Delphi Outpost was quiet under the faint moonlight filtering through the ventilation shafts of the Spark Faction's secret base. Several days had passed since the fierce battle with Eagle. Most of the Ashwind team members had begun to recover from their severe injuries. The atmosphere had started to relax somewhat, but concern about the threat from the Nebula Empire and the fate of their village still cast a shadow over everyone's hearts.
Inside the private room provided by the Spark Faction, Leonardo da Vinci, whose fever had just subsided to near normal, leaned against a pillow on his bed. The faint light from an oil lamp on the bedside table flickered. On his lap lay the "notebook bound in pitch-black leather" that he had snatched from the secret chamber in the Athenaeum of Embers. The faint silver symbol on the cover seemed to glow softly in the darkness.
A short while ago, he had opened it for the first time, and the image on the first page had made the genius's heart race – an incredibly detailed sketch of the internal energy structure of the human body, accompanied by glowing golden runes that identified the topic as "The Genesis of Awakening: The Mechanics of 'Mana' and the Legacy of the Progenitor Artificers."
His thirst for knowledge momentarily made him forget his physical exhaustion. His slightly trembling fingers carefully turned the ancient pages. The golden brush lying beside him, now dull and almost pitch black, suddenly vibrated faintly, as if sensing the mysterious energy emanating from the notebook.
"Mana..." Da Vinci murmured to himself as his eyes traced the characters describing the fundamental energy, like the breath of the world, residing in all things. "And Awakening... is to perceive and control that stream of energy... combining it with the power of will and understanding..."
The content of the notebook gradually unraveled the secrets he had wondered about. It didn't directly speak of "the power of mind and life" as he had entirely hypothesized, but rather explained that the "True Power" of The Awakened stemmed from merging "Mind Force" – which included determination, willpower, creativity, concentration, and most importantly, "understanding" of what one wished to manifest – with "Life Force," which was "Mana" circulating within oneself and the surroundings. The sketch of the human body's energy structure he saw on the first page depicted seven "chakras," or energy convergence points, which served as centers for receiving, attracting, and transforming Mana. Mental and physical training could strengthen these chakras.
The notebook also categorized the "main paths" of power manifestation, which helped Da Vinci see the bigger picture of the powers he and his comrades had encountered.
One page was dedicated to those the notebook called "The Wisdom Weavers," or what the old traveler had referred to as "Creators." The notebook described those who could use "Mind Force" and "a thorough understanding of the principles of all things" to "transform" Mana into matter or energy. "Knowledge is the guiding light... imagination is the soaring wing... and understanding is the foundation of creation." One sentence seemed to carve itself deep into Da Vinci's soul. He was now certain this was his power, and his brush responding to "understanding" was no coincidence. The notebook also mentioned the "Legacy of the Progenitor Artificers," stating they were a group in ancient times who possessed a profound understanding of the "Laws of Creation" and had left "traces" and "knowledge" in various places around the world, waiting for worthy individuals to discover and inherit their will, which might be connected to the "Great Celestial Project" whose carvings he had seen in the secret chamber.
Next was a chapter on "The Elemental Covenanters." The notebook explained those who had a special "bond" with Mana energy manifesting as various elements. They could "attract," "control," or "form a pact" with elemental energy and transform their own Life Force (Mana) to possess the properties of that element. "Invisible bonds connect them to the pure power of nature... waiting only to be awakened." Da Vinci thought of Kiana's flames, Bacchus's Earthen Hammer, Ryu's Gale Sword Dance, and Kairo's arboreal power. The notebook also mentioned the "repercussions" that could arise from using intense elemental power or connecting with unstable elements, which could affect the user's body or mind in the long run. There were illustrations of various elemental symbols and brief explanations of their properties and basic relationships.
And finally, there was a chapter on "The Unique Manifestors," which described those whose "power of mind and life" (or "Mind Force combined with Mana" as the notebook specified) manifested in "unique, individual forms." These powers were often "awakened" by "intense mental states," such as near-death experiences, great loss, or strong desires, or could stem from "innate talent" or "special genetics" passed down through generations, and often clearly reflected the user's "identity," "experiences," or "deepest desires." Taurus's physical strength, Eagle's Divine Judgment Arrows, Fenril's demonic power, and Raven's gun skills were all clear examples. The notebook also cited "case studies" of some past Unique Manifestors with bizarre powers, such as those who could communicate with animals, vaguely see the future, or even control their own fate to some extent, greatly astonishing and intriguing Da Vinci.
Da Vinci felt as if his once-blind eyes could now see light. All the pieces of the puzzle he had wondered about regarding power in this world began to fit together. The notebook also mentioned the "dangers" of using power beyond one's limits, such as permanent loss of life force or being consumed by that power and losing oneself, and the "great responsibility" that came with power. It also provided basic guidance on "training" to control and develop these powers, such as meditation to strengthen Mind Force, physical training to increase Life Force (Mana), or understanding oneself and overcoming mental limitations.
He closed his eyes, thinking of the principles he had just read about "Mana circulation" and "connecting Mind Force with Life Force." He slowly lifted the once-dull golden brush, trying to gather his concentration, unwavering "will," and "understanding" of the structure of "light" he wished to "create."
He slowly swished the tip of the brush in the air...
In that instant! A faint golden light, but brighter and more stable than it had been recently, suddenly flashed from the brush's tip! Forming a small "golden orb of fire" that floated steadily in mid-air, emitting a soft, warm light filled with pure energy!
Da Vinci opened his eyes, looking at his small creation with a swelling heart! "I... I did it!" He clearly felt less energy being drawn from his body than before, compared to the result. The knowledge from this notebook... was the "key" that would help him truly restore and control his power!
A smile appeared on the face of the Florentine genius. He knew his journey was still long, and this notebook held many more secrets waiting to be discovered. But now... he held the most powerful "weapon" in his hand... "knowledge" and "understanding." He flipped through the last few pages of the first chapter he had skimmed, finding an even more interesting passage: "Power Fusion... Borrowing Power from Comrades... and Creating a 'Bond of Power'..." It was just an introductory heading, but it made his heart race with anticipation of new possibilities.
The first light of dawn began to stream through the small window of his room. Da Vinci looked at the golden orb of fire still floating steadily in mid-air before extinguishing it with a gentle wave of his hand. He felt a slight increase in his body's energy and an even stronger determination. He had to share the knowledge gained from this notebook with his comrades so they could understand and develop their own powers and prepare for the increasingly severe threats from the Nebula Empire in the future. He decided to start with Kiana and Ryu, as they both seemed more receptive to supernatural matters, and Kiana's own power seemed to have "something" this notebook might provide answers for.
A new adventure... the real battle... had only just begun... along with the golden runes beneath the ashes being revealed, and the spark of hope shining brightly in the darkness once more...
[End of Chapter 37]