Mana Core

The heart within your body pumps blood throughout. Your core does the same for mana. Never be negligent in training your core, for it is the basis of all ability.
— Imperial Mage Captain, on training recruits

The mana core is a physical organ within the body, located in the small pressure space between the lungs, heart, and diaphragm. Its central location is the result of thousands of years of exposure to mana, and most races, monsters, and other creatures of Ataraxia possess a core. Several sub-Magic Circuits connect the mana core to the lungs, where it pulls mana directly from the air. This makes breathing a central component of providing mana to the body.

Characteristics of the Mana Core

Even though mana brought into the body can be used immediately, it must rest in the Mana Core for several hours before it becomes dyed in an attribute. The properties of an individual's mana core are directly related to what attribute that individual possesses. Those with the Fire-attribute have a mana core that can process and release mana very quickly, often capable of burning an entire supply of mana in mere moments, with equally terrifying regeneration speeds. Water-attributes specialize in external manipulation of mana. Even if they must gather mana for longer periods of time, their spells tend to be larger and capable of more superfluous movement. Wind-Attribute mages have a high degree of control over their mana, and are much more sensitive to mana than other attributes. This makes them excellent at detection and highly complicated spells. The Earth-attribute boasts the highest capacity of mana out of all the attributes, though their spells are likewise heavy on consumption. Most Earth-attribute mages find internal techniques like body strengthening easy, and will default to training their body rather than their magic. Though their magic is often ridiculed as being simple and dull, you must never underestimate the power of a boulder flying to you at Mach 2.