The Evolution of Mana Echoes

Ch 6 - Pt 1 The Beginning of an Uncertain Path

Grandfol raised his staff high and slammed its base hard against the rocky ground. The impact sent a wave of energy outward, and right away a huge glowing magic circle opened beneath him. Lines of ancient writing lit up one after another, spreading far across the open space on Sigil Mountain.

Everything changed the moment it appeared.

The Great Sage slowly rose from his carved stone seat. His silver robes swayed gently, as if caught in a wind only he could feel. A strange, heavy silence fell over the whole mountain. The wind stopped completely. The chatter and whispers of thousands of examinees vanished. Even the tiny glowing specks of mana floating in the air seemed to freeze and tremble, like they were bowing to his presence.

Every single person there turned their eyes toward him. No one dared speak or move too quickly.

The sage’s calm gaze swept across the crowd, touching every face, every hopeful look, and every beating heart.

“Rejoice, children of Prana. Today, mana has accepted you.”

His voice was soft, but it carried clearly all the way to the edges of the gathering, echoing against the stone slopes.

“But do not think this blessing means you have already won,” he continued, his tone becoming firmer. “The mana you hold now is only a small spark. Ignore it, and it will fade into nothing. Use it wrongly, and it will turn around and destroy you.”

The examinees stood perfectly still, taking in every word. Not a single person looked away.

“So many gifted people have fallen in this world,” the sage said, his eyes narrowing a little. “Not because they lacked strength. Not because they lacked talent. They fell because they believed power alone made them special.”

A heavy feeling settled over the crowd, pressing down on their shoulders like a real weight.

“Beyond these mountains, you will find guild wars, wild monsters, betrayal, endless greed, and death,” the sage warned. “The world does not care about your rank or your title. It does not care how much mana runs through your veins.”

His voice dropped lower, turning cold and sharp like winter wind.

“The world will keep testing you, breaking you down little by little, until only your true self remains.”

A chill ran down Tyda’s spine. He stood near the front, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, and felt as if those words were meant only for him.

Then the sage’s gaze shifted, locking straight onto Tyda’s face.

The whole mountain went completely quiet. Thousands of heads turned at once, and every eye fixed on him. The silence grew so thick it felt hard to breathe.

“And you… Tyda.”

His name rolled across the stone, heavy and clear.

“The boy whom mana left behind.”

“The impossible one.”

Tyda clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He could feel the confusion, curiosity, and even fear coming from the people around him. They whispered behind their hands and stepped back just a little, as if he carried some unseen sickness.

The sage went on, his voice steady and firm.

“You are looking for answers. You wonder why Goddess Prana refused to give you even the weakest blessing.”

Tyda’s heart pounded hard against his chest. He knows. He knows every question I have asked myself every single day.

“You think you stand here with nothing at all, nothing to call your own.”

The sage’s expression grew serious, and the air turned even colder.

“Be careful what answers you try to find.”

Tyda’s stomach tightened. A cold knot formed deep inside him.

“For there are truths hidden in this world that even kings are afraid to uncover.”

Suddenly the ground shook. A low rumble rose from deep under the mountain, making everyone stumble and gasp.

The sage’s voice boomed like thunder, crashing over them all.

“Listen well, all of you!”

The mountain shook again, and loose stones rolled down the slopes.

“A day will come when the mana of this whole world will tremble.”

“A day when great guilds will fall.”

“A day when kingdoms will burn to ash.”

“A day when the very rules that bind Prana herself will be challenged and broken.”

The examinees stared in shock. Even the guild leaders and experienced warriors standing nearby stayed quiet, their faces pale with worry.

Slowly, the sage lifted one finger. He pointed straight at Tyda, and the weight of that gesture felt heavier than any weapon.

“And when that day comes…”

He paused, letting the words hang in the silence.

“The greatest danger to this world may not be those blessed with mana…”

His voice echoed off the peaks, clear and frightening.

“…but the one who received none.”

Fear spread through the crowd like wildfire. Many stepped back quickly, putting distance between themselves and Tyda. Others stared at him with wide eyes, as if he were some kind of monster they had never seen before.

Tyda could only stand there, frozen. His mind raced, trying to understand, trying to make sense of words that felt too big and too heavy for him to carry. A threat? Me? But I have nothing. I have no power at all.

The sage looked at him one last time, and his gaze softened just a little.

“Whether you become this world’s hope or its ruin, Tyda… only you can decide.”

Tiny bright specks of light began to break away from his robes, floating upward like glowing dust. The Great Sage started to fade, his body turning see-through.

His final words drifted over them, warm and distant.

“Grow stronger, children of Prana. Hold onto your blessings while you still can.”

The light spread wider, carrying pieces of him into the air. Then, just before he disappeared completely, his voice returned, soft and meant only for Tyda.

“And Tyda… pray that the reason Prana rejected you is not the same reason she fears you.”

The last speck of light vanished into the blue sky.

Silence remained. No one spoke. No one moved. Only a heavy, uncertain feeling stayed, wrapping around everyone like fog. Somewhere far out of sight, destiny began to shift, turning slowly along a path no one could see.

A few moments later, Uloyd stepped forward. The leader of Daeda Guild had a sharp, steady presence that cut through the tension right away. He looked over the thousands of young people gathered there, his face serious.

His voice broke the silence, clear and commanding.

“Four months from now, everyone who qualifies will travel to the Central Continent.”

Every eye turned to him, all attention focused.

“The next trial will be held at Astana Colosair.”

Excitement sparked through the crowd. Whispers and smiles broke out—Astana Colosair was a legendary place, one where only the strongest ever got to enter.

Then Uloyd’s expression hardened, turning cold and strict.

“Listen closely. If you want to join us, be ready to die trying.”

The excitement vanished instantly. No one laughed. No one questioned him. Everyone knew he meant exactly what he said.

“You have four months to prepare. Use that time well.”

Julius stepped up beside him. His broad build and confident grin easily drew everyone’s attention.

“To join any guild, you must prove you have what it takes,” he said, loud enough for all to hear. “If you die before finishing the trials, that is your own fault. We will not be held responsible.”

He pointed toward the east.

“One week from today, report to the Eastern Garrison near the border of Danes Kingdom. There, we will assign your class and rank.”

A sharp, eager smile spread across his face.

“See you there, examinees!”

The guild members raised their hands at the same time. Magic circles lit up under their feet, glowing bright gold. One by one, they faded away, leaving empty space where they had stood. The mountain suddenly felt much quieter and more empty.