Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai) by Bluebery Chapter 37: Magic fundamentals Fiction Page Donate Report Chapter Preferences Previous
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"Hmmm…" I tap my chin, thinking. What should I read? What interests me most right now?
Then it hits me. Magic! I really want to learn about the magic system in this world!
"Is there a beginner's book about magic?" I ask, a bit embarrassed. "I'm totally new to it… but I'd love to learn!"
"Oh, so you're looking for a book on the basics and fundamentals?" Karven asks
"Yes! Exactly!" I nod enthusiastically.
"Alright, please wait here for a moment," he says, before disappearing into the library to search for the perfect book.
Within minutes, he returns with a small book in hand, which he hands to me. I glance down, examining the cover. The title: Arcane.
"What's wrong, Miss Felicia?" Karven asks
"Oh, nothing!" I laugh, feeling a bit silly. "It's just… smaller than I expected. And it's so new-looking!"
For some reason, I'd imagined a magic book to be a huge, ancient tome, with pages thick enough to gather dust and heavy enough to knock someone out if it fell on them! But this book is small—just a few hundred pages.
Karven chuckles. "Ah, that's just the first chapter we pulled from the original. The full volume is so large it takes two people to carry it!"
"Oh, I see!" I say, grinning as I clutch the book to my chest. "Thank you so much, Mister Karven!"
"My pleasure, Miss Felicia. Good luck on your magical journey!"
With the book in hand, I hurry back to the cozy basement room, hop onto the bed, and settle in beside Eris, who's still asleep.
Alright! I take a deep breath, excitement bubbling up as I open the book and begin reading the first page.
——————-
Arcane, first chapter.
The book is highly detailed yet very easy to understand. The concept of magic, to my surprise, is quite simple.
First, what is magic?
Magic is a natural force that has existed since the beginning of the universe, brought to life through the manipulation of mana—the energy flowing through all things.
By harnessing this force, a person can perform an incredible range of feats. From simple spells like summoning a spark of fire, creating small orbs of light, or making objects lighter, to complex abilities like controlling the weather or generating explosions powerful enough to level mountains.
The possibilities are endless, limited only by a person's mana reserves, the attribute of their mana core, and their knowledge of the arcane.
Then, what is mana core?
The mana core functions in a mage's system much like the heart in the circulatory system. It generates and circulates mana, powering magical spells, and can be strengthened through training, specialized potions, or herbs. Each mana core is aligned with a specific attribute, or elemental affinity, which determines the type of magic the mage can wield.
Most individuals have a mana core with just one attribute, allowing them to cast only one type of magic. For instance, a mage with a fire-type core can cast fire spells, while a mage with a water-type core is limited to water-based spells.
And so, how many attributes are there?
There are eight main attributes: fire, water, earth, wind, space, time, light, and darkness.
But the real answer is, we don't know. This is because each attribute can exist in countless forms. A fire, as simple as it is, can be so many different types of fire. A healing fire, a purifying fire, an explosion fire, or even a cold fire….
Two people might have fire-type mana cores, yet their magic may be quite different.
The same is with water. When it comes to water, it can be healing water, corrosive water, cleansing water, or ice.
So far, thousands of unique mana core types have been discovered, with new variations emerging every day.
I wonder… what attribute my mana core is.
———————————
"Hmmm… so you want to learn magic?"
"Eeek!" I yelp, practically jumping out of my skin.
It's Eris's voice! She startled me right out of my magical daydreams. I was so absorbed in the book that I'd completely tuned out everything around me—even Eris lying right next to me!
"Eris! When did you wake up?" I ask, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Hihi, just a few minutes ago," she says with a grin. "You know, I love how your brows furrow when you're concentrating so hard. It's adorable!"
"Eh? My brows? Do I really do that?" I ask, touching my forehead, feeling a little self-conscious.
"Oh, yes, you do," Eris chuckles, her tail swishing playfully.
But then a thought hits me. "Wait a minute!" I narrow my eyes. "Did you say anything else besides my brows?"
"Yep," she says, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I said you were very cute."
My cheeks immediately heat up, and I cover my face. "Aaaah! Stop! Stop teasing me like that!"
"Hihi," Eris laughs, clearly enjoying herself. "You blush so easily! That's really cute too!"
"A-Anyway!" I stammer, desperate to change the subject. "Eris, can you use magic? What's your mana core attribute?"
"Oh, my attribute?" she says casually, "Darkness."
My jaw drops.
Darkness!
I expected something like ice magic, considering how her eyes are so blue, but darkness magic? That's on a whole new level of cool!
"Woah! That's so awesome!" I squeal. "C-Can you… show me?" I look up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
But Eris shakes her head, still smiling. "Nope."
"Ehhh?" I groan, crushed by disappointment. "Please? Just a little?"
I try begging, pleading, and even attempting my best kitty eyes, but Eris doesn't budge. No matter how much I plead, she keeps her lips sealed and her darkness magic under wraps.
So, now I know she can wield darkness magic… but what kind of darkness magic it is? I have absolutely no clue!
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SomethingOtherThanRain
Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai) by Bluebery
Chapter 38: Mana sense
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Eris won't spill the beans about her magic, which makes me pout a little, but no matter! It's time for me to dive into the world of magic myself! The book already has instructions on how to start, so I'm just going to follow along and give it my all.
Step one: sensing mana.
To use and manipulate mana, you first need to feel it. But, apparently, that's easier said than done. Each person can only perceive mana by "awakening" their senses, and once awakened, everyone's mana perception is unique. For some, mana looks like colorful wisps or a smoky veil around mana-rich things; for others, it's a scent, a distinct sound, or even a flavor!
Usually, only one sense awakens per person. When an ordinary sense becomes attuned to mana, it's called a "mana sense."
And, interestingly, race can influence which sense awakens. Most cat Furrens, for example, get the visual sense. Dog, wolf, or mouse Furrens often develop a keen smell for mana, while lizard Furrens can taste it with their tongues. Weird, but kinda cool. And for non-Furren humans, the awakened sense is pretty much random.
Now, how to awaken the mana sense?
There are three popular methods:
Method One: Meditative Focus
This one's all about getting zen with it. Deep meditation, sensory isolation, and breathing exercises help tune in to mana's subtle vibe. Sitting in a dark, quiet room with a mana-rich object nearby can help, too.
Method Two: Elemental Exposure
This involves surrounding yourself with the element you think your mana core might resonate with. The problem? While other people can somewhat predict their mana attribute based on what their parents have, I have no idea what my element is, so that's a no-go unless I want to try soaking myself in every element and see which one clicks.
Method Three: Using Powerful Drugs
Fast, potent, and… kind of risky. The upper class loves this one. Special drugs can either heighten all senses or just kickstart the mana sense directly. The catch? These drugs are rare, expensive, and can have some wild side effects. Basically, the spicier the potion, the higher the cost in every sense.
Some people even combine all three methods, going full intensity to speed things up.
Alright, which one should I try? Since I have no clue about my elemental attribute and no magic booster juice, meditation is my best bet.
"Alright, meditation time!" I declare, closing my eyes and settling into my spot.
"Hihi, good luck!" Eris says with a little grin. She dims the lights until there's only a single candle left flickering in her hand. Darkness surrounds us, thick and quiet. The only sounds are Eris's gentle breathing, my heartbeat, and the warmth of her hand holding mine.
"Ready?" she asks softly.
"Nn!" I nod.
Fuu~! Eris blows out the candle, plunging us into complete darkness. All my senses feel heightened now—the lingering scent of the candle, the sound of my heart beating, of Eris' gentle breathing, and her warm touch.
The book said it usually takes around 500 hours of deep meditation for someone to awaken their mana sense. With sensory-enhancing drugs, that goes down to 200 hours. Geniuses sometimes achieve it in under 50 hours, with the record being 10 hours.
"Eris, how many hours did it take you to awaken?" I whisper.
"Hmm, I don't remember exactly, but it was around 100 hours. And, no drugs, by the way," she says with a smirk.
"Alright! I'm going to beat your record!" I say, brimming with determination.
"Hihi, go, Felicia! You can do it!" Eris whispers, giving my hand an encouraging squeeze.
We go quiet again, and I focus on my breathing. A few minutes pass, and… my eyelids start to feel heavy.
"Hey…" Eris whispers, nudging me gently. "Hey, wake up! You're supposed to meditate, not nap!"
"R-right!" I mumble, giving myself a quick slap on the cheeks to wake up. Okay, no dozing off!
Alright, let's try again!
I focus on my breathing, just like the instructions: inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for two, then exhale slowly. Rinse and repeat.
This time, I'm going to stay awake and focus.
—————————
After about ten minutes…
In the darkness…
Huh?
Tiny, glowing particles start to pop up around me, like delicate flecks of glitter suspended in the air. They're faint but so pretty, softly sparkling everywhere. Most of the particles are a shimmery white, but there are hints of red, blue, and yellow drifting through, like gentle waves moving lazily around the room.
Is this… ambient mana? The mana floating around in the atmosphere?
But then my eyes widen even more. Right where Eris is sitting, there's a swirling, mesmerizing cloud of deep purple glitter outlining her whole body. The particles dance and twirl gracefully, and right at her chest is a concentrated, vivid point of dark light—about the size of a tennis ball.
Whoa! The book mentioned that a mana core lives in the heart… so that must be Eris's mana core!
"I… I think I did it!" I whisper excitedly, unable to contain my excitement.
"Huh? No way!" Eris gasps. "Are you serious? It's only been ten minutes!"
"Nu, I'm serious! I'm seeing glitter—sparkly, magic glitter! Ah—oh no… it's gone!" I wail as the tiny lights start fading away the moment I start babbling.
Dang it! Maybe I lost my concentration?
"Hmmm… alright, try again?" Eris suggests, clearly amused.
"Nn!" I nod.
Alright, Felicia, second try, let's make this work! I say to myself.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and steady myself. I breathe in, breathe out, and concentrate with all I've got. Slowly but surely, the glittery particles start to reappear, brighter and clearer than before, like a sky full of tiny stars twinkling just for me.
Heck yeah!
This is seriously the coolest thing ever!
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SomethingOtherThanRain
Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai) by Bluebery
Chapter 39: Mana core
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As soon as I reenter the meditation state, I see the glittering particles again. They're so beautiful and magical; I can't help but smile.
"Oooh, I'm seeing mana again!" I whisper excitedly.
The glitter dims slightly as I speak, but I focus on maintaining my breathing—slow and steady—keeping my mind calm and my gaze fixed on the mana particles. Gradually, the lights grow brighter again.
Eris's mana glows vividly, even more so than earlier.
Could she be actively channeling it this time?
"Alright. I'll move my mana to different parts of my body. You tell me where it goes so I can make sure you're actually seeing mana," Eris says
"Yes, that's a good idea!" I nod.
"Alright, here goes."
"Nn!"
Eris takes a deep breath, and I watch as a stream of shimmering mana flows from her heart to her right arm, branching out like a glittery tree.
"Right arm!" I say confidently.
Eris's eyes go wide. "It's… correct?"
"Hihi, of course!" I grin, proud of myself.
But she still looks a bit skeptical. "Alright, again." She shifts her mana to her left arm.
"Left arm!"
"That's… correct too!" she says, clearly amazed. "How about this?"
"Left leg!"
"And now?"
"Belly!"
"And now?"
"Both right arm and left leg!"
"And now?"
Her mana travels up to her eyes, making them glow in the dark.
"Whoa! Your eyes!" I gasp, awestruck. "They're beautiful!"
"I can't believe it… you did it!" Eris gasps. "You passed the test. You actually broke the record, Felicia—you're a genius!"
"Yeaaaaaaahh!!!" I cheer. "World record, heck yeah!"
With this, the first step of learning magic is officially complete! Easy-peasy!
"Eris, what should I do next?" I ask, brimming with excitement.
"Hmmmm… how about trying to see your own mana?"
"Right!"
"This time, let's see how fast you can do it!"
Once again, I'm pumped.
Eris explains that this next step is actually the hardest for most beginners. Since my mana core has never been trained, my own mana is faint—like a wisp of smoke, almost impossible to sense.
"There are four stages to growing the mana core," she adds.
As she continues, I also recall the four stages I read about in the book earlier.
Stage 1: Formless Core / Invisible Core - As the name suggests, the core hasn't yet formed into a solid shape, but it begins to concentrate in the chest area. With practice and training, this energy condenses further until it forms a tiny ball, about the size of a small fish egg, marking the start of Stage 2.
Stage 2: Enlarging Core - In this stage, the core begins to enlarge. Slowly and steadily, it grows until it reaches the size of the heart.
Stage 3: Pulsating Core / Waving Core - At this stage, the heart-sized core will emits waves of energy each time the heart beat, synchronizing with the heart beat. The pulses can be so intense that even non awakened people can hear and feel the pulsation of the mana-core.
And lastly, Stage 4: Rebirth - By initiating the rebirth process, which can last from a few days to a few months, the core gradually compresses back to the size of a small fish egg, restarting the stages from Stage 2. The person initially weakens but slowly regains strength and can grow exponentially, becoming far stronger than before. Rings appear on the core's surface, marking the number of rebirth cycles it has undergone.
The highest number of rings ever seen in a person is seven, belonging to an SS-ranked adventurer. This means her core has been rebirthed over seven times.
From what I'm seeing, Eris's core seems to be at Stage 2, the Enlarging Core. But having a Stage 2 core means she's at least a D-ranked adventurer!
"Eris, are you sure you're just an E rank?"
"Ah, about that… I just advanced a few weeks ago, but I've been too lazy to take the rank-up test," she says with a shrug.
"Hmmm…"
That makes sense.
But….
Is my eyes deceiving me?
Can a Stage 2 core be this bright?
Wait, could it have rebirthed?
I don't know. It seems too impossible. After all, a person with a rebirthed core should be at least an A-ranked adventurer. And besides, I don't see any rings on her core…
I guess my eyes are just a bit too good, making the light appear brighter than it should.
"Alright! Time to form my own mana core!" I announce excitedly.
However… there's a small problem.
"You don't have to keep looking down at your chest like that," Eris giggles. "You'll get a neck cramp!"
"But… erm… how am I supposed to see my own mana core then?"
"Just leave it to me."
As she says this, her eyes begin to glow again, mesmerizing me with their deep, dark amethyst color—enchanting and intense. As a catgirl, Eris' awakened sense is also visual! She can sees mana the same way I do!
"Oooh, that's perfect!" I say.
With Eris' help, no more awkwardly straining my neck!
"Oh, and by the way," she adds with a grin, "the world record for Stage 1 completion is two hours. Think you can beat it?"
"Hehe, watch me!" I say, my determination blazing.
I take a deep breath, do a light stretch, and sit up straight.
Once my mana core forms, I'll finally be able to use magic! I can't help but wonder… what kind of magic will I have?
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SomethingOtherThanRain
Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai) by Bluebery
Chapter 40: Mana core get!
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To form my own mana core and complete Stage One, I'll need to gather mana from the environment and make it my own.
There are three main ways to absorb mana:
First, by breathing it in from the air.
Second, through the digestive system by ingesting mana-rich potions or foods.
And lastly, through skin absorption. However, this last method is so inefficient it barely makes a difference compared to the other two.
For now, my focus is on breathing correctly.
"Yes, just like that, keep going," Eris encourages.
I focus on my breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly, deeply. Yet, not every breath captures mana. Mana doesn't obey the usual laws of physics; it doesn't flow from areas of high concentration to low concentration like regular air particles do. One can't simply inhale it like dust.
Instead, mana is attracted by three specific factors:
One, Intent and Willpower: Mana is highly responsive to a person's focused intent and will. When someone concentrates on drawing in mana, their mental energy creates a magnetic-like pull that attracts mana particles. Strong intent, visualization, and even emotional energy act as beacons, similar to how a magnet attracts metal filings.
Two, Resonant Energy: Mana particles are drawn to sources of energy that harmonize with their own frequency, including their own type. For instance, individuals with certain elemental affinities, like fire or water, naturally attract mana particles of those elements. This resonance is also why elemental mana stones form in areas rich in a particular element. As mana of the same type condenses, it crystallizes into magical stones.
And lastly, Mana Core Presence and Density: Mana cores act as natural attractors for mana particles, especially as they progress through the stages of growth. A stronger, denser mana core exerts a gravitational-like effect on surrounding mana, drawing it in even more effectively.
But… I don't have a core yet. I don't even know what my mana attribute is. So, for now, all I can rely on is pure willpower—intention, visualization, and mental command. It's all about focusing my mind to bring my will into reality.
This is why meditation is so essential. In a meditative state, the mind is at its most powerful, allowing me, in theory, to gather as much mana as possible.
Thus, I take a deep breath, watching the twinkling mana particles around me, attempting to match my breathing to their gentle rhythm. I picture myself as a magnet, pulling in mana from the air around me.
At first, there's little response; only a faint trickle of mana makes its way toward me. But gradually… it begins to build. A single particle drifts toward me, then another, and another. Soon, ten more follow, then a hundred.
Before long, I can feel the mana in the entire room swirling around me, forming a vortex. With each breath, mana flows into my mouth and down into my lungs, a steady, glowing stream filling me with energy.
My body begins to warm up. A gentle heat spreads through my chest, my heart pounds louder, and I feel a rush of energy, a clarity and euphoria unlike anything I've ever known.
Then, suddenly, I feel it—the mana inside me is condensing, gathering together. In one powerful surge, an explosion of energy bursts within my chest, signaling the birth of something new, something powerful!
"I can't believe it! You did it!" Eris exclaims.
"R-really?" I gasp.
"Yeah! Your mana core!"
Even though I can't see it, I still can feel its presence deep within me.
My mana core! The size of a tiny fish egg or half a grain of rice!
And it only took me ten minutes, completely shattering the record Eris mentioned, which was two hours!
Now that I think about it, while I'd love to believe I'm some kind of prodigy, there's likely another explanation for this…
My body.
Or, more precisely, this catgirl body.
"Eris, could it be… that I already knew how to use mana, and I'm just… remembering how?" I ask.
"Oh, right!" Eris's eyes light up. "Hmmm… that could be possible. But if that's the case, shouldn't you have already had a mana core without needing to form one?"
Right…
If this catgirl body already knew how to use mana, then I should have already had a core and been able to use magic from the start.
But I had no such core. The mana core I just formed is the only one I have.
"Or… could it be that your mana core was destroyed before? That might explain the memory loss," Eris suggests thoughtfully. "There's something called the Mana-Soul Theory…"
"Mana… Soul… Theory?" I repeat.
"Yeah," Eris nods. "There was this crazy mage who once proposed that the mana core is linked to the soul, and that the soul itself is like a collection of memories. But… does the soul really exist? Argh! I don't know, it's all just theories!"
Hmmm… The Mana-Soul Theory?
It's unproven, but not entirely unreasonable.
While I made up the whole memory-loss story, it's the only explanation I have right now for why I could form my mana core so quickly, shattering world records by a mile, despite trying for the first time.
And furthermore… I know souls absolutely exist.
After all… I'm a reincarnated soul, living in someone else's body.
This makes me wonder… did the real Felicia, the original soul of this catgirl body, once exist? And if she did… where is her soul now?
"Yeah, forget it! It doesn't make sense. I've never heard of anyone surviving with a destroyed mana core!" Eris mutters, waving off the thought. "But, Felicia, when you meditated, did you feel anything strange? Did any memories resurface?"
"Uhmm… No…" I reply.
"I see…" Eris says. "Anyway, let's keep going. I want to see what your attribute is!"
"Right! My attribute!"
Even though my mana core is formed, the true color hasn't revealed itself yet.
Thus, I continue drawing in mana particles from around me, feeling my newly formed mana core working like a tiny reactor, converting those particles into my own mana. Gradually, it begins to produce mana unique to me.
My very own attribute.
But then, Eris's eyes suddenly widen, her expression shifting to shock.
"What… is that color?" she murmurs.
"Huh? Is… is something wrong with my mana core?" I ask, suddenly nervous.
"No, your mana core is fine. But… it's just… this color… I've never seen anything like it before."
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SomethingOtherThanRain
Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai) by Bluebery
Chapter 41: Unique mana
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As I try my best to keep the flow of energy steady, I glance nervously at Eris.
"A-and… what color is it?" I ask.
"It's red," she replies.
"Oh! So it's fire then!"
While I really love the color red—it's my favorite—I don't particularly like fire magic.
It's the least cool magic out of the bunch, and it totally doesn't fit a cute, little catgirl like me. I need something else! Something like darkness, or space/time magic!
But… alright, it's not like I can choose anyway.
For now, I'm just happy that I have magic.
Regardless, when it comes to attribute colors, the eight main attributes each have their own signature hue.
Fire – red
Water – blue
Earth – brown
Wind – green
Space – silver
Time – purple
Light – bright yellow
Darkness – black
But Eris shakes her head.
"No… it's red, but not the red of fire," she says. "It's… the red of blood."
"Eh?"
Hearing the word 'blood,' my skin prickles, a chill creeping down my spine. Blood-red? Is this some kind of blood attribute? Am I… a vampire or something? Or maybe… a demon?
Well, while I used to fantasize about becoming a demon lord in another world, I definitely don't anymore!
After all… what if Eris becomes afraid of me because of my creepy mana attribute and doesn't want to be friends with me anymore?
That would be a catastrophe!
"I-is it bad?" I ask, my voice a little shaky.
No, please, I don't want to say goodbye to Eris yet!
"Of course not, silly," Eris says, shaking her head, as if she can sense the nervousness in my mind. "It's just unique, that's all! And to be honest, it's kind of cool."
PHEWWWW!!!
Hearing Eris say that, I exhale, relieved.
Yeah, now that I think about it, didn't the book mention that new attributes are discovered every single day?
Yup, new mana attributes are found all the time!
There are so many different types of mana in this world; I guess I'm just one of the unique ones!
That reminds me.
There's a word for it, a term that refers to people whose mana core color doesn't match their attribute color.
"Isn't it Sonder…errr… something… something…"
"Oh, you mean Sondezgeist? A unique mana bearer?" Eris chuckles.
"Yeah! Sondezgeist!"
I try saying it, but the word just trips off my tongue awkwardly. Whoever came up with that word must have had a twisted sense of humor; it sounds like the worst combination of sounds possible!
"That reminds me, your mana, Eris, is it really… darkness?" I ask, curiosity sparking again.
"Yup, a hundred percent," Eris nods.
"Then… are you…?"
"Yeah, I'm considered a Sondezgeist!" Eris says.
Aha! As I thought!
Normally, purple represents the Time attribute. But Eris' shade of purple is something darker, deeper—a shade I'd describe as the color of midnight shadows.
This is because, like real colors, the color of one's mana exists on a spectrum, not just as a single hue.
A dark purple can be interpreted as either black or purple, meaning it could be either Darkness or Time.
So, given that mine is the color of blood… could it be fire? Or darkness?
"Aaaah, Eris, let me see your magic!" I plead, bouncing a little.
"Haha, nope!"
But she refuses.
I then pout the hardest I can.
But that doesn't do anything either.
This girl—she's completely unmoved by my kitty eyes!
"Anyway," Eris says, steering us back to the matter at hand, "based on your unique magic signature, there's a chance Karl might be able to find something."
"Oh, right!" I perk up.
The Guildmaster mentioned earlier about the magic signature database. With that, maybe there's a chance to discover something useful about myself, my origins, or the nature of my mana with just a simple test.
—————————-
Just then, Karlogen steps in, his timing impeccable.
"Oh, is it time already?" Eris asks, glancing up.
"Yup, business hours are over. We can proceed with the young lady's ID now," Karlogen replies, nodding.
"Great!" Eris says, grinning. "And, by the way, did you know Felicia here shattered a world record?"
"Huh? What world record?" Karlogen raises a scaly brow in surprise.
"Hihi," I beam, unable to hide my pride.
Eris then eagerly fills him in on my progress—how I managed to sense mana and even forge my own mana core within just an hour.
"Ohooo! That's amazing!" Karlogen exclaims. "Ah, too bad we can't reveal your identity right now; you'd be famous!"
Oh right!
DAMN IT!
If only I were registered, if only I had an ID—then I could actually be recognized!
I may even receive a huge cash prize!
"Anyway," Karlogen says, "could you show me your mana core again? I may be able to sense something."
"Of course!" I reply, settling back into a meditative position, ready to channel my mana once more.
Now, being a Lizard Furren, Karlogen senses mana with his tongue.
But… does that mean he's going to… lick me or something?
My mind races, but thankfully, that's not the case.
Though he does flick his tongue out to taste the air, he maintains a respectful distance.
"Wait… it tastes like blood? What in the world is this?" Karlogen mutters, his brow furrowing.
But suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain stabs through my chest. It feels like my heart is being torn apart!
"NYAAARGHHH!" I gasp, clutching my chest.
The pain, it's so intense that I nearly lose consciousness for a moment.
"Felicia!" Eris yells, rushing over just in time to catch me as I slump forward.
I fall into her arms, breathing heavily.
"Young lady, are you alright?" Karlogen asks
"I-I'm fine…" I murmur, feeling beads of sweat on my forehead as the pain slowly subsides.
Just… what the heck was that?
Did I get a heart attack or something?
Is it the cholesterol built up from eating too much meat?
But I'm still young! And I'm a catgirl!
It can't be!
Actually… no…
It was my mana … I'm sure of it.
Something was wrong with my mana earlier.
"Felicia, what happened?" Eris's voice is tense, holding my hand tightly and her eyes filled with concern.
I take a deep breath.
And then, I begin explaining what happened.
"Everything felt fine, but then, out of nowhere, the mana inside me went… berserk. It was like I lost control, and my heart felt like it was exploding."
"Karl, do you know anything about this?" Eris asks, looking at the Guildmaster.
Karlogen frowns, staying silent for a moment, deep in thought.
"Hmmm… it could be a rare side effect of awakening your mana sense and materializing your mana core for the first time. Regardless, young lady, if that ever happens again, please go see a cleric."
"T-thank you, Guildmaster, I will," I reply.
"Felicia…" Eris murmurs, biting her lip nervously, her brows furrowing with worry.
Just like that, the room falls silent, and the atmosphere suddenly feels so gloomy.
"Anyway, I feel better now!" I say, trying to lighten the mood. "Should we… proceed with my ID now?"
"Right!" Karlogen nods. "My apologies, I almost forgot."
"No, it's fine," I reassure him, though my heart is still unsettled. It still feel a bit heavy inside my chest.
With that, we follow GuildmasterKarlogen upstairs to the main floor, down a hallway, until we finally stop in front of a grand door.
There is a sign. It says: Physical assessment room.
"Before registering a new ID, everyone has to go through an evaluation to assess their physical and magical abilities as an adventurer. Of course, we can skip this if you'd like. But… aren't you curious about your personal stats?"
"Huh? Stats?" I echo, blinking.
Wait…
Stats?
STATUS?
Is this like.. a game interference of something?
Like a LitRPG novel????
HECK YEAHHH!!!
"No, please don't skip!" I add quickly, excitement bubbling up. "I want to do the evaluation, please!"
"Yeah, I'm curious too," Eris says. "And for some reason, I feel like knowing Felicia's stats can give us some insight on what happened earlier!"
"Right," Karlogen nods, pushes open the door, and we step into the room.
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A note from author