Aísē: My Five Supernatural Wives-Chapter 106: Arcane Matrix.
"So the Noblesse phase is...." Mephistopheles paused and stared at me for a second
"...You don’t know about Arcane Matrix as well, right?" She asked her question in a low voice.
I shook my head in response, "I don’t know what you are saying in the least."
Mephistopheles sighed again and, with a helpless look, said, "I really wonder who your teacher was...If you had any, I mean".
I had no reply to her words this time.
What am I gonna say, my Instructor is actually a famous Mage throughout Legends?.
Nah...
Better not embarrass myself due to that.
Mephistopheles Distanced herself and materialized a holograph-like thing with her mana.
"This here is how a Arcane matrix looks like, It Functions as a Conceptual Calculator or CPU according to modern terms" She explained and looked at me with a grim look "And it’s just one of the systems for energy, other energy needs other type of sytem that acts as the processor and reservoire, Like Shadow well of demons, or Divine Seal of the Church folks" she paused and added "But I suppose you know none of that...hahh".
After letting out one final Sigh, she started extensively explaining all the significance of an Arcane Matrix.
Or the significance of a Core Processor of Energy.
Basically, Mana is drawn from the ambient world and processed by the Matrix to create structured, complex magical effects (spells), and it’s required for every mage to form one in either Origin Level 3 or Origin Level 2. If the mage can....
If they don’t, then the progress will be very rocky as the mage can’t properly form their spell, unless the mage can get an extremely good contracted spirit that can handle it for them.
There’s another exception: The Witches.
Their Physiology enables them to naturally absorb mana and store it in their heart, but there’s still a big problem.
The heart isn’t efficient for Mana circulation as much as the Arcane Matrix, which is formed in the mage’s Mindscape, connected to his Mana veins, which store the mana.
"So does that mean I have been using Mana inefficiently?" I asked this question as it seemed obvious, as I never bothered about magic after that tidbit with Merlin.
’I should’ve asked Alicia about all this...but it’s not like I had a proper talk with her yet,’ I thought inwardly, making a note to have a proper conversation with all my wives.
Mephistopheles suddenly brought a cup of coffee from nowhere and sipped on it. "Ahhh...You give me a headache. How can you even make the world go so crazy for you, yet do not know how you’re using your powers?" she muttered with a hand supporting her face.
"I am sorry, I suppose," I muttured sheepishly as it was really embarrassing.
Mephistopheles didn’t bother questioning my weirdness anymore and went back to explaining the importance of the Arcane Matrix.
....
..
So, apparently, for every energy type, there’s a system to manage it.
For Mana, it’s Arcane Matrix.
For those who use Vital Energy, it’s Meridian Forge: This system is for martial artists and Supernatural creatures, Life Vampires, and Werewolves who either use Bloodline ability or Racial powers.
For Demon’s or Demonic Cultists (Yes, those are a thing): They use the shadow Well to collect the Negative Energy born from Intense emotions or sins, Mainly The seven deadly Sins.
For Spiritual Beings or those Connected to nature: They use Spiritual Energy and the system Spirit Apperture. This system connects them more freely with both the spiritual and the physical world.
The Last one is Holy Seal, or sometimes called the Divine Seal: Used primarily by paladins and Holy priests, basically those who use Holy Energy.
But for me, who uses four of those five types of Energy, the situation becomes Complicated.
"You can’t..."
Mephistopheles flatly said so, "It’s Possible, and some people managed to form a Dual Core, but they don’t live long besides. The thing about forming a multicore of energy is completely different. It’s only possible if you want to risk your life and have a dozen Free resurrections in hand".
Basically, according to her words, it’s not possible to form a multicore.
The only option is for me to stick to a single Energy and discard the rest.
"But can’t I just not form it....Since you know I am pretty strong as it is". I muttered, hoping that it might be fine since I can take my time to research the way later.
But I was met with a flat denial...Again!
"Unfortunately for you, there’s no way out for you, because to advance to the next Phase, The Core is necessary with how you are now...." She paused and stared like she was looking at a piece of trash. "You are gonna be a simple, half-assed guy with skill Issue."
"...."
"..."
",,,,,,"
I couldn’t process what she said until the third second passed.
By the time I understood, I was already crashing out.
SO I HAVE A FUCKING SKILL ISSUE!....
........
....
In Faust Household’s Library.
"Hmmmm....It’s not, it may be this one ahhh...Not this one either," Mariabelle muttered as she searched the books and archives in her estate’s Library.
"Can anyone give me some help? This shit is too Heavy." Victor, on the other corner, mumbled as he couldn’t lift a massive book that he found in the basement of the Library.
"Wait up, I am coming..." Aisha, who was busy scrolling through some dusty notes, was about to get up to help her Husband’s friend.
"Ahhh shit...No!" Victor exclaimed.
But unfortunately, luck didn’t want to let him get help as Victor stumbled in his steps and fell, making the book in his hand also go down.
"Meow~ Meow~" However, before the book could touch the ground, Sir Fluffy the Glitter cat caught it with its paws.
Wait, how can a Cat catch a book by its Paws?
"What the Heck?" Victor was also baffled by what he was seeing, but the others had another kind of reaction: "Wait, you can’t hold a book, a cat can?" Aisha muttured her palm, covering her mouth to hold back her laughter.
"Hahaha! That’s funny." But someone else didn’t bother to hold it back, "Aha, I didn’t expect my husband’s friend would be so clumsy, first almost getting himself killed in a gamble, and now not being able to hold a book a Cat can. Haha~" Liliana wiped the tears that formed in her eyes from laughing too much.
Victor blushed in embarrassment and retorted, "Wait, it might be because this book is probably some ancient tome only the worthy could wield," Though even he didn’t believe what he said.
Neither did Aisha and Liliana. "Do you think that piece of paper and leather cover is like Mjolnir from Avengers?" Liliana deadpanned, clearly not taking his words.
Aisha just shook her head and returned to reading the Notes she was reading.
"Ahh, what happened? Did I miss something?" Mariabelle joined up from behind, but suddenly her eyes widened as she saw the dusty book held by Sir Fluffy.
"Victor, that? Where did you find that?" She hesitantly asked, her expression trembling.
Victor had a hopeful look as he saw how Mariabelle reacted, "You mean this one? I found it in the basement...Maria says it’s actually some very important grimoire, right?" Victor asked, his voice laced with pride in finding something great and potentially useful in their fight with Mephistopheles.
"Yes, it’s Important, actually very important," Mariabelle muttered, her eyes still not believing what she was seeing.
This made Victor stand up proudly and declare, "See as I told..." But before he could finish, Mariabelle took the book away from Sir Fluffy effortlessly.
"My goodness, where did you find this Photo album? I thought I lost it when I was ten". Mariabelle exclaimed as she turned the pages, revealing various pictures of her childhood along with some goofy pictures of her grandpa.
Victor stood frozen, and both Aisha and Lilana glanced at him with a ’So you were saying?’ look.
"Meow," Sir Fluffy just happily purred as he saw his Mistress happy.
Obviously, he didn’t care what Victor was feeling...
’Maybe I should’ve begged that demon to kill me then and there,’ Victor thought to himself as even hiding his face couldn’t hide his shame.
Aisha Sighed and returned her attention to the notes, noticing something strange this time. "Guys, I think I’ve found something!" She murmured, her expression shocked at what she found.
........
...
After finally recovering from my mental breakdown, I sat in front of Mephistopheles...
No, to be more accurate, ’Kneeled’ in front of her.
"Please teach me how to form an Arcane Matrix," I requested with a heart-tearing voice, "Along with Shadow Well, Meridian Forge, Spirit Aperture, and Shadow Well".
Mephistopheles sighed heavily as her eyes were already heavy from exhaustion.
"Don’t blame me if you explode, alright?" she warned for the last time. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Well not like it matters since I was already warned plenty.
