These stones produced energy.


    They were priceless. And there were far too many of them here.


    Gloomer averted his gaze from the shimmering minerals and looked at his companions. They were just as shocked.


    Twenty seconds—that was how long it took him to understand where this was heading.


    So they weren’t going to report the discovery?


    No. They wanted to claim the stones for themselves.


    Gloomer couldn’t blame them. He would’ve done the same.


    This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened in this mine. This was exactly what made it so valuable. These kinds of stones were found only here.


    In all the time he had worked here, the poor miners had stumbled upon such deposits again and again.


    But what did they get in return?


    Honor? Glory?


    No. All they received was unjust treatment.


    The mine belonged to the king, and everything found within it was his property as well. Even if you discovered gold in someone else’s house, it would still belong to the owner. That was the rule.


    And the poor had no choice but to endure.


    But times were changing. Who didn’t want to break free from this poverty and rise above it?


    — This is good and all, — one of the robed men said, — but how will we cover our tracks? I hope you have a plan?


    It was a logical question. The punishment for concealing ore was always brutal.


    Gloomer knew what happened to those who tried to cheat the system. They weren’t just killed—they were made to suffer, to languish, to repent for weeks, months.


    No one wanted such a fate. That meant if they were to take the risk, it had to be with a carefully thought-out plan.


    But could they really escape? None of them possessed anomalous abilities.


    They didn’t even have a proper education. They were too inexperienced.


    However, Henry merely smirked and said:


    — Our plan is simple. We must master abilities within three days. After that, we escape the mine.


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    A silence fell. Everyone exchanged glances.


    Was he out of his mind?


    The robed man spoke again:


    — I’m sure you’ve only voiced the surface-level part of the plan. You always do this.


    — Correct, — Henry nodded. — But the fact that you’re all still here and haven’t dismissed my words speaks for itself. You want this.


    He slowly let his gaze wander across their faces.


    — Each of you has at least a spark of intelligence. And each of you can be useful.


    Suddenly, one of the robed figures blocked the exit.


    — You may remove these uncomfortable cloaks.


    Everyone slowly pulled off their robes.


    Gloomer looked around and immediately recognized a few familiar faces.


    Marlo? What was he doing here?


    Zidan—the same persistent guy who tried to befriend everyone.


    Hiruko, who always tried to dump his work onto him.


    There were many familiar faces here.


    But Gloomer kept his eyes on the one who had blocked the way out.


    This wasn’t just some random person.


    This was Astrey.


    A sturdy man in his thirties, broad-shouldered, with a confident gaze and short, neatly combed hair.


    An overseer. A man of much higher status compared to them.


    It was obvious that someone influential in the caves was involved in this… Otherwise, how could they have made it here so discreetly?


    Gloomer also noticed Damon.


    That same Damon—one of the most renowned figures in their village.


    Ruin… had it really destroyed his entire career?


    While everyone was still taking in their surroundings, trying to process what was happening, Henry broke the silence.


    — I don’t want to waste time. I’ll explain the plan briefly.


    He stepped forward.


    — The mine always had three overseers, five supervisors, at least fifteen low-class guards, and two special-class guards. Plus, ten enforcers—just like me.


    He paused.


    — But now there is only one overseer. All three of them left, considering the mine unsafe. Almost no one knows about this.


    The people’s expressions grew tense.


    — There are eight guards left. Three supervisors—one of whom is with us. The enforcers remain at ten.


    Henry smirked.


    — But the most interesting part… There is only one special-class guard.


    He raised a finger.


    — And that’s Doni. A guy who thinks with his sword rather than his head.


    Gloomer knew the type. Special-class guards were sent by the king or his vassals. Their rank was unknown, but everyone called them "special class."


    Henry was interrupted.


    Damon spoke.


    — It doesn’t matter how many there are. This is still a death trap. Mastering abilities in three days? That’s suicide.


    Henry raised his hand, signaling for silence.


    — You’re right, Damon. But I’m not done yet.


    He paused, then said:


    — In recent days, the situation in the mine has worsened. The workers are being forced to labor twice as much. And most importantly…


    He took a step forward.


    — We are trapped.


    A heavy silence followed.


    — The mine is gradually flooding. Because of the rains.


    Damon opened his mouth but said nothing.


    — In a few days… things will become catastrophic.


    Henry pointed at the stones.


    — What do you know about them?


    One of the men muttered:


    — They grant abilities.


    Damon added:


    — They contain energy… essence that can be absorbed.


    Henry nodded.


    — That’s generally true. But not entirely.


    He looked at them intently.


    — A person is born with a phantom shell.


    — An empty vessel. A teapot that needs to be filled. The shell is unstable and can transform into anything.


    — But after birth, we simply live, walking here and there, and during that time, we gather various marks without even realizing it. All natural phenomena that people encounter carry the marks of their respective paths.


    — Bathe in water—you receive water marks. Walk in the wind—you absorb wind marks.


    — Magic stones contain only the marks of a specific path. When something contains only certain marks, energy begins to form within… or, more precisely, essence.


    — When essence appears, it nourishes the marks, and we gain the ability to use powers. By absorbing such stones, we change our shell, filling it with only specific marks. This is the moment when we transcend the boundary of mortals.


    Damon frowned.


    — I’ve heard that without stabilizing the body, it’s impossible.


    — Correct, — Henry nodded. — But we already have a solution.


    He gestured with his hand and walked forward.


    With each step, a mesmerizing sight unfolded before them.


    The walls of the mine shimmered with blue crystals, like a starry sky. The ground beneath their feet was solid and firm. Even plants grew here.


    Violet flowers… Gloomer had never seen anything like them.


    Soon, they came upon something astonishing.


    A waterfall.


    But not an ordinary one.


    It shimmered with a soft light, its water flowing gently, almost as if it were alive.


    If one were to sit beneath it, it would seem as though it was pouring directly into their consciousness.


    — A magic waterfall, — someone muttered.


    Henry smirked.


    — It will cleanse your body. Stabilize it. This is a necessary step, because the phantom shell you possess is filled with chaotic marks of the paths you’ve collected throughout your life. Your shell must be purified, and through the stones, it must be filled with only a single set of marks.


    He raised his hand.


    The water swirled and gathered in his palm.


    Everyone froze.


    — As you can see… — Henry looked at them. — Astrey and I already possess abilities.


    — And now we will teach you.