Thirteenth Prince's Odyssey

As the evening drew near, Liam decided to step out of his chambers, his footsteps echoing through the grand hallways of the royal palace. The towering walls, carved from polished stone, were adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom's history. Lamps floated gently in the air, casting a golden glow that illuminated every corner. The guards, clad in armor engraved with the royal insignia, stood at their posts like statues, their eyes sharp and alert.

The palace was a masterpiece of both artistry and practicality, blending elegance with the unmistakable presence of power. Outside, the royal garden stretched before him, a vibrant array of flora cultivated with care over generations. Exotic flowers, their petals glowing faintly with bioluminescent mana, dotted the paths. Trees bearing fruits enchanted to ripen in every season swayed gently in the breeze.

Trailing behind Liam were Trisha, Mara, and Edwin. Liam's expression, though calm, betrayed a hint of annoyance. He paused at the entrance to the garden, turning to the small entourage.

"Enough," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "I don't need all three of you shadowing me."

Edwin nodded knowingly and gestured for the maids to leave. Trisha and Mara bowed respectfully before retreating back into the palace. Liam continued down the garden path, the butler maintaining a discreet distance by his side.

The garden was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the hum of fountains. As they walked, Liam broke the silence.

"Edwin," he began, his voice thoughtful, "tell me something about mana."

Edwin raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like Liam to show an interest in such topics, but he replied dutifully. "Of course, Master Liam. What would you like to know?"

"Is there… any way to access mana directly? Not by drawing it from the world or cultivating it over time, but as if from a source? Something immediate, a wellspring of energy, perhaps."

The butler paused, clearly taken aback. "A source of mana, Master Liam?" he echoed, the words rolling off his tongue with uncertainty. "That's… unusual."

"Unusual," Liam repeated, watching the ripples of a nearby pond as he walked. "Not impossible, then?"

Edwin hesitated. "Mana doesn't exist as a tangible reservoir. It's never been found in non-living objects, at least not in its pure form. The impure forms—artifacts, amulets, and enchanted equipment—typically rely on Arcanite. However, Arcanite is inefficient; nearly one-third of the energy stored within it is unstable and radiates away in unknown forms. This makes it a temporary conduit rather than a true source of mana."

He continued, "Only those born with a Mana Flame can harness mana's full potential. But even for them, it is not easy. Overcoming challenges and cultivating their Mana Heart's capacity is essential. Only then can they store and wield greater amounts of pure mana. As for pure mana drawn from an external source? To my knowledge, such a thing has never been documented."

Liam nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "I see."

The pair continued in silence for a while.

After their stroll, Liam returned to his chambers. The maids, Trisha and Mara, served him dinner under Edwin's watchful supervision. The meal was simple yet hearty, as was typical of the castle's evening fare. Liam ate in contemplative silence, his mind still swirling with thoughts from their earlier conversation.

When he finished, he leaned back in his chair and glanced at the three. "Goodnight," he said curtly, his tone softer than usual.

The butler nodded and gestured for the maids to leave. "Goodnight, Master Liam," Edwin said before closing the door behind him.

Once alone, Liam planked the door, his excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. For the first time in years, he felt the faint flicker of emotion—a curiosity so intense it bordered on exhilaration. He locked the door, his hands steady despite his eagerness, and secured the latches on the windows before drawing the curtains with a flick of Telekinesis. The room plunged into silence, broken only by the faint hum of the mana lamp on his desk.

Liam approached the lamp, his heart pounding. Carefully, he disassembled the device, exposing the Arcanite crystal embedded within its core. The dull, red glow of the crystal was mesmerizing, and he held it in his palm with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

He closed his eyes and focused, trying to replicate the sensation he had felt when absorbing mana from the royal necklace. He willed the energy within the Arcanite to flow into him, hoping it would trigger the visions that had begun to haunt him.

But nothing happened.

The crystal remained inert in his hand, its faint glow unchanging. In his mounting frustration, he tried again, pouring every ounce of focus he could muster into the attempt, but the result was the same. The Arcanite was unresponsive, its energy just out of reach.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Liam set the crystal down. He stared at it for a long moment, the disappointment settling over him like a weight. His earlier excitement dimmed, replaced by a quiet resignation. Perhaps he had been foolish to think it would work so easily.

Exhausted and drained, he climbed into bed, his mind still racing with unanswered questions. The soft warmth of his blankets offered little comfort as his thoughts circled back to the visions and the strange nature of his Mana Flame.

Despite his frustration, Liam found himself drifting to sleep earlier than usual. For the first time in years, he felt as though he was on the verge of something monumental—though what it was, he couldn't yet fathom.

The next morning, Liam woke abruptly, clutching his head as a searing headache ripped through him. It felt as though his skull was splitting apart, but along with the pain came something else—another vision.

In his mind's, he saw through the perspective of someone unfamiliar. A name echoed clearly: Graham. The voice calling to him was calm yet commanding. The person whose eyes Liam now borrowed was young, perhaps in his early twenties. They stood in a dimly lit chamber filled with strange tools and glowing objects.

Arcanite littered the tables before them, shimmering faintly under the glow of enchanted lamps. The young man spoke, inquiring of Graham. "What are you planning to do with all of this?"

Graham, a wiry man with sharp eyes and steady hands, replied without looking up from his work. "Nothing useful with the red ones," he said, gesturing dismissively to a pile of dull, crimson stones. "They've lost most of their potency. Good for basic luminescence at best. A waste for anything ambitious."

He picked up a brilliant blue stone from another pile, its glow far stronger and more stable. "But these—these are a different story entirely. The blue ones still retain fragments of their original purity. They're rare, yes, but perfect for advanced research. Their mana density is remarkable, even if they're remnants of a bygone age."

The person observing Graham hesitated. "You mean… these are fossilized mana hearts?"

Graham nodded solemnly. "Precisely. Once part of the ancient living—beasts, beings of immense power—now reduced to remnants of their former glory. After death, they lose their stability, but even in this state, they're priceless. Their secrets might just hold the key to… everything."

The vision blurred and faded as quickly as it came, leaving Liam breathless.

He sat up slowly, his mind spinning. Three unsettling thoughts clawed at him, each more puzzling than the last.

First, how were his visions so specific, almost subjective? He'd only just learned about Arcanite yesterday, yet this vision went deeper, revealing details he'd never known or read about.

Second, why had this vision come at all? He'd failed last night in his attempts to incite a reaction with the Arcanite he'd taken from the mana lamp. He'd gone to bed frustrated, assuming nothing had worked. Was this vision a delayed reaction, or had it been triggered by something else entirely?

And finally, why were his visions so inconsistent? Sometimes they showed fragments of his own childhood, filled with clarity and warmth. Other times, they imparted knowledge—forgotten truths and ancient lore, like a whisper of a world lost to time. And now, he'd experienced something new: a memory not his own, witnessing the interaction of strangers in an unknown place.

The questions lingered as he sat there, clutching his throbbing head, a sense of unease settling over him. Whatever was happening to him, it was becoming harder to dismiss. The answers, he felt, lay just out of reach, hidden somewhere in the haze of these visions.

Liam stirred from his bed, his mind still grappling with the remnants of his vision. The headache had subsided, leaving only a dull throb behind. He stretched, rubbing his temples, and decided to get up. For the first time in a while, he felt oddly compelled to face the day ahead.

When he opened the door, Edwin, his ever-dutiful butler, was standing there, holding a tray of morning tea. The man's usually composed expression gave way to a look of genuine surprise.

"Master Liam, you're awake this early?" Edwin exclaimed, quickly catching himself before his tone grew too accusatory. "It's a miracle!"

Liam smirked as he leaned against the doorframe. "Don't act so shocked, Edwin. I can be responsible once in a while."

Edwin raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Master Liam. And speaking of responsibility…" He glanced at the heavy plank in Liam's arm. "Please, for the love of all that is civilized, get rid of that monstrosity. I've already put in a request with the administration for a proper barrier-locking mechanism for your chamber. One based on Mana Signature. Something befitting your station."

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. I suppose it's time I stopped living like a hermit. But I have to admit, Edwin, that plank's been doing a fine job of keeping people out."

"Keeping people out? Or keeping you in, Master Liam?" Edwin retorted, a rare twinkle of humor in his eye.

Liam laughed, genuinely amused. "Touché, Edwin. Touché. I'll let the plank go when your fancy mechanism arrives."

"Good," Edwin said with a small bow, though his tone carried a note of triumph. "Now, shall I prepare your breakfast, or are you planning to shock the staff further by joining the family in the dining hall?"

Liam waved him off with a grin. "I'll take breakfast here. Let's not give anyone a heart attack this early."

As Edwin disappeared to arrange the meal, Liam leaned against the open window, the fresh morning air brushing his face.

A short while later, Edwin returned, pushing a silver tray laden with Liam's breakfast. The meal was simple yet elegant, consisting of buttered rolls, fresh fruit, and a warm bowl of soup. As Edwin placed the tray on the table by the window, Liam gestured for him to stay.

"Join me for a bit," Liam said casually, picking up a spoon. "It's been a while since we've had a proper conversation."

Edwin raised an eyebrow but remained standing nearby, his hands clasped behind his back. "As you wish, Master Liam. Is there something on your mind?"

Liam stirred the soup lazily, his gaze drifting out of the window. "The weather feels… different today. More energetic. Don't you think?"

The question was vague, but Liam's tone carried a faint note of curiosity, one that Edwin, with his years of experience, didn't miss. He tilted his head thoughtfully before replying, "The weather? It seems the same as usual to me. But perhaps it feels livelier because the air is carrying more mana than normal."

The spoon in Liam's hand slipped slightly, clinking against the edge of the bowl. He quickly recovered, forcing a casual laugh to mask his reaction. "More mana in the air? That's an interesting observation. What makes you say that?"

Edwin considered the question, his expression calm. "Well, it's not unusual, Master Liam. Today, His Majesty trained the royal guards in the palace courtyard. When Ascendants, especially those in the inner higher realms, train together, their mana usage creates a sort of deficit in the surrounding area. The natural flow of mana compensates for it, making the concentration higher for a time. Perhaps that's what you're sensing."

Liam nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "I see. I suppose it makes sense. So, this happens whenever there's significant training in the palace?"

"Precisely," Edwin replied. "Though it's more noticeable when His Majesty himself trains. His presence alone has a profound effect on the surrounding mana."

Liam resumed eating, his thoughts racing. So the increased mana concentration wasn't random—it was caused by the Ascendants' training. But it was too much of a coincidence to ignore that his strange dream coincided with this spike.

"Interesting," Liam murmured, his tone distant.

Edwin, ever perceptive, watched him for a moment before clearing his throat. "Is there something else on your mind, Master Liam?"

"No," Liam replied, shaking his head as if to dispel his thoughts. "Nothing in particular. Just a passing curiosity."

The butler bowed slightly. "Very well. If you require anything else, I'll be just outside."

Liam nodded and returned to his meal.

He leaned back in his chair, his breakfast finished but his thoughts far from settled. His resolve was clear now—he needed mana, and he needed it in abundance. His strange visions, the ever-present flame within his chest, and the revelations about mana sources only strengthened his determination. The training ground seemed like the perfect opportunity, but he knew he had to prepare himself beforehand. He needed to guide his visions toward something meaningful.

Deciding on his next step, Liam called for Edwin, who appeared promptly, his demeanor calm and composed as always.

"Edwin," Liam began, leaning forward slightly, "tell me about my siblings. What realms are they in now? Are they training as well?"

The butler's expression softened at the mention of the royal siblings. "Your elder brother, Prince Adrian, has reached the Specialist realm in swordsmanship. Quite an accomplishment for his age. As for Lady Cassandra, I heard she's broken through the higher realm of Expert and is quickly rising towards the Specialist realm in healing magic. Both of them are diligent in their training and spend most of their days improving their skills."

Liam smiled faintly, nodding along. "I see. It seems they're both progressing well. It must be inspiring to watch them excel."

"It is indeed," Edwin replied. "Their dedication serves as an example for the kingdom."

Liam hesitated briefly, then added with a self-deprecating chuckle, "Perhaps I should start putting in some effort too. I've been slacking for far too long."

Edwin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "That would certainly be a change of pace, Master Liam. Where would you like to begin?"

Feigning casual curiosity, Liam said, "Well, where should I start if I want to be like them? The training ground?"

Edwin's brow furrowed slightly, his tone cautious. "The training ground is for those who've at least broken into the Apprentice realm. Without reaching that stage, it would be… unproductive."

Liam leaned back, feigning defeat. "That's what I thought. So, where does that leave me? If I can't even set foot in the training ground, what's the next best step?"

The butler studied him for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "The royal library, Master Liam. Knowledge is the foundation of any great journey. Perhaps you might find something there to spark your interest."

Liam's eyes lit up subtly, and he nodded. "The library… that's a good idea. Maybe I should do that."