Limited Mana Mage

A mage without mana is just a man holding a stick.  The Great City was Boe’s life. Boasting the largest mana well in the realm, a City mage is limited only by their skill and the fortitude of their mana channels. The gods have blessed the City, and they say the mana will never run out.  But during his study, Boe has discovered an ancient, long forgotten threat that may change everything. A fable that no one believes, a tale lost to a thousand years of peace and ignorance.   He must begin a new journey, travelling out to the countryside where the mana wells are no more than ant hills and the villagers see mages only once in a generation. Along the way he will experience the struggle of these people, learn the secrets they hold, and do everything in his power to stop the destruction of the Great City and the loss of mana forever.  Even though it would teach those Great City mages a lesson.  This story is inspired by the Mother of Learning arc where Zorian spends some time away from Cyoria and the Grade 3 mana well there. I found the concept very romantic – a lone mage of immense power walking down a dusty road, their powers limited by poor access to mana. I recall desperately hoping for a chapter where Zorian helps the village-folk with their odd jobs – empowered by occasional, efficient uses of magic.  The cover is AI-generated and that’s it.  There will be no Patreon or shout-outs. This is just a story I wish to tell, and I hope you enjoy it!