Narihu

Refinement

Please just leave them alone. It doesn't matter to me anymore, but they haven't done anything wrong."

Lately I keep dreaming about killing someone because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In those dreams I wake up horrified at how cruel I was, yet strangely I always spare them . I hope that mercy isn't limited to my dreams… Why am I dreaming this now? Is my guilt trying to tell me I don't deserve this happy life?

I know what I did was wrong, and that's why I want a better life I never want to make that mistake again.

-Son, come let's begin. I want to see how much you've improved.

-All right, Father.

-On three. Pay attention!

-Three.

-Two.

-One!

No sooner had he finished the count than I attacked his blind spot. Father, shaped by countless fights, was ready; he countered. It's hard to keep pace in this test. I know where and when he will strike, but my body doesn't react quickly enough to turn defense into offense. His fighting style shows he's a seasoned warrior who's seen many battles. As always, my body couldn't keep up so I lost.

-Fighting you is like fighting an experienced, trained warrior. It's funny if I told anyone that, they'd laugh, since you're only twelve. There isn't much I can teach you; everything a warrior needs is already in you. I can see in your eyes that you know what I'm planning. If you were a little older, I wouldn't even stand a chance. (He laughed as he said it.)

-Everything I am, I owe to you, Father. You taught me how to spin a sword I'm truly grateful.

He cupped my head and looked at me with a warm smile.

-I love you, son. I want you to be safe. I hope you never have to use this talent.

A warmth filled my gray heart so suddenly I nearly cried. I hugged him back and whispered,

-I love you too.

Did I ever feel such warmth in my previous life? I wish I had felt this instead of the cold pleasure of extinguishing lives…

-Ahh, how sweet, (my mother said as she joined and embraced us.)

-If you've got time, come on let's check your mana and tell me what you've learned.

-I'm coming, Mother. (Let's start! I sprinted off, excited to show her what I'd achieved that evening.)

Mother placed her hand on my back and began to examine my mana.

-Gather your mana.

I gathered it, and she spoke approvingly.

-My son… I can't believe it you've reached your seventh Mana Orb. At this age, the average is two or three, the very talented reach four, and in exceptional cases five. You truly are a natural talent I can hardly believe you're my son.

Her face was warm and happy as she looked at me. The feeling was strange, here, they praised strength, while in my past life I had to become stronger simply to survive, because everyone there waited for me to fail. I smiled faintly, but it was a sad smile my former life was so different from this one.

-All right, son. Tell me what I taught you about how mana works and its levels.

-Yes, but I'd like to keep some of it to myself. (I said, teasing, pushing my mother's patience).

-All right, then I'll have to teach you again. And that means no favorite food tonight won't have time to make it, (she teased back.)

-No, no! (I protested). Mana is a resource divided into levels eight in total.

White is the base; everyone has it, even those who never trained.

Blue is the level of beginning adventurers and warriors.

Green is the average soldier most of the country's troops are here. Across the continent, about 65% of fighters are at green or blue.

Purple, when it appears on the battlefield, can be decisive one person at that level can kill a dozen blue or green users.

Black can be felt by its aura alone; it can decide wars. Gold houses the country's strongest soldiers the Defenders. One at that level can close conflicts alone.

Crimson is the edge of human capability; only about 0.01% have ever reached it. (I myself was at this level in my previous life.) That level can topple a nation by itself.

Divine level is unattainable by humans only gods occupy that plane. The difference between Crimson and Divine is incomprehensible, so humans stand no chance against the gods.

-You're talented, son. I'm proud of you, you really learned it. It seems the secret is the food. Mother smiled. So how does one advance between levels?

-At each level step there is a Threshold State the cusp between ranks. It happens when a user reaches the seventh orb. They enter a mental shell and must confront themselves, or some trauma. If they succeed, they pass to the next level and begin again at Orb One.

My mother began to clap.

-My son, you are very capable so proud. As you said, to advance you must fight yourself. I can't imagine what task a twelve year old might face, but knowing you, you'll manage it.

-I will, Mother definitely. I'll try right away.

-No no. Come help your mother make dinner. Or else no favorite meal for you.