Chapter 30: Lumer(5)

“Well then… shall we start by explaining what mana is?”

With Yoo Soha and Eclipse seated before her, Lumern began her explanation in a clear, resonant voice.

“Mana is a force that allows humans to bend the laws of reality. That principle holds true in my world and here as well.”

Yoo Soha nodded. It was something she’d heard when she first awakened her mana.

“And mana has the property of transforming into countless forms. That’s why awakeners possess mana traits that align with their talents.”

Eclipse listened silently to Lumern’s words. Yoo Soha did the same.

“Then a question arises. How do people identify the mana traits that suit their talents?”

Lumern tapped the ground lightly.

“There’s been extensive research. When mana, this new power, seeped into Earth’s atmosphere through the gates, countless scientists and researchers began analyzing it.”

“Grandma, you came from another world… Was there active research on mana in your world too?”

“No. In my world, mana was considered something you awakened through training and instinct. And we called it by a different name.”

Lumern shook her head and continued.

“We called it Qi.”

“And as time passed and research on this power—called Qi or mana—progressed, and that knowledge spread, I was astonished.”

“Why?”

“Because the conclusions from my world were strikingly similar to Earth’s research findings.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, dear. As you know, when awakeners first awaken their mana, they instinctively describe how it feels, don’t they?”

“That’s right. I did too.”

“Exactly. That feeling is instinct. Awakeners naturally know what their mana is like.”

As Yoo Soha and Lumern conversed, Eclipse, with a puzzled expression, asked them a question.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“When I faced Yoo Hyuk just now, his mana didn’t seem to have any attributes… Why is that?”

“That’s because my husband awakened his mana when the gates first appeared on Earth.”

“…What difference does that make?”

“There’s a difference.”

“Could you explain what it is?”

“Do you remember when I said earlier that mana seeped into Earth’s atmosphere through the gates?”

“I do.”

“It’s related to that. When mana first spread across Earth through the gates, it was in an unstable state, trying to adapt to Earth’s framework.”

“Unstable…?”

“Yes. Imagine mana suddenly entering your body. Would you be able to wield it easily?”

“…Probably not. Mastering a new power requires effort.”

“It’s the same thing. Earth, as a massive living entity, wasn’t suited to accepting mana. So, the mana of early awakeners was unstable and rarely had distinct traits. My husband’s mana is like that.”

“So that’s why it had no attributes. Because mana hadn’t yet adapted to Earth’s environment.”

“Exactly. By the way, it seems the information given to guardians when they come to this world is limited. I suppose that’s natural—I didn’t know the concept of mana when I arrived either. Anyway, to get back to the point, first-generation awakeners—those from when the gates opened—typically don’t have distinct mana traits. Moreover, it was practically a miracle that my husband summoned me.”

“A miracle?”

Lumern nodded.

“A miracle. Usually, guardians are summoned with mana traits similar to their awakeners, but my mana traits were completely different from his.”

“Didn’t you just say first-generation awakeners’ mana doesn’t have distinct traits?”

“Oh, I skipped a detail. When I say ‘usual awakeners,’ I mean those who awakened after mana stabilized on Earth—second-generation awakeners. In my world, I used iron-attribute—no, since I’m in this world, I should use the correct term… metal mana.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, first-generation awakeners had it tough. Their mana was unstable, and they refined it through immense effort to reach their current level.”

“Wait, Grandma. Metal mana?”

Yoo Soha, suddenly realizing her mana wasn’t iron-attribute, interrupted Lumern and Eclipse’s conversation in surprise.

“I was planning to tell you this a bit later, but it’s come up now.”

“…Huh?”

“I told you it was iron-attribute because it’s easier to handle at first. I planned to teach you properly as your skills advanced. You haven’t met my standards yet, so I didn’t tell you… but given the situation, I can’t hold back now.”

Lumern sighed and continued.

“When I was in my world, I thought my mana could only manipulate iron—steel or meteoric iron. But coming to this world, I realized something. Iron is just a subset of metal. So, I experimented and confirmed it. I can shape and control all materials classified as metals with my mana.”

“…Metals, you say.”

“Yes. I can form and control countless elements identified by science with my mana.”

“…”

Yoo Soha was at a loss for words.

Metals. Her mind raced with countless pieces of knowledge.

Lumern, instantly recognizing what Yoo Soha was thinking, nodded.

“Yes. If you have enough mana, you could create a nuclear weapon on the spot.”

“…”

Yoo Soha was so shocked by this revelation that she fell silent for a moment.

“…Nuclear, you say.”

Eclipse knew about nuclear weapons too. It was part of the basic knowledge transferred to him.

Of course, his knowledge was limited to the fact that they were immensely powerful and dangerous.

But Yoo Soha, stunned into silence, couldn’t help but recall what she knew about nuclear weapons.

She knew exactly how powerful they were.

Nuclear weapons were so potent that they could reduce even the creatures of S-rank gates to dust in an instant, unless they had self-regeneration or special immunities.

A power too dangerous to be entrusted to an individual.

As Yoo Soha trembled at the realization that such power might be within her reach, Lumern’s next words deflated her.

“Just kidding. Even with my mana capacity, creating a nuclear weapon is impossible. It’s theoretically possible but practically not.”

“…I figured.”

Yoo Soha looked at Lumern with a hint of disappointment.

In contrast, Lumern’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she looked at Yoo Soha.

“Of course, it’s not entirely impossible. If your mana surpasses mine, you could create a nuclear weapon with it.”

“That’s pretty much impossible.”

“Well, awakeners’ growth is accelerating. Soon, first-generation awakeners will be completely outpaced by the second generation. My husband and I included.”

“Even so, someone surpassing you and Grandpa won’t appear for a long time.”

“That’s something only time will tell. Just like how you summoned Eclipse. But I’m a bit surprised.”

“Huh? About what?”

“With your personality, I thought you’d have at least experimented with how to use your abilities. Since iron is a metal, I figured you’d have tried something.”

“Well, that’s…”

Yoo Soha hesitated. It was true she had immense confidence in herself.

But even she couldn’t muster that confidence in the face of Lumern and Yoo Hyuk.

Since Lumern had called her mana iron-attribute, Yoo Soha had believed and followed that.

The achievements of those two were enough to captivate her.

Lumern looked at the hesitating Yoo Soha and smiled silently.

“Dear, you rely on me too much. That’s not a good attitude. Believing is fine, but blind faith is a no-go. Got it?”

“…I’ll try.”

“Now then… let’s explain how to wield mana and start your training.”

“Wait. There’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“Hm?”

“North Korea… it’s said to possess numerous nuclear weapons. So why was it destroyed by gates?”

“Dear, didn’t I explain that?”

“…Oh, I forgot.”

“We can’t drag this out, so I’ll keep it brief.”

“Alright.”

“They poured nuclear weapons into it, but the gates kept opening. That’s why North Korea is called the Demon Realm.”

“…I see. Understood.”

As Eclipse nodded, Lumern realized the moment she’d been waiting for had come. With a smile, she spoke.

“Then, let’s begin mana training in earnest.”