CHAPTER 88: MANA AND AURA

"So these are holy fishes?" Azel asked, his eyes narrowing as he reached toward the water where a massive fish swam past.

It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Its scales glimmered like molten gold, each movement refracting light in dazzling arcs across the surface of the sea.

Nyala stood nearby, cradling one in her delicate hands as though it were nothing more than a harmless pet.

The fish wriggled, glowing softly, before she released it back into the waters.

"Yes," Nyala confirmed, her voice carrying a kind of gentle reverence as the golden creature disappeared into the depths.

"Everything in this Plane contains holiness. The air, the land, the water — every living being. Even this fish is imbued with it. That means the mana you’re absorbing here... can only manifest as holy magic."

Azel tilted his head, the ripples brushing against his shoulders as he treaded water.

His brows furrowed, considering her words.

"So you’re telling me I can’t use anything else? Just holy magic?"

"Not exactly." Nyala smiled faintly, raising a finger as though to lecture him. "If you want to use another kind of magic, you’ll need to create a separate core within yourself, then fill it to the brim with that element until it stabilizes."

Azel exhaled sharply, water bubbling at the corner of his lips. "Hah... I was hoping I wouldn’t need to make more than one."

He rubbed his temple. "Guess I’ll just have to take it like that. If I’m going to the winter region next, maybe I’ll just make a frost core there."

Nyala tilted her head curiously. "So quick to plan ahead. You’ve already decided?"

He smirked. "I’m not about to meet another goddess in every region, am I? That’d be too insane."

The goddess giggled, her laugh like silver bells in the vast emptiness of the holy beach.

’I really hope he doesn’t meet Ice, that whore will stop at nothing to ruin my happiness.’

"Well, that doesn’t matter for now." Azel leaned back, floating lightly over the crystalline waters. "Let’s test something..."

Without warning, he let aura flow into his palm.

The energy surged like a storm, compressing within his hand until his skin tingled.

With a sudden strike, he slammed his palm against the surface of the sea.

The effect was instantaneous.

The water erupted in a violent spiral, exploding outward with a roar.

The force was so strong that Azel was thrown back, spinning helplessly before crashing deeper into the waves.

His chest burned from the sudden pressure as he resurfaced, coughing.

He stared at his hand in shock. "What the hell... when did my aura become this chaotic?"

He could feel that divinity bled into his aura.

That was the cause of the explosive backlash.

"Hey! Nyala! Are you okay?!" he shouted, scanning the area in panic.

"Behind you."

Her voice brushed against his ear like a whisper, and Azel nearly leapt out of the sea entirely when he turned to see her floating lazily on her back, completely unharmed.

She sighed.

"You need to be more careful, idiot," she chided, swimming closer.

Her hand reached out, taking hold of his.

Her touch was warm despite the water surrounding them.

"You’re subconsciously weaving holy magic into your aura," she explained patiently. "Aura is meant to be stable, grounded in your body. But with divine energy slipping into it... you risk burning yourself out, or worse."

She guided his hand up, tracing along the veins beneath his skin.

"Aura exists in both body and soul. It is your life energy, drawn from within. You channel it into your fists, into your weapons — strengthening them, hardening them. But to project it outward, you rely on something called Aura Veins."

"Aura veins?" Azel repeated, his brow raised. He hadn’t heard of this before.

"Yes." Nyala nodded.

Her tone had shifted, slipping into something more serious, almost scholarly. "Aura veins are pathways — unique to each person that allow energy to leave your body without destroying you in the process. Without them, you risk tearing yourself apart every time you try to project power."

Azel hummed in thought, mulling over her words.

Nyala’s hands shifted again, this time resting higher on his arm.

He could feel a gentle vibration, like threads weaving beneath his skin.

"Now, if aura is an extension of the body, then mana..." She pressed a little harder, her golden eyes locking onto his. "...is the extension of the mind. Magic is thought made reality. You conjure fire, ice, storms — not through muscle, but through imagination and control."

Her voice softened, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. "Some rely on chants. Others on symbols. But there are no absolute rules. Magic is creativity. How you shape it depends entirely on how far your mind can reach. The Mana vein controls the magic in the body, since you have both, Make sure to differentiate from both veins."

She pulled away, water droplets clinging to her skin as though reluctant to leave.

Then, with a playful smirk, she suddenly darted backwards.

"Now then," she teased, her voice echoing like laughter beneath the waves, "let’s see if you can catch me."

Before Azel could react, the sea exploded around her form as Nyala propelled herself forward with shocking speed.

She swam like she was born of the waters, her body slicing through currents with the grace of the golden fishes themselves.

"Tch... she’s fast." Azel grit his teeth. He closed his eyes, gathering aura around his body.

This time he was careful, purging the holy traces before they could destabilize him.

His form sharpened, his movements streamlined as he kicked off, chasing after her trail.

The water parted before him, bubbles swirling past his ears.

He pushed harder, faster — his lungs burning, his vision tunneling onto the silver gleam of her hair ahead.

’He learns fast,’ Nyala thought, glancing back. Her eyes widened faintly.

He was already closing the distance. ’Very fast.’

She grinned mischievously, kicking harder. But it wasn’t enough.

Azel’s hand finally latched onto her sleeve, dragging her with him as they both broke the surface.

They erupted together, spraying water into the air before collapsing onto the waves.

"Phew..." Azel gasped, still clutching her arm. "Finally caught you."

Nyala puffed her cheeks indignantly. "It’s only because I slowed down!"

"Sure you did." He smirked.

Her gaze drifted then, toward the golden shoreline in the distance.

The sands shimmered faintly, reflecting sunlight like powdered jewels. She blinked, then turned to him.

"You want to go back?" Azel asked, following her gaze.

"Yes... to the shore," she admitted, nodding faintly.

"Good," Azel said with a grin. "After that, let’s make sand castles."

"Sand castles?" Nyala tilted her head, genuine confusion in her eyes.

Azel face-palmed, groaning. "Not only are you mischievous, you’re hopelessly unknowledgeable too."

Her pout deepened. "Then you’ll have to show me. If it’s something humans build, I want to try it too."