Earthling in Uncharted Dimensions

[But use lesser Mana for such simple attacks, okay? You used 86 Mana for this one attack. That is why the fire's purity and strength went above a normal fireball skill.]

'I will keep that in mind.'

Lee took a few steps backward, as his eyes glanced over the shattered pieces one last time, then walked back to the ladies as they stared at Lee like a complete stranger, with a frown.

"You….you can use Mana?!"

As a Druid, Ruella was extra sensitive to Mana. Also, she can use Mana, but it takes a toll on her body. Clearly, she had not encountered any enemies worth expanding and empowering her skills.

An, who knew of Lee's special identity, was actually surprised to see him use a fireball of good destructive capability. Mia, who thought that Lee was a simple man with nimble moves, was also surprised.

Lee did not give a reply immediately. He just smiled and replied after a couple of seconds-

"I will answer that question later."

Saying this, he took the lead and walked towards where the river was. The ladies and the quadrupeds followed him like family.

'D, why and how does Qi and Mana differ when attributed with affinities?'

D began to laugh so loud that Lee had his eyes go wide as a reaction. Hopefully, nobody saw that.

[Both Qi and Mana are Essence. Consider Essence as plain, odourless, colourless water. Then Qi is alcohol and Mana is acid. Let me explain.

Everybody intake alcohol to have courage and bravery, which they lack when not intoxicated. Likewise, Qi empowers from within, and becomes one with you. It's effect is many times stronger. But, like alcohol, you will have a hangover.

Acid, on the other hand, has many different applications. You cannot intake it, but goes well with substances while counteract certain ones. Acid attack is also one of its uses. Here, the acid acts as a type of weapon, but you are still unarmed. It gives you an advantage in a fight. It does not give you a hangover, but can be a double-edged sword if not used properly.

Nature produces both Qi and Mana to maintain the balance. But it is found to be a necessity as Qi and Mana cancel each other, and reveal its underlying truth, Essence. Just as acid and alcohol nullifies each other.

Wherever and whenever Qi and Mana cancels out, Essence is produced. But due to its intangible state, none can detect it. Only those that have cultivation level of Essence Saint or above, or Mastery of Essence stage or above, can detect its presence.]

'But that still does not answer my question!'

[Wait kid. Let me brief. Like I said, alcohol comes in different flavors and smells. But they are ultimately for one purpose - get drunk and throw up. But acid, which is inedible, has many varieties of reactions that entices us.

Likewise, Mana which empowers us from the outside, like an auxiliary, can get well with all elements. Thus it's elemental compatibility is extremely high. As acid can act as a catalyst, Mana can act as an attack amplifier, which strengthens and speeds up the process. Both armed and unarmed fights are compatible with Mana in a good way. But elemental attacks are more fancied by Mana users.

Qi, becomes one with you. Thus it is about being one with the empowering agent. Unless born with an innate elemental affinity, Qi cannot greatly go compatible with elements. But armed combat where a weapon, which is close to you as a limb, is involved, the Qi empowers and connects you with the weapons and the motions become immensely fluid and fluent.

When you cultivate Qi, it is all about weapon proficiency. When you master Mana, it is all about elemental affinity.]

'...'

A long silence was followed by D's detailed description regarding the relation and compatibility between elemental affinities, and Qi and Mana. Lee walked with a blank face, but he was in deep thought. His pace did not alter, nor the direction.

*conversing voices from behind*

Lee glanced over his shoulder and saw An and Ruella talking to Mia about her interests and childhood. They were careful not to poke any sore memories. Fero and antelope walked side by side, and guarded the women.

'Now…..what do we have to do?'

[What do you mean?]

'I have acquired all elemental affinities. Now what shall we do?'

[Progress them, of course. You know the conversion rates between Essence and stages of progress.]

*sigh*

Lee let out a sigh as they had almost reached the river. The village can be seen on the other side of the river, which spans wide and probably deep. His sigh was loud enough that it attracted the attention of his companions. They saw the river hardly 20 metres before them.

Clean water flowed through the river and Lee saw some villagers fishing from the other side. At the first glance of the strangers, they made shouts and loud cries to attract the attention of the party, before they entered the doors of death. Lee caught antelope from jumping into the river as he also felt a hostile sense from the water. Not just him, his pet hyena also felt it.

*Unintelligible shouts*

The villagers from the other side warned to not enter the water. The 85 metres wide river needed a much powerful means of communication, other than mere shouts. Their throats became sore, and they switched to sign language. Due to its easy comprehensibility, Lee made out words from their actions.

"There….is a giant….giant elephant being...in the water. Wait, what?"

The four glanced at each other's face as Lee spelled out the interpretation of the signs from the other side of the river. Mia reached for her katana as she glanced over the river that stretched from one end to the other. Likewise, An had her hand over the longsword's pommel.

*grrr…*

All of a sudden, Fero began to growl. Their attentions were momentarily distracted by Fero when something surfaced.

A pair of vicious eyes floated up and glanced around. It was attracted by the presence of Lee and his companions, so it drifted towards them. Lee can see the terrifying ruthlessness from those eyes itself.

It came near to them and floated at a safe distance, as it stared at Lee and Fero intensely. Fero was its major target as he growled and showed hostility towards whatever that lurked beneath the water.

Lee took a step forward and his blade came out. It mysteriously appeared in his palm, and the eyes drifted a little backward. The situation was again in a stalemate!