the rock away and continued.

"The mana that I absorbed from the core is now running through my body. It will take some time to morph and fuse with my mana core. Now, the reason that this method is simply not the first choice for many is that not only does absorbing mana cores can be dangerous, in some cases, but it can also be lethal for someone. For example, if you try to consume a mana core of a monster way stronger than you, you could risk potentially harming yourself with its mana when you absorb it. Not only that but there are some cases where the mana in your body refuses to fuse with this external mana and your body ends up rejecting this foreign object… When that happens…"

Her face turned serious.

"Your mana will rampage inside your body and then…You will die…" Her words were chilling, to say the least.

"But, these cases are really rare. I think I didn't really hear about something like this happening in almost 20 or more years. Besides, it's probably something you will never need to do."

"That's why I said that you are breaking the laws of this world. The fact that you only need to kill monsters to gain the same or more power without any of the consequences, it's a scary thing."

Thinking for a moment, Rin then asked.

"What's the other way of gaining strength other than absorbing mana cores?"

"Simple… The other method is to simply channel your mana inside your body in a certain manner. That way, with time and continuous practice, the mana will increase and become thicker and stronger. Look at it just like muscles, the more you train and use them, the bigger and stronger they will get it. Mana works just like that. It's akin to the fuel that we use to power our elements. Each element may need a different use from the mana, but in the end, it all boils down to your ability to manipulate that energy how you want."

"Oh… That's pretty simple. But, doesn't that take a long time?"

"Yes. It does indeed take a very long time. It's a tedious process that could only get easier the more talented the person that is practicing is. As for average people, well, they are never destined for greatness no matter how hard they try. Even though hard work is important, with no talent, you can't reach anything. It's the hard truth of this world."

Emilia had seen it with her own eyes, the look of despair on people as they see their dreams shatter in front of their eyes countless times. That feeling of helplessness and the harsh truth dawning on them. That moment of clarity where they realize that everything they dreamt of being in the future was nothing more than a… well, a dream.

Many would argue that it's not true and that hard work can make you reach high peaks no matter how mediocre you are. But, those same people will end up seeing that cruel reality with their own eyes. This isn't a fairy tale, it's the real world and it's cruel to most people. Those experiences affected her idea of the world. She, just like any other child, was hopeful about this world, believing that she was born to be great. Hearing the praises of everyone around her, she became overconfident and that almost cost her her life.

On the other hand, Emilia also saw those who were talented end up in the same place as the talentless ones just because they never worked hard enough. They believed that their talents were more than enough for them to become great. But, that arrogant thought was like the guillotine to their potential. They instantly then turn into mere normal people just like others.

That's why Emilia firmly believed that talent and hard work must coexist to create great people. Talent alone isn't enough and hard work alone isn't enough either.

'Hopefully, you won't kill that talent of yours, Rin. This world needs it more than you think.' She thought with a complicated gaze.

"Ehem, anyway. After all of this explanation, let's get to the actual core of the matter."

After that, Emilia clicked her fingers together.

A few seconds passed in deep silence. Then, out of nowhere, a loud, inhuman growl echoed in the whole place.

"RAAAAAAA!!!" The roar was strong enough to basically shake the whole tunnel violently. Then, after it, a series of loud roars followed suit from different creatures.

Rin's face turned serious quickly.

"It's time for you to apply everything you learned to monsters. You have 3 hours to kill every monster inside this custom dungeon and reach the end of it."

"RAAAAA!!!"

"Everything is in your hands now, Rin. You have practiced but can you apply that in real fights."

"I can!"

"Then show me."

*Swish*

Emilia then vanished from his sight and left him alone, facing the dark tunnel that was now filled with monsters. He could feel them approaching him faster and faster as the sound of their steps got louder and louder.

Then, out of the shadows, 15 hideous monsters rushed toward him. They were huge in size, towering over Rin. Rin's face frowned when he got to see their features.

The creatures were similar to spiders albeit with long legs that looked like the ends of sharp blades. Their bodies were white in color and riddled with blue dots all over. Their 5-eyed faces were bone-chillingly cold as if Rin was staring at the eyes of an insect, just devoid of any life.

[Blue Stained Snow Spider]

[Rank: E]

[Strength: E-]

[Agility: E+]

Not much info appeared about these creatures. The reason for that is that their power rank is technically in the same realm as Rin so he can't get to see much information about them.

The creatures' roared at Rin with their spider-like mouths and dashed toward him.

'This is going to be disgusting.' Rin thought as he dashed toward them too.

Then, he jumped in the air, reaching the ceiling before twisting his body and landing his legs on it. After that, he pushed himself down with powerful momentum. The dagger in his hand aimed at the first monster.

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