Infinite Mana > Anything Else?

The house was silent, bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight that seeped through the cracks in the old wooden shutters. It was the dead of night, the time when even the most restless of souls surrendered to sleep.

Everyone was asleep—or so I wanted to believe.

Standing in the middle of my small room, I stretched out my hand, letting mana flow through me in steady currents. The spell was second nature by now, requiring no incantation, only intent.

"[Sleep]."

The magic spread outward in an invisible wave, encompassing the entire estate. A faint hum resonated in the air as the spell took hold, its influence sinking into the minds of everyone within its radius. Servants, guards, and even the nobles themselves would succumb to its pull, sinking into a deep, dreamless slumber.

For any other sorcerer, casting a spell of this magnitude would have been unthinkable. The mana drain alone would have left them unconscious. For me, it was nothing more than a ripple in the endless sea of power within me.

Satisfied, I activated [Silent Step], muffling my movements entirely. The creak of floorboards and the rustle of fabric became non-existent as I moved through the dark hallways like a shadow.

I passed by the dining hall, the study, and the servants' quarters, my destination clear in my mind: the forest. I needed to fight, to hone my skills. No amount of theoretical spellwork or controlled experiments would prepare me for the chaos of real combat.

But as I approached the grand staircase leading to the entrance, a soft voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Lloyd?"

I froze, turning to see Ariana standing in the doorway to her room, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her golden hair was mussed from sleep, and she clutched a stuffed rabbit in one hand.

"How are you awake?" I murmured, more to myself than to her. My [Sleep] spell should have affected everyone. Had her talent as a Healer given her some resistance to magic?

"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice groggy but laced with concern.

For a moment, I hesitated. She looked so small, so fragile, standing there in her nightgown, her blue eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. I hated lying to her, but I couldn't let her follow me.

"It's all a dream, Ari," I said softly, stepping closer. I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and channeled a second, more concentrated [Sleep] spell. "Go back to bed."

Her eyelids fluttered as the spell took hold, and she swayed slightly before sinking into my arms. I caught her easily, lowering her back to her bed.

She murmured something incoherent, her face relaxed in peaceful slumber.

I stood there for a moment, staring down at her. She was the only light in this miserable household, the only one who treated me like a person.

My gaze shifted to the room next to hers, where Damien slept soundly, oblivious to the world. Hatred flared in my chest, sharp and bitter. It would be so easy to walk in there, to use one of the spells I'd been perfecting to make him suffer as he'd made me suffer.

But no. Not yet.

I turned away, my steps carrying me silently through the halls and out into the crisp night air.

+

The forest loomed ahead, a dark and sprawling expanse that bordered the Lionheart estate. Its trees stood like silent sentinels, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the moonlight.

I stopped at the edge, taking a moment to let my senses expand. The mana in the air was faint but present, interwoven with the life force of the creatures that called this place home.

Wolves. I'd scouted the area before, observing their hunting patterns from a safe distance. They were Rank IX monsters—weak by most standards, but dangerous in packs. For someone with my condition, even one wolf was a threat.

But I wasn't here to run.

Stepping into the forest, I let my mana flow freely, forming a faint glow around my hands. The night was alive with sounds—the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, the snapping of twigs beneath my feet.

It didn't take long for the wolves to notice me.

The first one emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing a menacing yellow. It was lean and muscular, its fur bristling as it bared its teeth in a low growl.

Two more followed, circling me with predatory precision.

"Three of you," I murmured, raising my hand. "Let's see how this goes."

The first wolf lunged, its powerful legs propelling it forward in a blur of motion. I sidestepped, casting [Burst] at the same time. The small explosion caught the wolf mid-air, sending it crashing into a tree with a pained yelp.

The second wolf didn't wait, closing the distance with frightening speed. I barely had time to cast [Ward], the protective barrier deflecting its snapping jaws just inches from my arm.

The third wolf darted in from behind, forcing me to cast [Clone] to divert its attention. The illusionary duplicate appeared beside me, drawing the wolf's attack as I turned my focus back to the second.

"[Mana Dart]!" I shouted, sending a glowing projectile straight into the wolf's chest. It staggered, blood matting its fur, but didn't go down.

The first wolf was back on its feet now, its growl turning into an enraged snarl as it charged again. I stepped back, casting [Silent Step] to reposition myself. The wolves hesitated, their noses twitching as they lost track of my scent.

From the shadows, I cast [Burst] again, targeting the ground beneath them. The explosion sent dirt and debris flying, disorienting the pack.

One down.

Two to go.

+

The battle stretched on, each movement a calculated risk. My mana reserves remained untouched, but my body wasn't as resilient. Every dodge, every spell cast, pushed me closer to my limits.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the last wolf collapsed to the ground, its chest heaving as it let out a final whimper.

I stood over it, breathing heavily, my hands trembling. Blood—both mine and theirs—stained the ground. My heart raced, but for the first time in years, it wasn't from fear.

It was exhilaration.

I'd done it.

As I prepared to leave, something in the corner of my eye caught my attention.