Yue was very happy, thinking. “I have made a lot of progress I think, I have a rough understanding of a few more nodes and more understanding on how to cast spells. I will definitely get it this time.” He thought as he had just gotten to the last node, and then. ‘oh no.’

“Master….” ​​

The room went black, and Yueliang passed out…..

Ding.

—- About 2 hours later —-

‘Ugh, what exactly happened’ Yueliang thought while still groggy and in pain. He found it difficult to move let alone get up.

“Master, you are finally up. I had to heal you again, however just for a thousand experience. Anyways, to answer your question, you kept casting spells over and over, and in your excitement did not realize that you ran out of mana and started using a lost technique by accident. It is dangerous but also a life saver if used right. You also lost a lot of blood before then causing you temporary anemia.”

“Ah, I see. However, could you go back to the lost technique I used, what was that?” Yueliang asked Yang.

“You know, you could check your notifications once in a while. Anyways it is called [Blood Casting] and it {Allows caster to use blood to replace mana in the casting process}. Of course there are many techniques that can replace mana, however they have all been lost to the ages due to well, many different circumstances. Either way, please check your status, you have a lot of points you should use up as well.” Yang replied.

‘Alright, I will’ Yueliang thought.

‘Status’

[Character Sheet

Name: Yueliang Haizi

Title: Dark Horse

Race: Draconic Human

Age: 21

Life Expectancy: 30-> 40 More years

Level: 10 {55,000/204,800 next level}

Health: 200/2,400 (Healing 1 point per minute)

Strength: 75-> 85

Agility: 75-> 85

Endurance: 75

Intelligence: 75

Soul: 75

-misc-

Luck: 75

Charm: 75

Mana: 75-> 85

Chi: 75

Customizable stat points: 135]

[New abilities and skills:

Quick Thinking

Reaction Time

Intimidate

Interrogation

Blood casting]

“Anyways master, running out of mana is something that tends to happen to most all mages. Although in order to counter it they look for ways to supplement it, such as potions, gear, and what not. Either way, I am sure you will be able to pass the ‘mana trials’ later on.” Yang interrupted saying.

“Hold it, I feel a serious red flag here….” Yueliang said.

“It is just your imagination Master.” Yang said in a kind of joking tone.

“No, what are these mana trials you mentioned?” Yueliang asked quite seriously.

“Alright, this is something that every spell caster comes across eventually. As your body starts circulating mana, or in your case is made up of it (well mostly, because of the system protecting you), once you get to a certain point you will be teleported to a labyrinth. This is where you will be tested by the will of the universe. It is also one of the most important times for a mage.

Although I say that you are tested, on rare occasions people die from said tests. However, as long as you practice enough and have enough spells down, you should be fine.” Yang replied.

“You just said it is one of the most important times for a mage, please explain.”

“No problem, once tested, which is mandatory by the way. You will be given one or more blessings. These vary from person to person. Some get equipment, others spirits, talents, or almost anything else. However this is all based on your performance. If you do bad, you get little to nothing, if you do well, you get blessed majorly.

For instance if we were not separated when you where younger, you would have made it there much sooner, which also would have increased your reward by leaps and bounds. Either way, I know he was just worried about you. However due to this, you will be starting later than others which will result in a lower reward.” Yang explained.

Yang then continued. “In more detail, you will be taken to a labyrinth. This is a place where you will make choices, and might have to fight. You will have to prove yourself worth to be a mage. Although one small problem, as it has only ever happened once before. If you are deemed unworthy to be a mage during the trial, mana will be blocked off from you forever. So, please choose well.”

“Are you able to give me more details?” Yueliang asked hopingly.

“Other than that it will happen in a couple of months, no, sorry.” Yang said.

“Thank you very much.” Yueliang said gratefully to Yang.

Yueliang then spent the next two days practicing spells. He completed the help hand spell, and started working on puppet spell in order to try and raise his proficiency and understanding of magic. After the two days were up, he went to work on potions. However first he bought a super basic kit for beginners from the shop for free as a promotion to get him to buy more, and show him some more of what the shop had to offer.

This came with a mortar and pestle, distilling set, and a few other items to help him get started. By the time he set up the room it was half filled, and he thought to himself. ‘I will clearly need a bigger room for this later. Although for now I should have enough to get started. Hmm, a regeneration stimulant potion seems like the best to start with.’

‘I really cannot wait until I am more skilled with magic, or other things. Then instead of these impure concoctions, I can draw the essence, or nutrients as needed to make them completely pure.’ He thought to himself as he started pulling out the ingredients one by one. First was Securigera securidaca, then Ceylon Cassia, and finally an aloe cut.

Yue prepared each ingredient individually. Then mixing, separating, and etcetera according to his downloaded memories. After it looked to be about the right consistency, and color, he added his mana to it. Infusing his mana as both a preservative and enhancer, this potion would increase the speed of healing by 30%. Although it was not much, it was better than nothing. Also, as he got better, he would be able to make better ones that would heal before your very eyes if not instantly.

Then before Yue finished, he pulled the mana in his body out and formed a bottle for the potion. This would serve to keep the efficacy, preserving it much better, and will not break until the liquid leaves it. Then Yue poured the potion into the potion bottle thinking. ‘Sadly this is more like chemistry for now. At least soon it will be more magical, although this is quite exhausting using so much mana at once.’

“Well, at least I have made one, although it took about an hour to make. Well, I guess it is time to speak to Shashou. Hopefully he has been doing well.” Yueliang said aloud to himself while walking out of the potion room, and stuffing the potion into his inventory.

—- A Few Moments Later —-

Knock, Knock

“Coming.” Shashou said quickly, then as the door opened, he asked “Yes?” Before noticing who it was. “Boss” He exclaimed.

“Sorry that it has been a few days. However there has been much to do. I hope you have not had to much trouble.” Yueliang stated apologetically.

“It was no trouble. Some of your employees brought me food and drink, so that was nice. Also the amenities in this room are amazing. Anyways, what have you come for?” Shashou asked curiously.

“First off, wear this at all times. Also, do not be surprised at what you see. Now follow me.” Yueliang said as he started walking out of the room.

Shashou followed obediently while listening as Yueliang continued to speak. “First off, while working for me, I will provide you with many new experiences and strengths that you may not have known of before. However if you betray any of us, you will experience a terrible loss that you will forever regret. Second, everything here is top secret except what we choose to reveal to the public. Now look around and tell me what you see.”

Shashou figured he would die if he betrayed Yueliang, however did not want to anyway. As this was looking like a cushiony and blissful job compared to his last one. After thinking that he quickly looked around and replied. “Humanoid looking orcs, and you are human….. Hhold onn… Orcs??”

Yueliang then replied. “Yes, magic, and such creatures exist. You will learn a lot about such things while working for me. However if you betray us I will make it so you can never touch magic again among other punishments.”

“I would never want to anyway, you do not have to threaten me. However if orcs exist, do elves?” Shashou asked hopingly.

“Hehe, yes. I take it you are interested in them?” Yueliang chuckled then asked.

“Definitely, where could I find one?” Shashou asked.

“I could summon one for you later. Depending on your performance here.” Yueliang replied seriously.

“If you can get me one, I will follow you my entire life.” Shashou said seriously.

“No need for that, just work well, and you will be justly rewarded like anyone else who follows me. Also, I am guessing you want to live a long life right? We can fix that for you as well. Maybe a few centuries or more.” Yueliang said with one main thought in mind. ‘Flash the carrot, hold the rod. Or in other words, let them see both the reward and punishment and choose which they prefer.’

“I was already planning to work for you for a long time, however with benefits like these, no one in the world could drag me from following you.” Shashou said with 100% seriousness, looking forward to working here.

“Well now that you are able to see this, and have made your choice, go and look for which group you want to work in. There are many different fields. Also, you will be paid in credits which can be exchanged for money, not that you will need it while working here. The others will explain in more detail what you can get with these credits. In the mean time, I have to go talk to some people and prepare for my party on the 1st of July.”

“Is that your birthday sir?” Shashou asked both curiously and respectfully.

“Yes, and also a the time that I will be coming out in the underworld.” Yueliang replied.

“Well, I best be off to work sir. May your endeavors be successful sir.” Shashou said before heading off to the others to find work that suited him.

‘So I guess I should see Xue and her father, then start cultivating before the party. I am sure there will be much to do afterward.’ Yueliang thought to himself as he left the property.