Chapter 25: The Mana Core and New Horizons
The Tier 2 Mana Crystal pulsed with an almost hypnotic blue light, casting ethereal shadows across the cavernous library basement. It was a treasure trove of pure, condensed mana, far exceeding the potency of the Tier 1 crystal Kaelen had found earlier. This was a game-changer, a direct path to strengthening his Mana Affinity and his latent power.
"This is it!" Kaelen murmured, his eyes fixed on the shimmering crystal. "The next step."
Ethan, still wary from the recent fight, cautiously approached the crystal. "What is it, Kaelen? It feels... powerful."
"It's a Tier 2 Mana Crystal," Kaelen explained, his voice filled with a rare hint of excitement. "It's pure, highly condensed mana. Essential for deeper mana utilization, and perhaps opening new avenues for Awakened abilities." He glanced at Emily, who was still recovering from using her Mana Resonance. "And perhaps, for accelerating the awakening of others."
Caleb, holding his injured arm, looked at it with a mix of awe and apprehension. "So, what do we do with it?"
"We take it back to the shelter," Kaelen stated. "This much mana can be used for many things. For me, it's about boosting my Mana Affinity as much as possible."
Kaelen carefully approached the crystal. It was massive, easily three times the size of the Tier 1 crystal. He placed his hand on its cool, smooth surface. Immediately, a powerful surge of mana flowed into his body. It wasn't just replenishment; it was an overwhelming sensation of his Mana Affinity deepening, resonating with the crystal's purity.
[Mana Affinity strengthening...][Conditions for achieving a major breakthrough in Mana Control met.][Warning! The process is critical. Risk of Mana Deviation if interrupted.]
Kaelen's eyes widened. The conditions were met! He hadn't expected it to happen so soon. [A major breakthrough? This means I'm about to surpass my current limits. I must be careful.] He realized this meant integrating ethereal mana deeper into his body, which would significantly increase his mana reserves and control.
"I need to absorb this," Kaelen announced, his voice firm. "I'm going to undergo a significant power enhancement. It's a critical process. I need all of you to guard me. No interruptions, no matter what."
The team looked at each other, then back at Kaelen's determined face. They had seen his power, and they trusted him.
"We'll guard you, Kaelen," Ethan said, gripping his makeshift weapon tighter. Layla nodded, her keen eyes scanning the shadows. Caleb, despite his wound, positioned himself defensively. Emily stepped closer to Kaelen, a fierce protectiveness in her gaze.
Kaelen sat down cross-legged before the crystal, closing his eyes. He began to draw the mana from the Tier 2 crystal, focusing it within his body. The process was intense. Mana surged through his veins, hot and vibrant, then began to compress, condensing into a swirling vortex in his lower abdomen. He felt immense pressure, as if his very being was being squeezed. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his muscles tensed.
The air around him shimmered with visible mana, drawn into his body. The hum in the basement intensified, resonating with his internal struggle.
[Mana Affinity Enhancement: 10%... 30%... 60%...]
The process was agonizingly slow, yet incredibly fast. Every fiber of his being was screaming, but Kaelen's will was unyielding. He pushed through the pain, the mana in his body began to transform into a liquid form, collecting in a vortex in his lower abdomen, then powerfully surging through his body, nourishing his flesh, bones, blood, and every cell within him. He felt a profound rejuvenation engulf his body, as if every physical attribute he possessed had been refined and hardened by this pure energy.
[Mana Affinity Enhancement: 90%... 99%...]
With a final, powerful surge, a brilliant blue light erupted from Kaelen's body, momentarily blinding the team. The light quickly receded, and Kaelen gasped, opening his eyes. He felt lighter, yet infinitely more powerful. He was no longer just drawing mana from the air or from crystals; he had become a true reservoir of it, permeating every cell of his body.
[Mana Affinity greatly enhanced!][Mana reserves greatly increased. Mana regeneration rate significantly boosted.][All Mana-related abilities enhanced.][Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 8!][Attribute Points gained: 5.]
Kaelen stood up, feeling the boundless energy within him. His eyes darted to the System screen, with an excited smile touching his lips.
[Name: Kaelen][Level: 8][Experience Points: 0/2000][Available Attribute Points: 5][Health: 800/800][Mana: 500/500]
[Attributes:]
Strength: 13 (+1)
Agility: 13 (+1)
Endurance: 8
Vitality: 7
Intelligence: 7
Luck: 3
[Abilities:]
Analysis (Active)
Dimensional Vision (Active)
Mana Control (Active - Enhanced)
Mana Sense (Active - Level 3)
Mana Overload (Active - Enhanced)
[Latent Abilities:]
Mana Affinity (Activated)
His mana reserves had skyrocketed, and his Mana Sense felt incredibly sharp, capable of perceiving mana flows with unprecedented clarity. He also felt a more precise and conscious control over his mana, as if his understanding of its nature had deepened, which he attributed to the enhancement of his mental capabilities. He quickly allocated his new attribute points: two in Strength, two in Agility, and one in Intelligence.
[Strength: 15 (+1)][Agility: 15 (+1)][Intelligence: 8]
"It's done," Kaelen said, his voice deeper, more resonant. He felt the weight of his new power, and the immense responsibility that came with it. The Tier 2 Mana Crystal, though diminished, still held a faint glow. He carefully retrieved it, knowing it still contained valuable residual mana.
"That... that was incredible, Kaelen," Ethan stammered, his eyes wide.
Emily simply stared, a look of profound awe on her face, as if she had witnessed a miracle. The mana she felt stirring within her seemed to resonate even more strongly with Kaelen's newly enhanced mana.
"We need to get back to the shelter," Kaelen stated, his focus already shifting to the next objective. "We have new resources, and I have new power. It's time to plan our next moves."
The journey back was quicker, fueled by Kaelen's enhanced senses and the team's renewed determination. The university, once a symbol of the old world's demise, was now becoming a proving ground, a place where the strong could rise. And Kaelen, with his greatly enhanced Mana Affinity, was ready to take on whatever challenges this evolving world threw at him, one step closer to his ultimate goal.
Reader Comment: A Cat Who Loves Cola
"Meow! This chapter was a real rollercoaster! Grotesques? These monsters I don't like, but Kaelen handled them well. And Emily... oh, she seemed to unleash something! Interesting. I hope they find a warm place for a nap after all this. This world is crazy, but it's fun. Come on, I want more shiny things! drinks cola slowly, contemplating seriously"