[Status: Pre-dawn]


    [Warning: Subject attempting advanced mana manipulation]


    [The Nameless One suggests having medical supplies ready]


    The Codex hummed beneath Kael''s fingers, its metallic scales warm to the touch. After finally getting his basic mana pathways restructured properly, he''d expected things to get easier.


    He really should have known better by now.


    [Ancient knowledge requires patience]


    [Warning: Subject historically lacking in aforementioned quality]


    [The Nameless One prepares to witness interesting failure]


    "I don''t understand," Kael muttered, staring at the flowing script that somehow made his eyes water and his brain itch simultaneously. "If my pathways are fixed, why can''t I channel more power?"


    [Because you''re trying to pour an ocean through a drinking straw.]


    The Nameless One''s presence filled his small apartment with the weight of ancient amusement.


    [Your pathways are properly structured now, yes. But they''re still narrow. Underdeveloped. Like muscles that need training.]


    Kael frowned at the Codex''s pages. "So how do I develop them?"


    [Carefully. Unless you enjoy exploding.]


    "That was one time!"


    [Would you like me to list all twenty-seven explosions chronologically or by level of property damage?]


    The crystal at his neck pulsed warmly, almost like it was laughing. Even his spear seemed to gleam with barely suppressed mirth.


    [Now, focus. The Codex contains patterns. Ancient forms of mana manipulation that predate your current... limited understanding.]


    The scripts on the page shifted, forming intricate designs that made Kael''s newly restructured pathways hum in recognition.


    [These are the foundations of true power. The patterns gods themselves once had to learn, back when they were young and actually bothered to study.]


    "Wait." Kael looked up from the book. "Gods had to learn? I thought they were just... naturally powerful."


    A sensation like a cosmic snort.


    [Gods, demons, ancient beings – we all started somewhere. Well, except me. I think. It''s been a while.]


    "How long is a while?"


    [Time is relative. Also largely optional in my case. Now stop stalling and focus on the patterns.]Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Kael returned his attention to the Codex. The scripts had formed into something that looked almost like a spiral, but moving in impossible directions.


    [This is a basic amplification pattern. It teaches your pathways to handle more power without rupturing.]


    "And if I get it wrong?"


    [Remember explosion number twelve?]


    "Right. Careful it is."


    He reached out with his mana, trying to trace the pattern. His newly structured pathways responded smoothly, power flowing in elegant spirals rather than the clumsy channels of before.


    [Better. Though you might want to...]


    The spiral wobbled.


    [Ah. Too late.]


    Reality hiccupped.


    [Status: Resurrection in progress]


    [Cause of Death #28: Forgot to account for mana feedback]


    [The Nameless One suggests reading the whole pattern next time]


    Kael blinked away resurrection light, the Codex sitting innocently where it had been moments before.


    "What did I miss?"


    [Only the part about stabilization. A minor detail. Unless you enjoy having your mana pathways briefly exist in seventeen different dimensions.]


    "That can happen?"


    [Death twenty-eight says yes.]


    But something had clicked during that brief moment before explosion. The way the pattern had started to take hold, the feeling of his pathways expanding ever so slightly...


    [You felt it, didn''t you? The potential.]


    "Yeah." Kael studied the pattern again, seeing it with new understanding. "It''s like... the pattern isn''t just showing me how to move mana. It''s teaching my pathways how to grow."


    [Now you''re beginning to understand. These aren''t just techniques to memorize. They''re keys to evolution.]


    The scripts shifted again, forming new patterns that made his mind spin.


    [Each pattern you master expands your capabilities. Not just in power, but in understanding. The ancients knew that true strength comes from...]


    "If you say ''understanding yourself'' I''m throwing the Codex again."


    [I was going to say ''not exploding,'' but your suggestion works too. And I wouldn''t recommend throwing the Codex. The last one who tried that had an interesting conversation with gravity.]


    "Did they survive?"


    [Eventually. Once they figured out how to exist in normal space-time again.]


    Kael carefully set the Codex down on his desk. "Right. Back to the patterns."


    [Wise choice. Now, let''s try this again. With less dimensional displacement this time.]


    The morning sun began to peek through his window as Kael immersed himself in ancient knowledge. His pathways hummed with potential, growing stronger with each careful attempt.


    And in the depths of his consciousness, something old enough to remember when gods were young watched with growing satisfaction.


    [Status: Training progressing]


    [Warning: Local reality adapting to increased mana density]


    [The Nameless One notes subject''s improving survival rate]


    Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, Kael focused on the patterns, letting ancient wisdom reshape his understanding one careful step at a time.


    [Final Status: Basic amplification pattern stable]


    [Note: Subject showing surprising aptitude]


    [The Nameless One prepares more interesting lessons]


    [Warning: Medical supplies may need restocking]