Sword God in a World of Magic

"Turn matter into Mana?" Shang asked in shock.

The Dean nodded.

"That's how they destroy everything around them. They turn matter and even Elemental Mana into Natural Mana around them. Of course, the degree of their power varies vastly. The weakest ones can only turn Elemental Mana into Natural Mana, but they have difficulties in destroying powerful matter."

Shang scratched his chin in thought. "And their power source?"

"That's the thing. It varies."

"Varies?" Shang asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The weaker ones get weaker as they use their powers, but the ones at the Commander Stage can already create a certain degree of destruction around them without doing anything. Sound familiar?"

Shang nodded as he fell into thought.

'Both of these things are related to how my Affinity works. Others use their Mana to unleash their Affinity, which means that their Mana is their power source.'

'Meanwhile, I technically don't use my own Mana with my Affinity. If I wouldn't get injured by my Ice and Fire Blasts, I could theoretically unleash them continuously with all their power without ever needing to take a break.'

'In a way, I'm using the Mana in my surroundings as my power source, which technically means that my power source is as powerful as my surroundings.'

'The other part is also very similar. Other people and beasts don't get injured when they use their Affinities. Meanwhile, the weaker Abominations and I do.'

'It's because the power isn't my own. I am channeling someone else's power, which is why it injures me. Someone with a Fire Affinity can unleash their own fire without any issues, but if another guy throws a fireball at them, they explode all the same.'

'Additionally…'

Shang remembered the time he had touched the antlers of the Frozen Lake Stag and when he touched the Ice Wood.

'I also absorbed Ice Mana and turned it into Natural Mana.'

'However, these two cases could only happen because the Ice Mana was pure. I fought plenty of beasts with an Ice Affinity, and when they use an attack, it still hurt me.'

'Could have something to do with someone controlling the Ice Mana or not. The Ice Wood was dead, and the Frozen Lake Stag stored pure Ice Mana in its antlers.'

Shang looked at the ceiling.

'I guess I could theoretically absorb an Ice Mage's Ice Mana as long as it is stored outside their body. Of course, that won't happen.'

"My Affinity doesn't get its power from myself, and when I use it, I get injured," Shang said after several seconds of thinking.

a way, you already had similar powers to the Abominations.

was before," the Dean

Shang nodded.

looked at his left

I can do,"

test if your old abilities still work,"

his left arm

BANG!

BANG!

Blast and a Fire Blast in

Shang's arm was

that hasn't changed," the Dean

as he looked at

his arm

at Shang's curious actions, but he

Shang's

have a warrior's body. You can heal your arm in

away from his arm

didn't use my Mana," Shang

eyes. "You didn't use the ability

Shang nodded.

your nearly completely

Shang nodded again.

to repair your arm?" the Dean

of answering, Shang closed his eyes and focused

something peculiar when his arm was

didn't interrupt Shang and simply waited

minute, Shang opened his eyes with

Mages and warriors with specific Affinities can somewhat feel their surroundings if that kind of Elemental Mana

Mana Sense. The stronger you get, the wider its range and the clearer the picture. When your mind reaches the level of an Adept, you can basically use it everywhere since every kind

Shang said. "I have

"But with Natural Mana."

Dean's eyes widened in

Natural Mana?"

"I didn't notice it before, but I can feel the

frowned. "So, your Affinity is for Natural

know," Shang answered. "I don't think that's all of it. After all, I wouldn't have needed the different Mana Sources

Dean stroked his