Avince found himself slipping back into his daily routine, the familiar feeling of going to school as if nothing happened, gradually easing his worries. It felt strange to be back after the scare he'd given everyone, but he was grateful for the support of his family and friends. Among those friends, Erica had been particularly worried about him.
Early in the morning , as he was walking to school, he spotted her rushing toward him, her face lit with concern. "Avince! I was so worried! I can't believe you're back!"
"I'm okay, really," he reassured her with a smile, even though a part of him felt unsettled. "I was just… tired."
Erica frowned, her brow furrowing. "I'm sorry I couldn't visit. Dad had me on a training trip, and I felt terrible leaving you alone. I wanted to be there."
"It's alright," he said, trying to mask the anxiety creeping back into his mind. "How was your training?"
"Intense! I learned some new techniques," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "At this rate I might even catch up to you soon enough!
Avince's stomach twisted. He admired Erica's dedication and strength, but his recent experiences had left him rattled. The thought of training with his abilities again scared him; the memory of losing consciousness was still fresh in his mind. But the desire to improve burned stronger than his fear.
Even without abilities, Avince practiced with manipulating mana like his life depended on it, he got so good to the point that most people his year actually are not match for him in a 1v1 duel, including Erica. Which also shows how much of a monster his little sister is
"But at this rate they're improving, they'll leave me to dust in no time." Avince said dejectedly
After school, he returned home, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. As he settled in his room, he gazed at the wall, deep in thought. What if I just tried using my ability with a smaller amount of mana?
He decided to test it. A careful calculation in his mind led him to estimate that using around ten percent of his capacity would be safe. With the recent increase in his mana pool from the fruit, he felt cautiously optimistic.
Taking a deep breath, he focused his energy, channeling just a fraction of it. For a moment, he felt a strange sensation, as though part of him was being gently nudged forward. The world around him faded, replaced by a familiar yet different landscape.
Instead of being transported entirely, it felt as if a part of his consciousness was now immersed in the dungeon—like stepping into a virtual reality game. He could still control his main body and felt aware of both worlds. So, this is how it works, he realized, understanding now that his ability only transported part of his consciousness. The last time, he had overexerted himself, leading to a complete transfer.
The dungeon he now inhabited was markedly different. It was a dimly lit cave, quiet, and it had a soft glow that hinted at mana flowing gently through the space. He feels that the mana levels here is a significant drop compared to the previous dungeon he had previously encountered
As he explored, he used his ability to get a clear outline of the dungeon and detected that the enemy in this dungeon was only.. Slimes??
It wasn't long before he came across one such creature—simple, gelatinous creatures that were bottom-tier monsters. Dangerous in groups, but usually easy to deal with.
Avince examined the slimes closely, recalling his mana training. He had learned to transmute his mana into elemental forms—fire, water, earth, and wind, all of which were tier 1 magic. He could also wield some tier 2 magic, but after consuming the mana-enhancing fruit, he wondered just how much stronger his skills had become.
Spotting a cluster of water-attuned slimes bobbing lazily, a spark of inspiration struck him. "Lightning it is," he whispered to himself, a grin forming on his lips.
He concentrated, drawing on his mana reserves, channeling it into an electric current. In moments, a bolt of lightning arced from his fingertips, striking the nearest slime. The creature popped with a sizzle, evaporating into mist as the energy surged through it.
Avince couldn't help but feel a rush of exhilaration at what he saw
"Lightning is clearly a higher-tier element; that power is insane!"
He remembered the last dungeon—how he'd been too low on mana to conjure any magic. Back then, he had relied solely on boosting his physical abilities to escape, but now he realized that even a full-power fireball wouldn't have harmed the forest guardians. They had been formidable opponents, and even though he felt his skills were about 20% stronger now, he still wouldn't stand a chance against them.
He moved through the cavern with newfound confidence, dispatching slimes effortlessly. It felt liberating, a weight lifting from his shoulders. With his ability he navigated the winding paths, avoiding traps and gathering his thoughts on how to utilize his abilities better.
Soon, he reached a large chamber where the exit portal lay—guarded by a massive water slime, twice the size of the others he had encountered. The creature loomed before him, glistening and threatening. Avince took a moment to assess the situation, a plan forming in his mind.
Channeling his mana once more, he unleashed another lightning bolt, this one more powerful than the last. The attack struck true, and the enormous slime shattered, dissolving into harmless droplets.
As Avince stood there, catching his breath and ready to approach the portal, something caught his eye. A strange object had fallen from the remains of the giant water slime. It shimmered faintly, almost pulsating with an eerie glow.
'Is that what I think it is?'