"Wait… what?" Miranda blinked, confused. "I thought class ended for today."
Kirito adjusted his glasses. "Looks like the real lesson is just beginning."
Zane stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Sector Delta, huh? That's one of the mana-rich zones. Only elite groups get trained there."
Alex stood up, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. His thoughts still buzzed with the system message and the growing fear of being exposed — but for now, he had to focus.
The four of them made their way out of the dorms, joining the other Tier One students as they headed toward the academy's lower levels. Escorted by security drones, the group was guided through a long, metallic corridor that buzzed faintly with magical energy.
Eventually, they reached a massive set of doors marked with glowing glyphs.
They opened with a deep thrum, revealing a breathtaking training ground — not a sterile hall, but a vast open field infused with shimmering light. Mana drifted through the air like glowing dust, and the earth beneath their feet hummed with energy.
Instructor Cain stood at the center, tall and sharp-eyed, with silver streaks in his dark hair and a blade sheathed at his hip.
"Welcome to Sector Delta," he announced, voice echoing across the field. "This is where we separate the average from the exceptional."
He paced in front of them, his gaze scanning the students.
"You've been told about abilities, tiers, and combat styles. But all of that is meaningless if your mana core is weak or underdeveloped."
The students murmured among themselves.
Lennox raised a hand, and silence followed.
"Mana is more than energy," he continued. "It's the foundation of everything. And to control it, you must first feel it. Today, you will begin forming your mana cores — the first step to real power."
Kirito leaned toward Alex and whispered, "They didn't even mention this during orientation."
Alex nodded slightly, his curiosity rising despite the storm inside him.
Cain raised his hand again, and glowing blue rings spread across the field, separating each student into their own training space.
"Sit. Close your eyes. Feel the mana around you, let it resonate with your body. Your core already exists — our job is to awaken it."
…Alex nodded slightly, his curiosity rising despite the storm inside him.
Lennox raised his hand again, and glowing blue rings spread across the field, separating each student into their own training space.
"Sit. Close your eyes. Feel the mana around you, let it resonate with your body. Your core already exists — our job is to awaken it."
Alex lowered himself to the ground, mimicking the others, though something in his gut felt off. He crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and tried to feel the strange energy that everyone else seemed to notice.
And then…
[Mana Detected in Surrounding Environment.]
[Warning: Host body currently incompatible with external mana particles.]
[System Analysis: Mana Core formation blocked.]
[Quest Unlocked: Reach Level 10 to trigger First Evolution.]
[Note: First Evolution will unlock full mana compatibility and unlock core development.]
Alex's brows twitched. What?
Around him, he could already see faint pulses of light forming around other students — glowing wisps gathering toward their chests as they began forming their cores.
But him? Nothing. Not even a spark.
"…Great," he muttered under his breath.
He leaned back slightly, rubbing his temples.
"Oh well… this is gonna be a problem."
He looked around, trying not to stand out. The last thing he needed was anyone realizing something was off. Especially not Zane, who already gave off an 'I'm better than you' vibe every time they locked eyes.
Mr. Lennox continued pacing through the rows, watching students meditate.
"Feel the mana… let it gather within," he said. "Don't force it. Let it flow into the center of your being — that is where your core will start to form."
Alex pretended to focus. He shut his eyes, slowed his breathing. But inside, his mind raced.
So I need to hit level 10 before I can even form a mana core? How the hell am I supposed to keep up?
He clenched his fists. This wasn't just a setback — it was a wall. One that could expose what he was… or worse, leave him far behind the others.
But then he remembered the ghoul from that night. The raw strength he'd gained after surviving the attack. The boost the system gave him. His claws. His healing. His senses.
Maybe… he had a different path.
I might not have a core yet… but I'm not powerless.
Alex muttered to himself, "Let me just focus… maybe I can at least gather mana like the rest of them."
He adjusted his sitting posture, trying to ignore the buzzing system message still echoing in his head. No core… not compatible… quest this, quest that. He shut his eyes, inhaled deeply, and tried again.
Mr. Cain's voice guided the room like a calm tide. "Mana is not chaotic. It is calm, gentle — like mist swirling in the early morning air. Guide it, don't force it."
He walked between students, his tone steady and patient. "Focus it around your abdomen. That's where your Mana Core begins to form. And if your concentration is sharp enough… you may even feel your Ability Core in your heart region."
Alex peeked slightly.
Zane already had a faint aura sparking around him — tiny arcs of lightning zipping from his arms to his fingertips. The guy looked like he was born for this.
Miranda sat still as stone, her brows scrunched in quiet focus. A soft blue glow curled around her like a cocoon.
Even Kirito had a subtle pulse of golden light gathering at his core.
Alex shut his eyes again. Come on… something. Just give me something.
And then — it happened.
In the quiet dark space of his mind, where others gathered warm mana mist…
Alex saw something else.
A pulsing, dark red orb — lodged slightly off-center, opposite his heart. It wasn't like the others. It looked... raw. Unstable. Fresh. Crimson veins of chaotic energy swirled from it, running through his body like cracks of power.
His breath hitched.
Is… is that my Ability Core?
But he shook his head. No. That can't be it. I don't even have my old ability anymore… ever since the system took over. So then…
His brows tightened. What is this core?
It pulsed again — like it had a heartbeat of its own.
Red. Chaotic. Hungry.
Alex tried focusing on it. Tried reaching for it. The moment he did—
ZNNKT!
A violent snap echoed in his mind, like a string being yanked too tight and then cut. His concentration shattered. His eyes flew open as he gasped.
He blinked.
Everyone was staring at him.
Miranda had her mouth slightly open, her aura dimmed as she studied him with wide eyes.
Kirito raised a brow.
And Zane?
He smirked, folding his arms.
"Yo," he said. "