Chapter 445: Ice Lily cave

"I will stay." Eldrian said with determination, hoping that it would not be too complicated to make use of mana crystals. He had no idea what Creation would do, he hoped to figure out as soon as he possibly could. 

"That is great to hear," Zamia smiled in approval, glad that Eldrian was no longer rushing through things. She clearly saw that the urge was still there, but he had control over it. This also reassured her that Cephaphyr would be in good hands. 

So she started explaining how mana crystals were used. "There are two ways to use mana crystals for spell augmentations, and quite a number more for crafts. I am just going to teach you how to use them for spells, as the other requires you to also be capable of making something."

Nodding, Eldrian had no argument. While he hoped he could one day relax and spend some time learning how to smith or even how to make potions, that wasn't a priority right now. 

"As with most magic, there is a static and dynamic way of going about it. The dynamic however is far more limiting, and as such even I had to learn how to make use of the static method at first. Though I had to improvise since I couldn't use the actually static technique."

"Due to this, I will start with the dynamic way, since you will not be able to be taught this right now."

"Much like how you can control your mana, you can also control a crystal's. It takes a bit more concentration and feels alien, but the principle is the same. However, the limitation is that the crystal cannot have more than 10 times your mana. Hence, you currently are only halfway to attempting to use even the weakest mana crystals I have."

Eldrian sighed hearing this, but he wasn't devastated. Even if he was required to have at least 10% of the mana that was in the crystal, it still meant he might be able to cast Creation when he only had 10k mana, instead of a 100k. 

"The other method is through what we call channeling. It is a mix of a skill and spell, yes, those do exist." She answered, knowing that Eldrian was going to ask about that. 

"The spell basically has you first analyzing the crystal via a spell, determining the density of mana inside. Then, you will have to use a skill to channel the mana while holding the crystal. This is similar to how you use the ability of a weapon. But instead of it working perfectly, it will be constantly fighting you."

"While this method does not have a limit, if you will be able to actually use it is uncertain. The larger the difference between your mana pool and the mana of the crystal, the harder it will be."

Zamia paused as she quickly searched her dimensional storage, "I think I just thought of a way to allow you to learn both approaches. The problem is I don't have a mana crystal small enough."

Pausing, Zamia thought about it for a moment and decided to finally take Eldrian there. "There might be a way, follow me."

Nodding, Eldrian wondered why she seemed so serious. Unlike Erik, he had been confined to the glade. Not because the alicorns didn't trust him, but because his training always started as soon as he arrived and he would never have any energy left after to wander. 

Arriving before a massive tree with a trunk so wide Eldrian wouldn't be able to reach its ends when stretching out his arms. Eldrian realized what tree this was almost instinctually. 

He didn't say anything, and instead just followed behind Zamia who parted some moss at the tree's roots. Bringing a small opening to sight, which Zamia broadened with earth magic to allow them to enter. 

Inside, Eldrian marveled at the sight before him. Tempted to stream it, but deciding against it after a few seconds. He wanted to share this with others, but he also knew that players wouldn't care for the beauty and instead just want the riches this cave was filled with. 

He still recorded it, but just for himself. For now. 

The walls were covered in soft blue flowers, giving off a soft light to allow one to see inside. A pure sky blue pool was in the center of the cave, with a few small streams flowing from the cave roof, down the walls, and finally into it. 

Outside of this, Eldrian also easily recognized the crystals growing behind some of the plants, and the metal veins were clear to see. Reflecting the blue light of the flowers. 

He also naturally didn't miss how pure the mana around him felt. He could feel it pushing into his body and slowly purifying his body. Almost bringing him to enlightenment. 

Feeling this, Eldrian used mana sense, only to be left stunned by the sight. The mana was so dense he couldn't even see a meter into the bright blue mist filling the area. 

Curious, he thought of casting an ice spell. And as he did, it seemed to form before him with ease. 

"Don't get fooled." Zamia said, "The mana here is so pure and dense that it allows you to easily gain enlightenment. However, this isn't true enlightenment. What you learn here might not be possible to do outside of such mana rich environment. Ice spells especially."

Eldrian nodded and let the spell dissipate. Careful to make sure it didn't disrupt anything in the cave. 

"Why did you finally bring me here?"

"Finally?" Zamia asked and quickly concluded, "Ah, I see. Faust shared this with you already. There was no need for you to visit here, and while I trust you... This is not something that can lightly be shown to someone."

Eldrian nodded solemnly, totally agreeing. 

"As for why I decided to bring you here now. I remembered that a few of the caves have mana crystals growing in their walls. While I do not want to disrupt the caves' ecosystem, making use of some of its gifts isn't a bad idea."

Naturally, upon the discoveries of the caves, Zamia and Agamemas had quickly gone to harvest a large number of lilies and metal veins.

Their aim was to ensure the continued growth of the caves, through hundreds and thousands of years. Thus, they had only harvested enough to make it possible for the lilies and even metals to regrow. 

They had also not let what they had gained sit, when Amnur had come to visit they had given him most of the metals and asked that he forge them some new weapons and armor. Specifically a set for Cephaphyr in both his human and alicorn form, a set capable of changing form. 

The lilies, Zamia had used over half of them to make resurrection potions. Trying to stock up for the coming war once Taurus falls. And even if Taurus doesn't fall, once it was the only kingdom standing, war would be everywhere. 

"Ah, here it is," Zamia said, finding a small mana crystal vein where a crystal barely the size of a fingernail had started to grow. She took it in her hand, and as one would pluck a fruit, she plucked it from the crystal cluster. Leaving Eldrian questioning how, the answer was naturally magic. But still, how?

{AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support this novel on WN. Let's see if we can break the top 100!}