Back in my room, I sat cross-legged and tapped on my inventory. From it, I took out the Mana Saint Talent Crystal—a glowing, deep crimson gem radiating dense, pure mana. This was my chance.
According to the system's instructions, I simply had to absorb it through my chest, and the talent would bind to me. So I didn't hesitate.
The moment it touched my skin, the crystal sank in as if my body were water. My eyes widened as a searing heat coursed through my veins. I gasped, coughing as a thick, black tar-like substance was expelled from my pores, staining the floor.
It was the impurities—the last remnants of unrefined mana being purged from my system. The Mana Saint Talent had activated.
Inside my spiritual sea, my mana pool transformed. What had once been a small pond was now a vast lake, glowing with a cerulean hue so pure it shimmered like starlight on water. My mana purity hit 100%, and its density increased more than a hundredfold.
I had ascended, reaching the peak of the Private Stage in one go. Even Ragnar, the presence residing within me, leveled up, his mana also purified since we are now connected. The Mana Saint Crystal didn't just purify—it also refined my body, expanding my mana capacity and pushing me up several stages instantly.
Still catching my breath, I reached for the second gift granted by the system—a Skill Gear Shift. It appeared as a slim book, lined with silver etchings. I pressed it to my forehead, and as it dissolved into light, a surge of knowledge embedded itself deep within my mind.
It wasn't high-tier—just a base-grade skill gear—but it still boosted my speed twofold.
I had already used the Class Book earlier, which had granted me the Eye of the Archivist, so that meant all my newbie gifts were used up.
Now, it was time to test my skills.
I decided to start with Dimensional jump and Spatial Cut, both granted by my class. I aimed at the flower pot in the corner of the room, pointed a finger, and softly spoke:
"Spatial Cut."
I expected a clean slice or even just a visual effect. Instead, a vast, kaleidoscopic sensation expanded in my mind. My thoughts froze. I sat motionless as an overwhelming stream of spatial application theories, techniques, and sub-skills rushed into my head. I had just learned all of them in an instant.
"Wow... I guess it's not just a skill use like in games—it forcefullt made me learn all theories and knowledge required to use Spatial Cut..." I muttered, staring at the sliced flower, now cleanly severed without a sound. The sensation was fleeting, but powerful.
"Was that... a Rule?" I whispered.
It felt eerily similar to how the book described the first contact with Laws or Rules—subtle, silent, yet overwhelming in presence.
"Maybe Dimensional jump will let me confirm it," I thought.
When I activated Dimensional Jump, the effect wasn't just a blur—it was like I'd stepped between slivers of space. The world twisted briefly, and I appeared several meters away, no sound, no resistance. Information flooded my mind again: precise calculations of angles, frictionless movement paths, spatial folding… fragments of spatial mastery were embedding themselves within me.
I stood there, stunned.
It wasn't just a skill—it was a glimpse into something higher.
Rules.
But perhaps… I was still too weak to truly grasp a Rule.
At least, that's what I told myself.
Though deep down, I knew it wasn't entirely true. I'd read the books. There were Awakeners even younger than me who had managed to comprehend Rules. Age wasn't the only factor—will, opportunity, and intent mattered just as much.
"Hmm... maybe continuous usage will help me understand it better," I muttered under my breath.
I turned back to the flower pot, narrowed my eyes, and began activating Spatial Cut again. One strike. Then another. Again. Again.
Each time, the mana flowed more smoothly, the sense of connection grew deeper. At first, it just felt like a more refined version of the skill—but then something shifted.
A strange pull.
A sudden silence in my mind.
Then—clarity.
I fell into a trance-like state, surrounded by a quiet void where everything except the concept of cutting seemed to vanish. In that moment, I understood.
I wasn't just using a skill anymore—I was resonating with something greater.
I had touched my very first Rule.
The Rule of Cutting.
And not just any rule… a Second-Class Rule.
I gasped as the trance faded, my body drenched in sweat. I'd done it.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a voice:
"Young master, are you awake?"
I blinked, glancing out the window. The sky was bright.
A whole night had passed.
My body was exhausted, but my soul buzzed with energy. I focused inward for a moment, and a system notification appeared:
[Rule Comprehension: Cutting Rule - Second Class] Progress: 3%
I closed my eyes and entered my Spirit Space—the inner world where Awakened stored their bound monsters, honed their talents, and nurtured their true power.
Unlike before, the space felt calmer… more refined. There was an unnatural stillness, like the air itself respected something greater within.
And then I saw it.
Floating in the center of the void was a pure white sword, suspended mid-air. It looked deceptively simple—no ornate design, no glowing runes—but it radiated a sharpness so absolute that even looking too long made my spirit shiver.
This was the symbol of my Rule.
The Rule of Cutting.
It hovered silently, yet the aura it gave off was enough to warn: Come too close, and you'll be sliced.
The more I comprehended the Rule, the more refined and complete this sword-symbol would become. In time, it might evolve into a true Manifested Rule, or even something greater.
But for now, I left the Spirit Space. My eyes opened.
It was time to get ready.
"I'm not the same anymore," I whispered to myself as I stood. "I've awakened my mind too now... and I've stepped far beyond a normal awakener."
An Awakened being could go without rest for three days straight, and those at higher levels didn't need sleep at all. And me?
I was no longer just an Awakened—I was someone who had touched a Rule.
I exhaled, a white mist leaving my lips. Even that felt different.
My overall stats had surged by at least 100%, likely as a side effect of my Rule awakening. That's the true power of Rules—they don't just enhance your abilities, they elevate your very existence.
Attack power, mana control, reaction speed—everything had sharpened.
And I was only at 3% comprehension.