Mana! Mana?

"Take him down."

Vincent's eyes didn't follow the elites. Instead, they remained calmly locked on Nova, who was still standing beside him, arms crossed but tense.

Vincent said with a low tone. "Watch carefully. Try to learn something."

Nova blinked. "Learn what?"

A loud crack echoed from deeper inside the floor. The sound of reinforced boots slamming against tile, followed by the sound of a loud force of a punch.

Nova flinched, then leaned slightly to the side, peeking past a broken pillar.

"…the hell was that?" he muttered.

Vincent didn't move. "That's what a real fight looks like. Using mana, applied the way it should be."

Nova's brows knitted. "Mana? What do you mean MANA? Like… anime mana?"

"Something like that," Vincent replied casually. "Only difference is, mana is used differently here not like the ones you watched."

Another loud grunt echoed, followed by a crash.

Nova's head turned again. "So… they're really super soldiers? And mana's actually real? Like, everyone's just walking around with mana inside them or something?"

Vincent shook his head slightly. "No. Mana isn't inside you. At least, not yet."

"What do you mean? …how does it work exactly? Can anyone just grab it from the air or something?"

"No," Vincent said. "Mana is everywhere, like air. But most people can't use it. Your body has to know how to call it, how to shape it. Through training, or technique. Some are born with the spark, others learn. Most don't, so don't expect all people know how to."

Nova blinked. "So, it's like… breathing in power?"

"In a sense. But breathing is instinctive. Mana isn't."

"…Huh?"

"Most people start with what we call Invokers, pulling mana from the environment," Vincent explained, folding his arms behind his back as if they were just chatting in a hallway. "They draw it into their body temporarily to enhance their physical abilities. Strength, speed, reflexes. But it's limited. They can only handle so much."

Nova squinted at the far side of the room. He caught a glimpse of Giga rushing Ronan again, the floor cracking beneath his steps.

"...So that guy's like, on steroids with extra steps."

Vincent chuckled. "That's one way to put it."

"What about the other one?" Nova pointed at the spear-wielding man circling Ronan like a predator.

"That's Pierce. His technique is more refined. Uses his mana for precision. It's not just about power, it's about how you use it."

"So… they're just Invokers?" Nova asked.

Vincent slightly nodded. "Mm. Both of them. Trained and disciplined by me. Their talent lets them draw more mana in their bodies to stay stronger."

Nova raised an eyebrow. "Talent?"

Vincent nodded. "Everyone's got a limit. Some can invoke mana faster than others. Talent decides the ceiling of power you can use. Experience decides how close you can get to it without blowing yourself up."

"Wait, so like… I could have a mana limit? What if mine sucks?"

Vincent side-eyed him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Then you train until it doesn't. Or you die trying. Simple as that."

Nova nodded slowly, raising his right hand to eye level. He stared at his palm, eyes narrowing with sudden clarity.

His body shook, like an engine pumped with fuel. A sudden aura started to rise from within him, "I understand it now… I can feel the power!"

He closed his eyes and whispered under his breath, "Life Essence… Greater Full Potential… False Data Life… Magic Boos…"

"Stop that. Nothing's happening…" Vincent said breaking Nova's delusions and gave him a sideway glance. The corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. "Using mana doesn't need chanting or glowing glyphs," he said dryly. "And it definitely doesn't come from a genocidal undead skeleton."

"Wha… I… I didn't say anything!" he blurted out, clearly flustered. Then, with a squint, he added, "Wait, how did you even get that? You're old."

Vincent barely reacted, his gaze still forward as he continued evenly, "The simplest way to use mana is to invoke it into the body, strengthening bones, muscles, and reflexes. It's called mana reinforcement. And I know that because I aged well. You might as well learn more if you plan on living long enough to do the same."

"Great. Love the motivational speeches." Nova muttered under his breath, his thoughts spinning. The revelation that mana had always existed on Earth, it was overwhelming. A truth hidden in plain sight, now crashing down on him all at once.

Another loud bang sounded through the hall, Ronan had just caught Giga's charge. The sound of stone cracking and the sound of bodies colliding rang out.

Nova winced. "Okay, that looked like it hurt. That's… that guy is human right?"

"There are so many ways you can use mana," Vincent said, calm as ever. "Body reinforcement is just the basic applications. If you can invoke mana, you can do that too."

Nova looked down at his own hands. Then back at the fight.

"So, like, I could punch through a wall?"

"If you knew how to use it well, and didn't break your arm doing it?" Vincent shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well, that's comforting."

CRASH!

Another crash. Nova watched Ronan now pivot with practiced precision, redirecting Giga and delivering a brutal blow that knocked the brute aside like a ragdoll.

"…Shit. And Ronan's not even using a weapon."

"Doesn't need one," Vincent said. "He's fought longer than most of the people here. He got stronger through the years, but this will be his limit."

"…Is he an Invoker too?"

A pause.

"He is at the edge."

Nova glanced at Vincent. "What's that mean?"

Vincent didn't answer immediately. His gaze was pinned to Ronan's shifting movement, like he could see beyond the surface. He had been ready to intervene whenever Ronan moves to kill.

"Get strong enough to matter then maybe I'll talk."

"Tsk... you're worse than a fortune cookie." His gaze flicked back to the fight, then down at his own fingers. "So… what about my thing? Y'know, the reading thing. Does that use mana?"

"From what you've told me, your ability seems inherent. It doesn't draw on mana, otherwise I'd be able to sense it when you use it on me." Vincent tilted his head slightly. His eyes narrowed just a touch. "But I can feel the intent behind it. So be careful when you use it."

Nova frowned. "Intent?"

"Your ability doesn't push, but it nudges something within," Vincent said, his eyes still fixed on the battle. "Like brushing your fingers along the spine of a closed book. Ordinary people don't notice, but those who've trained with mana can feel it. Even if they don't know what it is."