Dark Mana, or Death Mana, is actually a very natural part of the world. It's primarily found in particularly potent fungi and apex monsters that gain sentience. But most people can't tell the difference between it and Curse Mana used to reanimate corpses and spread disease.

  This is because of the God of the Dead, Jin. He manages and processes fallen souls before he sends them off to his wife. The goddess of life and abundance, Terra, sends out recycled souls to their new lives. Marcus was the only one whom they didn't thoroughly memory wipe.

  When a person grows, so does their soul. When they go through recycling, their soul gets squeezed to that of an infant's. That 'juiced' energy is filtered into new souls for a variety of lifeforms. One 80 year old human soul can be turned into a maximum of 40 human babies, and that number grows larger if used for a different animal.

  Like 140 cats for example.

  When it was his turn, he was damaged. He was half a soul. He couldn't be squeezed without the rest of him shattering. He didn't know who or what kind of person he was before, but he kept his adventurous and analytical mindset.

  He remembered Terra heal him just enough to live again. He remembered Jin grumbling about punishing the people who caused his shattered soul. He remembered their son, Alto, and how he became the Reaper in both his parents' stories.

  So he built them a small open aired church next to the farm and opposite of the Mage Hall. There are times when he gets bouts of memory from his time before. Like when he made the wall behind the altar. He appropriated the Yin/Yang symbol from earth and used it for the couple that helped him transition here.

  The top in white had a small black flower and it's white roots spread into the dark half below. The true cycle of this world's life and death, never once leaving the other. Hanging a giant scythe behind it signified their son in the showoffy way Alto would definitely approve of.

  He felt a hand on his right shoulder, another hand on his head, and a third arm using his shoulder as an armrest. They were saying thank you and to not be a stranger.

  Maybe he should offer them some cookies...

  \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

  Arthur was reminded of one of the first times he held a conversation with Marcus as he looked upon the market. I call you a useless prince because you are useless to me. Don't worry though, this kingdom's royalty as a whole is useless to me. Don't feel too bad about it.

  Stolen story; please report.

  This must have been what he meant. Clean roads and fresh bread. Fresh free bread. The small Knight guard he brought with him to protect the weaving machine and move it safely were surprised by that little fact. He even asked one of the workers he saw bustling around about it.

  "Well, your majesty, young lord Allen dug up the large river and made it drinkable again." The old innkeeper pointed to the south. "Every two days the crops are harvested thanks to the lord's magic. He made the grain free for us on the condition that the cost of the bread is taken out of food prices."

  He didn't get to meet up with Marcus until the next morning.

  "Sorry I didn't come sooner to greet you. I was busy with the Mage Hall and the church." Marcus didn't acknowledge the prince and spoke directly with his maid. "Good to see you healthy."

  "Yes. This is a very good look for you, ignoring the royalty." Arthur started, "I came all this way to bring a weaving machine for you."

  "Yes, yes, and I can't wait to take it apart." Marcus deftly waved his hand at the prince without taking his eyes of Madeline, "We've been logging some of the Iron Cedar from the forest next door. The sheep will be here in a few days. Would you like a tour?"

  "If you insist my lord." She responded with a small smile as she took his offered arm.

  It was no secret that Marcus Allen preferred the prince's maid to any other woman. He even paid out of his own pocket the cost to rescind his engagement with Count Grid's daughter. He speaks very bluntly and honestly. When asked, he would always answer the same way.

  "I was once perfectly fine with just observing her stature and beauty from a distance. But then I saw her fight. She swung that axe with a holy rage and I thought to myself that no one else compared."

  "Wait...Did you say Iron Cedar? And you are going to make weaving machines out of it? Are you mad? You can make so many more things out of it!" Arthur yelled as he followed after them.

  Iron Cedars are actually more on the Juniper side of the coniferous family tree. With their needle like leaves and berry-like seeds, Iron Cedars also has shiny silver wood that are chock full of Mana. What kind of cloth would be produced from these weaving machines?

  He would deny it if asked, but he was technically experimenting on the land and population. No incidents so far, but this path was slightly concerning to those who could see the small little signs.

  \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

  Elena Drapnir was no doubt the destined protagonist of this world. Things came easily to her. So much so that many people bothered her trying to make her join their clubs. It was tiring having to juggle social interaction with schoolwork.

  The Dean had to call her to his office and the teacher's lounge so that she could take her tests in peace. He came across the senior's journal and after reading it he gave it back to her.

  "Ah, it looks like I'll have to fire a teacher. Or two." Dean Avery said as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  "What do you mean sir?" She asked as she put the book away in her bag.

  "It looks like Professor Statten hasn't been completely honest about his Railway modification plans. That book has all of that young man's ideas for the past and future."

  "But why did he give it to me?"

  "Because he saw what I saw when you first entered the academy. A first-year that enters this academy with two Mana Circles and two Spirit familiars can only do good things." His right eye glowed as he saw a blue wolf cub in her lap and a phoenix chick on her shoulder. A thicker that usual ring of Mana orbited her heart as Aura flowed smoothly in the background.