The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage

WM [74] The First Gate

Fuyumi waited patiently as Bjorn and Aurelius took their positions, standing guard nearby. Her demeanor was calm, yet commanding as she began preparing Tanisha for what lay ahead. The first thing she did was direct Tanisha to eat and drink, much more than she typically consumed in an entire day. Tanisha hesitated at first, but as she began eating, an unexpected hunger overtook her. It wasn’t until she had devoured several days' worth of rations that she felt remotely satisfied. Fuyumi waited in silence until Tanisha finished, only then setting her teacup down and speaking with measured authority.

“Not all mages go through a mana baptism,” Fuyumi began, pouring herself another cup of tea. “For most, it happens naturally over the course of years, sometimes decades, as their bodies gradually attune to the growing power and knowledge they acquire. But for those who are exceptional at gaining magical power, they often outpace their bodies’ ability to adapt. When that happens, their growth becomes stifled until their bodies catch up.”

Her ruby-red eyes fixed on Tanisha, studying her intently. It felt as though Fuyumi was peering straight through her, into her very core and soul. After a moment, she closed her eyes, nodded as if confirming something to herself, and continued.

“This is especially common for cultivators like yourself,” Fuyumi said, her words catching Tanisha off guard.

“Cultivator?” Tanisha echoed.

“Yes,” Fuyumi said, “I can see it clearly. You’ve had significant leaps in power within a short time, but your core… it has undergone mutilation. It has not yet fully healed.”

“Mutilation?” Tanisha’s tone sharpened. “My core is a gift. A blessing.”

“And how did it come to be this way?” Fuyumi countered. “From the looks of it, your core was twisted into what it is today. Gifts can be violent things, especially when they are forced upon the unprepared. I think that you were not ready for that gift but whatever happened it was required to save you. And it seems I was mistaken earlier. You carry an additional energy in your core, the same energy as your familiar. Two patrons, is it? That complicates matters further. You’ll need to learn to properly circulate that energy as well because the technique I’m about to teach you only applies to the mana aspects of your alloy.”

Tanisha’s brow furrowed as she processed the revelation. “How can you tell that I’m a cultivator?”

Fuyumi gestured toward her with a measured hand. “Your body carries a constant field of mana that cycles through your aura and back again. It’s not something you consciously control, but it hasn’t fully merged with you yet. That means it’s potential. Essentially raw energy waiting to crystallize into aspects of yourself that you will choose. Aurelius is also a cultivator, as are many among my people. However, I chose a more traditional path of magical refinement.”

Clearing her throat, Fuyumi motioned for Tanisha to sit up straighter. “Now, mana flows within our cores. Those with weak cores experience stagnation. Their mana settles like a stagnant pool, resistant to movement or change. These are the so-called ‘magicless.’ They cannot move the mana within themselves, nor does it respond to their commands. For mages, the key to unlocking our full potential lies in opening the Five Gates.”

She raised a finger to emphasize her point. “The first is the Mana Gate. This is the dividing line between the magicless and the magical. By opening the Mana Gate, we gain the ability to spin our cores. This movement purges impurities, refines mana, and allows us to cast spells, manipulate ambient mana, or use magic tools. At its most advanced, it allows mages to draw the world’s mana into themselves, refining it into personal power. You’ve already achieved this level of mastery over your core.”

“The next gate,” Fuyumi continued, “and the one we will open today is the Blood Gate. It is the simplest gate, yet crucial for your current state. Unlocking it will allow mana to circulate more freely through your physical body, enhancing your endurance, resilience, and control. It is the foundation of the Mage Body.”

Tanisha furrowed her brow, a flicker of frustration crossing her features. She had spent four years at a mage academy, yet her understanding of the gates Fuyumi described was limited at best. Back then, she had been labeled a wizard, barely that, and relegated to remedial 101 courses that felt more like a formality than education. Julie and Mat, her closest companions, had tactfully avoided discussing their advanced magical studies around her, not wanting to rub salt in the wound.

Helina was the best chance she had to get back into her magic studies. After she died Tanisha had devoted herself mostly to maya combat and weapons. She didn’t even bother learning new spells which was admittedly quite foolish now that she thought about it. She even gained an ability that allowed her to edit spell forms and make her own spells that went painfully underutilized. She needed to get passed her trama with magic and this would be the first step.

Her frustration melted into curiosity as she looked up at Fuyumi. “What does the Blood Gate do, and what are the other gates?”

“The Blood Gate is the second gate, following the Mana Gate.” Fuyumi said. “While the Mana Gate allows your mana to move and flow, the Blood Gate allows it to circulate fully throughout your body. This circulation enhances your vitality and accelerates healing, creating a synergy between your magical and physical forms. For you, Tanisha, it will help stabilize the imbalance caused by your rapid power leaps and the damage to your core. It will also allow your body to produce more blood far quicker.”

Fuyumi set her cup down with a soft clink. “The third gate is the Bone Gate. It gives your mana rigidity, a paradoxical quality when compared to the Blood Gate’s fluidity. This rigidity is essential it allows your mana to adapt to your needs, whether it’s reinforcing your body for durability or amplifying your power for a spell. It also strengthens your physical form, making you tougher in every sense of the word.”

Fuyumi raised a fourth finger, her tone taking on a note of reverence. “The fourth gate is the Mind Gate. This is where true mastery begins. Opening the Mind Gate enhances your mental faculties, perception, and control over mana. It bridges the gap between your body and your will, allowing you to channel your power with precision and clarity. This is a crucial step for any mage seeking true control over their craft.”

She raised her final finger, her expression growing thoughtful, almost serene. “The fifth and final gate is the Spirit Gate. This gate is the most personal. It represents the union between you and your mana, a harmony that transcends the physical and mental. Opening the Spirit Gate is a lifelong endeavor. For my people, the Yuki clan, it is considered the path to enlightenment, the ultimate expression of a mage’s journey. Unlike the other gates, it cannot be forced or rushed. The Gate unfolds as one grows in wisdom, understanding, and self-awareness.”

“Normally this happens naturally?” Tanisha asked.

“Yes, for all the gates except the Spirit Gate. That one requires conscious effort and commitment as a lifelong dedication to the craft and to oneself.” Fuyumi adjusted her posture, folding her legs neatly into a lotus position. “Now, enough theory. We are on a time table. Sit as I do.”

Tanisha followed suit, settling into the lotus position. Fuyumi’s voice remained calm yet commanding, a steady guide as Tanisha turned her awareness inward. Little had changed which was a disappointment as she had half-expected to see signs of the chaos magic she had bonded with through Bjorn. Yet nothing manifested. Perhaps the magic had not yet merged with her core, or perhaps she misunderstood how their powers intertwined. She pushed the thought aside, redirecting her focus to Fuyumi’s instructions.

“Now that your awareness is within your core, draw your mana out of its metaphysical space and into the physical world,” Fuyumi instructed. “Do not form a spell. Simply move the mana within yourself. It may feel as though you are losing power, as if your mana is leaking from your core. This is natural. Do not resist it.”

Tanisha listened to Fuyumi gently coaxing the seiðr to unravel into its components. This was easier now than it had been before; manipulating the seiðr to link maya to Bjorn’s core had given her a deeper understanding of its nature. She took the strand of mana and tried to pull it with her out of her inner self. There was a resistance. While in her core it was easy to move but the more she tried to pull it out the more it wanted a spellform to produce an effect. She worried that if she did unleash directionless mana it would be a bad idea. 

She took a breath and found that it was more strained than she thought it should be but returned to the matter at hand. She gathered more of her separated mana and tried to push it out away from her core instead of a single small tether. It worked. It felt like the surface tension of water finally released a tornant from the side of an overfull bowl. 

She felt proud of herself for a moment before she felt her core starting to diminish in potency and mana. Soon the mana that she had separated from the seiðr ran out and it started pulling at her ringularity core. It yanked at her core in a forceful bid to draw out more and more power. Panic began to rise, and she prepared to force the flow to stop when a voice echoed in her mind, cutting through her distress.

“Tanisha, do not stop the flow.” Fuyumi’s voice was calm but firm. “You are not losing power. Pull back your awareness.”

Steadying herself, Tanisha let go of her attempt to rein in the seiðr. She shifted her focus, her awareness expanding outward from her core. What she saw stunned her. Her perception of her inner self had transformed. No longer was her awareness confined to her core alone. 

She now perceived her entire body as a glowing silhouette, the ringularity her center. She could see the intricate network of veins and meridians carved out by the maya. New, branching channels illuminated her form, pulsing with energy she had never seen so vividly before. Her entire body was alight with power. Every cell seemed to hum with energy, every breath filling her with clarity. Even the effects of her blood loss were diminishing, the weakness retreating with each steady inhale.

“Good,” Fuyumi’s voice came softly. “You’ve opened your Blood Gate.”

Tanisha’s eyes snapped open. She stared at Fuyumi, who remained seated opposite her, the serene smile of a teacher watching a student’s success gracing her lips.

“I... I did?” Tanisha asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and awe. “But I felt like I was losing power—my core—”

Fuyumi raised a hand to quiet her, speaking gently but firmly. “What you felt was your mana expanding into your body, no longer confined to the singularity of your core. The Blood Gate allows mana to circulate freely, integrating with your physical form. That sensation of loss was merely an illusion born of your previous limitations.”

Tanisha flexed her fingers experimentally, feeling the mana coursing through her with each movement. It was like she had been blind to her potential, and now her eyes had been opened.

“This is... incredible,” Tanisha murmured. “I feel so much better already.”

“That is the power of the Blood Gate,” Fuyumi said. “Your body is now in harmony with your mana, enhancing your natural resilience and vitality. It will take time for you to fully master this state, but you’ve taken the first and most crucial step.”

Tanisha’s exhilaration gave way to curiosity as she finally took in her surroundings. The air was cool and crisp, and her clothes clung to her skin, drenched in sweat. Her muscles ached faintly, not from strain, but from the intensity of the transformation. The world around her was cloaked in darkness, the pale light of the moon filtering through the clouds.

She frowned. “Wait... it’s night? How long was I out?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“About four hours,” Fuyumi replied. “Much less than I expected for someone who had never attempted this before. You did well.”

Tanisha blinked, “four hours... It felt like minutes.”

Fuyumi gave her a faint smile. “That’s the nature of connecting with your inner self. Time becomes secondary. Now, it’s time for you to rest. By morning, you will feel better than you have in years. Tomorrow we’ll make our journey through the hurricane.” She stood gracefully, brushing off her robes. “I’ll let Aurelius and Bjorn know it was a success.”

Tanisha pushed herself to her feet, shaking her head. “I can tell them myself.”

“Oh no, you won’t. Now that the Blood Gate is open, your mana-infused blood will begin enhancing your brain.” Fuyumi admitted. “The side effect is... sudden, unavoidable sleep.”

Tanisha frowned. “Wait, wha—”

Before she could finish, her legs buckled, and her world tilted. The last thing she registered was Fuyumi grabbing her collapsing form into her cold arms.