Next morning gentle rays of sunlight fell on Austin’s bare upper torso who was meditating in lotus position. Austin was happily meditating feeling the smooth flow of mana traveling across his body. He had achieved good results in his circulation and core absorption. Cause his body was now used to mana and pain of absorbing raw mana he could endure it. His main mana path ways spread across his body like roots were also getting stronger growing more sturdy helping him to control mana more precisely and in big quantity compared to before. He was now able to do 2 circulations for absorbing raw mana. Austin was doing his daily routine when Mark suddenly asked him about what he said yesterday about rasengan. Austin explained the whole mechanism of rasengan explaining how it worked and how it should work. Surprisingly Mark was not very criticizing.

“Hmm you might be able to pull it of if you have a proper magic circuit diagram, chant or if you combine it with elements. But the way you use it will be a problem why would you hold that in your hand and present your neck to your enemy when you can turn them to ashes from 100 metres? Lastly its huge waste of mana so if you can’t convert it into effective spell it’s useless. If you are looking to learn some kind of attack then I might have something for you in few days.” Form Marks point of view concept was quite good but not practical for mages. Mages were not ninjas after all.

Austin was going to argue about its use that was not the only way to use it he could improvise little. But the words didn’t come out when he heard that he could learn some magic. In excitement words that he didn’t mean to say came out. “Really? Thanks boss I didn’t think a person like you would be so generous. if you were a girl I would have really kissed you already..” Mark was speechless again ‘not again ..did something happened to his head when he fought yesterday?’ this time Mark was not the only one. Austin was also cursing himself it was not his plan it was 100 percent tongue slip caused by excitement this time. Austin laughed dryly unsure what to do now.

“And if you were not my employee and I didn’t decide to teach you to pass my boredom I would have scattered your ashes on some herb garden already no that would be too wasteful maybe I should preserve your organs on jars and your bones can also be used oh and your skin..” Austin felt shivers again looking at Marks eyes shining brightly thinking how to utilize his corps effectively. He apologized and bowed with his head touching the floor for Mark to forgive him.

Austin was back to his experiments with mana. He first tried to shape mana into various shapes and forms of different sizes forming faint blue images. It was like drawing but on a 3d paper and limited ink. it needed a lot of focus to keep mana in the required shape and mana was also decreasing at quick paces as it was leaking and disappearing around him because of Austin’s lack of control . He was not able to maintain images for more than 3seconds. He practiced stacking mana and circulation and focused around his hands more, he thought it may help develop mana path ways in that area quickly because it was the surgical tool that helped him manipulate mana according to his imagination. Nobody knew how true that but who cares a man has to follow what he believes. He even learned telekinesis which was just Random raw application of mana but it consumed mana like bottom less pit so not useful for apprentice mage who started learning magic less that 15 days ago. ‘ Mark used it so easily so I might be Abel to do it easily when my core develops to higher stages.’ Whole day he played with shapes and reread the magic theory books memorizing Inscriptions and symbols. He also went to library to get books about spell formations he was really hyped to learn spells.

Later after closing the shop it was quite dark so he did some evening workout trying to move mana inside him. It was a surprise how he was able to remain this energetic and enthusiastic after reading books all day. ‘Maybe my core also somehow affects my mental state. I feel like I am on steroids.’ The workout was not enough for him he wanted to stretch more so he went out for a walk. Running around city at night with sky full of stars and 3 moons was really nice experience for Austin.

He was feeling quite energetic and his body seem to hold power which was non existent before ‘only thing missing is some music and a company oh and some cigarette no maybe many things are missing.’ He knew if he keeps thinking his thoughts will get more and more sad so he was trying to keep himself busy. He checked the alleys for some quick money and exercise but his luck was not that good today. He kept running and hiding from people and guards to not be suspected as a thief or some criminal. Who would run around the city at night time for training? Except him none. The feeling of running against the wind doing all sorts of acrobat and parkour without stopping made his heart beat like an engine. He just couldn’t stop himself and ran across city perimeters reaching new places he didn’t see before. Some guards saw him but were not able to chase after him.

He was not able to run around whole city but after 30 minutes he was out of breath from jumping and running. He grabbed something to eat along with some alcohol. Climbed a tall building and sat on the peak enjoying his food and drink. It really was intoxicating feeling for him feeling the wind across his face and hair, body full of energy which he didn’t know how to spend. The lights of the city and sky reflected in his eyes he could hear his own heart beats full of excitement and little fear due to height, that fear only fuelled his excitement even more making his heart beat loud and fast and bring a smile in his face. ‘It seems my emotions are bit amplified ... is this because of difference between my soul just what is happening to me? Is that madman’s diseases communicable?.. Tsk anyways it has been Long time since I smoked last time. I am literally high haha. looks like this body can’t Handel alcohol well. weird feeling but not bad at all.’

The height reminded him of his old memories of the countless buildings he climbed to commit suicide and backed off, the beautiful mesmerizing city lights he was never able to appreciate, Nights he slept on even higher heights drunk talking with his parents in those stars and cursing the so called god’s for his misfortune. It was a surprise how he didn’t crumble and give up living. This new world was like his grand reward for suffering so long. Struggle, revenge, hate, money and power he has experienced it all. ‘I am tired of everything so this life I am going to live without any regrets no matter how others see it and what I become be it the mountain of corps or garden of flowers this time there will be no shackle to bind me I am a free bird.’ He fell back with his chest facing the sky.

After few minutes a black cat appeared behind Austin from shadows peaking at his face. Slowly it changed its form growing large in few seconds and opened its mouth wide. But Austin was sound asleep Unaware of his surrounding. The giant cat opened its maw wide and grabbed Austin running of to different direction.