— That is absolutely impossible, — he repeated. — The first magic circle forms in a person before they turn one year old. In rare cases, if there isn’t enough mana for the circle, it dissipates, and the person forever loses the ability to use magic. That is an axiom!


    — But at the same time, you claim that living with mana but without a formed magic circle is also impossible. And that too, by your own words, is an axiom. — I refused to back down.


    The elderly mage gave me a contemptuous look. His face ran through a whole spectrum of emotions, from anger and disdain to resignation.


    — You are right, it seems I will have to reconsider these axioms! — He burst into laughter. — Come with me, I will write you a recommendation letter for the Magic Academy of the Kingdom of Lygote. The professors there are stronger and smarter than I am. Perhaps they will have some answers for you.


    Well then, if it’s the academy, so be it!


    — Where are we going? — Mia asked as we stepped out of the Mage’s Guild.


    — Where in the city can I buy monster cores?


    — Cores? Hmm… — Mia looked up at the sky, pressing a finger to her chin. — At the Adventurers’ Guild. But why do you need them? Do you have crafting skills? Are you planning to make an artifact? A weapon? A puppet?


    — Just lead the way, you restless cat! — I gave her fuzzy ear a light tug. — Only old cats are wise, and you’re far too young for that!


    — Oh, shove off, mister!


    On the way to the Adventurers’ Guild, I pondered the impossibility of it all. Why couldn’t I sense or manipulate the mana around me like almost everyone else on this continent? How was I able to create magic circles and runes—at least for absorbing mana from monster cores—without a single magic circle around my heart?


    No one else could do this. Cores were used exclusively by craftsmen for crafting or powering magical devices and weapons. Thinking along these lines, I reached an unsettling conclusion. If that were the case… then was I a puppet?


    But a puppet has no will of its own. It is merely a doll that follows its master’s commands. Yet, in an abstract sense, just because I hadn’t seen a master didn’t mean one didn’t exist.


    I shook my head. No, that was impossible. My heart beat in my chest. I had thoughts. My muscles ached after training. When I cut my skin, I bled. And my wounds healed on their own—unlike a puppet, which required repairs after being damaged.


    Even a god wouldn’t bother creating a puppet as complex as me.


    …Would they?


    And who was I to question the designs of a god? After all, humans themselves used different tools for different tasks…


    But I wasn’t a tool… right?


    — We’re here! — Mia announced.


    — Less grand than the Trade or Mage’s Guilds, — I remarked, eyeing the two-story building. Time and neglect had clearly left their mark: chipped plasterwork, dark streaks of mold and grime along the window frames… and to top it all off, a peeling sign hanging above the entrance. — Let’s go in.


    Inside, a thick stench of stale alcohol, unwashed bodies, and some other nameless filth filled the air. I instantly regretted closing the door behind me—this place could definitely use some fresh air. Judging by how Mia scrunched her nose, the smell was even worse for her keen feline senses.


    The guild hall contained several tables with benches, where various groups were seated. The clientele was… not exactly the sort I’d be shaking hands with. I discreetly scanned their power levels. Weak. Not a single aura above a Second-Class Warrior of Mid-Tier or a Second-Circle Mage.


    One aura, however, felt… odd.


    I turned toward it.


    — Oh, a real lycan!


    Damn it! Sometimes my mouth worked faster than my brain.


    — I am NOT a lycan, you fool. I am a werewolf! How dare you compare me to those pathetic whelps? You’d better compensate for that insult before I tear your jaw off!


    In the corner, a towering werewolf rose from a bench—easily twice my size. He dragged a massive warhammer across the floor as he stalked toward us.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    The entire hall fell silent. Every eye was locked on the unfolding scene, eager for the show to begin.


    — And what’s this little kitten you brought with you? My new plaything? — The werewolf bared his fangs and laughed—a sound more like a growl. — Leave her here and get lost, then I might just let you walk away.


    Mia arched her back, narrowed her eyes, and hissed.


    Not in the mood to escalate the situation, I unleashed the full force of my aura upon everyone present—skipping Mia, of course, and focusing especially on the werewolf.


    Groans, gasps, and the clatter of dishes filled the room. The big brute collapsed like a felled tree, his massive body slamming against the floor. That had to hurt.


    — Listen up, mutt, — I said as I approached, steadily lifting the pressure from the others and concentrating it all on him. — I apologize for calling you a lycan, really. I’m new here, so I have no clue who’s who or what mangy bitch whelped which of you.


    Blood-flecked foam dripped from the werewolf’s mouth. He could barely breathe, let alone speak.


    I crouched beside him and grabbed his ear, yanking his head off the floor.


    — Now, you pathetic cur, you’re going to crawl back to your kennel and never, ever cross my path again. Understood?


    The poor bastard trembled and blinked, which I took as his wholehearted agreement.


    — The show’s over, gentlemen! — I addressed the onlookers. — Unless anyone wants an encore?


    As one, they bolted for the door, shoving past each other.


    — Guess the banquet wasn’t to their liking, — I muttered, dusting wolf fur off my hands.


    — Are you here for trouble, or do you have business?


    A raspy female voice cut through the empty hall.


    I turned to see a tall, well-built woman standing on the stairs leading to the second floor. She wore a tight black tank top that accentuated her ample chest, and snug blue pants stretched over her strong legs. Well, only one leg. The other was a beautifully crafted mechanical prosthetic, starting from mid-thigh.


    — We’d like to buy some monster cores, — I said.


    — Follow me, — she replied after a brief pause. — Name’s Grace. I run this mess of a guild. And you are?


    — Aney! Mia! — we answered almost in sync.


    Upstairs, she led us into a surprisingly cozy office. Grace sank into a chair and propped her prosthetic leg onto the desk.


    — So, cores, huh? — she muttered, scratching her knee. — I have First-Class cores, two silver each. Second-Class, one gold apiece. What’s your order?


    — Apologies, but I need Fourth-Class cores.


    — Fourth?! Boy, you’re in the Duchy of Atun, not the Northern Empire. Where the hell do you expect to find something like that? Even Third-Class cores are rare here—you’d have to check the Trade Guild’s auctions.


    An awkward silence hung between us.


    — So… — I ventured. — There’s a chance the Adventurers’ Guild might have Third-Class cores, too?


    Grace removed her leg from the desk and leaned forward, pressing her chest against it. Her eyes gleamed with greed.


    — I wouldn’t rule it out. Depends on how much you’re willing to pay.


    — I can afford it. Just name your price.


    She inhaled sharply through her nose, then grinned.


    — Eight gold per core! Yes, that sounds right!


    — Deal. How many do you have?


    — Three! — She sprang to her feet, opened a hidden safe, and retrieved three small cases lined with green leather. — Here!


    She placed them on the desk, hands trembling slightly, and opened each one.


    — Twenty-four gold total!


    — Hold on. — I picked up one of the yellow cores and held it to the light. — This one is damaged. I can’t pay eight gold for it.


    The core had a visible crack. It wouldn’t affect my purposes, but I wasn’t about to let myself be swindled.


    Grace hesitated, feigning surprise.


    — Ah… you’re right. Well, I can lower the price a little…


    — Three gold, — I interrupted her. — I’ll give three gold for this core, so that makes it nineteen gold in total.


    — I can drop one gold, no more! The crack is barely noticeable!


    — Auntie! The crack is half the core! I’ll give you four gold, and that’s my final offer!


    — What do you know about cracks, you brat! Two gold, not a copper more!


    Grace pretended to be angry, but she wasn’t much of an actress.


    — Four gold and three silver, or there’s no deal! So either you take my twenty gold and three silver right now, or we’re leaving! — I stood up and pulled Mia by the hand, making her get up.


    — Fine, you win! Take it! — Grace slumped back into her chair, looking as if she had just swallowed tar.


    After paying, I stored the cores away while Grace scooped up the money in her hands, pressing it to her chest. Smiling gently, she closed her eyes and swayed slightly, mumbling under her breath:


    — Come to mother, my darlings, at last, we are together…


    Then she pulled out a large bottle and three glasses from the table.


    — Now, let’s celebrate the deal?


    But the last thing I wanted was to drink some questionable brew with a stranger, so I tried to be as polite as possible:


    — Sorry, but we have a lot planned for today. Another time, I promise—


    — Oh, just go already, go. — She cut me off, clutching the money to her chest again.


    — Grace is the stingiest woman in the capital, — Mia said as we left the guild. — If Hek finds out you just outbargained her, I swear, you’ll be the next head of the merchant guild!


    — Shut it, redhead! Not a word to Hek!


    Late at night, I got out of bed, locked the door to my room, and tightly drew the curtains. Then I took out all the monster cores I had—twenty-two second-class cores, three third-class ones. Not sure if it would be enough. Tonight, I wanted to break through to the rank of Battle Master.


    First-class magic circle, runes, magic circle inside, rotate, synchronize, expand…


    The room filled with the golden glow of magic circles and runes. I sat in a lotus position inside and relaxed. The orange and yellow cores floated into the air, crumbling into dust, releasing a golden mist that slowly drifted toward my hands. A few minutes later, only gray ash remained on the floor, with magic circles above and below me, and runes flowing endlessly around me.


    I kept my eyes closed, searching for any change within me after absorbing so much mana. My energy had definitely increased, but the amount I could release at any given moment remained the same. So, I was still a third-class warrior at the peak of the third tier.


    Frustrated, I got to my feet and dispelled the magic around me. I walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and opened it to take a deep breath of fresh air and calm myself. It was disappointing, of course, but there was nothing else I could do tonight.


    I turned away from the window—and saw Mia, completely naked, covered only by her fluffy tail.