I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"The third requirement is not to have any talent unlocked before developing mana affinity. The reason is simple. Magic beasts also have elemental affinities. By unlocking a talent, you take the risk of tainting yourself with part of those affinities."

"The last requirement is, of course, to have my guidance! This discovery is my life achievement. I detailed every step that must be taken, from the materials to the ritual you need to perform."

"I'll finally explain why mana affinity is the ultimate power anyone can hold."

"As the fundamental source of energy of the world, it is extremely versatile and has the potential to allow you mastery over all forms of magic! Moreover, no limitation applies to a mana affinity holder. Be it illusion, enchantment or elemental magic, everything becomes accessible."

Adam exhaled as he reached the end of the page, his emotions in turmoil. How did such an incredible book end up forgotten in the college's library, and why did Vikram give it to Julius?

Little did he know that Vikram only grabbed the first book he saw about mana manipulation, as what he could read from it was different from the real content. It was a pure coincidence.

He took some time to calm his raging excitement before checking every requirement needed to unlock mana affinities.

Ironically, he could check the first requirement because of his weird condition.

Ironically again, he could check the second requirement thanks to the soul damage taken in the tower and his adventures to brew the ghostly elixir of ethereal energy.

As for the third, he was good for now. However, he was unsure if the talent he would unlock next year could ruin things.

'Hahaha, I didn't suffer all those misadventures for nothing!' He couldn't help but laugh, elated by the prospect of holding the ultimate affinity.

After all, he knew there were only a few archmages in the world, probably less than five. For one of them to describe it as the ultimate power, meant that it really was something out of this world.

Subsequently, he proceeded to read the next pages, where he found a list of ingredients, complex drawings filled with arcane symbols and, at the end of the book, a mana-gathering technique.

"Traditional mages progress through the tiers by guiding mana through their mana circuits into the heart. Then, they shape this mass of mana into a circle around it. However, this method is flawed!"

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"Instead of shaping a circle using brute force and quantity, I developed a method to draw the ambient mana more effectively. I also improved the dull and standard circle method by replacing them with strings of arcane symbols imbued with deep esoteric meaning."

"This method requires high mana control but yields extreme improvements that grow more pronounced the higher tiered you reach."

Then, Adam contemplated the strings of symbols drawn. They were arranged in circles with detailed descriptions of how to form them for each tier.

'So, I still need to shape them like circles. But this method is much more intricate. Seems like I'll have to form a circle for each tier.' He summarized Kwame's method, deep in thought.

He couldn't help but be grateful to this man. No, he was more than a man. He was an unrivaled genius of his time in his eyes.

Without wasting more time, he closed his eyes to go back to the dream place to experiment with the symbol circle.

*****

Adam woke up in his apartment and immediately went to work. He sat on his bed, his face exuding concentration and started to guide mana through his mana circuits to his heart.

Then, with the precision of a master sculptor, he slowly shaped it into intricate symbols filled with natural meanings.

He took his time to shape them perfectly, restarting from scratch at the slight mistake or inconsistency in shape, texture or thickness.

He would not accept anything less than perfection for his tier advancement. After all, the promotion process was what differentiated powerful from average mages in the same tier.

Sweat matted his forehead as his concentration started to waver after hours in the process. Despite his tier-three mana control standard, Kwame's method was extremely challenging.

'I'm almost there.' He gritted his teeth with bloodshot eyes as he shaped the last symbols around his heart.

'Come on! It's the last one, don't lose focus!' He encouraged himself as the last run took place and connected the two extremities of the circle.

CRACK

A loud cracking sound shook his body and soul after the symbols harmoniously floated around his heart.

He felt as if a mirror reflecting a realm of lies had just been broken, allowing him to see the world from a different perspective.

He stood up, exhausted by his efforts, a wide grin plastered on his face as mana danced with his every move as if welcoming a long-lost friend.

He felt invigorated as his depleted mana reserves replenished themselves quicker than ever. He was better attuned to mana and could draw a part from the surroundings to boost his spell's potency.

As he reveled in his new sensations and feelings, the system's interface suddenly popped before his eyes.

[Congratulations on being the first to be promoted to tier two]

[Reviewing process and standard achieved...]

[Error, method and process unknown]

[Assessing results...]

[Error, Error, standard limit broken.]

"Humph, you're not making fun of me anymore now?" Adam snarkily remarked, pleased to see the system bug after all the negative comments it made.

[Standard evaluated as exceptional. Upgrade to 1 per stat point invested instead of the classic 0.6 for promotion quest takers and 0.75 for perfect promotion through mana-gathering techniques.]

Adam raised his brow at the message, his eyes bulging from their sockets. Wouldn't that mean he would get fifty per cent stronger than anyone, thanks to Kwame's method?

After thinking in shock for a bit, he found the outcome normal, as even his stupid system had trouble assessing the results.

[Experience point limit lifted.]

"Status!" Adam instantly called for his interface panel, impatient to confirm that he truly became an acolyte and that he could finally resume leveling up.