Leo sprinted into the abandoned building, his footsteps echoing through the hollow interior.
The moment he stepped inside, he felt it—
The structure was unstable.
Cracked walls. Weak beams. Dust falling with every movement.
Behind him—
CRASH.
The rat burst through the entrance, its massive body shaking the entire building.
Leo turned, breathing heavily. His arms trembled, his body already pushed to its limit. Blood slowly dripped from the corner of his mouth.
He didn't have much time.
The rat charged.
Leo dodged—barely. Its claws grazed his side, tearing fabric and skin.
"Ghk—!"
Pain exploded through him.
He staggered but forced himself to stay upright.
Not yet…
He grabbed a broken metal pole nearby, using it to steady himself. His breathing was uneven. His vision blurred.
The rat lunged again.
Leo stepped back—slowly, carefully—guiding it deeper into the building.
One step.
Another.
The ceiling creaked loudly above them. Dust rained down.
The rat swiped—
Leo raised the pole—
CRACK!
The force shattered it instantly, sending Leo crashing into a nearby pillar.
"—!"
He hit hard. The air was knocked out of him.
Blood spilled from his mouth as he dropped to one knee.
Everything hurt.
His arms. His ribs. His back.
He could barely stand.
The rat advanced slowly now… as if savoring the moment.
Its heavy steps echoed.
One step.
Two steps.
Leo's vision blurred—but he forced his eyes upward.
The support beams above…
Cracked. Weak. Ready to collapse.
Just a little more…
He clenched his teeth and forced himself to stand.
The rat charged again—faster this time, aiming to finish him.
Leo didn't move.
He stood there—bleeding, exhausted—watching.
Waiting.
Closer…
Closer…
Now.
With the last of his strength, Leo grabbed another broken pole and slammed it into the already damaged support beam.
CRACK.
For a split second—
Nothing happened.
Leo's heart stopped.
The rat was already in front of him.
Then—
A deep, rumbling sound echoed through the building.
The ceiling trembled.
The beams snapped.
The rat realized too late.
BOOOOM!
The entire structure collapsed.
Wood shattered. Stone fell. Dust swallowed everything.
Leo turned and ran—forcing his broken body to move.
He dove forward, sliding out just as the building gave way behind him.
He hit the ground hard, rolling across the dirt.
"Cough—!"
Dust filled the air.
Silence followed.
Leo lay there, gasping, his entire body screaming in pain.
For a moment—he couldn't move.
Minutes passed.
Slowly… the dust began to settle.
Leo forced himself up, trembling.
"…Did it… work…?"
He turned back.
The building was gone.
Reduced to rubble.
Then—
He saw it.
The rat.
Pinned beneath the debris.
Only its head remained exposed.
Leo stared at it for a moment.
Then—
A small, exhausted smile formed on his face.
"…Got you."
He staggered forward, each step heavy.
Picking up a sharp piece of metal, he stood over it.
Then—
He thrust downward.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
And again.
Until the rat stopped moving.
Completely.
Silence.
-
Leo stood there, trembling.
Blood dripped from his chin. His vision blurred again.
His body had reached its limit.
"…I made it…"
His knees almost gave out.
Then—
Something changed.
A presence.
Deep. Silent. Ancient.
Not outside—
But inside him.
"…Condition fulfilled."
"…Threshold exceeded."
"…A vessel that should not survive… has endured."
Leo's eyes widened slightly.
That strange current—
The one he had been feeling all day—
Returned.
But this time…
It wasn't faint.
"…Aether responds."
Leo gasped.
A surge of energy flooded into his body.
Not like mana.
Not wild. Not explosive.
But deep.
Overwhelming.
Unstoppable.
It poured into him—
Like something that had always been there… finally awakening.
His wounds reacted first.
The bleeding slowed.
Pain dulled.
His body began to recover—not gently, but forcefully.
Muscles tightened.
Bones steadied.
Fatigue… faded.
"W-What is this…?" Leo whispered.
"…Aether assimilation."
The energy sank deeper.
Into his muscles.
His bones.
Every part of his body.
Then—
Understanding came.
The Awakening crystal…
Hadn't failed.
Mana had rejected him.
And because of that—
Something else had chosen him instead.
"…You have unlocked Aether."
Images flooded his mind.
Not taught.
Instinctive.
You have learned:
Thrust (Lv. 1) – A precise forward stab aimed at vital points. Fast and efficient, but lacks power.
Parry (Lv. 1) – Deflect an incoming attack with perfect timing.
Quick Step (Lv. 1) – A sudden burst of movement to reposition.
Counter (Lv. 1) – Instantly retaliate after a successful dodge or block.
Leo stood still.
His breathing steadied.
His body… no longer felt like it was breaking.
It felt stronger.
Sharper.
Alive.
"Aether…" he whispered.
The world had chosen mana.
But mana had rejected him.
And because of that—
He had unlocked something else.
Something deeper.
Something… not meant for ordinary people.
Leo slowly clenched his fist.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I didn't fail…"
His eyes sharpened.
"I just… awakened differently."