Chapter 22 – Status
Mana cores were the foundation of everything in this era. At their most basic level, they were simple—the hearts of monsters.
Before the world changed, during the Age of Technology, animals were just animals. They lived, hunted, and died. There was no mana, no supernatural force, no hidden energy flowing through the world.
Then everything changed.
Mana began to flood the environment. Invisible, yet everywhere. Nature adapted faster than humans ever could. Some animals began absorbing mana unconsciously. It seeped into their bodies, into their blood, into their bones.
At first, nothing happened. But over time, the mana gathered. It condensed and compressed into something physical—a core. A mana core.
That moment changed everything.
The instant a creature formed a mana core, it stopped being just an animal. It became a monster—stronger, faster, more aggressive. Driven by instinct… and something deeper.
When those monsters were killed, they left something behind—their core. A crystallized form of power.
At first, people feared it. They avoided it. They didn't understand its value. But as time passed, humanity adapted. They learned how to use mana cores, refine them, and harness them.
Soon, mana cores became the most valuable resource in the world.
They became currency—a universal standard of value. They became energy sources, powering cities, lighting homes, and running machines. They fueled mana circles used for barriers and combat systems. They became ingredients for potions—healing, strengthening, enhancing.
Eventually, they became the foundation of modern technology itself.
Everything—from weapons to infrastructure—depended on mana cores. The demand only continued to rise, especially for equipment. Because in this world, strength wasn't optional.
It was survival.
The stronger your weapon, the better your armor, the higher your chances of living another day. Simple.
Level 1 cores sold for around 10 to 50 dollars. Common, used for basic tools. Level 2 cores ranged from 20 to 500 dollars, more useful. Level 3 cores reached 50 to 2,000 dollars, valuable and often used for advanced gear. Level 4 cores ranged from 500 to 5,000 dollars—rare, dangerous to obtain, and highly sought after.
Leo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet—too quiet.
Beside him was an old book. A fairytale. It was open, worn from years of reading. The edges were torn, and the pages had yellowed with age. It was something he used to read when he was younger.
It told a story about the beginning of the world. A different era.
Back then, the first races lived together—elves, dwarves, dragons, humans, and beastkin. They didn't fight. They didn't compete. They coexisted.
Elves walked through human cities without fear. Dwarves built massive structures alongside human engineers. Beastkin traded freely in markets, their voices blending with others. Dragons, powerful and ancient, flew peacefully across the skies.
"…A world like that…" Leo muttered softly. "…feels unreal."
Now, that world didn't exist anymore. Or maybe it did—in fragments.
There were rumors. Whispers spreading quietly through towns and cities. Stories people dismissed… but never fully ignored.
Ancient elven relics had begun surfacing.
Strange artifacts with unknown inscriptions, still carrying faint traces of mana. Dragon bone fragments—massive and indestructible—were being found buried deep underground.
Ruins appeared again. Old. Forgotten. As if the world itself was revealing its past.
And in the Deadlands, even more dangerous changes were happening. New dungeons were forming—unstable and unpredictable.
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Interesting."
Before, these things would've scared him. But now, it felt different.
Now that he had awakened, the world didn't feel closed anymore. It felt open.
Dangerous—but full of possibilities.
In the future, he wanted to see it all.
"The ruins."
"The relics."
"The Deadlands."
"Everything."
Leo slowly sat up on his bed and crossed his legs. "…Let's try this."
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused.
At first, there was nothing.
Then a faint sensation.
Then he felt it.
Mana. Aether.
It flowed around him—not violently, not aggressively, but constantly. Endlessly. Like an invisible ocean.
It touched his skin and seeped into his body. Through his hands, his feet, his chest. It moved through his veins, wrapped around his bones. Even his heart felt it.
Every part of him.
It felt like countless tiny needles pricking his body. Yet there was no pain. Only energy—warm, expanding, alive.
His body absorbed it naturally. Greedily.
Time passed—minutes, maybe hours. Leo didn't know.
When he finally opened his eyes, the world felt clearer. Sharper.
"…So this is mana…"
He paused, a thought forming.
"…If I've awakened…"
"…I should have a status too… right?"
He looked forward and spoke.
"Status."
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint, translucent screen appeared before him.
Name: Leo Dawnbringer
Lvl: 1
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Job: Apprentice Swordsman
Unique: The One Who Wields Aether
Strength: 15
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 14
Mana: 30
Leo stared at it.
A normal human had around 5 points. A trained athlete—around 10.
"…I'm already above that…"
His gaze shifted downward.
Mana: 30.
"…That's not normal…"
Even among awakened, that number was high.
"…Is it because of Aether?"
He continued reading.
Techniques:
Slash – Level 2
Thrust – Level 2
Parry – Level 2
Quick Step – Level 2
Counter – Level 2
Observation – Level 1
Each technique appeared simple, but Leo understood their value.
Slash was cleaner and more efficient. Thrust was fast and direct. Parry redirected force with precision. Quick Step allowed short bursts of speed. Counter struck at the perfect moment of vulnerability. Observation sharpened awareness and reaction.
Then—
Form:
Swordsmanship – Level 1
A foundational form. It didn't look impressive, but it enhanced everything—every movement, every strike, every step.
Even slightly, it made a difference.
Leo clenched his fist. "I'm getting stronger…"
But something felt off.
"…Why is my growth so fast?"
It had only been a few days since he awakened, yet his progress was abnormal.
"…Is it because of Aether?"
At the Academy, he learned something important. Awakeners didn't usually learn skills naturally. They needed scrolls—dropped by monsters or created by mage scholars.
Without those, progress was fast. But Limited.
But him?
He was learning mid-fight. Instinctively.
"…That's not normal…"
A quiet thought surfaced.
"…Am I… an anomaly?"
His expression hardened.
"…I shouldn't tell anyone."
If people found out, things would change. He wouldn't be seen as normal. He could be studied, experimented on, controlled—used.
"…No."
He shook his head.
"I'll keep it to myself."
For now.
Then he remembered something.
Scrolls.
Some were powerful enough to grant high-level skills instantly. No training. No effort.
"…since I learn skills manually…"
"…does that mean I can't use scrolls?"
The thought lingered for a moment.
"…So maybe it balances out…"
Others could gain strength instantly, while he had to earn it. Fight for it. Grow through it.
Leo lay back down on his bed, staring at the ceiling once more.
"…Still…"
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"I like this better."
Because this power felt real.
Felt earned.
Felt his.
His thoughts slowly drifted away. His body relaxed.
And before he knew it—
He fell asleep.
End of Chapter 22