Pathways And Mana

"There's no need for that. Just help me out every once in a while, and I'll gladly help you."

She tilts her head and smiles. "Help with what?"

"Getting blood and the training situation. Also, you can explain how everything works here. How do you get stamps, and who controls that?" Once you get a little more comfortable, we can talk about how to get out of here. 

She twirls a piece of hair and mulls it over. "Cage can help with the blood…Training. You have to train with everyone else. It's non-negotiable otherwise, they'll take away privileges and punish the rest of us."

Cage answers that last bit. "Stamps are controlled by the council and the co-operative. Everyone earns stamps in their own way. Working in the kitchen, training, farming, picking up trash, scavenging, hunting, anything that contributes to the House."

So it is work points. That's both bad and good for me. It's bad because I hate work, but it's good for taking advantage of people. I'm willing to bet everyone here needs something from the outside. Things that are in my inventory or suitcases. 

"When can I go back to my house?"

"Your house? That's a little complicated. Technically, it's our house."

Excuse me? I furrow my eyebrows and ask them. "Explain."

Cage sighs and rolls her shoulders. "Right now we're Novitates. One rank above you and several ranks below everyone else. Once we reach a certain rank, we're set to move into that house with all the real members of the House."

"What about me? What does that mean? What am I?"

She explains in simple terms. Initiates are like baby witches. Novitates are apprentices. Coven Witches are like junior witches. However, in order to achieve this rank, you need to have a coven of at least five members. Then you get a bigger house, family days, access to the mailing system, alone time, and access to other privileges.

The point of the Houses on the other side is pretty simple. Whenever a witch is taken in, it's the law to have a relative, guardian, or sponsor check in on them periodically. Or even move to live with them. 

For reasons none of them will mention...They don't have anyone who wants to visit. So the house was taken back because it was just going to waste. It was a coincidence that when Cage chose me...she also got the house back. 

"So…Now that I'm here. You get more benefits and a chance at promotion?" Covens. A gathering of witches. Here at Hawthorne, covens mean everything to a Novitate aspiring to rise in the ranks. To graduate, she needs a full working coven and I complete their group.

Cage nods. "Not only that, but we'll also have the chance to participate in more advanced studies at the fortress. After that, we can go on missions in the real world."

"Why didn't you have a fifth member before?"

"..."

Quill tried to put it lightly. "We couldn't find the right match."

Cage decided to be upfront. "No one wants us. 

"Why? Is it because of your personality?"

"Yes."

Quill yelled."No! There are other things too. Except for me, we don't have any supportive magic. Like healing or curse dispersal."

I could use one of her buffs right now. Shame. Her wand was confiscated before we were kicked down here. 

"And that's…bad?"

"Well, yes. Let's say we get injured in the field. It's only a matter of time before that injured member drags the rest of the group down. So there's a greater likelihood of us having fatalities in comparison to other covens who have at least one green witch."

"So you need a support. Huh. Maybe…"

Aja or the others can teach me basic first aid, right?

[You can also apply for healing skills. However, I would recommend looking into that grimoire for more insight.]

That's what that's for. Huh. Convenient.

"Can't I just become your support member?"

"..."

Quill states uncertainty. "You're a Mind Witch."

"Um…not exactly. I can do that stuff too, but if I were to become the healer of the coven. Could we get a chance at a higher rank?"

Cage confirmed."Yes."

"Then that means no more training, right?"

Cage replied. "There would be more training, but it wouldn't be as boring as it is now. It would probably be things like spellmaking and Dungeon Scouring."

"At what point can we go home? What rank do you need to do that?"

"...."

Cage readjusts and covers her head with her hood. "Well…never. We can't leave unless we're on a mission or we're some kind of nobility."

So I can leave eventually. Ok. So what am I going to do?

[New Quest!]

Of course. Let me guess? A daily mission to become a coven witch?

[…]

That's what I thought.

Quill and Cage taught me more about the society I was now forced to live under until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore.

I miss being a spoiled rich girl. My lashes fluttered, and I looked up. Good morning? Why is it sunny in here? Is it daytime?

"Hello."

Aja floats over to me, and I give her a cursory look. She looks more solid than yesterday. I guess that's good.

"Hi, I have something to ask you. Even if I'm a psychic witch, can I learn other magic?"

She smiles. "Of course you can, it just might be harder due to your pathways being formed a certain way."

"Pathways?"

She explains while using a split strand of grass as an example. "It's similar to veins. Your blood and magic have a similar system in place to perfectly distribute its essence everywhere it's needed. Let's say all of your pathways lead to your head. You would have to consciously break and manipulate them to make new pathways to your hands or heart."

"Sounds painful." And like work.

"Most things in life are. I could teach you now, but…You might want to wait."

"Why?"

"Taking on an extra burden as of right now could be detrimental to your primary class. You should first consolidate your base in that before I teach you and learn what elements you are attuned to."

I nod and call out for it mentally. The blue box appears next to me, and I pull out the weathered, creepy book.

Guess it's time to do some light reading. I should also check on everyone. "Where are the others?"

Aja looks over at the house. "Nuwa is relaxing in the pond and playing with fish. Melinoë is tending the field with Akeso and Penguin…is trying to cook. It's not going very well."

I smile at that. Still with that book, huh? 

Well. "I'm heading inside the house to read. Maybe I'll help him out a bit. Do you need anything? Would you like an offering?"

"..."

She stares at me. "I would. Thank you."

I give her a nod to show I understand and continue to the house. On my way, I pass Akeso and Melinoë arguing over what to plant. It seems like Akeso wants more herbs, and Melinoë wants more vegetables.

I'll let them handle that. What's that?

I raise a hand to shield my eyes and walk towards the back of the house. They made a shed?

Chopped wood, an axe, and a fenced-in area lie beyond. The pigs hop around and get wet with mud. Behind their fenced area are a couple of free-range livestock. The animals look ok. I should kill one of them later for food. I left the back of the house and walked in through the front.

Penguin was standing up with that damn book in his hands and some very boiled potatoes. Jesus. The kitchen is a mess, and he looks exhausted. 

Perfect.

I ignore him and walk to the table in the living room. Plopping down on the couch and opening the book to its first page.

Blood magic. Lovely.

Resting my chin on my hands, I scan the text. I'm sure I could just buy this skill, but I've learned the consequences of that. Better to learn it manually. Not right now. She said elements and attunements. 

Mana pathways. That sounds like what Aja was talking about.

Inside everyone's body lies a place beyond human comprehension…A place where the body and soul meet. To create magic. You must first locate your mana.

What is Mana?

The closest comparison one can make is that of the energy that radiates from planets like the sun or moons. It cannot be easily quantified or contained. However, it is a versatile substance that can be transferred, transformed, increased, and lost. Everyone has a finite amount of mana stored within their body. This place is called the Mana Realm.

The Mana Realm can be accessed through meditation and concentration. Simply sit in a secluded area and concentrate on reaching this place.

That easy?

I guess so.