Lucian couldn't suppress the smile spreading across his face.
"Not too hard, I see," he murmured, quickly glancing at the time on his mobile.
[8:30 AM]
'Time in the tower doesn't seem to move,' he noted. 'It was 8:23 AM when I entered.
Considering I wasted a few minutes before starting the trials, either time freezes while I'm inside, or the tower sends me back to the same moment I left.'
He pushed the thought aside. Overthinking would only waste time. "Open status," he said.
The translucent blue interface appeared before him.
[Name: Lucian Eryndral]
[Mana Core: Early Initiate]
[Gift: Living Conduit]
[Bloodline Ability: Mana Sensory Field]
[Current Floor: 1]
[Progress of Current Floor: 4/10]
Lucian's gaze lingered on two new additions: Gift and Bloodline Ability.
"Living Conduit," he muttered, curious.
The system responded immediately:
[Living Conduit: A unique gift that allows the user to channel and amplify magical energy from their surroundings. This ability enhances the user's efficiency with mana, enabling them to draw power from the environment, such as ambient mana or ley lines. It greatly increases the potency and adaptability of spells or mana-based abilities.]
Lucian's eyes widened as he read the description. He had read about this gift in the novel—it was an ability only a select few possessed.
It made its wielder formidable in combat, especially when fighting in mana-rich areas.
"Incredible," he whispered. This gift alone could tip the scales in battles against opponents of the same stage.
Next, he focused on the bloodline ability. "Mana Sensory Field," he said aloud.
The system provided another explanation:
[Mana Sensory Field: A bloodline ability unique to the Eryndral family. This power allows the user to create a sensory field of pure mana, providing heightened awareness of their surroundings. It enables the detection of hidden objects, the ability to sense approaching threats, and a deeper perception of mana flows in other individuals.]
Lucian clenched his fists. These weren't new abilities—they had always been part of him. But with his fractured mana core, they had been inaccessible.
Now, with a functional core, he could finally feel their presence.
"So, this is what I was missing," he murmured.
He dismissed the interface and stared out of the window for a moment. The system's progress tracker showed [4/10], indicating that four of the ten trials on the first floor were complete.
'These trials are just the beginning,' he thought. They were foundational, designed to build his understanding and control of mana.
But as the difficulty increased, he would need every advantage his gift and bloodline ability could offer.
Lucian recalled the novel. In this world, mana progression was divided into six stages, with each stage broken into three sub-stages: Early, Mid, and Peak.
1. Initiate
2. Adept
3. Expert
4. Specialist
5. Savant
6. Lord
He nodded to himself. "So, I've officially stepped onto the first stage of mana path," he muttered.
Curious, he asked the system, "Ascension Tower?"
[Ascension Tower is inaccessible due to host's weak physical condition.]
[Suggestion: Eat well and perform physical exercises.]
Lucian raised an eyebrow. He had a week until the academy's ranking test.
Most students were already at Mid to Peak Initiate, while the protagonist was at Mid Adept. He needed to catch up.
And for that, he needed to eat.
Opening his bank app, Lucian's jaw dropped at the balance. The amount was far beyond anything he had earned in his previous life as Jonathan.
"No fair," he muttered, shaking his head. Without hesitation, he placed orders for fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality meat.
He needed proper nutrition to recover and grow stronger.
As he scrolled through his emails, two unread messages caught his eye.
[From Father: To my lovely son]
[From Mother: To my dearest son]
The emails were from ten days ago. Curious, he opened the one from his father first.
[From Father: To my lovely son]
Attached: Resonance Sword Art
"This sword technique allows you to vibrate your blade at specific frequencies, disrupting your opponent's mana flow or even their physical structure. You could use it to dispel magical barriers, weaken an enemy's defenses, or cause internal damage with precise strikes. I hope my gift is better than your mother's."
Lucian blinked in surprise. The Resonance Sword Art was one of the Eryndral family's most potent techniques. Its versatility in combat was unmatched.
Next, he opened the email from his mother.
[From Mother: To my dearest son]
Attached: Phantom Step Art
"This movement technique allows you to momentarily shift your position, leaving behind a fleeting afterimage while reappearing a short distance away. You can use it to dodge attacks, reposition quickly, or even confuse your opponents. I hope you like my gift better than your father's."
Lucian stared at the screen, speechless. The Phantom Step Art was as extraordinary as the movement art. It was perfect for mobility in combat, allowing for unpredictable movements and swift repositioning.
A wry smile tugged at his lips. "No wonder I ran away from home."
His parents' constant competition to outdo each other even extended to their gifts. Both techniques were top-tier—anyone would kill to have them.
'At least they didn't skimp on quality,' he thought. He didn't need to verify the level of the arts; his parents always provided the best.
With these techniques and his newly restored core, Lucian felt confident.
However, he knew better than to get complacent. The trials ahead, the academy's ranking test, and the challenges of surviving in this world required him to grow quickly.
For now, he had work to do.
"Time to prepare," he said, closing his phone and heading toward the kitchen. He needed to recover and build his strength for what was to come.