The Moonlight Swordsman

Henry quietly listened to Aizel's story, still wondering if his luck was poor or if this guy was even worse.

"So far, that's what's happened." Aizel finished speaking while describing everything except that he is from another world; if it isn't a dream, it's best to keep it a secret from everyone.

"So, what's next? What is she going to do to us?" Aizel inquired, his gaze fixed on the old fella. He was terrified to hear the response since, based on the way everyone appears who is locked within the cage, Larisa is definitely doing something terrible with them.

"Ahh...just She's going to drain everyone's life energy, even yours," Henry responded with a blank expression on his face.

"Wh..what is life energy?" Aizel inquired, stuttering.

"You don't know what life energy is?" Henry corrected himself, "Oh wait, I nearly forgot you lost your memory." He then began to explain about life energy.

"Life energy is the span of all living organisms' lives. It makes no difference whether you are a human, a beast, or a monster; everyone has life energy from the minute they are born. Everyone has a set amount of life energy. Normal humans can live for 100 years, while humans and beasts who can use mana can live for 1000–10,000 years, depending on their comprehension of and attunement to mana."

Henry lectured Aizel like a teacher about life energy with a serious look on his face.

Meanwhile, Aizel's whole concentration was on the word "Mana."

"He said mana, correct? I knew it. When Larisa used fireball, I knew there was mana somewhere in the world. But why can't I feel it? If I can simply feel it and figure out how to use it, I might be able to get out of here. Like Larisa, I might be able to wield magic or other powers." Aizel pondered deeply, wondering how he should move from here.

"So she's basically absorbing your life energy, and now she's going to steal mine?" Aizel asked the old man.

"Yes, she has already sucked half of us to death; only a few of us are now left," Henry answered Aizel while having a wicked smile on his face before continuing. "Don't worry, she'll save you for last because you're full of life energy and handsome, you know what I mean?" Henry winked at Aizel.

Aizel felt a chill run down his spine as he imagined what Larisa was going to do to him. He began to sweat profusely and considered how he could get out of this messed-up situation.

"Do you know how to use mana, old man? Could you teach me?" Aizel nervously asked the old man in the hope that, with his knowledge of mana, he could somehow use it to get out of this mess.

"Do you think I'd be fucking stuck here in the cage with you if I understood how to use mana?" Aizel was answered by Henry with an irritated look on his face.

Aizel became aware of the foolishness of his query to the old guy.

"I..I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly." Aizel spoke as he cast a sidelong glance at the elderly guy, wondering if he was upset with him.

Henry sighed and also sat down in front of Aizel and started speaking.

"My daughter is proficient with mana." The old man took a brief pause before turning to face the cage and resuming his speech. "Though she has a slight affinity for her power and some knowledge of mana, she was able to feel mana relatively early in life."

"She taught me how to feel it, but I was never able to feel it, so I guess I'll always be a normal human," Henry spoke with a disappointed expression on his face.

"So where is your daughter?" Aizel asked slowly. "Is she also...

"No". She lives in Chester, a nearby town, and you can get there in half a day if you head straight south." Henry spoke while Aizel noted the direction and name of the town mentally.

"I'll teach you how to sense mana as she taught me." Henry said, facing Aizel, and then continued, "It will be up to you whether you can feel it or not."

"All right, sir," Aizel said cheerfully, clearly pleased with the old man.

"What's your name?" The old man asked Aizel before standing up.

"Aizel". Aizel also stood up from his place. "What's your name, sir?" Aizel asked further.

"Henry". The old man paused before continuing, "Now to sense mana, first close your eyes."

Aizel followed Henry's instructions and closed his eyes further, waiting for instructions.

"Relax your mind; try to breathe in and breathe out, focusing on the energy all around you. Try to sense them like strings of energy or water waves—whatever you can imagine the best. Attempt to sense every part of your body. If you feel something inside your body filling up, like nourishment or energy, that is mana." Henry explained to Aizen how to sense mana in the best way he can; it is now up to Aizel whether he can feel it or not.

Aizel attentively followed Henry's instructions and began attempting to feel mana.

Henry sat down again in the corner without bothering Aizel.

After two hours without feeling anything, Aizel slowly opened his eyes, and his face was filled with disappointment. He had tried his best to sense mana, but it seemed like an impossible task for him. Aizel sighed heavily, feeling utterly frustrated.

"Seems like I am a normal human like you, old man." He looked at the old man with a defeated expression, unsure of what to do next.