The Rune Room loomed before Adrian, its circular walls bathed in a faint glow from ancient runes that seemed to pulse with life. The chamber itself was made of smooth, gray stone, each surface meticulously etched with symbols from a forgotten era. The air inside was thick with magic, alive with a force that Adrian could feel vibrating through his very bones. The soft hum of energy was constant, like a heartbeat woven into the fabric of the room. It wasn't just a room—it was a living entity, a space created for transformation, trial, and awakening.
At the center of the chamber, a raised platform stood out like a beacon. Runes spiraled inward from the edge of the room, converging on this central point where magic and fate intertwined. The platform glowed faintly, each rune casting its soft light as if waiting for someone to step forward and claim the power it offered.
Adrian took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him. His heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had come too far to turn back now. The memories of his struggles—the duels, the training, the pain—flooded his mind, but he pushed them aside. He removed his top layer of clothing, feeling the cool air of the chamber on his skin. Each step he took towards the platform felt heavier than the last, as though the room itself was watching him, waiting to see if he was worthy.
"Take your position," Fiona's voice broke the silence. Her tone was calm and reassuring, but Adrian could sense the intensity in her eyes. This was not a routine moment for her either.
He nodded, his throat dry, and climbed onto the platform. He crossed his legs and settled into a seated position, the cold stone beneath him grounding him in the reality of what was about to happen. Adrian closed his eyes, blocking out the distractions around him, focusing solely on his breath. Inhale. Exhale. He needed to be still. His heart pounded in his chest, but he knew that if he let fear overtake him, he would fail.
Behind him, Fiona prepared to begin the ritual. She stepped forward, her presence comforting but intense. "I'm going to channel my mana into you," she explained, her voice soft but firm. "It will help open your mana circuit. This will hurt, Adrian. You need to endure. Trust the process."
Adrian didn't open his eyes, but he nodded, bracing himself for what was to come. The room seemed to hold its breath as Fiona placed her hands on his back. The moment her mana began to flow into him, Adrian felt a shock of energy surge through his body. It was warm at first, almost comforting, but quickly grew more intense, spreading through him like wildfire.
The runes on the walls flared to life, their colors brightening as the energy in the room built. The mana surged within him, intertwining with his own life force, pushing against the barriers that held his mana circuit closed. Adrian's body tensed involuntarily, every muscle straining as the pressure built. His breath quickened, his jaw clenching as he tried to remain calm.
But then the pain hit.
It started as a dull ache, but within moments, it blossomed into something far more excruciating. The sensation of fire erupted inside him, as though his blood had been replaced by molten lava. His muscles seized, veins bulging against his skin as his body fought against the overwhelming force tearing through him. Every nerve screamed in agony.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHH!" The scream tore from Adrian's throat before he could stop it, raw and desperate.
At the edge of the room, Captain Mohan and Rowan stood watching. Mohan took an instinctive step forward, his hand twitching as if to intervene, but Rowan held him back. "Trust him, Captain," Rowan said quietly, his eyes never leaving Adrian. "He needs to go through this. He'll make it."
Mohan's face was tense, his fists clenched at his sides. Every instinct told him to protect the young recruit, but he knew Rowan was right. This was Adrian's battle, one that no one could fight for him.
Inside Adrian's mind, the pain was relentless. It consumed him, overwhelming his senses, threatening to tear him apart. His thoughts spiraled as memories flashed before his eyes—his family, his old life, the moments he had lost. It was too much. The pain was too much.
I can't… I can't do this.
But just as despair began to creep in, another thought surfaced. His reason for being here. The fire that had kept him moving forward. The desire to return to his world, to reclaim what had been taken from him. He couldn't give up now. Not after everything he had endured.
"I must endure," he growled through gritted teeth. His entire body felt as though it were being torn apart from the inside, blood beginning to seep from his pores as the energy within him intensified. But despite the agony, he forced himself to focus on his goal.
With every wave of pain, Adrian dug deeper. He pictured his home, the faces of his family, and the life that had been ripped from him. He would not be defeated by this trial. Not when his path forward was finally within reach.
Gradually, something began to shift. The unbearable heat inside him began to ebb, the sharpness of the pain dulling, replaced by a new sensation—power. Raw, untamed, and exhilarating, it surged through his veins. Adrian could feel it now, his mana circuit opening, the energy coursing through him like a river finding its path.
The runes around him glowed brighter, their light steady and calm. The swirling energy in the room began to settle, and for the first time, Adrian truly felt the mana around him. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and he could see the world as it truly was. The air crackled with life, the energy of the room, the people—it was all connected, flowing through him.
But there was something else. Deep within him, in his abdomen, he felt a new sensation—a warmth, a pulse of power that hadn't been there before. It was different from the mana coursing through him. Stronger, more primal.
As the last of the pain faded, Adrian opened his eyes. His body was trembling, sweat dripping from his forehead, but he felt… alive. More alive than he ever had before. His mana circuit had opened, and with it, a new chapter of his life had begun.
Fiona stepped back, her expression one of awe. "It's done," she whispered, her voice filled with reverence.
Mohan and Rowan approached, their faces a mix of pride and respect. Mohan clapped a hand on Adrian's shoulder, his grip firm. "You did well, lad," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "You've taken your first real step toward becoming one of the empire's finest."
Rowan grinned, his usual stoicism replaced with excitement. "You've got something special, Adrian. Not everyone can endure what you just went through. You should be proud of yourself."
Adrian nodded, still trying to process everything. His body ached, his mind was spinning, but there was something else—something new. The power he had unlocked was still there, humming just beneath the surface. But it was the strange sensation in his abdomen that caught his attention.
Fiona noticed his confusion. "Your mana core…" she began, her voice soft but serious. "It's not where it usually is. Most people's cores are in their chest or head, but yours... it's in your abdomen."
Adrian blinked, still processing. "Is that… bad?"
Fiona shook her head, her eyes wide with wonder. "No. It's rare. Very rare. It means your power is unique. What it means exactly… we'll have to find out."
Adrian felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. He had always felt out of place in this world, and now his power was unlike anyone else's. But was that a blessing or a curse?
"You'll find out soon enough," Mohan said, his voice filled with confidence. "Whatever it means, it's part of who you are now. And it's going to shape your future."
Adrian nodded slowly, feeling the warmth in his abdomen, the pulsing power that would define him from this moment forward. His awakening had begun, and whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it head-on.