"[Basic Scan]"

Trillia stared at the crystals, having set the book she was reading off to the side.

[Wind Crystal] Quality: Average

Crystals are created by condensed divinity, this particular crystal can be used to determine how much mana manipulation a creature can hold for the Wind element of magic. A creature must simply concentrate on their mana, and mentally push it into the crystal. The crystal will light up if their mana is compatible with Wind. This crystal holds enough mana to cast any Wind spell of normal grade at level 10 or lower.

[Fire Crystal] Quality: Average

[Earth Crystal] Quality: Average

[Water Crystal] Quality: Average

[Ice Crystal] Quality: Average

[Light Crystal] Quality: Average

[Dark Crystal] Quality: Average

[Arcane Crystal] Quality: Average

.....

And on it went, Trillia was feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the options.

[Basic Scan] has advanced to the 5th level of experience.

Trillia wore a little smile now, looking at Amelia.

"What crystal do I start with?"

Amelia thought about it. Finally, she offered a shrug and they just started with the top left crystal and moved their way down. Amelia kept her scan up and watched Trillia. Trillia's mana rapidly drained to 0, and the first crystal didn't light up. Amelia just smiled.

"It's ok. I have almost four times the amount of mana you do. I can only light up two of these crystals. Earth and Sound. The crystals are carved and created in such a way that they are only compatible with the same element."

Trillia nodded. She leaned forward and gently set the crystal back down exactly as it had been. She could tell these were rare and expensive items. Her own tribe only had four or five of the things, the standard elements that orcs were often born with.

It took them two hours to get through every crystal. Trillia's forehead was covered in sweat as exerting so much mana took it's toll on the body.

[Basic Mana Regeneration] Level 0 obtained!

Trillia would have been happy about such a skill, but instead, she just sat there staring at the crystals. Once more overwhelmed, tears formed in her eyes. Not a single crystal had sprung to life at her mana. Amelia sat next to her. In silence, no longer sure what to say or do. The minotaurs had a crystal for nearly every single mana that Amelia knew of, but the young Minstrel had never heard of someone who couldn't manipulate mana.

Trillia clenched her fists together she didn't want to cry. She had to be strong after all. She had to become useful. But she honestly had no idea how to progress. She turned her tear-rimmed eyes to Amelia, seeking guidance.

As Amelia was about to speak a large shadow loomed over the two. Mort set down another crystal on the table. This one was significantly larger. Amelia and Trillia both scanned it.

[Universal Mana Crystal] Quality: Perfect

Crystals are created by condensed divinity, this particular crystal unlike standard crystals, is used to determine if a creature has Universal Mana Manipulation. A creature must simply concentrate on their mana, and mentally push it into the crystal. The crystal will light up if their mana is Universal. This crystal holds enough mana to cast any Universal spell of Greater grade at level 15 or lower.

Amelia looked up at Mort, and a moment later, so did Trillia. The young orc was the one to break the silence that had befallen them.

"What's un..uni... U-ni-ver-sal. What does that mean?"

Mort sat down on a bench next to them, tapping his finger on the crystal.

"Universal Mana Manipulation is quite rare, but not unheard of. God's Watch held a dozen or so. The reason we own this crystal. Is because the Queen of Kadessa gave it to Cordaos as a present. She cryptically said we would need it one day when darkness had fallen over our city. Seeing as the woman was betrothed to a deity, we were grateful for the gift and wary of the warning."

Reaching over, he took Trillia's hand and placed it on the crystal.

"Again."

Trillia closed her eyes and steadied herself. Once more concentrating with all her might. Once her mana was exhausted, she slumped next to Amelia. Quickly becoming more and more exhausted as she drained her mana. At least this time, it filled a little more rapidly. She forced herself to squeeze one eye open, to see the large -lifeless- crystal sitting before her.

"By the look of your status window, you haven't allocated your stats yet. Put all eight of them into Wisdom."

Mort raised a hand before any arguments from either of the girls could spring forward.

"Don't argue with me. If Chieftain Amara or General Varga get upset at you, tell them I forced you to do it. I will handle the rest. "

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Trillia glanced at Amelia before nodding. It took her a few moments to figure out how to allocate her stats -the primary reason she hadn't- but with Mort and Amelia's guidance, Trillia soon figured it out. Her mana now sat at one-ninety.

This time she stood up on the bench, looking down at the Universal crystal with newfound determination. Placing both hands on it, she concentrated with all her might. Sweat fell from her forehead onto the crystal. She stared -unblinking- at the crystal and watched her mana dwindle down to zero yet again.

This time.... her efforts were rewarded. An iridescent swirl of colors and a soft white glow formed inside the crystal. It was the tiniest glow the crystal had probably ever seen for the effort put into it. But there it sat, glowing. Trillia had made one of the crystals glow oh-so prettily. Tears streamed from her cheeks. But for the first time in what felt like an eternity to the young orc, it was out of happiness.

Trillia turned excitedly to Amelia, and both of their faces broke out in smiles. Trillia turned to Mort and launched herself at the man in a hug.

"Th-tha-thank you, Uncle Mort!"

The girl wailed. For a moment, she had honestly thought that she'd never amount to anything if she couldn't manipulate mana in any way. The old minotaur offered a very brief smile before slowly prying the little girl off, snapping his fingers in front of her face.

"Check your status young lady."

[Basic Universal Mana Manipulation] Level 0 obtained!

You are one of the few creatures who have access to Universal Mana Manipulation. What this means is that not only are you able to craft runes and spells that only other Universal manipulators can access or utilize, but in addition! At a cost of three times the normal amount of mana, you can utilize any other element. Be that a rune, spell, or artifact. Be warned Universal Manipulation requires significantly larger mana pools to be useful. Keep this in mind when allocating your stats.

Your mana channels have been unlocked! Mana now flows more easily into your efforts!

Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 1 -> Level 3

Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 1 -> Level 2

Trilla's little eyes went wide. Basic Mana Regeneration must have put her right on the edge of a level because Universal Mana Manipulation made her shoot from level one all the way to level three. Her eyes now turned to Mort.

"How do I spread my stats out?"

Mort closed the box of mana crystals and set the universal one on top.

"For now, let's go speak with your parents and Lord Cordaos. Amelia do me a favor little one. Ask one of the guards to bring one of every weapon we have available to use. Ask an orc-guard to do the same. If anyone argues, tell them that Grand Alchemist Mort demands it."

Standing now and flexing his hand, he looked down expectantly at Trillia.

"Well, come on! Let's go give your parents the wonderful news. After that, you, Amelia, and your parents can determine what weapon might best suit you. It's a very, very important step in every young person's life."

Trillia quickly hugged Amelia around the neck, thanking her for the help, before she hopped off the bench with newfound energy. Grabbing Mort's hand and easily keeping up with his long strides, with her own determined half-run.

They made their way through the camp. Trillia had twelve whole stat points to allocate! She wondered how she'd do so. More wisdom seemed smart after all, the system had told her she would need lots and lots of mana.

"Thank you for all your help, system."

The little girl whispered to herself. She wasn't sure if the system could speak or hear her. But it was always quite helpful. It was only right to be polite to something so helpful.

Once they arrived at the tent where her parents and Cordaos were, they were met with a heavy silence. The three of them obviously not agreeing on something, and obviously angry. Trillia swallowed hard. She could maybe make them all smile- at least a little. Pulling her hand from her Uncle Mort's, she ran over and jumped onto a stool before jumping onto the table. Her parents were about to chastise her until they saw Mort standing behind her with a smile.

"Scan me! Scan me, scan me!"

Amara raised an eyebrow, not wanting to get angry at the girl it wasn't Trillia's fault that the three of them were angry with each other. Varga, Cordaos, and Amara used scan on the Trillia. The first thing Amara saw, was Trillia had spent all eight points on Wisdom, which made anger bubble up inside at first. Then, she saw Universal Mana Manipulation and her eyes went wide.

Cordaos was the first to react, holding up a hand to high-five her.

"Great job little Trillia! Universal Manipulation is extremely rare. You are going to need a lot of mana. Where is Amelia? I thought for sure she'd be celebrating with you."

Trillia -of course- returned the high-five, happy someone had seemingly lost all anger and was happy with, and for her.

"Uncle Mort sent her to get a bunch of weapons. He says that it's really important for someone to choose their weapon. Uncle Mort said you three would be the best to help me choose, which makes sense. After all, you, Mom, and Dad know more about weapons than like, anyone else in the whole wide world."

Amara moved over and hugged her. The angry frown her mother had on her face washed away with a giant smile. Varga joined, looking just the same.

"I take it, Uncle Mort had you allocate all your points into Wisdom for more mana? Your uncle Cordaos is right. Universal Manipulators use a lot more mana than normal. But you can use everything!"

Trillia smiled, nodding to her mother's initial question. Her smile vanished as she thought about something, looking up into her mother's crimson eyes.

"Mom, do you know any powerful people. Who have Universal Manipulation?"

Amara sat on the stool with Trillia on one knee, her father and uncle taking the seats next to them, waiting for Amelia and the weapons to arrive. Amara nodded to her daughter's question.

"I do. Uncle Cordaos has met her as well. The Queen of Kadessa is a Universal Manipulator. We fought alongside her for many years. I've never met a more powerful caster in all my life. At least, not one that wasn't immortal. I'd bet that Lady Alliyah could even take many immortals in a battle of casting. One day when we can cross the mana ravines, I'll take you to Kadessa and introduce you to her."

Trillia's smile grew to fill her face. A queen! Maybe Trillia could become a queen someday and conquer some distant lands in the name of her tribe! They could have a whole castle to live in, and they wouldn't have to worry about food or anything ever again. That thought made her eyes grow wide.

"Are there spells that can make food?! Will I be able to cast spells that can make food?"

The three adults could only laugh at the innocent question. Trillia was certainly orc-like in her love of food. Cordaos nodded, patting the girl on the head.

"Indeed! You can help grow crops and fertilize the land. You'll be invaluable to the tribe with some training little one."

Trillia wanted to burst into tears. Her worries about being useless and discarded were just that. They were useless, and so she discarded them.

Amelia walked in and ran over to Trillia, crushing her in a hug and stealing her from her mother's lap. Having been unable to fully celebrate with her before. Four guards came in after carrying all manner of weapons and some armor as well. All of the guards seemed quite happy. Most of the orcs knew of Trillia's....condition. All of them wanted to help the little bundle of joy who was always polite and grateful.

Once Amelia had set Trillia down, they walked over to one end of the weapons, Trillia staring at each of them intently.

"What should I do? How do I see if it's a weapon for me?"

Amara was the one to stand now, moving over to the two young girls.

"Use your favorite ability. Scan each of them, focus intently on their name, and ask the system for more information. It will expand and tell you more about the weapon, from there we figure out something that will work with needing a high Wisdom, and a low Brawn."