Bran didn't go far.
Just far enough.
The terrain opened into a shallow depression ringed by fractured stone, low enough to conceal him, wide enough to avoid being trapped. It wasn't perfect.
But it would do.
He dropped into it, steadying himself with one hand against the rough ground as his breathing caught up to him. The adrenaline faded in uneven waves, leaving behind the weight of everything his body had taken.
His ribs ached.
His shoulder felt tight.
His legs still trembled faintly from forced movement.
His wrist pulsed.
[Energy: 214]
High.
For the first time—
He wasn't desperate.
Bran leaned back slightly against the stone, exhaling slowly as his thoughts settled.
Core.
He knew the word.
Everyone did.
A core was the center.
The foundation.
The thing that allowed mana to exist within you without tearing you apart.
Without it—
You weren't complete.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"…Then how was I…"
Ignis.
Ventus.
Even that unstable movement he had forced into existence.
All of it—
Without a core.
It didn't make sense.
"…System."
Acknowledged
"…Explain."
Core Formation is the process of condensing ambient mana into a stable internal structure
Core Functions:
– Mana storage
– Mana circulation
– Ability stabilization
– Growth amplification
Bran listened quietly.
Without a core, mana usage is inefficient, unstable, and limited
Current State:
Subject has been utilizing mana without core stabilization
Assessment: Abnormal
Bran let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah."
Further assessment:
Subject compatibility exceeds standard parameters
He didn't dwell on that.
"…How do I form it?"
Locate internal mana convergence point
Human anatomical reference: Lower abdominal center
Bran adjusted slightly.
Right there.
Begin mana condensation
Compress repeatedly until stabilization occurs
Simple.
In theory.
Bran closed his eyes.
Focused inward.
This time—
He reached for mana differently.
Not outward.
Inward.
At first—
Nothing.
Then—
A faint thread.
He held it.
Barely.
It slipped.
"…Again."
He tried again.
Slower.
More controlled.
The thread returned.
Then another.
They gathered.
Not fast.
Not easy.
But steadily.
Minutes passed.
His breathing evened out.
His focus sharpened.
The strands became a cluster.
The cluster—
Condensed.
Then came the pressure.
The mana resisted.
Shifting.
Unstable.
Bran tightened his control.
"…Stay."
It trembled.
Nearly collapsed—
He forced it tighter.
Compressed.
Harder.
Then—
It formed.
A point.
Small.
Dense.
Spinning faintly.
Bran's breath stilled.
"…That's it…"
He pushed once more.
The structure locked.
Stable.
A pulse spread through his body.
Sharp.
Clean.
Everything shifted.
The mana inside him no longer scattered.
It flowed.
Naturally.
Controlled.
Bran exhaled slowly.
"…Different."
Core Formation Successful
Core Type: Wind
Wind.
It fit.
Advancement Conditions Met
The system moved immediately.
Level Up Initiated
Energy surged through him.
This time—
It didn't tear through his body.
The core absorbed it.
Stabilized it.
Directed it.
Bran's muscles tensed slightly, then relaxed as the flow settled into something… right.
Stronger.
Cleaner.
Level Increased
Stat Cap Updated
The ceiling had shifted.
Then—
Another pulse.
New Skill Acquired
Wind Bazooka
Description: Releases a concentrated burst of compressed wind capable of repelling targets and causing internal impact damage
Bran's eyes flickered slightly.
"…That's useful."
He opened his status.
Status Window
Level: 2
Tier: 2
Health: 15 / 15
Stamina: 15 / 15
Mana: 18 / 18
Strength: 7
Speed: 8
Stamina Stat: 7
Mana Stat: 9
Stat Cap: 15 (Increased by 50%)
Energy: 214
Runic Points: 2
Skills:
– Ignis (Lv.2)
– Ventus (Lv.2)
– Ventus Gradus (Lv.2)
– Wind Bazooka (Lv.1)
Bran stared at it for a moment.
Everything—
Had moved.
Not just numbers.
Flow.
His breathing felt easier.
His body lighter.
The drain—
Lower.
He could feel it.
Ventus wasn't straining as much.
Ignis felt more stable.
Even standing—
Cost less.
"…So this is what it's supposed to feel like."
Not forced.
Natural.
Bran closed the window.
Then pushed himself up slowly.
The pain was still there.
The field hadn't changed.
The danger hadn't disappeared.
But now—
He wasn't the same.
Not incomplete anymore.