Grounded Mastery

Kaelan stood quietly within the private training chamber at Aurelium Estate, carefully extending his senses. Earth mana vibrated gently beneath his feet, steady and powerful. Though he'd only recently started training this particular element under Rune Master Elric's careful guidance, he felt an innate ease with it—as if reconnecting with an old friend.

He opened his eyes slowly, raising his hand gently. Particles of earth responded smoothly, rising gracefully into the air, obedient to his quiet intention. It felt natural, precise, and effortless.

Rune Master Elric watched calmly, clearly impressed but unsurprised. "Your progress is remarkable, Kaelan. Already achieving this level of control after only a short period is extraordinary."

Kaelan inclined his head respectfully. "Your guidance helped significantly."

Elric shook his head lightly, a subtle smile crossing his lips. "Perhaps. But your intuitive grasp of elemental mana clearly exceeds ordinary talent. You seem intimately familiar with mana manipulation—almost as if recalling skills rather than learning anew."

Kaelan hesitated briefly, choosing his words carefully. "Mana and I have always been deeply connected. But controlling elemental mana so precisely through structured rune-tech—it's a fresh perspective."

Elric nodded thoughtfully. "That structure complements your intuition. Each element carries distinct lessons. Earth mana grounds and stabilizes your power—critical in combat and defense. Continue practicing diligently, and soon integrating this element into your rune-tech will become seamless."

"I will," Kaelan promised firmly.

Elric stepped forward, gently demonstrating another complex rune formation. "Observe carefully. This rune explicitly anchors your mana to the earth element, creating exceptionally sturdy barriers. Perfect your understanding; it may prove vital."

Kaelan studied the formation closely, committing it meticulously to memory. Slowly, precisely, he replicated the intricate rune array, weaving mana threads carefully until the barrier shimmered softly around him. Its defensive strength was immediately evident, deeply resonant with the stability of earth mana itself.

Elric smiled approvingly. "Precisely executed. Your progress continues to astound."

Kaelan practiced repeatedly, each attempt further solidifying his mastery. Hours passed swiftly, and by session's end, he felt quietly confident in his newfound skill.

Returning to the academy grounds, Kaelan found Marcus, Liam, and Selene awaiting expectantly. Marcus immediately stepped forward eagerly. "Well? Did the earth mana training go well?"

Kaelan nodded quietly, a subtle smile on his lips. "Better than I anticipated. Earth mana feels intuitive."

Selene tilted her head thoughtfully. "Strange that you didn't explore it sooner, then. You always seemed naturally gifted with elemental mana."

Kaelan hesitated slightly before responding carefully. "I initially prioritized air and water mana because of their versatility and ease of integration into my early rune-tech. Earth mana is powerful but requires patience and precision—something I only recently felt ready for."

Liam nodded slowly, accepting the explanation readily. "Makes sense. Earth mana seems especially suited for your defensive rune-tech style."

Kaelan agreed gently. "Exactly why it's valuable to master now."

Marcus clapped Kaelan lightly on the shoulder, grinning warmly. "At this rate, you'll master all elements before graduation."

Kaelan chuckled softly, shaking his head slightly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Yet inwardly, he knew Marcus's optimism wasn't entirely misplaced. With each new element mastered, Kaelan moved closer to reclaiming the mastery of his past life—but this time, deeper, more structured, and significantly more powerful.

Late at night, alone in his dormitory, Kaelan reviewed his progress calmly:

Status (Updated):

• Level: 36

• Skills:

• Mana Awareness (S-)

• Phantom Thread Lance (S+)

• Woven Mana Barrier (S)

• Elemental Perception Shroud (S+)

• Earth Elemental Control (A-): Rapidly improved mastery through intensive practice.

He gazed thoughtfully into the quiet darkness, knowing explicitly that his path forward demanded meticulous balance—intuitive mastery from his previous life combined carefully with the structured system of rune-tech in this new world.

This combination had unlocked his true potential, yet Kaelan understood clearly—true mastery took patience. Each step required precision, thoughtful control, and above all, discipline.

Whatever challenges came next, he was calmly prepared.

 Author's Note :

Readers might wonder why Kaelan, despite being a reincarnated Archmage, hadn't previously focused explicitly on elemental mana like earth, air, water, or fire. The reason is explicitly tied to Kaelan's cautious approach in this new life. Despite his profound past-life experience with general mana manipulation, elemental mana control in this world is uniquely structured through precise rune-tech foundations. Kaelan chose first to deeply establish his proficiency in core rune principles and advanced mana manipulation before explicitly exploring structured elemental mana control. This deliberate strategy ensured stable foundations, optimal efficiency, and prevented premature exposure of his extraordinary talents. Ps: i am doing my best to correct my mistakes