All six children looked at the mage.
"Okay, now I'll create a circle of magic and call you one by one... Tang Hao..."
"A circle of mana? In my past life, we used internal qi. I want to see what kind of magic this is," Tang Hao thought.
The mage, meanwhile, began to create a circle of mana.
Energy clots began to emanate from it, forming circles, a white one, two yellow ones, and one purple circle. A beast in the shape of a wolf appeared behind it.
The children who were watching this were shocked. Everyone exclaimed.
Tang Hao, watching what was happening, was surprised:
"So this is what kind of magic this is... Now I understand. Mages use internal mana. But if you use it like that, it will be unstable. So, it is stored somewhere?"
The mage began to explain:
"So, I will tell you how humans use magic. Humans can create mana and store it in three vessels - in the head, in the heart, and in the cavity near the abdomen. In one of these places, you can create a mana core and use the magic itself."
"Hmm... So this is where it is stored... I was right after all," Tang Hao thought.
The mage pointed at one of the boys and said:
"You. Stand in the circle."
"Okay," the boy replied and entered the circle.
"Now I will use mana so that you can sense it and create a core in one of the indicated places. Then direct the mana to your hand to awaken the spirit. Got it?"
"Yes!"
The mana circle began to glow, enveloping the boy. He rose into the air, concentrating, he began to create a core in his heart. Having succeeded in this, he directed the mana to his hand. A weapon appeared there.
— Hmm… a hoe… a useless spirit, — the magician sighed. — But still, at least it's something.
Taking out a magic ball, he said:
— Pour mana into it.
The boy poured energy into the ball. It remained dim.
— Haa… even though you managed to create a core, your mana is too weak. You won't be able to use it… Okay, next.
The boy with a sad face went down and left. The other four children didn't show anything special either.
---
Now it was Tang Hao's turn.
He walked up to the circle, closed his eyes, and the mana lifted him up. He found himself in his subconscious. Under his feet was smooth water. Above his head was a starry night sky.
— This… is my subconscious? But why am I here?
Energy began to enter his body.
— What is this?.. Could it be… mana? She guides me...
Sitting in a meditative pose, Tang Hao began to accumulate mana.
— Teacher said that a core can only be created in one of three places... What if I fill all three?
He sent mana to his head, heart, and stomach at once. Sweat poured down his face, and his body shook with pain.
Thirty minutes passed... in the subconscious. But in reality, only five.
The mage, watching him, was shocked.
— Could it be... he's filling three cores at once? Unbelievable! What kind of monster is this?
Having finished, Tang Hao opened his eyes.
— I didn't even feel how much time passed... Teacher, how much time has passed?
The mage came to his senses:
— Five minutes.
— I see... time flows more slowly in the subconscious...
— You were able to fill all three cores?
- Ah, right... It just happened somehow, - Tang Hao chuckled, scratching his head.
- Okay, now send mana to your hand.
Sending mana to his right hand, Tang Hao saw a beautiful blue vine form there.
- A flower... of lazy?.. - the mage narrowed his eyes. - Such a talented child, ahh okay. You're lucky the flower was blue and not yellow. Useless spirit.
Tang Hao felt another spirit in his right hand, but hid it.
The mana lowered him to the ground.
- Okay, now everyone has spirits. The awakening ceremony is over, - the mage said.
- But teacher, you haven't checked my mana!
- What's there to check? Your spirit is almost useless. Yes, you awakened three cores, but what's the point if you have little mana?
"Please give me a chance," Tang Hao said, looking straight into the mage's eyes.
"Okay. Inject mana into the orb."
Tang Hao sent mana into the orb. It began to glow, dimly at first.
"Hmm… second level mana. Not bad."
But the light grew stronger… brighter and brighter.
Everyone closed their eyes.
"No way…" the mage whispered. "Tenth level… Disciple level… This is a monster!"
The light faded. Tang Hao opened his eyes.
"Master, what level am I?"
"Tenth… boy, you're incredible. You've reached the disciple level."
Tang Hao thought to himself:
"Tenth level… I see."
"Okay, kids, it's time for you to go. I'll be heading to the academy too."
The doors opened.
---
At the same time, the elder was rushing back and forth, unable to find a place for himself. Seeing the gate open, he approached the magician:
- Well, what? Do any of the children have mana?
- They all have useless spirits, and almost no mana.
But... one boy is a genius. He activated three cores and reached the tenth level... True, his spirit is a blue laza flower.
The elder was shocked, but after hearing the last words, he was disappointed:
- Ah... I see...
- Okay, I have to go, - said the magician.
Approaching Tang Hao, he took him with him and went home.
The elder laughed:
- Ha-ha, my boy! You are incredible! Three cores and the tenth level... A real genius!
- Thank you, elder.
While talking, they approached the house.