NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Gathering Materials
[Date: March 10, 2025 | Time: 8:00 AM | Location: Halder Household, Kolkata]
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Sunlight gently poured into Ankush's bedroom, the golden rays brushing his eyelids, coaxing him awake. Blinking away remnants of sleep, Ankush slowly sat up, feeling more energized and alert than he had in years. Despite working deep into the night on his sniper blueprint, he felt none of the usual fatigue. His immense physique and mana reserves had granted him recovery beyond normal human limits.
He glanced at the window, watching the lively morning unfolding outside. Birds chirped playfully, fluttering between buildings, and the gentle hum of mana-powered vehicles passing along the street added a comforting rhythm to the scene. Ankush smiled, stretching luxuriously, savoring the warmth and peace of this ordinary morning—a stark contrast to his groundbreaking journey in the Awakening Dungeon and his late-night engineering session.
He quickly freshened up, throwing on casual jeans and a simple blue t-shirt, then stepped into the small dining room downstairs, where his parents were already seated at the breakfast table, chatting happily.
"Good morning, Ankush," his mother greeted warmly, already setting a plate filled with steaming hot puris and spicy potato curry in front of him. "Did you sleep well?"
Ankush nodded with a gentle smile, grabbing a chair beside his father. "Better than ever, actually. Maybe it's the excitement from yesterday."
Ramesh chuckled lightly, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Awakening does change people. I remember feeling unstoppable for days afterward myself."
"Speaking of awakening," Ankush began hesitantly, choosing his words carefully, "I need some money, Dad."
His father looked up curiously, mildly surprised. "Money? You usually never ask for much. What's the occasion?"
"I need to buy some materials," Ankush explained calmly, keeping his tone neutral. "Since I awakened as a Magic Engineer, I want to start crafting right away. It'll help me familiarize myself with my new profession."
His father's eyes lit up immediately, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Absolutely, Ankush! That's exactly the attitude I hoped for. You should start exploring your abilities as soon as possible. How much do you need?"
"Nothing extravagant," Ankush replied quickly. "Just enough to buy some basic materials—mana crystal cores, some alloys, maybe a few mana circuits. Basic stuff to start with."
Ramesh nodded thoughtfully, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet. Without hesitation, he handed Ankush a thick bundle of crisp, freshly issued CRG notes—standard global currency. "Take this. It's about five thousand CRG. That should be plenty for starting materials."
Ankush's eyes widened slightly, surprised at his father's immediate generosity. "Dad, this is more than enough. I just need some basic materials—"
"Nonsense," his father interrupted gently, placing the money firmly into Ankush's hand. "You've earned it. Consider this an investment in your future. Magic Engineering is expensive initially, but it'll pay off, I'm sure of it."
Monika chuckled softly, sipping her tea with pride sparkling in her eyes. "Your father stayed awake all night researching your profession, Ankush. You've made him very proud."
Ankush's chest warmed at the sight of their proud smiles, silently promising himself he would ensure their faith was justified a thousandfold.
"Thank you," he said softly, genuinely moved. "I'll make sure I use it well."
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[Time: 9:30 AM | Location: Streets of Kolkata towards Acropolis Mall]
Ankush stepped out of their home, taking a deep breath, feeling the morning air invigorate him. His father stood waiting beside their modest family vehicle—a streamlined, compact mana-powered sedan. Today, however, they wouldn't be using it.
Instead, his father gestured toward his favorite vehicle parked nearby—an old yet reliable mana-powered motorbike. Ankush smiled brightly, climbing onto the backseat. It felt nostalgically comforting to ride with his father once again.
"You ready, son?" Ramesh called, already activating the bike with a small, softly glowing mana crystal core.
"Ready, Dad," Ankush confirmed, gripping firmly onto the bike handles behind his father.
With a gentle hum, the motorcycle roared quietly to life, smoothly accelerating into Kolkata's vibrant streets.
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[Acropolis Mall – Kolkata | Time: 9:30 AM]
As they approached Acropolis Mall, Ankush marveled at its grand structure. The building had always been an impressive sight, but now, in this awakened world, it was a dazzling masterpiece of modern magical architecture.
Towering gracefully with shimmering glass panels interwoven with mana-infused metals, the mall was an iconic landmark, pulsating with subtle magical energy that enhanced its aesthetic appeal. Mana-powered illumination strips glowed softly even during daytime, accentuating its sleek curves and modern design. Holographic advertisements floated gently around its massive structure, creating a vibrant, futuristic atmosphere.
Inside, the mall buzzed with activity. People from all walks of life navigated the vast shopping areas, their faces animated with excitement or focused determination. Shops displaying various mana-infused gadgets, weapons, armors, and daily necessities lined each floor, their windows shimmering enticingly.
"Take your time, Ankush," his father encouraged warmly. "I'll wait at the café on the second floor. Buy everything you need carefully; don't rush."
Ankush nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Dad. I'll meet you there."
As his father walked away, Ankush began his exploration. His eyes were sharp, observing every detail, each shop's products carefully scrutinized. Despite their ordinary nature, he saw potential everywhere—raw materials waiting to be crafted into masterpieces.
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[Materials Selection – Mana Crystal Emporium]
His first stop was a specialized store named "Crystal Essence," which specialized exclusively in mana crystals. Soft, ethereal glows of various crystals filled the display shelves, creating a mesmerizing array of colors. Ankush approached the store confidently, eyes swiftly scanning their extensive inventory.
"Can I help you?" asked a cheerful young assistant, her bright eyes welcoming. "Are you looking for something particular?"
Ankush nodded politely, indicating the lower-grade mana cores displayed neatly behind the glass. "Basic mana crystal cores, please. Three units."
The assistant quickly fetched the requested cores, placing them carefully onto the countertop. Their gentle azure glow reflected softly in Ankush's eyes.
"Starting your engineering journey, huh?" she asked cheerfully, noticing Ankush's youth. "Newly awakened?"
"Yes," Ankush answered calmly, paying for the crystals. "Magic Engineer."
The girl smiled warmly. "Good luck! Even with basic cores, there's plenty of potential. It all depends on the design."
Ankush nodded gratefully, pocketing the cores safely. "Exactly what I'm counting on."
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[Mana-infused Alloy Shop | Time: 10:45 AM]
Ankush proceeded to a shop specializing in mana-infused alloys. Inside, various metals gleamed under the carefully controlled lights, each humming gently with subtle mana vibrations.
He chose reinforced mana-infused metal alloy rods, lightweight yet durable, perfect for his rifle's frame. The owner, an elderly man with kind eyes and rough hands, nodded approvingly at his selection.
"Good choice, young man," he praised warmly. "Reliable material—perfect for precise instruments. What are you crafting?"
"A mana-control sniper," Ankush replied calmly, receiving a surprised yet approving nod.
"Interesting idea," the shopkeeper commented, wrapping the alloy pieces carefully. "Not common, but with your confident look, I believe you'll create something impressive."
Ankush smiled silently, accepting the materials with quiet gratitude.
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Having gathered all necessary components, Ankush reunited with his father at a small, cozy café within the mall. Ramesh greeted him with a relaxed smile, sipping a cup of warm coffee.
"Got everything?" his father asked warmly.
Ankush nodded with quiet confidence. "Everything I need. Thank you, Dad."
Ramesh patted his shoulder affectionately. "No need for thanks, Ankush. I'm excited to see what you'll build."
Ankush smiled gently, warmth filling his chest once more. They quietly finished their drinks, soaking in the pleasant atmosphere of the bustling mall.
Soon, they'd head home, and Ankush would begin crafting the Mana Control Laser Sniper—his first step on the path to becoming a true Magic Engineer.