Villain : Nonchalant Greedy-Chapter 21: Shards : Quantity and Purity

At the very least, Arsene had gained some knowledge from Sarl—specifically, about mana shards. There were still a few things that Arsene didn't understand, the most important being the role and use of mana shards.

What were they used for? At first, Arsene assumed they were a kind of high-value currency in this world, which was true... but only half-true.

Mana shards function as external aids for Promoters. Magic Promotion requires a tremendous amount of mana. You need to constantly fill your mana vessel and push it to its limits so that it expands and grows in size. That's essentially what promotion is—pushing until you reach the "Breaking Point" that Professor Viviana had previously explained. The Breaking Point is the barrier that separates you from the next stage.

Sarl pointed out something important: the more your vessel grows—the vessel referred to as the magic core, which is owned by Awakened and Mages—the more mana it can store. And the larger it gets, the more shards you'll need.

And of course, not just any type of shard. Some shards will become useless to you—or rather, the amount you'll need of them becomes astronomical. That's where the differences between shards come in.

To classify and distinguish between these shards, there are two variables in this equation: quantity and purity. Every shard contains a certain type of mana, and each type has a level of purity and amount of mana. That's how shards work.

A person can't absorb a mana shard with a higher quantity and purity than what they already possess. Technically, they can, but it would result in mana leakage and the shard wouldn't be fully utilized.

Sarl didn't talk about the types of mana in the atmosphere but focused on shards and their types based on quantity and purity.

In terms of quantity:

Lesser Shards:

Contain a small amount of mana, enough to cast a basic spell.

Standard Shards:

Medium-density mana, used for tools or everyday combat.

Greater Shards:

High density, used for weapons or magical enhancements.

Grand Shards:

Extremely rare. Can power entire magic circles or major rituals.

What comes after these is the mana core found in humans. It's no longer considered a shard but a large concentration of raw mana, usually about the size of a fist or a human heart. Sarl didn't mention their uses.

As for purity, the classification was:

Distorted Shards:

Contain polluted or unstable mana, used often in cheap magical crafts or forbidden magic.

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Raw Shards:

Impure blend, still usable. Typically used by trainees or amateurs.

Refined Shards:

Moderately pure, ideal for daily magical tasks. Used by academies and mid-tier ranks.

Pure Shards:

High-quality, concentrated pure mana. Used to create rare equipment or power strong rituals.

Celestial Shards:

Extremely rare, their mana is nearly flawless. Said to interact with Promoters and increase the chances of a successful Magic Promotion.

These were just a few examples given by Sarl to help Arsene understand how shards work.

Sarl added that quantity and purity are relative to each other. That means they are inversely proportional: if purity increases, quantity decreases, and vice versa.

But this applies only to mana shards. In the case of a mage's mana core, it's the opposite—they are directly proportional. The higher the purity, the greater the quantity, and vice versa.

Except in rare and unusual cases—cases that no sane person would pursue—like absorbing mana that's less pure than what's already in your core. This would reduce the quantity in your core. This is possible only at advanced stages.

That was all Sarl could explain; he himself hadn't researched further, and even he didn't understand some points.

Arsene felt a little lost by the end of Sarl's explanation. He wished Sarl hadn't added that last part—it would've made everything easier.

Now Arsene understood why first-year students weren't allowed to promote on their own or train freely. It was too risky—especially when absorbing these shards. It takes time to figure out which type you should be consuming.

Arsene formed a hypothesis in his mind:

"The more distortion inside the mana core—the more mana there is, but not of the right purity for your type—the more imbalance exists. That imbalance is what blocks someone from ever advancing."

Sarl had said that a mage's mana core always maintains equal quantity and purity. But what if those rare exceptions are actually the failed cases of Promotion?

Does that mean Promotion failure stems from an imbalance between purity and quantity within the Promoter's core?

That was a question and theory Arsene wanted answered before starting Promotion himself. He had multiple classes this week, especially one with Professor Juaqing.

But in his current condition, Arsene wouldn't be able to attend even if he wanted to. Especially as a Grade 0 Singularity.

Even if he didn't show up, the Information Branch would send someone to check on him. He had to save himself before that—suspicion would grow, and he might be discovered.

Arsene remembered that his card had 2000 Contribution Points, earned from the Singularity test. Of course, he only got 1000 from that.

The other 1000 came from sending Faradice into a hysterical state by tampering with his mental essence.

Arsene was planning to give his card to Clem in the morning so he could buy some things from the Academy's shops—things to strengthen him, and more importantly, to rid him of his current condition.

There were certain things you couldn't buy with gold coins—you needed Contribution Points to get them. But Arsene wondered if they'd even allow Clem to use the card without the owner being present.

He glanced at Clem. He looked demoralized—perhaps feeling betrayed that Arsene and Sarl had kept the adventure from him and didn't invite him along.

Clem thought they considered him a burden. Sarl tried to cheer him up, "Come on, Clem! Don't be sad. Like I told you, it was unplanned and spontaneous—we dove into it on a whim. Besides, you got a stash of free shards without doing anything."

Clem responded sadly, "You didn't even tell me. I thought we were friends. I didn't expect you to betray me like this. Didn't we say we were friends till death that day?"

Arsene came from behind the couch and wrapped his arms around their shoulders as if hugging them. "Clem! Forget about it. There'll be many adventures ahead—thrilling, exciting ones. And of course, with some spicy touches that'll make your eyes and nose tingle." Arsene smiled—a fake smile, but a beautiful one that showed his dazzling white teeth from cheek to cheek.

"So don't be sad now, Clem. You'll have all the time in the future... for adventures!"

Arsene took something from his ring and handed it to Clem. "This is my card. It has some Contribution Points. I need you to buy a few things for me and Sarl—something to help us recover, or at least get rid of this pinkish-red skin. We look like boiled fish stew left on the stove for a whole day."

Arsene and Sarl laughed. Clem smiled, seemingly reconciled and forgetting what had happened. It was only the beginning of their five years at the academy—there was still time. Time to experience everything.