《Computational Mage》


 Prologue

    From the moment he could remember, life had been a constant battle for survival. Found in a trash dump at just a few days old after being abandoned by parents afraid of the responsibility of taking care of another life other than their own, the boy''s first moments in this world were marked by cruelty and abandonment. The trash compactor would have ended his life if not for the quick intervention of a passerby. He survived¡ªbarely. His spine was irreparably damaged, leaving him bedridden and dependent on others for even the simplest tasks. Yet, even as his body betrayed him, his mind soared with dreams of freedom, exploration, and a life unbound by the confines of his broken body.


    Raised in an orphanage, he watched other children run, play, and eventually leave to start their lives. He stayed behind, his world limited to the small room that became his prison. Books became his escape, and his mind became a fortress of knowledge and imagination. He learned about the world he could never fully experience, about the technological wonders of the year 4318, and about humanity¡¯s attempts to overcome the frailties of the flesh.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    When he turned sixteen, a groundbreaking opportunity arose. A team of researchers selected him as a candidate for the Biological Assistance Neurolink Chip, a revolutionary device designed to optimize information flow in the body. By bypassing damaged pathways, the chip could restore some level of autonomy and function to people like him. It was a chance at freedom¡ªor so he thought.


    The surgery was a marvel of modern medicine. The Neurolink Chip, a piece of nanotechnology capable of integrating with human DNA, was meant to become a part of him, to transform his limitations into possibilities. But something went wrong. As the surgeons worked to implant the device, his frail body began to fail. The boy felt a strange warmth spreading through him, followed by an overwhelming sense of peace. His vision blurred, and the last thing he saw was the sterile glow of the operating room lights.


    And then, nothing.

 Chapter 1 - Awakened

    The musty stench of damp stone, the oppressive darkness, and the icy touch of rough marble roused the boy from unconsciousness. His body ached, and his head spun with disorientation. ¡®Where am I? Why is it so dark?¡¯ The questions surged in his mind, each one sharper and more insistent than the last. Before he could dwell on them, a searing pain erupted in his abdomen, forcing him to curl into the fetal position on the cold, unyielding floor.


    He clutched his stomach, wincing, but amid the pain, something strange struck him. His arms moved smoothly, without hesitation or stiffness. ¡°I¡­ I can move?¡± he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. For a moment, he froze, testing his body cautiously. His fingers flexed. His legs shifted. His neck turned with ease.


    It should have been a miracle, a moment of joy. But instead, raw panic gripped him. His breaths came faster, each one shallower than the last. He pressed his palms against the floor as if grounding himself, trying to suppress the surge of terror. Again, he commanded his body to move, and again, it obeyed without resistance. His arms, legs, and even the smallest twitch of his toes responded effortlessly.


    His heart raced uncontrollably, his chest tightening as the realization settled in. ¡°Just what in the hell is going on? Aren¡¯t I supposed to be in an operating room right now?¡± His voice cracked, echoing faintly in the emptiness around him.


    The panic spiraled further, his thoughts a chaotic blur. And then, it hit him¡ªa name. Uldric. It was foreign, yet familiar, like a half-remembered dream. ¡°Wait¡­ Uldric? Who is that?¡±


    Triggered by the name, a surge of chaotic foreign memories left Uldric gasping, clutching his head as though the pressure building inside might split it apart. His breaths were shallow, coming in frantic bursts, but the memories kept pouring in. They were vivid, too vivid to be dismissed as dreams or hallucinations. Fragmented glimpses of a life that wasn¡¯t his¡ªthe life of a boy named Uldric, marked by the kind of strange familiarity that made denial almost impossible.


    Images flitted through his mind: arcane symbols glowing faintly, an ornate staff clutched by pale hands, and whispered incantations resonating with power and then, there were flashes of towering stone spires, robed figures, and books etched with runes. The memories painted a picture of another world, one governed by forces he had once thought impossible: magic.


    ¡°Magic?¡± The word slipped from his lips, almost involuntarily. Saying it aloud stirred more fragments within his mind. The term felt imposing. His mind strained to piece together the scattered fragments. Slowly, some semblance of coherence began to form.


    The body he now inhabited, these memories revealed, belonged to a boy chosen to be an initiate in a trial¡ªa young aspirant with a rare Gift. Uldric had been thrust into a trial, a test designed to awaken something called a mana core, the first step in becoming a mage. But the trial was unforgiving. The previous owner of this body had failed. They had died attempting to perform the Skill necessary to pass.


    Uldric¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°So¡­ I¡¯ve taken over a body that failed a trial?¡± His voice wavered, but he couldn¡¯t deny the truth. The memories were too real, their details too precise to dismiss.


    Panic rose like bile in his throat. He wanted to scream, to claw at the stone walls of the cavern, to rage against the headache and the information that still continued to rush within. ¡°A magical trial? Awakening a mana core? What the hell does that even mean?¡± His voice trembling while it echoed within the dark chamber, swallowed quickly by the oppressive silence.


    His mind wanted to shatter at so much information being shoved into him, however Uldric knew he couldn¡¯t afford to rest or else his mind would break. Something told him the only way to survive this situation was to stay conscious despite the horrible headache. "I have no choice," he muttered, his tone shifting from panic to grim determination.


    Focusing on the memories, Uldric shut his eyes and forced himself to sift through the fragments. It was an agonizing process, like assembling a puzzle with pieces that kept crumbling into dust. Yet he persisted. His concentration bore fruit: terms such as Mana Veins, began to emerge.


    He scanned the transplanted memories again, desperately hanging on a thread to prevent a mental collapse. He read the memories as fast as he could, but no matter how hard he tried, the speed in which they entered his mind was way faster than he could interpret them. Terms he didn¡¯t fully understand, sentences left unfinished, and more trivia kept flooding in. His hands balled into fists as the hopelessness crept in. ¡°Not again, I don¡¯t want to die again!¡±


    Then, as though responding to his plea, something shifted.


    A sharp, mechanical ping resonated in his mind. Uldric froze. The sound wasn¡¯t external¡ªit came from within him, reverberating through his consciousness like the chime of a bell.


    ¡°W-What was that?¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    Before he could process it, a monotone, synthetic voice spoke directly into his thoughts:


    User mental cognition has been realigned to 49.55%¡­


    The words sent a shiver down his spine. He couldn¡¯t tell if it was fear or relief. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound echoing in his ears.


    Rebooting system¡­


    Neurolink model X3399MTG Activating¡­


    Alert Unknown memory fusion to host has occurred. No microchip or nano bots detected as proper mediums within the host body, Programming codex has merged to deeper ethereal medium within the User.


    Congratulations! Major data discovered attempting to send information to Main server¡¯s¡­Error¡­ Servers not detected. Admin not detected.


    Protocol 35 enacted current User shall be designated Admin.


    Congratulations user all Admin authority have been granted to you, please state your commands.


    Ping!


    Alert! User has unaligned mental cognition; lack of immediate treatment might lead to irreparable side-effect if left untreated. Do you wish to treat them? Yes /No.


    All those notifications had appeared in a moment however Uldric did not waste time when he read the last notification and, mentally yelled, ¡®Yes!¡¯


    Affirmation accepted. Realigning user¡¯s mental cognition from 49.55%¡­50.23%


    Moments passed. Uldric felt the pressure from the memories that tried to split his head being alleviated. He felt himself breathe, and the headache subsided, till only relief was what was left.


    Ping!


    Realigned user¡¯s mental cognition to 100%


    Uldric¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the floating blue text, his mind grappling with the impossibility before him. It shimmered faintly, as if mocking his confusion, while his thoughts churned like a stormy sea.


    ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± he muttered, the words echoing faintly in the dim, hollow space around him.


    The Neurolink had been groundbreaking technology in his previous life, true. It was meant to revolutionize his existence when he had been confined to a crippled body. But it had been grounded in science, bound by the laws of physics and biology¡ªor so he had thought.


    ¡°Technology isn¡¯t supposed to work like this,¡± Uldric continued, his voice filled with strained incredulity. He raised a hand toward the glowing text but stopped short, hesitant to confirm if it was tangible. "Implanted during surgery, designed to aid a crippled body... not this. This... this is something else."


    He tried to reason through it, running a hand through his hair¡ªhair that didn¡¯t even feel like his own. The realization brought an odd chill to his spine.


    ¡°Am I dreaming?¡± he asked himself, though the thought lacked conviction.


    But the brief, chaotic cascade of foreign memories that had taken root in his mind shattered the illusion of a dream. They had been too vivid, too sharp, too real. He was no longer in the world he had known. No, he was somewhere entirely different, and every fragment of memory embedded in him whispered this unsettling truth.


    Uldric¡¯s jaw tightened as he exhaled shakily. ¡°No, this isn¡¯t a dream,¡± he admitted, his tone resigned yet tinged with defiance.


    For reasons beyond his understanding, he had been thrust into the epicenter of a strange, unfathomable reality. And now, there was no turning back.


    Ping!


    Welcome to the guide to using your Neurolink, here are encoded functions developed to assist the user in better understanding the system.


    Uldric paused for a moment.


    ¡°A guide huh. Well, that¡¯s a bit of normalcy to have after the shit storm I just went through. Go ahead then.¡± He said while laid down on the cold floor.


    Encoded Functions:


    Analyze


    Simulation


    Stabilize


    Uldric lowered his eyes to the Encoded Functions notification and expanded the window to show him everything in detail. ¡°Now what do we have here?¡±


    ¡ª


    Analyze


    Description: The "Analyze" ability of the Neurolink functions as a data-gathering tool, akin to a high-speed, highly detailed scanner. This function allows the user to quickly sweep over a given area, object, or even a person, collecting vast amounts of information in mere moments. The type of data scanned can range from physical characteristics, like the material composition of an object or the physical state of a person, to more abstract details, such as energy signatures and memories.


    Effects:


    Radar: The user can actively scan their surroundings to detect hidden objects, traps, or anomalies that would be impossible to notice with the naked eye. This is particularly useful in hazardous environments where quick, precise information is critical for survival in real-time.


    Diagnostics: The ability to scan the body. Allows the user to identify injuries, diseases, debilitations and foreign elements in the body.


    Early Warning: A Special passive effect ideal for detecting incoming threats before they are visually apparent, giving the user crucial time to prepare or evade.


    Navigation: In complex environments, such as dense forests or labyrinthine caves, the functions help in mapping the surroundings and avoiding obstacles, making it easier to navigate through challenging terrain.


    ¡ª


    Simulation


    Description: The "Simulation" ability allows the user to enter a different reality to create detailed mental models of scenarios, objects, or environments. This function simulates various outcomes based on different variables, enabling the user to predict the consequences of actions or to experiment with different strategies without any real-world risks. The simulations can range from simple mechanical processes to complex social interactions or battle strategies.


    Effects:


    Strategic Planning: The user can simulate potential battle strategies, exploring different experiments to find the most effective approach against an enemy.


    Optimization: The user can calibrate their own abilities in a short amount of time, making movements more precise, and decision-making more efficient. This leads to improved performance in any other field of expertise.


    Trance Submersion: A deep dive into one''s mind where time stretches or warps, giving the state of much longer periods of time. The user can simulate their minds perception of time to extend experimentation of various scenarios to practice skills or prepare for potential challenges, making it a powerful tool for education and self-improvement.


    ¡ªStolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Stabilize


    Description: The "Stabilize" function of the Neurolink acts as a safeguard for the user''s mental integrity, balancing their mental state and enhancing cognitive resilience. This function is designed to prevent mental breakdowns caused by extreme stress, overwhelming information, or harmful physical influences. It fortifies the user''s mind, allowing them to maintain clarity and focus even under severe psychological duress.


    Effects


    Mental Equilibrium: Actively monitors and adjusts the user''s mental state, ensuring emotional balance, reducing anxiety, and preventing panic or mental fatigue during high-stress scenarios.


    Cognitive Alignment: Enhances mental clarity, focus, and decision-making by filtering out unnecessary distractions and organizing thought patterns for optimal performance.


    Stress Recovery: Accelerates recovery from mental strain or trauma, allowing the user to regain composure and mental strength quickly after intense encounters.


    Harmony Mode: Synchronizes with the user''s biological rhythms to improve overall mental and physical synergy, increasing their endurance and stamina during prolonged engagements.


    ¡ª


    Uldric stared at the functions displayed by the Neurolink, his mind grappling with the surreal realization. "Those scientists really thought of everything when they made this Neurolink for my then-crippled body," he murmured. He paused, his gaze distant as if searching for a connection to his past. "I wonder how things would have turned out if I was still in my old body, though."


    The thought would have sent most people spiraling into despair, but Uldric felt oddly detached. He turned the idea over in his mind, not as a source of sadness but as a curiosity. ¡°Is it the stabilize function at work right now? Maybe that¡¯s why I feel so calm. Compared to the panic I felt earlier, this is almost unnatural¡­ And why do I feel so weirdly accepting of the fact that I¡¯m in another body?¡±


    His rationality fought against the cold acceptance, questioning if this emotional apathy might lead to something darker in the long run. But at this moment, it was a lifeline.


    "I guess it doesn¡¯t matter," he said aloud, forcing himself to focus. "Right now, I need this. Fear and panic won¡¯t get me anywhere."


    He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling in the still air of the chamber. Thoughts raced through his mind, each more bizarre than the last. The impossibility of his situation was glaring, yet there was no point in dwelling on it. Questions like how he had ended up in another body¡ªor even another world¡ªwere luxuries he couldn¡¯t afford right now.


    "One thing at a time," he muttered, glancing around the dimly lit chamber. His eyes strained to make sense of the shadows around him, the air heavy with the weight of the unknown. The walls were smooth and cold to the touch, an oppressive reminder of his confinement. "What I need to do right now is escape this place."


    Fragments of the memories that had invaded his mind earlier began to resurface, shimmering at the edge of his consciousness. Although jumbled and incomplete, they hinted at his current predicament.


    ¡°Although it was brief, the fragmented memories showed me I¡¯m in some kind of trial," Uldric mused. His brows furrowed as he tried to connect the dots. "But I still don¡¯t know what sort of trial it is. Something about a skill?"


    The thought sent a chill down his spine, a stark reminder of how little he understood his circumstances. As quickly as the chill came, though, the feeling dulled¡ªanother effect of the Neurolink stabilize function.


    "Haa..." He exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "If I want the full story, I¡¯m going to have to sift through those memories again."


    The idea wasn¡¯t appealing. The chaotic flood of foreign thoughts had left his mind bruised and aching the first time. Diving back into the fray felt like willingly stepping into a storm. Yet, he knew he had no choice.


    Uldric squared his shoulders, his posture straightening with forced resolve. His fingers flexed, his hands curling into fists as if bracing himself for a fight. ¡°There is no use being fearful right now," he told himself firmly, his voice cutting through the silence. "I have to get out of here. Then I can figure things out once I¡¯m outside. Right now, I¡¯m going to have to read those memories again.¡±


    ***


    Hours had passed and Uldric now sat on the cold, unforgiving ground, his mind calm. He had been activating the Analyze function nonstop, in search of answers¡ªpieces of the puzzle scattered within the transplanted memories that now resided in his mind.


    He had found some glimmers of coherence within the chaotic transplanted memories. There was a Skill, that the previous soul was meant to learn, and master.


    The skill he sought to use, was the one that was supposed to birth something called a mana core and free him from this suffocating chamber of trials, alas the boy had failed, making room for the current Uldric. Some people might have felt sorry for the previous soul, however Uldric¡¯s mind remained clear.


    Right now, what seemed to touch at his altered emotions was the annoyance of learning that the said Skill meant to aid in his escape from the trial was now maddeningly incomplete. And now he was frantically on the pursuit to rearrange the memories pertaining to the skill so as to use it again and escape.


    The Neurolink interface flickered in his consciousness, glowing faintly as it processed his transplanted memories. Within moments, fragmented images, disjointed phrases, and hazy sensations flooded his mind. Uldric experienced them all as he sifted through them like a miner panning for gold, seeking the essential details. He could see glimpses of figures seated in the same cross-legged position, faint diagrams of glowing mana cores within translucent human forms, and instructions spoken in a language he barely understood.


    As the analysis finished, Uldric sighed.


    Data collected till complete Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation is at 14%


    He had already collected some valuable information. However, the data was riddled with issues: sentences abruptly ended, symbols and concepts appeared without context, and terminology danced just beyond his grasp. He attempted to analyze it again, hoping for clarity, but the Neurolink could only provide so much. The memories were damaged, fragmented in ways even advanced technology couldn¡¯t repair. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him, only for that frustration to get washed away by the passive effects of the Stabilize functions helping him to keep a clear and focused mind.


    ¡°I¡¯m at a bottleneck, the analyze function can only take me to 14% of data collection, I need more data. I need to experience the memories in a much deeper state. Maybe that is the only way to progress even further.¡± Uldric muttered, staring into the darkness around him. He sighed again he knew what he needed to do if he wanted a deeper dive into the memories. ¡°I have to experience them instead of reading them like a book.¡± The Analyze function might be powerful, but it couldn¡¯t work miracles. The fragmented data he analyzed appeared to him like simple pages and he was trying to read those pages while they were torn to shreds.


    With no way to read the torn pages, Uldric turned to his only option: he would have to complete the skill through a more intimate method. And would he do that? ¡°I have no choice I have to experience them.¡±


    Yes. He had to experience the memories, although his emotions were now constantly being kept in check by his neurolink that did not mean he was not scared. Before the neurolink rebooted, Uldric was both briefly reading the transplanted memories in his mind like a novel turning each torn page hurriedly, and at the same time before the moment he felt as if his mind was about to break, Uldric was in a weird state of experiencing those transplanted memories.


    It was a weird experience but at the same time full of pain, the previous soul had really suffered before he had died. Fear threatened to creep into his mind, but his neurolink numbed out such distractions.


    Moments passed as Uldric sat on such a mad idea, and although there was hesitation, Uldric also felt some morbid excitement at experiencing those memories, since his whole life he had been bedridden with no true life lived, this was his chance to live, even if those memories where fragmented and probably the last painful moments before someone¡¯s death. Why did it have to be the last moments, because for some reason the deeper Uldric went into the previous soul¡¯s past the harder it was to find the pieces to those memories, so he had no choice but to experience the last moments of someone else before their death.


    The idea was daunting, especially since one mistake could mean mental failure¡ªor worse. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope. The Neurolink Stabilize offered a sound mind fortification, even if he did not know the limits of the effect.


    Plus, Simulation function offered a way to test strategies and plans in a controlled virtual environment. It promised to regulate his mental state perfectly, creating a space where he could experiment without risking his mind too much.


    Uldric drew a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he focused. The plan was straightforward enough: activate the simulation, practice the fragmented skill within the transplanted memories until it worked, and then use it to awaken his mana core in the real body, once the data collected is at 100%. Once that was done, he¡¯d finally have the power to escape this dark, oppressive chamber.


    It was easier said than done. The fragmented memories left gaps that he¡¯d need to fill with intuition and improvisation, and the risk of failure¡ªeven in the simulation¡ªwas high. But Uldric was no stranger to hardship. His previous life, with his crippled body and endless struggles, had taught him resilience. He wasn¡¯t about to let a few missing details stop him now.


    He adjusted his posture slightly, his pale, youthful fingers brushing against the cool surface beneath him. The sensation grounded him, reminding him that even though this body felt foreign, it was his to command. His transplanted memories had mentioned something about focus and visualization being critical to success. He closed his eyes, allowing his thoughts to quiet as he prepared for the next step.


    ¡°Neurolink,¡± he said, his voice calm but firm, ¡°prepare to activate simulation function.¡±


    Ping!


    Command accepted


    Activating Simulation now, User is advised to being seated as consciousness shall be lost upon activation.


    Uldric sat cross-legged on the cold, unyielding ground, not out of comfort but because his transplanted memories insisted that this was a foundational position. The posture fostered focus and harmony between body and mind. His new limbs felt strange¡ªtoo agile, too sturdy compared to the frail, trembling ones he remembered¡ªbut he ignored the oddity and steadied his breathing.


    "Alright then," he muttered, his voice steady despite the anticipation curling in his chest. "Activate Simulation."


    The command echoed in the dark chamber, and almost immediately, a strange pull overtook him. It wasn¡¯t physical but something deeper, tugging at his very consciousness. The faint, suffocating darkness around him deepened, growing heavier and more oppressive. Uldric¡¯s senses dulled, his body fading into nothingness as if it were being dissolved. He fought the instinct to panic, trusting the neurolink.


    For a moment, there was only silence, the kind that pressed against his ears like a dense fog. Then, without warning, an explosion of light shattered the void. The brilliance was blinding, almost searing, forcing Uldric to shield his eyes instinctively¡ªthough he wasn¡¯t sure if he even had eyes in this state.


    When the radiance subsided, he blinked and found himself floating¡ªnot sitting anymore¡ªin a boundless expanse of pure white. The ground beneath him was smooth and featureless, neither warm nor cold, while the sky above stretched infinitely, mirroring the stark simplicity of the plane. There were no shadows, no textures, nothing to anchor the senses. It was a place of total emptiness.


    Uldric¡¯s thoughts quickened as he turned in a slow circle, surveying his environment he saw that the plane was blank, with nothing blemishing its magnificence, and he was alone with no one in this space.


    ¡°At least you could have put a blue sky here or something,¡± Uldric muttered jokingly as he gazed at the endless expanse of white overhead.


    No sooner had the words left his lips the blank, sterile sky began to ripple and shift. A faint dot of blue appeared directly above him, tiny at first, like a pinprick in a vast canvas. Slowly, it expanded outward, its hue deepening and spreading until the entire horizon was bathed in a vibrant cerulean glow. Wisps of soft clouds formed, lazily drifting across the now-transformed heavens.


    Uldric''s breath hitched. The stark emptiness that had loomed so unnervingly moments before was replaced by a serene, picturesque expanse. The shift was seamless, as though the world itself had heard his wish and bent to his will. He stood there, frozen, his mind reeling.


    "Did... did it just listen to me?" he murmured, his voice barely audible over the faint, imagined breeze that now swept through the air.


    ¡°Neurolink what was that just now?¡±


    User has complete control of this mental space; with the help of the codex and the user¡¯s consciousness the user is able to be in a state of lucidity with complete control within this mental space.


    ¡°This is like I can enter a lucid dream on command and control everything as I like without the worry of waking up in said dream?¡±


    User ¡®s deduction is correct.


    This was amazing news. Uldric then silently looked at his current body, and was stunned to notice that he was a hazy ethereal dark cloud of consciousness within the blank environment ¡®So I¡¯m the blemish in this space then I guess. But this body won¡¯t do if I want to do what is necessary.¡¯ He thought.


    He did not waste time but got back to his main mission. ¡°Neurolink materialize my body to be an identical constitution to the real body that I currently am in possession of. And materialize a mirror here I want to see it.¡±


    Uldric stared in awe as his cloudy, ethereal form condensed and materialized before him into a human shape. The figure solidified into a body utterly unfamiliar, vastly different from his old, crippled, and frail self. He now inhabited the form of a youthful boy, barely in his teens, with short, raven-black hair that shimmered faintly under the light. His eyes, rich brown with golden-hued irises, seemed to glow with an otherworldly intensity. The lean, athletic frame exuded vitality, every muscle finely sculpted, radiating energy. His skin, pale as freshly fallen snow, contrasted sharply with the vibrant life pulsing beneath its surface.


    Uldric lightly toughed his simulated body, it felt so real, even though he knew it was a simulation he could not help but feel emotional that he was able to stand now, he smiled and begun to walk slowly he had no direction to go to but just walk, then jogged and begun to run at full speed, his body did not feel tired no matter how long he ran, but he did not care he felt more alive than he ever did, and he figured that this was the reason why the simulation function had been added to a neurolink for a disabled individual such as himself. After running for a long time in his simulated world Uldric, had time to think so he stopped.


    He looked at his naked body and commanded, ¡°Give me some clothes would you.¡± The neurolink fitted him with casual dark sweat pants and jacket. Although it was all in his head Uldric wanted to still be dressed up, he normally only wore hospital gowns and loose robes for most of his life.


    ¡°Now then, Neurolink, prepare to immerse me in the memories of the Skill to be used in the trial.¡±


    Uldric''s voice echoed in the vast, featureless expanse. The words were spoken with as much resolve as he could muster, though caution still lingered beneath the surface. His ethereal hands clenched into fists by his sides as if the act could ground him in the surreal space he now occupied.


    The virtual world began to shift. At first, the changes were subtle¡ªa ripple coursing through the otherwise still void, like a pebble tossed into an infinite pool. Then, the ripples intensified, folding and bending the fabric of the white plane. Uldric¡¯s surroundings morphed, fragmenting as though the world itself was shattering into pieces. Each fragment was a memory, raw and chaotic, flying past him in fleeting bursts of imagery.


    He saw flashes: an individual seated cross-legged in meditation, their silhouette cast in shadow; a scroll being unfurled, revealing cryptic symbols that seemed to pulsate with arcane energy; hands weaving intricate gestures that emitted glowing, golden trails in the air. The fragments were disjointed, impossible to track or fully comprehend.


    As more shards of fragmented memories coalesced, they gravitated toward a single point in the space before Uldric. The fragments seemed to fuse, their jagged edges smoothing out, melding into one another with a strange, otherworldly hum. The amalgamation grew brighter, taking shape¡ªuntil it formed a door.


    The door was unlike anything Uldric had ever seen, both breathtaking and unnerving. Its surface was a mosaic of shifting images, like stained glass pieced together from dreams and nightmares. Symbols flickered across it, only to vanish a moment later, replaced by blurry impressions of the memories he had glimpsed. It looked fragile, yet it radiated an aura of immense power.


    Uldric approached the door cautiously. From a distance, it seemed almost monumental, but as he neared, he realized its size was perfectly proportioned to him. He reached out, hesitated, then circled around it. To his astonishment, the back of the door was blank¡ªan unremarkable surface that led to nothingness. It was untethered, floating impossibly in the void.


    And yet, Uldric knew instinctively that the door was a gateway. He didn¡¯t need the Neurolink to explain it. Something within him¡ªa fusion of his own instincts and the fragmented memories¡ªtold him that beyond this door lay the immersive experience he sought.


    ¡°There¡¯s no use waiting,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him.


    He stepped back to the front of the door, standing before its shimmering mosaic of chaotic imagery. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around the cold, glassy doorknob. His grip tightened as a faint vibration coursed through the door, resonating with an almost musical hum.


    With a deliberate motion, Uldric turned the knob and pulled the door open. As the glass door swung inward, light spilled out from the space beyond¡ªa swirling maelstrom of colors and shapes that defied logic or reason.


    The instant the door opened, Uldric¡¯s ethereal body began to dissolve. There was no pain, only a strange, weightless sensation as his form disintegrated into glowing particles of light. The particles were drawn into the doorway, vanishing into the chaotic brilliance on the other side.


    In mere moments, Uldric was gone, absorbed into the door and the fragmented memories beyond.

 Chapter 2 - Immersion

    The air hung heavy with ash, smothering the remnants of life and replacing it with the acrid stench of charred wood and blood. Smoke curled in the twilight sky, shrouding the sun in a haze of despair. Among the ruins of the village, a young boy stumbled forward, his small frame caked in soot and streaked with tears. Broken timbers and lifeless bodies littered his path, each step a struggle against the searing pain in his legs.


    Monsters roamed the chaos. Towering beasts with claws that gleamed like blades and eyes that burned with a crimson light, tearing through the village as if it were nothing more than a toy to be destroyed. Their roars shook the ground, a harbinger of the death they delivered without mercy.


    The boy tripped over a loose cobblestone, falling face-first into the dirt. He gasped, choking on ash, his heart pounding as he scrambled to push himself up. A low, guttural growl froze him in place. The shadow of a beast loomed over him; its fiery eyes boring into his small, trembling form.


    He clenched his eyes shut, his hands digging into the dirt as he braced for the inevitable. His short life flashed through his mind¡ªa series of fleeting, simple joys now swallowed by an endless wave of terror.


    Then, it came: a flash of blinding light that seemed to tear through the suffocating darkness. The air hummed with a strange energy; the growl of the beast silenced in an instant.


    Cautiously, the boy opened his eyes. The monster was gone, reduced to a pile of smoldering ash that crumbled in the wind. Standing where it had been was an old man, his posture weary but firm. He was clad in a robe, frayed at the edges, with a staff glowing faintly in his gnarled hand. His sharp eyes surveyed the boy, seeming to pierce through him and see the depths of his soul.


    ¡°Come, child,¡± the man said, his voice steady yet carrying an unmistakable note of kindness.


    The boy stared at him, unable to form words. His body moved on instinct as he reached out and took the man¡¯s hand.


    The journey away from the village was a blur. The boy couldn¡¯t recall how far they walked or how long it took. His exhaustion and grief blended with a flicker of hope, creating a strange numbness in his mind. The man led him with a steady hand, his presence radiating a quiet strength that kept the boy¡¯s terror at bay.


    When they arrived at the mage order, the boy''s breath caught. Towers spiraled high into the sky, their tips disappearing into the clouds. The very air seemed alive, buzzing with an unseen power that made his skin tingle. People in flowing robes moved about with purpose, some carrying glowing orbs, others chanting incantations that filled the air with whispers of energy.


    The man guided him through the grand halls, their walls adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering tapestries that depicted scenes of ancient battles and powerful spells. At last, they reached the halls, a bustling haven of warmth and life with children just like him. The boy¡¯s senses were overwhelmed by the scent of freshly baked bread and the laughter of kids bustling around the warmth. It was a stark contrast to the silence of his ruined village.


    ¡°You¡¯ll stay here,¡± the old man said, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°Learn the ways of the Order. Fate has smiled upon you for you have the Gift to one day become an official member of this Order.¡±


    The boy clenched his fists, his gaze following the mages he could glimpse through the windows. They moved with an elegance and power that seemed otherworldly. Something deep within him stirred¡ªa spark of determination.


    From the shadows of the hall, he watched some magical students practice their craft, his heart set on one goal. One day, he would stand among them. One day, he would wield the same power that had saved him.


    But then, a crack formed in the world around him.


    The boy¡ªno, Uldric¡ªstiffened, his awareness snapping into focus. His surroundings felt less solid, as if the very fabric of reality was slipping through his fingers.


    Immersion rate 15%.


    The words echoed in his mind, disjointed and foreign, yet somehow familiar.


    ¡°Huh? What sorcery is th¡ªwait¡­ this isn¡¯t real.¡± Uldric¡¯s voice cut through the illusion, shaking as realization dawned. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ this boy. This is a memory. And not even the one I was searching for.¡±


    The world around him froze, every detail of the memory suspended mid-motion. He looked down at his hands¡ªhands that were smaller and unfamiliar.


    ¡°Neurolink what is immersion rate?¡±


    Immersion rate is the rate at which the user¡¯s mind is overtaken by transplanted memories.


    ¡°And what happens when it hits one hundred percent?¡±


    Results may lead to mental breakdown, madness, and many negative variables.


    ¡°So, in short, you don¡¯t know,¡± Uldric muttered. ¡°But you¡¯re sure I¡¯m going to get screwed over if I don¡¯t find the memory I need¡ªthe one with the skill method I came here for.¡±


    Affirmative


    ¡°Well then let¡¯s not waste any more time, get me to those skill memories.¡±


    Command accepted.


    The world shattered around him like glass, each fragment glimmering before dissolving into nothingness. Uldric felt himself disintegrate, his form scattering like dust as he was plunged deeper into the labyrinth of fragmented memories.


    ***


    The room was dimly lit, its stone walls adorned with flickering torches casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of their own. Elder Rigard as Uldric came to know as his savior, was a grey-bearded, bald old man, stood at the center of the room, his white piercing gaze fixed on the young man before him. The years had not dulled the sharpness of his eyes; they bore into his pupil as if peeling away every layer of doubt, searching for even the faintest trace of hesitation.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Elder Rigard asked, his voice as deep and weighted as the ancient stones surrounding them. Every syllable carried the gravity of the warlord that had raged the battlefield with supernatural entities for far too long¡ªa war that had taken much and spared little.


    The young man, his armor bearing the emblem of the Order of Lord Evermore, placed his fist firmly against his chest in a salute. His eyes, steady and determined, met Rigard¡¯s without wavering. ¡°For the Order of Lord Evermore, I shall do what I must,¡± he replied, his tone resolute.


    A faint smile softened the elder¡¯s stern features, though it did little to mask the weariness etched into his face. ¡°Good,¡± Rigard said, nodding slowly. ¡°This war demands sacrifices that few are willing to make. It will take unwavering devotion such as yours to turn the tides.¡± He paused, the smile fading into something more somber. ¡°You remind me of myself in my youth¡ªfull of purpose, unyielding in resolve.¡±


    The young man straightened his back, the elder¡¯s words igniting a spark of pride within him. But the moment of warmth was fleeting. Rigard¡¯s expression darkened, and he stepped closer, his hand gripping the young man¡¯s shoulder with surprising strength. ¡°Survive,¡± he said, his voice a low, urgent growl. ¡°Survive for the Order, for Lord Evermore, and for me. Bring no shame to my name, for when your deeds are sung, I want the world to know that Elder Rigard¡¯s eye for talent is unmatched.¡±


    The elder released his grip, but the weight of his words lingered, pressing down like a heavy mantle. The young man swallowed hard, nodding once more. Rigard reached into the folds of his tattered robe, producing a scroll. The parchment was ancient, its edges frayed and worn. A faint, unearthly glow emanated from the runes etched upon it, illuminating the space between them with a ghostly light.


    ¡°This,¡± Rigard said, holding the scroll out with reverence, ¡°is the [Forbidden Vitalis Core Fusion Skill]. It is not taught lightly, nor is it bestowed without necessity. It demands more than skill¡ªit requires the strength to endure its cost.¡±


    The young man hesitated only for a moment before accepting the scroll with trembling hands. The name alone sent a shiver down his spine, but he pushed the fear aside, his resolve solidifying. ¡°I will not fail,¡± he promised, his voice steady.


    Elder Rigard¡¯s gaze softened briefly, but his tone remained firm. ¡°You will need this, but be warned. This path will tear you apart, test your limits, and reshape you into something unrecognizable. Do not falter.¡±


    The young man nodded; his hands steady now as he unrolled the scroll. The ancient symbols danced across the parchment, writhing like living serpents. As his eyes fell upon the script, a sudden pressure surged in his forehead. His vision blurred, and a beam of light struck the center of his brow, searing into his mind like a hot iron. Pain erupted, rippling through his thoughts as if a tidal wave of energy was crashing against the shores of his sanity.


    The symbols began to shift, rearranging themselves into patterns that defied comprehension. Just as the fragments of knowledge began to coalesce, the stream of information halted abruptly. A hollow ache settled in his mind, and a disembodied message appeared before his eyes, hovering in the air like a decree from another world:


    Data collected. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation is at 23%.


    The words lingered, cold and mechanical. He blinked, his heart pounding in his chest. ¡°Elder¡­ what is this?¡± he stammered, turning toward Rigard.


    But the elder was no longer himself. His body had frozen mid-motion, his features stiff and lifeless. Cracks spiderwebbed across his form, glowing faintly as if he were made of fragile glass. The young man¡¯s breath caught as the horror of the moment sank in.


    ¡°Elder!¡± he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty chamber. The cracks deepened, and with a deafening shatter, Rigard¡¯s form fragmented into countless shards, each piece dissolving into the ether.


    Immersion rate 45%.


    ¡°No¡­ no, this isn¡¯t real,¡± the young man murmured, his voice trembling as realization dawned. He looked around frantically. The chamber was unraveling, its walls crumbling into ash, the torches extinguishing one by one.


    ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯m searching for information,¡± he muttered, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. ¡°Memories¡­ I¡¯ve finally made progress, but every time, it feels like I lose myself for longer periods of time. This is taking more of a toll than I expected and, I¡¯m losing grip, I maybe got two or three more deeper dives left in me.¡±


    The ground beneath him splintered, the stone floor cracking open to reveal an endless void. A pull, both invisible and inexorable, dragged him toward the chasm. His body began to dissolve, atom by atom, as the force hurled him into the abyss.


    A thunderous sound echoed through the void, like the shattering of a great barrier. The reverberation tore through his very soul, a reminder of how fragile his existence in this fragmented reality had become.


    As he fell deeper into the endless expanse, he could only hope that the next memory would bring him closer to the knowledge he sought¡ªand not to his own undoing.


    ***


    Uldric stood among a sea of young robed initiates, their identical white garments a stark contrast to the myriad expressions etched on their faces. The hall was vast and cavernous, its stone walls adorned with ancient runes that seemed to hum faintly with power. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, the weight of the ceremony pressing down on them all like a suffocating shroud.


    The initiates'' pristine robes fluttered slightly as an unnatural breeze swept through the room, carrying with it the scent of burning incense. Some of his peers stood resolute, their eyes burning with determination, as though they had already accepted their fate. Others shifted nervously, their gazes darting to the towering arches and the shadowed recesses of the chamber, searching for an escape they must have known didn¡¯t exist. Uldric swallowed hard, feeling the coarse fabric of his robe chafe against his neck. It was a minor discomfort, but it anchored him to the moment¡ªa reminder of what was to come.


    At the head of the hall, raised above the rows of initiates, stood a masked woman who exuded an aura of authority so potent it seemed to command the very air around her. Clad in flowing crimson robes embroidered with golden threads that shimmered like living flames, she was unmistakably one of the Order¡¯s high overseers. Her mask was sharp and severe, its features sculpted with a precision that seemed almost otherworldly. The torches nearest her flared brighter as she stepped forward, the light casting her shadow long and imposing against the wall behind her.


    ¡°You have all shown courage and devotion to the Order,¡± she began, her voice clear and commanding, yet devoid of warmth. Each word was precise, like the tolling of a bell, resonating through the chamber. Her piercing gaze swept over the initiates, lingering on each one just long enough to make them feel exposed, as if she could see the fears and doubts, they tried to conceal. ¡°For that, we commend you. But know this: the path you have chosen requires more than courage. It demands sacrifice, obedience, and the willingness to cast aside the remnants of your former selves.¡±


    A faint murmur rippled through the crowd; a fleeting whisper of unease quickly stifled by the overseer¡¯s unyielding presence. Uldric¡¯s throat tightened as her words struck a chord deep within him, their weight pressing against his chest like an unseen force. He glanced at the initiates beside him. Some had closed their eyes, their faces serene as if surrendering to the overseer¡¯s words. Others wore expressions of quiet panic, their resolve visibly crumbling under the gravity of what lay ahead.


    ¡°In exchange for your devotion,¡± she continued, her voice rising slightly as if to pierce through the layers of doubt in the room, ¡°we grant you a gift¡ªand that is the chance to traverse the dangerous path of a True mage.¡±


    The room descended into a deathly silence, the air growing heavy with unspoken dread. Uldric¡¯s heart hammered in his chest as the overseer¡¯s declaration settled over them like a suffocating fog. The thought of embarking on such a path sent an excited shiver down his spine. He clenched his fists, the rough texture of the robe¡¯s fabric grounding him as his thoughts spiraled.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Immersion rate: 75%


    A disembodied voice echoed suddenly in his mind. It was cold and mechanical, its tone devoid of emotion. Uldric¡¯s breath hitched, and his eyes flicked around the hall, but no one else seemed to react. The voice was a private intrusion, alien and unwelcome, yet impossibly intimate. He gripped the edges of his robe, the smooth fabric feel against his damp palms.


    ¡°This... isn¡¯t real. I must go deeper, find the memories of the skill,¡± Uldric muttered, his voice barely audible in the void around him.


    The world froze again, its colors fading to muted grays as his body grew weightless.


    All the initiates and Overseers begun to fragment, and the world shifted.


    He felt himself pulled downward, sinking into the recesses of his mind. Shadows of memories flickered past¡ªdisjointed images of faces, places, and whispers of knowledge he couldn¡¯t quite grasp. Each fragment felt familiar, yet elusive, as though hidden behind an impenetrable veil.


    The deeper he descended, the colder it became. His breath misted in the still air, though he wasn¡¯t sure if he was breathing at all. A faint hum echoed in the distance, drawing him further into the depths. Uldric reached out, his hand trembling as he sought the threads of memory buried within.


    Suddenly, a burst of light erupted before him, revealing a glowing fragment etched into the fabric of the void. It pulsed with an energy that resonated deep within his soul. The knowledge he sought was here¡ªlocked within the shard. As Uldric reached for it, the void around him began to tremble, threatening to consume him if he hesitated even a moment longer.


    ***


    The chamber was silent, its walls dimly lit by faintly glowing inscriptions etched into the stone. The air was heavy, almost stagnant, as if the room itself held its breath in anticipation. In the center of this ancient, arcane space, a young man sat cross-legged on the cold, smooth floor. His posture was rigid but purposeful, his eyes closed in deep concentration. The stillness around him was so profound that even the faint rise and fall of his chest seemed to disrupt it.


    Moments passed, stretching into an eternity. Then, his body trembled. The shift was subtle at first¡ªa slight twitch in his fingers, the faintest ripple in his shoulders. But it grew. His form convulsed for a brief, violent instant before snapping back into stillness. His chest expanded suddenly, and he let out a sharp gasp, as if surfacing from the depths of a suffocating sea.


    His eyes flew open, wide with alarm. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding in his ears as he scanned the room. The chamber looked the same: the faintly glowing runes, the oppressive stillness, the enigmatic hum that seemed to come from the stone itself. But something felt¡­ off.


    ¡°Am I back in the chamber?¡± he murmured aloud, his voice barely more than a whisper.


    He turned his head, his gaze darting to the familiar inscriptions on the walls. They pulsed faintly, just as they had when he first entered this place. Yet, despite the familiarity, an uneasy sensation curled in his chest, gnawing at his certainty.


    ¡°No,¡± he said slowly, his voice steadier now. ¡°I¡¯m still inside the memories of the previous soul, but it¡¯s different.¡±


    Realization settled over him like a lead weight he did not forget himself this time but, although his consciousness was there, he wasn¡¯t in control. Not yet.


    His eyes moved to his hands, resting palms-up on his knees. They didn¡¯t respond to his will. It was as if he were a passenger in his own body, forced to watch events unfold from a distance. Slowly, he became aware of something changing.


    From beneath his skin, faint blue veins began to emerge, glowing softly at first but quickly intensifying. They spread like a network of rivers coursing across his forearms, his legs, and even up to his neck. The glow pulsed in time with an otherworldly rhythm, a strange energy circulating through his body.


    He wanted to move, to inspect the phenomenon more closely, but his body remained rooted in place. The strange rhythm quickened, and his skin began to radiate warmth. Heat blossomed within him, growing steadily until it bordered on unbearable. The blue veins turned blindingly bright, shifting to a brilliant white.


    Despite the apparent intensity, there was no pain. Only an odd detachment, as if his mind and body existed on separate planes.


    A dispassionate feminine voice echoed through his consciousness, resonating with a mechanical precision.


    ¡°Data collection in progress. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 88%.¡±


    ¡°Data collection in progress. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 90%.¡±


    ¡°Data collection in progress. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 92%.¡±


    ¡°Data collection in progress. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 94%.¡±


    ¡°Data collection in progress. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 96%.¡±


    His pulse quickened. He could feel something being taken from him, as if an invisible force was siphoning away the essence of his very being. It wasn¡¯t physical pain, but it left him hollow, as though a part of his soul force was being drained.


    The light coursing through the veins reached an unbearable brilliance, and the chamber around him seemed to fade into a void. Darkness encroached on his vision, but the voice continued, cold and unyielding.


    ¡°Data collection complete. Skill Restoration for Mana Core Cultivation at 100%. Analyzing data...¡±


    His breathing stilled as the words echoed in his mind. Time seemed to stretch unnaturally as the voice processed the information it had taken from him. The heat in his body subsided, replaced by a deep, bone-chilling cold.


    One hundred and sixty-three errors detected within skill that could pose problems to the user.


    The light in his veins began to dim, fading back to the faint blue glow from before. His body felt weak, as though drained of all strength. His vision swam, the edges of his consciousness fraying.


    ¡°This is when he died after he failed. He had lost most of his vitality.¡±


    ¡°Immersion rate: 99.99%. Permanent memory sync averted. Returning to simulation area.¡±


    The dispassionate voice brought a strange mix of relief. He barely had time to process the words before the world around him shattered like glass. The chamber dissolved, fragments of light and sound spiraling into nothingness.


    When his awareness returned, he was back. The endless expanse greeted him and the door he had entered nowhere to be seen. His body felt ethereal again.


    The mechanical voice was silent now, its presence a lingering echo in the recesses of his mind. But its words stayed with him, etched into his thoughts. The errors. The danger. The imperfection within the skill he had obtained.


    He closed his eyes, leaning back. The silence around him felt oppressive, but he welcomed it. For now, it meant the ordeal was over.


    But he knew it was only a temporary reprieve. The errors within the restored skill loomed like a storm on the horizon, threatening to unravel the progress he had worked for. He couldn¡¯t afford to fail¡ªnot when his second life was at stake.


    Steeling himself, he pushed the thoughts aside. For now, he needed to recover, to gather his strength for the trials yet to come.


    As he sat in the stillness of the expanse, the faint memories and experiences he had just had casted a long shadow in his mind, he resolved to face whatever came next. There was no turning back now.


    ***


    Uldric sat cross-legged in the white expanse of the simulated world, its indistinct horizon stretching endlessly around him. The air shimmered faintly, alive with the latent energy of the simulation, but he ignored it. His focus was inward, on the memories burned into his mind. The forbidden mana core cultivation skill he had extracted was dangerous¡ªdesigned to push the user to their physical and mental limits by siphoning away their vital lifeforce to create a magical mana core. Yet, it was also a powerful foundation, a key to achieving mastery few could fathom, according to the transplanted memories he had experienced of course.


    Memory Acquired: Forbidden Vitalis Core Fusion Skill


    Detected Imperfections: 163.


    His jaw tightened as he whispered to himself, ¡°Now I have to safely activate the skill and fix all the imperfections from the memories. I can¡¯t afford to use it in the real world until it¡¯s flawless.¡±


    He closed his eyes, steadying his form as the simulated world bent to his will. The Neurolink embedded in his mind hummed softly, a faint but constant reminder of its presence. It delved into the fragmented memories stored within, meticulously replaying the scenes he had witnessed countless times¡ªthe harrowing moments when the original Uldric, whose memories he now bore, had perished while attempting to wield this very skill. Each replay was a searing reminder of failure, the pain and despair etched into the memory like cracks marring an otherwise flawless masterpiece.


    By immersing himself in these memories, Uldric exposed himself to the full weight of their torment. Yet this exposure served a purpose: within the simulated environment, his body had turned partially ethereal with streams of dark smoke reconstructing, refining and reforging his body. His body mimicked the imperfect skill, and crafted it to be as identical to his memories. Every motion, every nuance, every flaw was replicated, providing a precise canvas upon which to refine the skill later. The goal was clear¡ªto remake the skill, to identify and eliminate the imperfections that had once doomed its previous wielder. Through relentless forging and adaptation, Uldric sought to transform this imperfect legacy into something unbreakable.


    He started off slow learning and mimicking to slowly detect the mana veins within him, and he would then make the mana flow within. Each time he came to a bottleneck he would let his body disintegrate, restart the attempt and take another route, till he made a worthy mimicry.


    Although it sounded easy in theory, it wasn¡¯t enough. Uldric had been at this for what felt like countless hours, looping through the same sequences of memory, each cycle only slightly better than the last.


    It took him what felt like ages, however all it took was a notification to announce his success.


    Simulated physical mimicry from memory complete at 100%


    Forbidden Vitalis Core Fusion Skill


    Detected Imperfections: 163.


    To get rid of these imperfections the user is recommended to increase the pain immersion to 24% to make it easier to detect and fix these faults. Warning simulated pain still harbors negative effects to the mental state of the user.


    A frown appeared on Uldric¡¯s visage as he opened his eyes, ¡°So I need a more realistic feel to things, hence the need to increase the pain immersion,¡± he muttered, his voice grim. ¡°But can I handle it mentally?¡±


    Although the simulated pain was nothing compared to the real thing, it was still at the end of the day pain. The neurolink had safeguards to prevent users from overwhelming their minds, yet even at 24% pain immersion, was uneasy of the strain that would mount and for how long he would be able to hang on. Because if he pushed too much it bore the risk of irreversible mental damage a common theme with his second life now.


    He stared into the expanse of the simulated world, considering his options. The memory fragments had made one thing clear: the original Uldric¡¯s mastery of this skill had been a torturous ordeal. The deeper he delved into the mana core awakening process, the more excruciating it had become, and the more perfectly he had to align his mana core to prevent catastrophic failure.


    His predecessor did not have a neurolink to show him his imperfections though and Uldric was going to make use of that fact, although it was not necessary to make a zero-error practice of the skill, Since the previous Uldric had made some imperfections to the skill and still managed to go further. The thing that led to failure was that he had made too many errors and imperfections than he had advantages. It was just one of those things where it was normal in this new world to have imperfect skills hence why the path of a mage was said to be a dangerous one.


    ¡°There is no way forward without pain and hardship. Neurolink.¡± Uldric commanded, his voice sharp with resolve. ¡°Increase pain immersion to 24%.¡±


    A warning flared in his vision.


    Increasing pain immersion to 24%. Warning: Mental side effects may occur.


    He exhaled slowly, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Pain blossomed in his simulated body the moment the immersion increased. It wasn¡¯t unbearable, but it was sharp and precise, like a blade slicing through his veins. He grit his teeth, forcing his mind to focus on the task. To rid his mimicked form of imperfections.


    The skill required absolute precision. He visualized the network of mana veins beneath his skin, guiding the flow of energy through the fragile pathways. Blue light pulsed through the veins as the mana surged, but the rhythm faltered. The energy caught on an imperfect spot in the flow, crackling dangerously before erupting.


    His simulated body shattered into a thousand fragments, disintegrating in an instant.


    The simulation reconstructed him within seconds, but the memory of the pain lingered. Uldric gasped, clutching his body as the pain dulled. He paused to recover for only a moment.


    ¡°Again,¡± he said through clenched teeth.


    The process repeated. Over and over, he activated the skill, guiding the mana through his veins, only for the flow to hit an imperfect spot, destabilize and destroy him. Each failure revealed a new flaw, a subtle misalignment, or a minute inconsistency in the body. And each time, he adjusted, learning from the mistakes, refining the flow.


    Refinement process 150/163


    ¡°Good, it¡¯s working.¡±


    Refinement process at 149/163


    ¡°Good now to really get busy.¡±


    The neurolink updates were his only solace. Slowly but surely, he was piecing the skill back together, shaping it into something functional.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough. He needed more immersion, more realism.


    Refinement process at 138/163


    Refinement process at 138/163


    Refinement process at 138/163


    ¡°Neurolink,¡± he said, his voice hoarse. ¡°Increase pain immersion to 25%.¡±


    Another warning flared.


    Severe mental side effects warning. Proceed with caution.


    Uldric¡¯s hands trembled as he wiped the sweat from his brow. ¡°Just do it,¡± he ordered.


    The change was immediate. Pain slammed into him like a tidal wave, raw and all-consuming. It tore through his simulated body, burning along the pathways of his mana veins. His vision blurred, and his thoughts scattered under the weight of the agony.


    ¡°This is necessary,¡± he reminded himself, his voice a strained whisper. ¡°Pain is a guide. Pain shows the way.¡±


    He buckled and fought to maintain focus, channeling the mana through his veins with surgical precision. The simulation responded, magnifying every sensation to a terrifying degree. The blue light in his veins flared, then shifted to white-hot brilliance as the energy approached critical levels.


    Failure. Again, his body exploded, and the simulation reconstructed his body.


    He screamed as he reappeared, the pain now a constant presence in his mind. But he refused to stop. Each cycle brought him closer to perfection, closer to aligning the mana flow without error.


    Refinement process at 106/163


    Refinement process at 100/163


    Refinement process at 98/163


    Hours passed. Then days. Time lost all meaning within the simulated world.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, something changed. Uldric activated the skill once more, guiding the mana through his veins. This time, the flow was flawless. The energy coursed through him like a river, smooth and unbroken. The blue light turned pure white, radiating from his body in waves.


    The neurolink chimed.


    Data Refinement process at 0/163 Faults. Skill fully reforged. All imperfections corrected. Simulation pain immersion: deactivated. Mental strain at critical threshold. Stress Recovery active.


    Uldric collapsed onto the simulated ground, gasping for breath. His body trembled, his mind teetering on the edge of collapse. But he had done it. The skill was perfect.


    He lay there for a long moment, letting the silence of the simulated world wash over him. The strain was still there, a dull ache that pulsed in time with his mind, but it was a small price to pay.


    When he finally rose, his movements were slow but steady. ¡°End simulation,¡± he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.


    The simulated world dissolved around him, and Uldric opened his eyes to the real world. The chamber greeted him once more, its stone walls cool and unyielding.


    He exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The skill was ready. And so was he.

 Chapter 3 - Core Formation

    Uldric returned to the real world with a sharp intake of breath, his body trembling slightly as the familiar weight of reality settled around him. The stone chamber was dimly lit, its cold, unyielding surfaces a stark contrast to the malleable expanse of the simulated world he had just left. Yet, the sensation of solidity, the air that felt alive in his lungs¡ªit was grounding, even if his mind remained occupied by the echoes of what he had endured.


    The forbidden cultivation skill was complete, perfected through relentless effort in the simulated realm. Every detail had been honed to the point of mastery, yet now, standing on the precipice of reality, doubt whispered in the back of his mind. The simulation had been dangerous, but the real world offered no safety nets, no resets. If he failed now, there would be no reconstruction, no second chances¡ªonly the harsh consequences of his gamble.


    Uldric clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. ¡°No time to chicken out,¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice firm despite the thoughts of doubt.


    Lowering himself to the cold stone floor, he crossed his legs and steadied his breathing, the rhythm of his heartbeat slowing with each deliberate inhale and exhale. His mind zeroed in on the pathways etched into his memory, the intricate lattice of mana veins waiting to be awakened. He visualized the flow of energy, the delicate balance required to guide it without disrupting its volatile power.


    This was it.


    With a deep breath, Uldric reached inward, pulling at the mana that slumbered deep within him. The energy stirred, sluggish at first, like a river long frozen beginning to thaw. Concentrating harder, he directed the flow, feeling it heat up as it coursed through his veins, awakening pathways that had lain dormant until now.


    Minor Levels of The User¡¯s Life Force Is Being Siphoned. Skill Successfully Optimized.


    The process was nothing like the simulation. In the memories he had reconstructed, and even in the artificial pain of the simulated world, the mana flow had been a battle¡ªviolent, unyielding, and fraught with danger. Yet here, in the tangible world, it felt smoother, more responsive, as though his body instinctively recognized the path he had carved into his very essence through countless hours of practice within the simulated world.


    Then he heard it.


    Vwooom!


    The sound reverberated through his body, not just an auditory sensation but a tactile one, a deep hum that vibrated in his core. His abdomen heated up, warmth spreading like a fire that consumed and transformed. A sudden pressure built in the center of his being, and then he felt it¡ªa seed, small but potent, forming within him.


    Uldric¡¯s eyes widened in awe as the realization struck. ¡°My mana core,¡± he whispered. The words felt foreign on his tongue, as though speaking them made the reality of his achievement more profound.


    A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, though it was tempered by a cautious relief. ¡°That... felt easier than I expected.¡±


    As he processed the moment, a thought struck him. Of course, it had been smooth. With the grueling hours of training he had endured in the simulated world, there was no reason it shouldn¡¯t have been. Every imperfection had been corrected, every flaw in the technique eradicated. The cultivation skill was as much a part of him now as his own blood.


    Once again Uldric was truly awed by the capabilities of the neurolink.


    The warmth in his core intensified, and his body shuddered as the next stage of the transformation began. A sharp, acrid smell filled the room, and Uldric¡¯s skin prickled as dark, viscous liquid seeped from his pores. The gunk, a byproduct of the metamorphosis, carried with it the impurities his body had harbored, remnants of weakness that had no place in the new vessel being forged.


    He gritted his teeth against the discomfort, resisting the urge to recoil as the waste dripped from his skin. It wasn¡¯t pleasant, but his altered emotions had him be calm, ensuring he did not mess up the process with panic. Pain was a guide, and discomfort was the price of progress. He sat through it, his breathing steadying, his resolve unshaken.


    Moments later, the transformation slowed, and Uldric opened his eyes. The room seemed brighter, the faint glow of mana radiating from his skin before fading into the ether. He exhaled deeply, a sense of clarity washing over him. His body felt lighter, stronger, as though every fiber of his being had been renewed. And his mind felt more open and felt like he had reached beyond.


    Then, something unexpected happened. He felt something akin to a call from beyond, he knew it sounded crazy but he absolutely felt it, he became focused on that call, listening to it, the call felt like some entity was seeking him, no watching into him, and the moment he felt that gaze a feeling of being stared at by an incomprehensible ¡®thing¡¯ occured and a link was formed. Uldric felt his consciousness get sucked into that connection, with only one thought in mind, ¡®I¡¯m getting tired of this astral projecting.¡¯


    ***


    Uldric found himself floating in an abyss unlike anything he had ever experienced. It wasn¡¯t just the vastness of the void that unsettled him, but the eerie sense of paradoxical familiarity¡ªlike stepping into a forbidden temple only to realize it bore his name. A slow inhale, though he had no lungs here. A quick pulse of his thoughts to whatever brought him here, and yet no answers came.


    ¡°What the hell is happening right now?¡± he muttered, irritation lacing his words. He was getting tired of this¡ªthe constant displacement, the sensation of his soul being tossed from one unknown phenomenon to another. From his, transmigration, to his neurolink simulation, to surfing his predecessors¡¯ memories and now this. It¡¯s something different. Something beyond his understanding, but it did not change the fact that it was annoying.


    A flicker of movement caught his attention. A single beam of light streaked across the void, moving with a grace that defied explanation. As his gaze followed it, he realized it wasn¡¯t just a beam¡ªit was a comet. Before he could process its significance, another appeared. Then another. And another.


    The floodgates had opened.


    A dazzling storm of comets rained across the infinite darkness above him, streaks of luminous energy cascading in chaotic beauty. Their motion, while unpredictable, carried an undeniable rhythm¡ªa silent song that Uldric could almost hear but not quite comprehend. It was hypnotic, otherworldly, and breathtaking.


    Then, just as suddenly as the spectacle had begun, the call came.


    It wasn''t a voice, nor was it a thought¡ªit was something deeper, something primal that echoed not just in his mind, but in his very being. It was a command wrapped in a whisper.


    ¡°Choose.¡±


    A shiver ran down Uldric¡¯s incorporeal form. The weight of that single word sent ripples through the void. He had no idea what he was choosing, but instinct demanded he obey.


    His Neurolink flared to life, responding to his silent confusion.


    Analyzing¡­ detected high energy readings.


    He felt the urgency pressing against his soul, a sense of dwindling time gnawing at him. He couldn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°Which ones?¡± he asked, voice sharp.


    The comets swirled and twisted in response, like stars shifting in the cosmos. They were not just random celestial bodies¡ªthey were choices. Opportunities. Power waiting to be seized.


    His eyes locked onto one, and without fully understanding why, he willed it toward him.


    The comet shuddered, breaking free from its companions before hurtling toward him with terrifying speed. A moment of clarity struck¡ªhe hadn¡¯t considered what would happen when it reached him.


    ¡°Wait, stop¡ª¡±


    The words barely left his lips before the comet slammed into his form, embedding itself into the very essence of his being. There was no pain, no impact¡ªjust an overwhelming flood of knowledge.


    [Shadow Tendrils]


    His mind reeled. The knowledge of the comet was now his. It wasn¡¯t a memory, wasn¡¯t something he had learned¡ªit had been given to him, etched into the foundation of his soul like it had always been there.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spell!¡± Uldric gasped, exhilaration washing over his earlier unease.


    But there was no time to marvel at it.


    The comet shower had dimmed, and he felt something shift. The unseen force that had brought him here was pulling him back. He didn¡¯t need to be told what it meant¡ªhis time was running out.


    ¡°No, not yet,¡± he growled. He couldn¡¯t leave. Not when there was more to take.


    His Neurolink pulsed again. Analyzing¡­ detected high energy readings.


    A flicker of light caught his attention. Another comet, slightly smaller but just as vibrant. He didn¡¯t hesitate this time.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he barked.


    The comet shifted, as if acknowledging his call, before streaking toward him. This time, he braced for the impact, and when it struck, the sensation was different¡ªless of a shock and more of an embrace. A dark veil wrapped around his consciousness, and new understanding flooded in.


    [Nightfall Barrier]


    A shield spell. Defensive, sturdy, reactive. He could feel the knowledge weaving into his instincts, settling into his arsenal like a blade sliding into its sheath.


    The comet storm had thinned even more, and Uldric noticed that the distance between him and the celestial bodies had shortened. The pull of reality was growing stronger, dragging him away from this sacred space.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting pulled back. No way.¡±


    His Neurolink chimed again, but this time something was different.


    Analyzing¡­ detected unusual energy readings.


    Uldric¡¯s mind barely registered the wording change before he forced himself into action. He had time for one more. Just one more.


    He reached, locking onto the nearest comet with the desperation of a drowning man grasping for a lifeline. It was smaller than the others, but something about it called to him. He yanked it toward himself.


    The comet complied. The moment it collided with him, a surge of foreign energy coursed through his essence, different from the previous spells. It was raw, untamed¡ªalmost as if the spell itself was unfinished, waiting for him to shape it.


    Before he could even grasp its nature, the force pulling him away became unbearable. His surroundings twisted, the celestial void collapsing in on itself.


    ¡°No, no, no¡ª¡±


    A deafening snap echoed through the abyss, and Uldric was wrenched away, his consciousness sling shot back to reality. The space of spells, of choices, of Fate itself¡ªall of it shattered like a dream fading upon waking.


    He fell. Plummeted through endless blackness, spiraling back toward the physical world with nothing but the lingering imprint of power still crackling within him.


    As his mind realigned with his body, he felt the weight of the spells settle into him, their presence as natural as breathing. He didn¡¯t even know what the last one was. But he had it. He had them all.


    And yet, a single thought rang loud and clear in his mind, tinged with regret and insatiable greed:


    ¡®If only I had more time, for another spell.¡¯


    ***


    The Neurolink released a pulse that covered and scrutinized Uldric¡¯s transformed body and a large screen text was revealed before him, he then begun to read the text.


    User has experienced a metamorphosis; overall physical attributes have increased.


    User has experienced unknown soul changes, Gained soul enhancement.


    User has experienced great memory adversity, mental capabilities have evolved,


    User has experienced radioactive mana energy intake; minor core has been detected within the user.


    ¡°Woah.¡±


    Would the user like to view the results?


    ¡°Yes¡±


    Uldric felt a pulse travel within his body followed by¡­


    Ping!


    Analyze Complete¡­


    Name: Uldric


    Rank 1: Novice Mage


    Health: 150/150


    Mana: 120/120


    Spirit: 100/100


    Attributes


    Strength: 2


    Dexterity: 3


    Agility: 4


    Perception: 5


    Toughness: 8


    Intelligence: 14


    Endurance: 7


    Constitution: 5


    (Early)-Unstable Mana Core


    Encoded Functions:


    Analyze, Simulation, Stabilize


    Spells


    [Shadow Tendrils]


    [Nightfall Barrier]


    [Summon Weak Dark Entity]


    Uldric speechlessly stared at the status, ¡°I really do have spells, and not only that, am I really that more enhanced in capability? Compared to a normal human being back on earth I could be considered a super soldier with these attributes." Said Uldric staring in disbelief at his new body¡¯s power.


    Before his surgery he had been given a specs sheet that had details of what the neurolink would do for him, and he had also seen that it could measure the strengths and weaknesses of its host. If it said that his strength was at Two, it meant that he now had the strength twice of that of other normal human beings, which was amazing.


    ¡°No I have to make sure to check everything in detail, considering there is a radioactive core in this body, and spells in my soul, I would not be surprised if there are more mysteries in this body that the neurolink has not been able to pick up, it probably identified some of those mysteries though through the transplanted memories of my predecessor, since he had been raised by the order and had studied about mages before he even became one. Neurolink show me detailed descriptions for each attribute."


    Health: A measured representation of the user¡¯s life-force damage intake till the user is likely to die.


    Mana: A measure of potent radioactive energy available for magical use until depletion.


    Spirit: Strange resource pool heavily linked to the user¡¯s soul and evolved mental state. Enabling feats such as controlling mana within each inch of the body.


    Uldric stared at the spirit resource pool. ¡°It appears this is how I was able to perceive my mana veins and explore my body without the need for machinery, but by simply focusing my mind. To be honest out of all three resource pools this one feels more mysterious. Is it also the cause for me to perfectly mimic my body in the simulated world? This spirit pool is very intriguing.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Constitution


    Description: A representation of your overall health, stamina, and ability to resist physical hardships such as poison, disease, and injury. It determines how robust a body is and how much damage you can take before succumbing to exhaustion or death.


    Detailed Impact: A high Constitution has more damage tolerance and vitality, can survive longer in harsh environments, and recover faster from injuries. You can resist harmful effects that would debilitate weaker enemies, such as enduring extreme temperatures or surviving on little food.


    ¡ª


    Strength


    Description: Strength measures your physical power, the ability to lift, carry, push, or strike with force. It directly influences a bodies combat effectiveness in melee situations, how much weight they can carry, and their ability to break objects.


    Detailed Impact: Those with high Strength excel in physical combat, wielding heavy weapons like Warhammers or great-swords. They can move or destroy obstacles and are more effective at feats of raw physical power, such as bending bars, grappling enemies, or breaking down doors.


    ¡ª


    He gasped at such strength, if his calculations were right, he could now punch a full-grown man to death after maybe seven blows with his bare fists, which was impressive.


    Uldric also could not help but internally chuckle at himself, with the mention of wielding Warhammers and great swords. ¡°This goes to show how the transplanted memories have affected the neurolink. Well, it does learn from the data it collects anyway.¡±


    ¡ª


    Agility


    Description: Agility represents a physique¡¯s speed, reflexes, and nimbleness. It governs how quickly you can move, dodge, or react in combat, as well as perform acrobatic maneuvers.


    Detailed Impact: Those with high Agility are difficult to hit, as they can evade attacks with ease. They move swiftly, enabling them to close distances or retreat rapidly, and they can perform feats like climbing walls, jumping across gaps, and balancing on narrow ledges.


    ¡ª


    Dexterity


    Description: This is the attribute that governs hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and precise movement. It influences actions that require finesse, such as ranged combat, stealth, and delicate tasks like lockpicking or disarming traps.


    Detailed Impact: With high Dexterity excel in archery or throwing weapons, as well as in performing precise, delicate actions. Many benefit greatly from high Dexterity, allowing them more accuracy and a steady hand.


    ¡ª


    Perception


    Description: Perception relates to the awareness of the body¡¯s surroundings, including sight, hearing, smell, and other senses. It allows it to notice hidden objects, detect danger, or observe minute details.


    Detailed Impact: With high Perception you become adept at spotting inconsistencies, or hidden enemies. You are also more attuned to small environmental changes, making you a skilled scout, tracker, and investigator.


    ¡ª


    Uldric thought of how easier it was now to spot and detect things even in the dark, it was not only due to his neurolink but also his ridiculously enhanced senses and mind.


    ¡ª


    Endurance


    Description: Endurance reflects the ability to sustain prolonged physical and mental activity without tiring. It combines stamina, determination, and resilience, showing how long you can keep going before the need for rest.


    Detailed Impact: With high Endurance you can endure long battles, travel vast distances without fatigue, and resist the effects of exhaustion. You will excel in situations that require staying in power, such as marathon fights, long chases, or surviving in harsh conditions.


    ¡ª


    Uldric appreciated the high endurance, with the adventures and exploration that he planned to have, traveling long distances in this expansive world was considered normal even for non-mages.


    ¡ª


    Intelligence


    Description: Intelligence represents your calculative ability and split-second reasoning, learn, and understand of complex topics. It governs logical thinking, memory, and the ability to absorb and apply knowledge.


    Detailed Impact: With high Intelligence you can learn faster, memorize vast amounts of information, and solve puzzles or problems requiring analytical thinking. Mages, and military strategists benefit greatly from high Intelligence as they use their knowledge to solve complex problems.


    ¡ª


    Toughness


    Description: Toughness is the physical and mental fortitude that allows you to withstand pain, injury, and blunt force strikes. It measures the ability to resist physical damage and remain undamaged after receiving an external attack.


    Detailed Impact: With high Toughness you are resilient in battle, taking blows that would incapacitate others and continuing to fight. You have higher resistance to external injury, making you more durable in combat or during physically demanding tasks like labor or exploration.


    ¡ª


    "Ha, then I guess I¡¯ve been reforged into a super human now, having fourteen times the mental intelligence power to pull through is truly amazing, and I do intend to increase such a valuable attribute to its highest point."


    The chamber, which had been silent save for his own breathing, began to hum with a low, resonant energy. Uldric glanced around, his brow furrowing in confusion. The walls, which had been dull and unadorned, now glowed faintly, intricate runes etched into their surface coming to life one by one.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he murmured, rising to his feet.


    The glow intensified, and the air in the chamber grew charged, the energy palpable. Uldric stepped back instinctively as the runes pulsed in unison, their light converging on the far end of the room. The stone walls then trembled, and with a deep, grinding sound, it began to shift.


    A doorway revealed itself, carved from the rock, its edges outlined in radiant blue light. The door swung open slowly, the movement deliberate and almost ceremonial, as though it were responding to his apprehension.


    Uldric¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he peered into the passage beyond. The air beyond the doorway shimmered, filled with the same ethereal glow as the runes that had guided its opening. He could feel the mana within, thicken and become more potent, almost suffocating in its intensity.


    High level of radiation detected.


    ¡°So, this is the next step,¡± he said softly, his voice tinged with anticipation and a touch of apprehension.


    He took a moment to collect himself, brushing the remnants of the now solidified transformation gunk from his skin. His body more powerful, his mind alert from the ordeal, but he couldn¡¯t stop now. The skill he had mastered, the mana core he had awakened, and the spells he had plundered, had all led him to this point.


    With a deep breath, Uldric stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the unknown.


    The light enveloped him as he exited the chamber behind him fading into darkness. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain¡ªthis was only the beginning.


    ***


    After exiting the chamber, Uldric stepped into a vast, cavernous hall, its sheer size making him feel small in comparison. The space was bathed in a bright, ethereal glow emanating from intricate runes etched into the walls, pulsing rhythmically like the slow breath of some ancient entity. Their gentle hum resonated through the chamber, adding an almost reverent weight to the atmosphere.


    His sharp eyes swept across the room, instinctively analyzing his surroundings. His gaze was immediately drawn to the massive platform in the center. It was raised by three steps and bore an air of significance, as if it were an altar to some higher force. Atop this platform stood a clear crystal ball, gleaming with an inner luminescence, mounted upon a slender, polished pillar of silver-veined obsidian. Behind the platform loomed a large metal door, its surface smooth yet imposing, shut tight without any visible means of opening.


    Before he could step forward, a deep yet smooth male voice echoed throughout the chamber, reverberating off the rune walls.


    ¡°Congratulations, Initiate, on becoming a true mage and embarking on this dangerous path. Please proceed to the evaluation Terminal to receive your merits.¡±


    Uldric took a measured breath and advanced toward the crystal ball, his boots tapping lightly against the polished stone floor. He ascended the three steps leading to the pedestal, pausing just before the sphere. A cool aura radiated from it, almost like a whisper of frost against his skin. Reaching out, he placed his hand against its smooth surface, and the moment his fingers made contact, the sphere began to glow with an eerie, shifting brilliance.


    A strange sensation coursed through him¡ªan intangible, foreign energy seeping into his body like tendrils of mist seeking refuge in his hand. His instincts flared, and he instinctively withdrew his hand. Almost immediately, a line of text materialized in his vision, projected by his Neurolink:


    Unknown energy has seeped into the user.


    His muscles tensed, but before paranoia could set in, another notification followed:


    Energy shows no harm to the user.


    He exhaled, shaking his head at his momentary alarm. ¡°Ah,¡± he muttered under his breath, feeling slightly embarrassed. He chastised himself for reacting so abruptly. He had faced far worse, and yet he allowed an unfamiliar sensation to startle him. Perhaps the Neurolink¡¯s programming didn¡¯t account for moments of mild unease¡ªonly extreme stress triggers seemed to engage its emotion numbing protocols.


    Now that he thought about it, he wasn¡¯t feeling all nervous that he was now probably being watched beyond these walls by some powerful observers.


    Refocusing, he extended his hand once more and pressed it firmly against the crystal ball, determined to see the process through.


    The strange energy resumed its flow, this time spreading deeper into his core, stirring something within him. It was unlike anything he had experienced before¡ªneither painful nor particularly pleasant, but foreign in a way that made him hyper-aware of its presence. The sphere¡¯s glow intensified, shifting through a spectrum of colors¡ªred, green, purple¡ªeach flickering in rapid succession until they blurred into an indistinct, shimmering haze. Uldric held his ground, watching intently as the sphere¡¯s internal movements settled.


    Finally, the chaotic swirl of energy stilled, and the sphere rippled outward like a stone disturbing the surface of a still pond. Words appeared, glowing in sharp relief against the crystal¡¯s transparent depths:


    Evaluation


    Rank: One Mage


    Core Quality: Grade E


    Affinity: Dark


    Spells: 3


    Merits: 2500


    Emporium Access: First Tier


    Uldric¡¯s eyes lingered on the evaluation. His fingers unconsciously curled slightly against the crystal before he pulled his hand away, digesting the information.


    E Grade core. According to his transplanted memories that was were ¡®most¡¯ mages started out unless it was the heir to some major mage family, that could afford treasures that could improve their core quality to a higher one upon awakening. Few initiates were fortunate enough to have such a background, and Uldric¡¯s predecessor was not such a person, he was more like a foot soldier within the order¡¯s eyes, a spot that Uldric did not mind at all.


    Uldric then focused on other things such as the 2,500 funded merits¡ªa substantial reward for any new mage¡ªand his immediate access to the First Tier of the Emporium.


    ¡°An ¡®E-grade¡¯ core, two thousand five hundred merits, and access to an emporium,¡± he murmured to himself. ¡°I have a feeling I¡¯m being prepped for something even more dangerous.¡± He said, with a sigh.


    With that, he turned his gaze toward the sealed metal door, already wondering what awaited him beyond it.


    ¡®Who knew that on my second life I would be fighting tooth and nail to keep myself alive. I have to get out of the Order¡¯s clutches and live a life deserving of being a human being. But I¡¯ll have to be patient, I have to learn all I can about this world and what better place to do that than a powerful mage order.¡¯ He thought.


    The weight of his situation had settled upon his shoulders, and though he had not asked for it, he knew that from this moment forward, his journey as a mage would be anything but ordinary.


    ¡°With all these merits time to check out what this emporium is all about.¡±


    ***


    It had not taken Uldric long to figure out how to use the crystal sphere, which he now knew was called a ¡®Terminal.¡¯ This device was made using a complicated magical process, one so intricate that even his predecessor had no memories of how it came to be. The transplanted knowledge within him provided only fragmented details¡ªa vague understanding that such constructs were beyond the reach of most mages. Only a select few individuals, those who had mastered the most esoteric branches of arcane craftsmanship, could forge something of such unfathomable complexity.


    What he did know, however, was that the Terminal served as a gateway¡ªa link to the Emporium controlled by the Evermore Mage Order. Utilizing a fusion of space magic, impossibly intricate runic matrices, and enough wealth to rival the treasuries of entire kingdoms, the Terminal had come into existence. It was a marvel of magical engineering, one that had endured the passage of time, its true origins shrouded in secrecy.


    First Tier Emporium


    Novice Mage Skills


    Type: Mana Accumulation


    -Orelion''s Rule of Convergence I. (Cost: 899 Merit Points)


    -Eldranor''s Essence Gatherance I. (Cost: 499 Merit Points)


    -Thalorian''s Cyclone of Aether I. (Cost: 643 Merit Points)


    -Vesperan''s Eye of Mana I. (Cost: 505 Merit Points)


    Type: Mana Purification


    - Vesperan''s Essence Renewal I. (Cost: 500 Merit Points)


    - Mythandor''s Purging Wave I. (Cost: 780 Merit Points)


    - Aeloria''s Mana Detoxification I. (Cost: 440 Merit Points)


    - Drakthar''s Exorcism of Corruption I. (Cost: 308 Merit Points)


    Type: Mana Compression


    - Draconis''s Sphere of Sealing I. (Cost: 680 Merit Points)


    - Thalorin''s Essence Compression I. (Cost: 560 Merit Points)


    - Minor Constricting Grasp I. (Cost: 440 Merit Points)


    - Celestium''s Core Condensation I. (Cost: 500 Merit Points)


    Type: Mana Circulation


    - Nimrath''s Rhythmic Flow. (Cost: 800 Merit Points)


    - Arthur¡¯s Current of Synergy. (Cost: 900 Merit Points)


    - Mythandor''s Life Stream Circulation. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)


    - Elunara''s Harmonious Flow. (Cost: 500 Merit Points)


    - Elysium''s Essence Flux. (Cost: 300 Merit Points)


    Uldric took a single skill and expanded the details;


    Orelion''s Basic Rule of Convergence I


    Type: Mana Accumulation


    Circuit Complexity: Simple


    Description: A skill enabling novice ranked magic users with simple spirit proficiency to efficiently accumulate and funnel large amounts of mana into their bodies. Utilizing moderate spiritual resources, it reduces strain on the spirit pool while allowing mana absorption from the environment.


    Limitations: The circuitry indiscriminately funnels unrefined ambient mana, including foreign affinities incompatible with the user.


    Requirements: Grade E mana cores, Simple Spirit Proficiency.


    After reading the requirements Uldric frowned, ¡°Circuitry? The forbidden skill I used did not mention any circuitry to it, or was it just a forbidden skill thing? I will need to read up on some lore.¡±


    ***


    Common Weapons and Combat Gear


    Iron Dagger ¨C A simple yet reliable dagger with a sharp edge. (Cost: 50 Merit Points)


    Spiked Mace ¨C A blunt weapon with metal spikes for extra impact. (Cost: 80 Merit Points)


    Iron Sword ¨C A versatile sword, ideal for close combat. (Cost: 70 Merit Points)


    Wooden Bow ¨C A basic bow with a decent range, perfect for beginners. (Cost: 40 Merit Points)


    Leather-Studded Club ¨C A club reinforced with metal studs for extra damage. (Cost: 60 Merit Points)


    Basic Crossbow ¨C A sturdy crossbow with a simple loading mechanism. (Cost: 90 Merit Points)


    Bronze Spear ¨C A lightweight spear for both throwing and melee combat. (Cost: 10 Merit Points)


    Round Iron Shield ¨C A durable shield that provides basic defense. (Cost: 60 Merit Points)


    Simple Sling ¨C A ranged weapon for hurling small stones with precision. (Cost: 30 Merit Points)


    Basic Throwing Knives (Set of 3) ¨C Lightweight knives for ranged attacks. (Cost: 70 Merit Points)


    ////


    Mana Techniques


    Sword Arts


    <ul>


    <li>Elemental Slash ¨C Infuses the blade with mana to release a ranged energy slash. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)</li>


    <li>Phantom Edge ¨C Creates an ethereal duplicate of the sword to confuse opponents. (Cost: 500 Merit Points)</li>


    <li>Mana Parry ¨C Enhances the blade with a mana barrier to deflect magical attacks. (Cost: 800 Merit Points)</li>


    <li>Eclipse Strike ¨C Channels light and shadow mana into a single devastating attack. (Cost: 400 Merit Points)</li>


    <li>Blade Dance ¨C Temporarily increases speed and agility, allowing for rapid slashes. (Cost: 760 Merit Points)</li>


    </ul>


    Fist Arts


    Mana Strike ¨C Charges a punch with raw mana for an explosive impact. (Cost: 750 Merit Points)


    Iron Spirit Fist ¨C Hardens the user¡¯s fists and body using reinforced mana. (Cost: 750 Merit Points)


    Shockwave Punch ¨C Releases a concussive blast of energy with a single strike. (Cost: 500 Merit Points)


    Flame Barrage ¨C Rapid punches wreathed in flames for sustained damage. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)


    Stone breaker Fist ¨C Channels earth mana for a heavy, ground-shattering blow. (Cost: 600 Merit Points)


    Phantom Fist ¨C Creates a delayed echo of the user¡¯s punch for a surprise follow-up attack. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)


    ***


    Profession


    Rank One Crafts


    Alchemy. (Cost: 2800 Merit Points)


    Blacksmith. (Cost: 2800 Merit Points)


    Enchanter. (Cost: 3000 Merit Points)


    Formation. (Cost: 4000 Merit Points)


    ***


    Common Mage apparels


    -Gloves. (Cost: 50 Merit Points)


    -Cloak. (Cost: 80 Merit Points)


    -Storage Belt. (Cost: 60 Merit Points)¡­


    ***


    Consumables


    Health Potion. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)


    Spirit Recovery Potion. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)


    Cleansing Potion. (Cost: 700 Merit Points)¡­


    ¡°There is so much to choose from, looks like I¡¯m going to be here for a while.¡± Said Uldric.


    ***


    In a hidden chamber, veiled from the eyes of the initiated, only the faint glow of mana-powered runes etched into the stone walls provided illumination. The air was thick with an unspoken gravity, the kind that settled in places where decisions of immense consequence were made. Shadows danced across the cold surfaces, flickering with the rhythmic pulses of light emitted by the glowing inscriptions, creating an almost hypnotic ambiance.


    At the center of the room stood a massive obsidian table, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the ghostly light of the floating runes. Around it sat three figures, their faces hidden behind numbered masks, their identities known only to each other and those above them. Hooded cloaks draped over their forms, casting them as silent sentinels of the trials that would determine the fate of hundreds.


    Hovering in the air before them was a translucent sphere, pulsing with streams of text and arcane symbols that shifted and reformed with every passing moment. The mana-powered screen was a testament to the sophisticated magic at their disposal, its ever-changing contents dictating the harsh realities of those undergoing the Trials.


    The figure seated at the head of the table, marked by the numeral ¡®One¡¯ upon his mask, tapped a gloved hand against the smooth surface with measured precision. The subtle sound carried through the chamber, commanding attention. His voice, though calm, carried the weight of authority as he read the displayed report aloud.


    ¡°A total of five hundred and fifty-four initiates at the start,¡± he began, his tone devoid of emotion. ¡°We are now down too fewer than two hundred who have survived the Awakening Trials.¡± He paused, allowing the number to settle before continuing. ¡°Normally, only under a hundred candidates undergoing the forbidden awakening method would succeed, yet we have exceeded those odds.¡±


    The room remained still for a moment, the other two figures digesting the information. Then, the figure to the left, her porcelain mask marked with the number ¡®Three,¡¯ leaned slightly forward. The soft glow from the mana screen illuminated the elegant curves of her robed figure, casting sharp shadows. When she spoke, her voice carried a mix of curiosity and barely concealed excitement.


    ¡°First Overseer, with results like these, our outer branch will garner significant merit. The cultivation of so many initiates will not go unnoticed.¡±


    Her words hung in the air; her unspoken ambitions clear. This was more than just about survival rates; it was about influence, recognition, and securing a foothold in the hierarchy that governed the mages of their order.


    The figure to the right, his mask engraved with the numeral ¡®Two,¡¯ inclined his head slightly, his deep voice smooth and measured. ¡°Indeed. Fate has shown favor to our branch,¡± he acknowledged. ¡°A boon like this is rare.¡±


    But the First Overseer was not so easily swayed by optimism. He tapped the table again, the rhythmic sound acting as a tether, grounding the discussion back to reality. ¡°Let us not grow complacent,¡± he cautioned, his tone sharp. ¡°The trials are not yet complete. The number of survivors may be higher than expected, but their cores are unstable. We cannot afford to ignore the potential faults in them.¡±


    A quiet tension settled over the table as the weight of his words pressed upon them. The Awakening Trials were brutal by design. A flawed mana core, if left unchecked, could spell disaster¡ªnot only for the mage but for those who fought beside them. The process of refinement was necessary, no matter how high the potential of a candidate appeared to be.


    The Third Overseer sighed, fingers tracing the edge of the table. ¡°A shame to waste such promising seedlings,¡± she murmured, her tone carrying the slightest hint of regret.


    ¡°It will not be a waste,¡± the Second Overseer interjected. ¡°So long as they survive the remaining trials, we will have a full understanding of their capabilities. Only then can we properly designate them to their roles.¡±


    The First Overseer leaned forward, his gloved hands clasping together. ¡°With the fall of more towers becoming a daily occurrence, we cannot afford to let incompetence slip through our ranks.¡± His voice was grim, each word laced with the weight of duty. ¡°The Head Council has made its demands clear¡ªwe are to produce battle-ready and competent mages. That is our purpose.¡±


    A silence followed, heavy and unyielding. The flickering mana screen continued its silent dance, casting eerie patterns on the walls.


    The Third Overseer exhaled slowly, breaking the quiet. Her voice, devoid of hesitation, cut through the chamber like a blade. ¡°A kill order, then?¡±


    The Second Overseer stiffened. ¡°What? But they have barely begun their journey,¡± he countered, his voice laced with concern.


    The First Overseer remained unmoved. ¡°It is inevitable,¡± he stated with finality. ¡°Getting them accustomed to killing is a necessity. If they hesitate when faced with a true enemy, they will die.¡±


    A sharp pause filled the room.


    Then the Second Overseer sighed, his fingers pressing together in contemplation. ¡°Perhaps. But let us ease them into it,¡± he suggested. ¡°Forceful baptism by blood will only shatter those who are not yet ready. Before they face true combat, they must be honed. Their mana manipulation must be refined, their spells must be tested.¡±


    A moment passed as they considered his words.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± the First Overseer finally said, his voice carrying no opposition.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± echoed the Third.


    The decision was made.


    This was the nature of their duty. They were the unseen architects, the silent sentinels who shaped the future of the mage order¡¯s initiates. Each trial they devised was a crucible, designed to temper raw potential into refined brilliance.


    Three figures, each with their own methods, their own philosophies, yet bound by a singular purpose¡ªto ensure the creation of competent mages. Through careful trials, they would prevent mass death while forging astounding talents, those capable of standing against these trials had a higher chance of survival against the tides of destruction that threatened this world.