There was a single questions worth of Mana left within Charlie, but the energetic little creatures were moving too haphazardly to stay focused on one long enough to even ask anything.

He had already found out the name and danger level of one, and needed just one more to complete his research for the day. The named creature was called a Spinegnat.

The name was apt, and it helped Charlie deepen his understanding with what he had observed - the sharp looking fur was actually fine and needle-like, though that didn't make it very dangerous. It would prove to be an annoying enemy to kill, and even if he managed to, the spikes would tear Charlie's insides up on the way down. The System seemed to agree as the aura of danger it gave off was pitiful, and had a somewhat white hue to it when focused on.

The only other creature Charlie could compare the Spinegnat to, was the Liger, with its red and domineering aura. Charlie was able to connect the dots and figured that there must be a gradient of colours ranging from white to red - from least to most dangerous.

It still bewildered Charlie that he could receive such hard to grasp concepts as danger or Levels as factual information. What metric did the danger measurement work off of? How could it quantify something as elusive as danger? Yet, no matter how the System achieved such a grand feat, the results were clear as day.

Charlie decided to try something new with his final question. Firstly, he'd gather the Mana and instead of mentally voicing his question, instead he would try and use his will to direct the intention. He would try to come up with a way to send his intentions into the [Worm of Envy], such that it would understand Charlie's will for a series of questions to be asked. Charlie would always want general information, it's Level, danger and abilities - it didn't need to be spoken for Charlie to know that what his intention is.

If that was too complex, then he would simplify his intent, and try again. It would be far too cumbersome to come up with a useful question in the middle of battle, it might be even too difficult to think - so a better way needs to be created. Basic desires and intentions required next to no time to perceive, and if Charlie could somehow merge the magnificent power of [Worm of Envy] and his will - it would prove to be one of the most powerful tools in Charlie's arsenal.

Though, even if Charlie wanted to succeed on first try, he was not going to try and get his hopes up. What he was trying to achieve was difficult to even put into words, and was entirely likely to be an impossible request. Charlie still did not know the limits of both Magic and [Worm of Envy], but he was committed to working through all of the uncertainties that still remained. All in the pursuit of power; to protect, to survive and to keep the memories of all those dear to him still alive.

Charlie willed his Mana to enter the nexus of his mind, and without asking a question, Charlie began casting [Worm of Envy] with a singular intent - the need to know the secrets of the creature in his sights.

Charlie had initially wanted to learn more about one of the creatures fighting on the ground, but at the last second he saw a bird-like creature swoop in and pick up one of the unnamed creatures with its sharp talons.

Yet, even after wanting to learn about the bird with great curiosity, Charlie was not rewarded with any information. Whether it was too quick or his initial attempt at willing [Worm of Envy] to work failed, Charlie couldn't tell. There would always be more work to be done, more things to be learned and it would all take time.

Undeterred, Charlie tried again and again, but success was just out of his reach. He was missing something, he could feel it - and if he could just figure out what it is, Charlie was certain to succeed.

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Charlie conceded for the time being, and decided that maybe it was for the best that it didn't work on the first attempt. Getting carried away and wasting all of his Mana was definitely unwise, even if he only realised it in hindsight.

The sun was still quite high up, but it was starting to get later in the afternoon, so Charlie came to the conclusion that he'll have an early night tonight.

Returning to the underground hovel proved easy with his newly enhanced Mana sense, and staying out of sight became trivial. Charlie also found that it didn't need to be turned off either as long as he was okay with the constant influx of information. Right now though it was a bit too much, a headache was building, and it felt like it frayed the edges of his mind the longer he maintained the ability - but Charlie wanted to hold on until at least he was safe and sheltered.

Once the dirt walls were erected, Charlie finally felt comfortable enough to release his Mana sense. As he did, it was like the world around him was turned off, plunged into darkness and returned back to the cramped interior of the dirty hovel.

It eased the headache building in his mind, but strangely, it felt far more lonesome without the clear view of the world outside. Charlie had started to get used to the expanded field of perception, and even missed it's presence now that it was gone.

Charlie wasn't saddened by that fact though, as the way he viewed Magic had changed. At the beginning, Charlie viewed Magic and Mana as a source of energy, of power that surrounded him from all sides - something that was intrinsically external and beyond his control.

Yet now, it felt closer to a weak muscle that needed to be trained. Certainly, abilities using Magic had levels that quantified their power and experience of use, but Charlie had never made the connection at a deeper level. He had never viewed it as something internal, as something that could be controlled by his will.

But now, if Charlie could control it, nurture it and empower it through his own efforts, then he would. He would sculpt his control of Mana like he would sculpt his body - through meticulous care and effort, strict training and testing it's limits.

On some basic level of understanding, Charlie already knew that Levels were the culmination of experience, but somehow he had still failed to make the connection between his own efforts, the rewards given by the System - and the mystical number it spewed out.

There was much that Charlie did not understand about Magic, but every day he felt that he was getting closer to the wondrous moment where it would click for him. Though it would be still a long time before there was real progress made, Charlie was excited for what was yet to come.

Whilst Charlie had decided to call it an early night, there was still work to be done - even while he slept. It was time to enter his soul, and gather some more information.

Tomorrow was bound to be filled with danger, especially now that he had recovered a lot of his energy, and cleared the mind-fog plaguing his mind. Charlie felt the urge to return to the cave as soon as possible, but the break from constant insanity was beyond welcome - and desperately needed. Charlie could wait another day or two to fully regain his strength, but found that he was unable to bring himself to actually commit and sit still.

There was so much to see, so much to do and experience - his curiosity would not allow him to stay idle. The more that Charlie was exposed to, the more Charlie saw of the world - the greater the wonder became.

Pushing thoughts of the future to the back of his head, Charlie let his mind calm and wander, aimlessly drift in the pleasant unconscious babble that his brain conjured up - until he felt the familiar hooks of sleep latch on.

Collecting his incoherent thoughts, Charlie kept his inner eye focused on maintaining a clear image - the sliver of infinite darkness, the gateway into his soul.

From dream to reality, the sliver of darkness turned material and ignited under Charlie's dominating will.

The Lightless Door manifested before him, it's light-devouring onyx entrance stood proud and eternal, as if it had always been there.

And it had always been there, from the very beginning of Charlie's journey - yet eve after all this time, it remained a mystery.

One day. One day I will know your story. Your secrets.

And so, Charlie stepped through into the depths of his soul. Surrounded by the familiar fields of ash and mist in all directions, Charlie looked up, and felt his spine light up - fear and shock struck like lightning.

Atop the boiling clouds, the Serpents shadowed head peered deep into Charlie's eyes.