’First off, you damn old man, we don’t know if I am actually talented or not. How the hell could I be expected to awaken myself if I never even experience mana or know anything?’ I grumble inwardly at the General calling me untalented. At the same time, I couldn’t help but go into thought of whether or not I wanted to risk exploding. Well, I didn’t have to think long!
"Fuck yeah! Give me that mana!" I said aloud, getting a little too excited as I even forgot to be respectful to the general. In the end, it wasn’t a hard decision for me. After all, I already died once, so that doesn’t bother me, and getting stronger means better fights in my future. Sure, exploding doesn’t sound pleasant, but what a way to go. Can’t call that boring!
It seems my quick, abrupt answer filled with excitement had even surprised the general, as he stood stock still for a moment with his mouth open in shock. It doesn’t last long, as he soon leans back and begins to laugh voraciously. "KAHAHAHA! You truly are something, peasant Arthur Vale. I respect you as a man! Either become a Knight or go boom; let’s see how it goes!"
General Corvo cracks his neck before speaking again. "Sit on the ground, cross-legged." He waits for me to comply, which I do. "Now, lean forward, and brace yourself," he says as he gets down on one knee behind me, and I do as he says.
He places his large, metal-encased hand at the center of my back. Suddenly, I begin to feel slight warmth that coalesces and enters into my body. At first, it felt like a warm, soothing liquid running up and down my back. Then, it hit like a freight train!
The heat became scalding, as if lava had entered my body, wreaking havoc wherever it moved! The force was no longer gentle, and it moved around like a stampede of vicious animals tearing my body apart from the inside!
I groaned loudly as I clenched my teeth and jaw together, my hands balled into fists, digging into the ground beneath us. Sweat quickly formed all over my body as it heated up, while my veins pulsed, becoming very visible on my skin. I had never felt such agonizing pain in my life before, even when I died. I felt like my eyes were going to pop from my skull due to the pressure alone.
"Hold on! Whatever you do, just hold on! Keep it all together, no matter how painful it feels," General Corvo states calmly as he continues to inject his mana into me.
I started to feel lightheaded as well, leaving me to think I could pass out at any moment, yet I knew I couldn’t, or I would actually pop like a balloon. I literally felt like I was holding my body together with pure force of will, as if, if I let go, that would be the end of everything. Blood started to seep out of my mouth and eyes as my body shook, and the veins in my body became even more prominent over every inch of my body.
"Almost finished! Keep it together!" The general says soothingly, keeping me apprised to boost my morale.
It works, because god, I so badly want to just let go, let it wash over me and dissipate. However, that would mean going boom, and I have so much ahead of me that I want to experience. So many great fights and battles! I WILL NOT LET IT END HERE!
So, I persevere through it all, even when my teeth begin to shudder, and my body quakes like it’s about to erupt. Then, like someone shut off the tap, it ends. The pain ceases, leaving an almost cooling sensation that washes over my body. I hear my bones and tendons slightly crack as if renewing their purpose.
"Congratulations, I welcome you into my army, Knight Arthur," General Corvo states with a satisfied grin as he steps back.
I stand up, almost too fast, as I feel the strength and energy course through me. It was like having countless rivers of some warm liquid flowing within my body, enhancing every inch as it passed by. I clench my fists over and over again, entranced by the massive strength I am feeling. It wasn’t like any feeling I had ever felt before. Just pure power!
The process might have been the most painful experience of my life, but this was the most liberating feeling of my entire life. It was like I had finally become who I was always meant to become. I felt fulfilled!
"How does it feel to have mana flowing within you?" The General asks with a wide smile, as if knowing exactly what I am feeling even without having to ask.
"Amazing! I didn’t think it would feel like this. I don’t think I could ever go back to being what I was before. I would just feel empty," I respond, my emotions going haywire as I look like I am in pure ecstasy.
"Breathe in and out. It’s normal for those entering the Foundation Stage to become overwhelmed with what they are feeling. Center your breathing, and you’ll be back to normal," General Corvo states, gazing at me with a curious look, as if this were some sort of test.
I do as he said, breathing in, then out. Centralize my breathing. Stabilize my emotions. This is my new normal state. Not abnormal, not heightened. No, my new normal. Breathe in, and then out. I feel my body begin to calm down as it no longer feels like I am high on drugs or something. Though it still feels a bit excited; my body seems unable to calm all the way down.
"Good. You managed to regain control of your emotions. The rest will take a few days to fully adapt inside yourself, as you are practically in a whole new stage of existence. Even your lifespan is now around three hundred years, though most in this world don’t have to worry about dying from old age," the general chimes in with a small chuckle.
"Here, follow me," he says, walking toward the tent’s entrance.