After a whole day of "pretending to sleep" like usual, Cyan finally woke up the next morning.
His body still hadn't fully recovered, but his mood was completely different.
"Today… I'm going to test a Saint-grade spirit."
"I've done something similar before when I was playing as Taylor… but this time, it's completely different."
"It's not just a different kind of spirit… this will be the first time I witness something so beautiful with my own eyes."
"At this rate, I shouldn't even be able to use Saint magic until I'm ten… but now, everything has changed."
With excitement bubbling inside him, Cyan quickly finished his routine and rushed straight to the family's training ground.
"This place should be good enough… far enough not to damage the mansion."
"Now then… let's try casting Saint-grade lightning magic for the first time in this world."
Standing alone in the empty training yard, Cyan took a deep breath.
He slowly closed his eyes, focusing his mind as he reached deep into his mana core.
A violent surge of mana responded.
The Saint-grade spirit within him was overflowing with power.
Cyan raised his hand, guiding that raging mana into his palm.
Azure lightning began to take shape—faint at first, then clearer, forming within his mind.
"Appear… Azure Annihilation."
A familiar scene surfaced in his thoughts.
Back then, it had only been something he saw through a computer screen—mere pixels.
But now…
That same scene belonged to Elysia—his older sister in this life.
A streak of violet lightning split the sky, its reflection cold and sharp within his eyes.
Beautiful. Absolute. Unforgiving.
"This time… it'll be Saint-grade azure lightning."
"And I'll see it… with my own eyes."
But—
Something was wrong.
The energy stalled in his palm.
It wouldn't release.
Instead, the mana began to rampage inside his body.
Heat surged violently from within.
At his chest—his mana core—it felt like it was boiling, nearing its limit.
As if it might shatter at any moment.
"Tch—what the hell is this?!"
"…No. This makes sense."
"My current core can't even properly handle high-tier magic… not with that -100 mana restriction."
"There's no way it can endure this kind of pressure."
"I need to stay calm… good thing I still have excess mana."
"…Then I'll make another core."
"An artificial one—using adamantite."
"It's risky… but it's my only option."
"Waiting to strengthen my main core through monster cores or rare materials?"
"…I'd be dead before that happens."
"Then I'll just do something no one has ever done before."
Cyan clenched his teeth.
He forcefully gathered the excess mana, compressing it, refining it—
Transforming each fragment into adamantite-like structure.
Enduring the burning pain in his chest, he shaped it carefully…
A sphere.
Perfect. Stable.
Then—
A second mana core was born.
Right beside the original one.
Without hesitation, Cyan redirected the raging azure mana into the newly formed core.
Instantly—
Everything stabilized.
The violent fluctuations disappeared.
The burning sensation faded away as if it had never existed.
And then—
A notification appeared.
——— Hidden Achievement Unlocked: Dual Core Creation ———
Description: A forgotten ancient method has been reborn. Once more, it walks this world. You now grasp what was once impossible.
Reward: Improved mana circulation
×1.3 Mana Recovery Speed
"…Eh?"
"An ancient method…? You've got to be kidding me."
"I just tried to save my own life… and this pops up?"
"…Feels like I just got something for free."
A grin slowly formed on Cyan's face.
"Guess all that training wasn't for nothing."
"The reward's kinda small… but hey, I'll take it."
"Now then… let's finish what I started."
He closed his eyes once more.
This time—
The mana flowed effortlessly.
Smooth. Controlled. Obedient.
Azure lightning sparked into existence again, threading through every part of his body before gathering into his palm.
"Appear… Azure Annihilation."
This time—
It answered.
Mana erupted violently from his hand.
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
Thunder roared—both from the sky and from his very palm.
—CRACK… CRASH…
Cyan raised his arm—
Then slammed it down.
A massive bolt of azure lightning tore through the sky.
—ZAP—BOOM!!!
The heavens split apart.
Blue light engulfed the entire training ground.
The lightning strike crashed straight into the earth before him.
The ground shattered instantly.
Dust and debris exploded outward, swallowing everything in sight.
For a moment—
There was only silence.
Then, as the dust slowly cleared…
A massive crater revealed itself.
"…That's insane."
"This power is way too exaggerated."
"Compared to high-tier lightning magic… it's like comparing a dinosaur to a lizard."
"…Must be the resonance between my talent and the Saint-grade lightning affinity."
"At least… 5.2 times stronger than normal Saint magic."
Cyan stared at the lingering sparks of lightning.
"The beauty of lightning…"
"…There's nothing like it."
"That azure glow… nothing can compare."
He exhaled slowly.
"A result worth being proud of."
"But next time…"
"I'll cast this using my own power."
"Not by relying on a spirit."
His eyes sharpened.
And just like that—
Cyan's determination burned even brighter.