Chapter 23: Mana Core Creation!
[Hahaha!]
The diamond crystal’s laughter rang out, manic and unrestrained, bouncing through the endless sea of color. It was not just sound; it was vibration, pressure, something that sank into Bruce’s skin and rattled through his bones.
[Do not mind my burst of amusement, Bruce. I simply did not expect this.]
Bruce’s eyes narrowed. His tone stayed calm, but his jaw tightened. "So what is going on? Why are you calling me your lucky star?"
The crystal pulsed once, as though drawing in a breath it did not need.
[You, Bruce. With your Ex-ranked class... you have no idea what you are holding. The power it carries lies far beyond your current imagination. For a normal Awakened world like Velmora, the highest limit achievable is SSS-rank. Unless the world itself evolves, no one born within it could ever awaken beyond that ceiling.]
Bruce’s brow twitched. "You are saying..." He leaned forward slightly. "There is something even higher than Ex?"
[Of course.] The crystal’s voice was casual, almost mocking, as though Bruce’s surprise amused it. [But that is not why you are here. I am not good at long explanations, so let me continue where I left off.]
Its glow dimmed, then flared again.
[Since I said this world caps at SSS, then surely you have already guessed. Do you know why you were able to awaken an Ex-ranked class here?]
Despite the suspicion already gnawing at his chest, Bruce shook his head. "No."
The answer came like a blade sliding between ribs.
[It is because you are not from here. You are an outsider. There is no other possibility.]
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Bruce’s eyes narrowed further, a thousand calculations running through his mind at once. He knew this, but the question was how did the Will of the World know? He had too little information to guess how, so he gave up thinking about it.
His hand unconsciously brushed over Ash, steadying the dragon cub perched on his shoulder. The little creature let out a soft, reassuring "kyuuu," as if sensing its master’s turbulence.
The crystal’s tone shifted, becoming heavier, colder.
[I have reason to believe that the Bruce Ackerman whose body you now inhabit has long since died. You, the one standing before me, are someone else entirely. I do not know the method you used, but it does not matter.]
Its glow sharpened, cutting against the swirling colors around them like a blade of light.
[Because I have something to propose. Something that will benefit us both.]
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "And what is that?"
[Become my Champion, Bruce.] The diamond pulsed with slow authority, its voice deep and echoing inside his head. [It is only a matter of time before my strength falters. So I propose a contract, one where we stand as equals.]
Bruce’s gaze sharpened. "And why should I accept? From where I am standing, you are the one benefiting the most."
[Do not worry, Bruce. You will gain more than you can imagine.] The crystal’s tone did not falter. [Hasn’t infinite mana been your hidden desire lately? All sentient World Cores are linked to the Core of the Universe itself. If I bind myself to you, infinite mana will not just be a dream. It will be a concept brought within reach.]
Bruce’s pulse quickened despite his calm face. Just the thought of it—near limitless mana—sent a raw thrill through his veins.
But the voice did not stop there.
[And more. With my essence, I can forge for you a True Spirit Weapon. One unique to you, capable of evolving infinitely alongside your growth.]
Bruce blinked, stunned. "What?" The surprise broke through even his steady mask. Then a grin tugged at his lips. "Not bad."
Strength was more than a goal. It was necessity. If he wanted to uncover the secrets of this universe, if he wanted to protect his family, his women, and satisfy his ambition, then power was the path forward. Always power.
He exhaled slowly, then muttered, "Alright. Show me the contract details."
At that moment, the Codex stirred. Prompts flashed before his eyes, unexpected even to him.
[The Will of the World proposes a contract with Bruce Ackerman.]
[These are the contract terms.]
Bruce read carefully. To his surprise, the Will of the World, Velmora itself, spoke in the blunt language of business. No tricks, no embellishments. It laid out everything clearly.
His role: to defend this world from the invaders that would inevitably breach its barriers.
Its promise: to strengthen him, link its essence directly to him, and provide what his system alone could not.
And the exchange: since Bruce’s very existence exceeded the limits of Velmora, his link to its core would help it advance, while granting him access to a wellspring of mana so vast it bordered on infinite.
Bruce’s eyes lingered on the terms, but he found no loopholes. No traps. Just the raw truth.
He took a deep breath. "Alright. I accept."
The world itself trembled as prompts cascaded before him.
[Congratulations, Bruce Ackerman.]
[You have gained the Exceptional Title: Champion of Velmora.]
In that instant, something surged through him, an incredible sense of connection. His soul brushed against the Diamond, and he knew that no matter the distance, the bond would remain.
[Champion of Velmora]
[You are bound to the world itself, tasked with protecting it against invaders and existential threats.]
[Your mana access has been elevated to a near infinite wellspring, far beyond your current rank.]
[The Will of Velmora can communicate directly with you through your system, granting insight and functions otherwise impossible.]
Bruce exhaled sharply, eyeing the Diamond. "You should have just told me I would get an Exceptional Title out of this. Would have saved us a lot of time."
The Will of Velmora gave a weary pulse, almost like a sigh.
[I told you, I am very bad at explaining things.]
But the Codex was not done.
[Your existence has been strengthened.]
[You are now Half S-Rank.]
[Create your Mana Core to ascend as a genuine S-Ranked Awakened.]
"Hm?" Bruce’s brows drew together as the prompt flashed. He muttered under his breath, "Already?"
He raised his gaze to the hovering crystal. "So, Will of Velmora, what should I call you?"
The crystal pulsed once, a deep resonance thrumming through the air.
[You may call me Vaelith.]
"Vaelith, then." Bruce’s tone was steady, but his mind was already running ahead. "Apart from everything you have told me, you will have to help me with the details of Mana Core creation."
He was not completely clueless. He had theories from his research and fragments of knowledge, but guidance from a being like Vaelith was invaluable. If anyone in this world knew the intricacies he did not, it was the Will itself.
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A/N:
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