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We had been making good progress through the cave, but in the end, we had to turn back. The girl, whom, if my memory served me right, her deceased companions called Jess, had regained some sanity, so to speak, and was complaining too much about the pain in her legs. She also asked me how we were going to get food in the cave and mentioned that her wounds required urgent attention; otherwise, she wouldn't make it out alive. She was right. It was at that moment that I realized I hadn't thought about those details.

Since I didn't know how to respond to her, she suggested that we go back to gather supplies from her deceased companions. I wish she had said that before we started moving, not afterward. But, of course, I couldn't expect much from someone who had almost been sexually harassing me earlier.

Maybe she was dazed at the moment of the fall, and her injuries must have affected her as well. She is still quite bad off, but I used some of my magic to ease her pain a little. Since healing magic is not my specialty, I can't fully heal her wounds; I can only soothe her pain. I will have to search the bodies of her companions for something I can use to cover her wounds. Come to think of it, I don't understand why I carried her without considering the consequences; if she dies, I will lose my way and won't know where to go. I also don't understand why I ignored the fact that those humans were carrying backpacks that could contain useful things. I guess I'm too distracted. I don't know what's happening to me... It could be due to some flying entity...

Lilith: Mmm... I feel bad energy directed at me from you, Sam.

As Lilith said this, she glanced at me sideways.

I had an incredible urge to be sarcastic with her, but I kept it to myself. I don't want them to keep calling me crazy for talking to the air...

Without much trouble, we arrived at the place where we originally fell; we could see all the bodies lying around and blood all over the floor.

I left the girl leaning against a wall while I checked the bodies. I headed to the farthest body to talk to Lilith while inspecting it; I didn't want the girl to think that I'm really crazy.

Samantha: (Whisper) Hey, Lilith, you told me before that you healed my body with your magic. Can't you use your magic to heal the girl's legs?

I don't know why, but I had the feeling that my question irritated Lilith.

Lilith: Wow, Sam...

Lilith said with a smile that barely concealed her disdain.

Lilith: You utterly denied my great friendship when we first met, and yet you have the nerve to ask me to heal such a weak and unknown being to me... You know? In another time, I would have chopped off your head without a second thought.

Her gaze was now piercing as she began to speak to me with the calmness that only a being like her could possess.

Lilith: You know, Sam, I have been holding back many times because I feel that you are stupid in many ways, almost like an animal that just follows its instincts...

Wow... She was really annoyed by the question. I still don't understand why she's so upset. Does she hate humans from this world?

Lilith: Setting aside my feelings, start using your head a little, Sam.

She continued, emphasizing the word as if it were a burden to her.

Lilith: I don't fully understand the situation, to be honest. Since I woke up, you haven't told me where we are or what you're doing. But from everything I've seen so far, I can say one thing for sure: this place is not the Empire... No, I correct myself, to be more precise: this is not our world, Eldoria, is it, Sam?

I was impressed that she noticed that, since, as she says, I didn't even bother to tell her where we had been all this time because of my distrust towards her. In fact, I still don't trust her, which is why I will continue not to say anything.

Lilith: Since I woke up, I haven't felt the flow of magic in the environment like it normally should be.

She said that with her characteristic sinister tone.

Lilith: In Eldoria, magic is everywhere. It's as common as the air we breathe. Even the weakest can perceive its presence, feel how it flows through them, as if it were part of their own essence.

She paused for a second, as if measuring her words.

Lilith: But here... Here, I feel almost nothing.

Lilith let out a soft, almost mocking laugh.

Lilith: It's as if magic doesn't exist at all in this place. Don't you find that strange?

She asked me, although it was more of a statement in disguise.

Lilith: In Eldoria, you couldn't take a step without something, or someone, being imbued with magic. But here... There's no trace, or very little.

I watched her closely, silently trying to process what Lilith was trying to tell me.

Lilith: This is not our world, Sam.

I don't understand what our world has to do with healing someone...

Lilith fixed her eyes on me as if she could read my mind.

Lilith: The fact that there's no magic in the environment is a clear sign that something is off. And from your reaction when I mentioned being in another world, I would dare to say that this place we are in didn't originally have magic. If that's true, then the inhabitants of this world probably can't use it either. How do you expect a person from here to use it without consequences?

Samantha: (Whisper) But she won't use magic; she will just be healed by it.

Lilith sighed, as if she were losing patience.

Lilith: Going back to your initial question.

She said, as if finally deciding to grant me her attention.

Lilith: If what I said before holds any truth, then I can't heal her, Sam. That girl can't use magic. If she does, she might die, and when I say she can't use magic, I also mean that magic cannot be applied to her.

Samantha: (Whisper) Why can't magic be applied to her?

Lilith: Imagine forcing a body that has never felt magic to use it suddenly. It's like asking someone to breathe underwater without having been born with a way to do so. If that girl tries to use magic in this state...

Lilith looked at her with an almost indifferent air.

Lilith: Well, she'll probably die.

Her tone was cold, clinical, as if the girl's life were nothing more than a variable in a magical equation she had already solved.

It was strange; I'm not saying Lilith is wrong, but I clearly just used healing magic on the girl, and it worked before...

Samantha: (Whisper) But Lilith, I used a bit of healing magic on the girl's body not long ago and alleviated some of her pain. Isn't that magic? I didn't see her dying or suffering when I applied it.

Lilith looked at you with a sideways smile, clearly enjoying your confusion.

Lilith: Sam...

She said with a condescending sigh.

Lilith: What you did was barely a wisp of magic. A superficial touch that alleviated the pain but didn't alter her body significantly for you to notice. Light healing may not demand as much from the body as other types of magic, but don't deceive yourself; that doesn't mean she can withstand something more intense.

She paused, her eyes narrowed, as if she were about to give me a lesson that she hoped I would finally understand.

Lilith: Healing magic in its most basic form, like what you used, only affects the surface: the pain, the discomfort... Things that don't require the body to manipulate large amounts of magical energy. But trying to use dark magic like mine, or any type of complex magic, is another matter. It's like wanting to force a body to carry an immense weight when it has barely learned to walk.

Lilith stopped floating and stepped towards me, crossing her arms with that characteristic arrogance.

Lilith: And even less so dark magic.

She shot you a warning glance.

Lilith: Dark magic is not only dangerous by nature, but it also requires a body capable of withstanding its corruption. This world still doesn't have magic like ours. The bodies of the beings here are not prepared to handle it, let alone control something as unstable and destructive as dark magic. If you tried, you could heal a wound... and destroy everything else in the process.

She sighed again, this time with an air of boredom, as if she had already made her point clear.

Lilith: So no, Sam. You can't heal her. Not with healing magic, and certainly not with my dark magic.

Sam: (Whisper) So you mean I can't heal her broken legs without killing her with healing magic? Is that what you're trying to tell me?

Lilith crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she watched you, with that look that seemed to say you should have understood by now.

Lilith: Exactly.

Her tone was cutting, yet patient, as if she were explaining something obvious.

Lilith: It's not just a matter of how much magic you use, Sam. It's about what her body can endure. In this world, people haven't been born or grown up with magic as part of them. It's something completely alien to the composition of their bodies.

She paused, as if to ensure I was paying attention.

Lilith: What you could do in Eldoria without a second thought would be fatal here. If you try to heal her broken legs with magic, you'd be forcing her body to accept a type of energy it's not prepared to handle. The process of magical healing is invasive; it alters the natural flow of the body to accelerate regeneration. In her case, her body would likely collapse trying to absorb that magic.

Lilith looked at you seriously.

Lilith: So yes, you could heal her broken legs... But the price could be her life.

I see... Despite her having to tell me many times, I finally understood what she meant, but there was something that was bothering me.

Samantha: The healing magic I used earlier, even though it was just to alleviate her pain... Did it really harm her without me realizing it?

Lilith watched you for a moment, and her smile became more serious, almost somber.

Lilith: I'm glad you're starting to use that head of yours for something other than fighting.

Her tone now carried a hint of warning.

Lilith: Even though you didn't notice, what you did by using that magic was force her body to accept something it wasn't prepared to process. Maybe you only alleviated the pain superficially, but even that small use of magic likely caused an imbalance in her body.

She paused, as if evaluating my emotions, before continuing calmly and firmly.

Lilith: It's like injecting a poison in small doses. At first, the damage isn't noticeable, but the body begins to weaken gradually. What you did wasn't enough to kill her, of course, but it did affect her stamina. Her body struggled to adapt, and that struggle, while invisible, costs her vital energy.

Lilith looked at you with a mix of understanding and warning.

Lilith: So, while it may seem like the magic only alleviated her pain, you actually weakened her ability to recover on her own. If you try something more potent, it could be the final blow for that girl. Though, judging by her condition, who knows if she would survive even if you hadn't used that magic.

After that, I stopped talking to Lilith and decided to focus on searching the bodies for anything useful that might help the girl. I found a few items and did my best to treat her wounds, having to immobilize both her legs with different materials I found to lessen her pain a bit. However, I still had to carry her carefully, avoiding too much movement. We took some food supplies and ate a little. Finally, we packed some items into one of the backpacks and set off again. I had to choose carefully what to bring since I had to carry her while she carried the backpack on her back. Now I would have to bear even more weight.

Normally, it wouldn't be too hard for me to carry her like this, but given my current state, I couldn't push myself to carry anything too heavy for long.

As I moved forward, I was lost in my thoughts. Lilith's words had disturbed me, making me worry about things I would have preferred to ignore. It wasn't just what she said about healing magic; she implied that it was something I should have already known. If only I had taken the time to think before acting, maybe I would have realized that... Somehow, her intervention made me feel useless.

How is it possible that Lilith has such a deep knowledge of magic? Who is she really?

There was also the issue of losing part of my memories. She knew it from the beginning; I had ignored it, but I can't set it aside so easily. I know this isn't the best time to think about it, given the situation, but I feel as if I no longer know who I am, in a way... No, maybe the best way to express it is that I feel I have no control over my own life.

Was it perhaps like this from the beginning? I don't know, but it's possible. I'll never know because I don't have those memories now... Someone was clearly using me. Why did they stop? No... How do I know they're not still using me?

I started to feel a terrible anxiety and stress, as if each step I took brought me closer to an unknown abyss, and each dark thought dragged me down. The uncertainty became a weight, a burden that was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.

Suddenly, the girl spoke with a somewhat tired tone, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Jessica: Where the hell are we? This cave seems endless; we've been walking for what I think are hours.

Inside, I was grateful she said that. It brought me back to reality.

Samantha: Who knows? Sometimes caves can be very extensive.

After that, we walked in silence for quite a while. I had no idea how far we had gone, but it seemed she was right; I felt like we had been walking for hours. Gradually, I ran out of strength, so I decided to lower the girl and take a break for now.

Jessica: This cave feels like too much for me. I don't think I'll get out of here alive, lady knight... By the way, what's your name?

Samantha: At least you still have your attitude, injured lady. As for my name, I'd prefer to keep it a secret. Call me whatever you want.

Jessica: These might be my last moments of life and... won't you grant me the honor of telling me your name?

What a dramatic girl...

Samantha: If you manage to get out of here alive, I'll tell you my name.

Jessica: Very smart of you to keep my motivation up. Well, I'll get out of this underground tomb alive, but you better keep your word.

Samantha: I'm curious about something. What were you and your group doing before the mages chased you?

Jessica: So, you can't tell me your name, but I have to tell you about myself?

How annoying she is...

Samantha: Fine, I'll answer a question or two, but if it's something I don't want to answer, I won't.

The girl smiled, as if she were satisfied.

Jessica: Well, it's better for someone to know my story. I don't know if I'll be alive tomorrow... Although, more than anything, I feel like you're a good person.

Samantha: Aren't you being a bit naive? How do you know I'm not using you?

Jessica: After several years in this lost war, I'm sure a mage wouldn't go through so much trouble to use a dying human. They would just use force or make me reveal something they wanted to know.

Samantha: It bothers me that you dismiss so quickly the fact that I could be a bad person... I don't know if you're perceptive or very naive.

Jessica: That, and you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Personally, I wouldn't mind dying in your arms.

Samantha: I take that back...

Jessica: Anyway, so you want to know what we were doing before we were chased, right?

I relaxed a bit to pay attention to her while we began to eat some of the supplies.

Jessica: My team and I were assigned to search for a specific animal from your world, although I can't remember its name. We needed to catch one to obtain a strange material they requested. They didn't give us many details, just that they needed the animal alive. Since it's classified, they don't tell us what they're working on. This way, if someone gets captured, they won't be able to leak information to the enemy. They only share what's necessary.

They want live animals to get some material... It sounded a bit concerning. Although I doubt they can do anything against the mages, no matter how hard they try.

To be honest, I still think she's a strange girl. Her reactions and attitudes don't seem normal at all in this situation, but I won't dig too much into her; I'm only interested in what she knows.

I checked her most serious wounds to make sure everything was as good as possible, but the real problem is that she has broken legs. Having to carry her all the way was starting to take its toll, and I was feeling more tired each time.

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The good side is that we had some food, which helped a lot. This cave is much longer and larger than I thought; I hope the food lasts long enough.

I don't know if luck has abandoned us in this situation or if I should be grateful for the little we have...

At first, I was the one lighting the way with my magic, but when we went back for our things, I was lucky enough to find a flashlight in one of the backpacks. To avoid wasting my magic, the girl illuminated our path with the flashlight while I carried her on my back.

While I was checking the backpack I was carrying, she spoke again.

Jessica: Now it's my turn. Why did you betray the mages?

I see, she deduced that I betrayed the mages despite the fact that I only told her I was looking for someone.

Samantha: I won't answer something I don't want to answer.

Jessica: Hmph... How annoying you can be.

Another while passed as we finished eating when the girl spoke again.

Jessica: We might not be that far from getting out of here.

Samantha: And what's with that change of opinion?

Jessica: Look.

She pointed with the flashlight to the top of the cave. There were some strange wires stuck in the corners; they were almost unnoticeable due to the time, but they were there.

It wasn't a coincidence or anything like that. They seemed well installed, which made me think that someone must have lived here, or maybe still lives here. I hope it's the former. It sounds weird, but if I think about it, the idea of someone living in a cave seems more realistic. Maybe it's safer than living on the surface.

Jessica: Maybe the exit isn't far away...

Samantha: You might be right.

After finishing our break and checking the girl's wounds, we continued moving forward, following the wires she had noticed.

After a while, we reached a hallway completely different from the rest of the cave, as if it were connected to another place that had nothing to do with this cave. The floor, the walls, and the ceiling... everything was different.

As soon as I entered the hallway, I felt the air was heavy with dust and humidity. The creaking of the floor beneath my feet echoed in the darkness. Only the dim light of the flashlight illuminated the narrow path ahead of us, revealing bare concrete walls covered in mold and loose wires. Each step felt different due to the change in the ground.

I stopped in front of a rusty metal door, quite sturdy, with a strange scribble crudely engraved on its surface. The door seemed to have been sealed for years.

Jessica: SynLab12...

Samantha: What does that mean?

Jessica: I think it's the name of the lab, although I'm not sure.

The door looked very thick.

There was something next to the door... It didn't seem like a normal lock.

Jessica: Interesting, I didn't think there would be this kind of thing in this cave... A subterranean lab...

Samantha: Do you know how to open it?

Jessica: I can't perform miracles. We're probably going to starve to death. That door is very thick, and I don't know if its electrical system still works. From its condition, it seems like it hasn't been opened in years, so it's likely that the power supply has run out. Even if there were power, only authorized people could enter, perhaps using their fingerprint or some kind of eye scanner.

For a human from this world, that would be the case... I'll have to use the simplest but most effective method: brute force.

I set the girl down, approached the door, took my position, concentrated my magic, and in a swift motion, I made a slash toward the door. However, I only managed to damage its surface. My cut was deep, but not deep enough... I see, it really is a very thick door.

I noticed that I might be able to try to open it with my hands because of the cut I made. I tried to force it open with my hands, and as I did, the door let out a piercing screech. It was too hard. I couldn't remember the last time I had to use all my strength for something. When I managed to open it enough for us to pass through, something activated, and it began to close with even more force...

Samantha: Damn it! Move quickly, crawl underneath me. I don't think I can keep it open much longer.

The girl crawled on the ground, passing beneath me with the backpack until she managed to get inside. I quickly passed through behind her and let go of the door, which closed abruptly, causing a loud crash that echoed.

Jessica: How strange, it seems that door still had some energy... So you ended up sealing it.

Samantha: Sorry for trying to move forward?

How annoying she is... I guess we have some luck in the midst of all this situation.

Out of nowhere, the lights turned on, and I could see a somewhat strange place.

image [https://img.wattpad.com/8de61a6eb67bfe38362553e700ee6f1809b27072/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e5f4e424858463167324f534c413d3d2d313437383732363435312e313766383536343437643136316161393130383039383736333439392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

But after a few seconds, everything returned to complete darkness.

Jessica: What the hell is going on with this place?

After that, I carried her again, and she began to illuminate the area.

According to her, it seemed to be a research laboratory. It was almost intact, but the passage of time had left its mark. The light from the lantern illuminated the floor, stained with dried liquids, and rusted gurneys covered in dust. There were broken jars and scattered surgical tools everywhere. The girl told me that what was once a science center had now been reduced to an abandoned tomb, a gloomy dwelling of forgotten atrocities.

She told me to advance to the back, as the important parts of a laboratory are usually hidden deeper inside.

On one of the gurneys, the skeletal remains of a body were still tied up, with steel shackles on the wrists and ankles. The bones showed fractures in several places, and the skull bore signs of extreme suffering. Samantha felt an uncomfortable sensation, unable to take her eyes off the skeleton. How many others had suffered here?

Jessica: This is... something monstrous...

The girl murmured.

I continued advancing, observing the broken glass display cases where weapons and jars of some liquid were once exhibited. At the back of the room, girl's lantern captured something else: a row of large glass containers, although many were open or destroyed. Inside one of the still-closed containers, I could see the frozen remains of another mage. The girl explained some things about the body that I didn't understand. Apparently, it was covered in deep surgical scars and multiple intravenous connections that had been brutally ripped out. The pale, dead skin of the corpse made it look more like a creature than a mage.

Samantha: What are those things where that body is?

Jessica: I think they are cryogenic capsules...

Cryogenic capsules... The technology of this world is very interesting.

Jessica: This place is horrible...

She whispered, feeling a mix of disgust and pity for those who were used as mere guinea pigs, apparently.

I advanced to a workbench. There, she noticed an old computer, covered in dust, but surprisingly still intact.

The girl, upon seeing it, had a strange reaction.

Jessica: Can you let me see that computer for a bit? Put me in that chair.

I placed her in the nearest chair.

She tried to turn it on, but it was useless; it had no energy... Energy, huh... I activated a bit of my magic and touched the screen.

It glowed for a moment.

Afterward, the girl, with some effort, managed to turn it on.

Jessica: You should have told me you can manipulate energy... Now it makes sense why there was light when we entered...

Samantha: I thought you had already seen it before...

Though I had certainly forgotten...

The screen flickered, and after a few seconds, a menu appeared with multiple files. The girl told me they were videos labeled with dates. Curious and fearful of what I might see, she clicked on one of them.

The screen filled with the image of a pale, emaciated man with glassy eyes. It was a doctor. Dr. Victor Varnholt, according to the inscriptions.

Day 26, month 2, year 2036.

The camera emitted a faint hum before the red light began to blink, recording every movement of the doctor. He adjusted his glasses and looked directly at the lens. The fatigue was evident in his eyes, but the determination in his voice remained unshakable.

Dr. Varnholt: Subject number 19. Male, approximately 32 years old. The subject was captured three weeks ago during the skirmish near the northern port. Despite his initial resistance, he has been contained and sedated by the Anti-Mage Squadron (AMC). For today's experiment, however, since we still do not have useful weapons, the sacrifice of soldiers just to capture a single individual is high.

He paused as he looked at the being lying on the gurney.

Dr. Varnholt: At first glance, he seems like an ordinary person, but do not be deceived; this being is not a human from this world. Many soldiers had to die to capture him. These creatures... They call themselves mages... Arrived two years ago through rifts in the sky, decimating everything in their path. The attack was global, and because of that, each continent had to fend for itself. Basically, the current situation is that we cannot receive support; we are gradually losing ground, and our weapons are largely useless... The war has been unfavorable for us from the beginning. For that reason, almost all cities and towns had to be abandoned to adopt a strategy of concealment in different secret bases throughout the country.

The doctor take a breath.

Dr. Varnholt: Despite our attempts to negotiate, they simply ignored us and massacred anyone they saw.

The doctor walked over to a table full of tools.

Dr. Varnholt: The objective of the experiment is to discover the origin of the "Magic" that these entities use, identifying any physiological differences that explain their ability to manipulate that energy.

He placed a scalpel on the subject's skin, Making a precise cut on the forearm using more force than usual due to the resistance of their skin. Red blood began to flow slowly, but there were no signs of pain; the sedative was doing its job. With a clean cloth, the doctor wiped the wound and observed the exposed tissues. He had performed this procedure several times already, but with no apparent success.

Day 29, month 10, year 2036.

Dr. Varnholt: For almost a year, I have searched in vain for evidence of a biological structure that explains the manipulation of this... "Energy," which some call "Mana." However, after the latest attempts, I have begun to suspect that this energy is not entirely physical, at least not in conventional terms.

Day 16, month 6, year 2037.

The doctor turned the camera back on. This time his expression was more intense, almost feverish.

Dr. Varnholt: Today I will attempt something new. After the previous failed experiments, I have developed a theory. The fluctuations in the electromagnetic waves of the subjects are not normal; there is a pattern, a flow of energy that seems to coincide with what they call magic. This flow is neither visible nor detectable by conventional means, but after several attempts, I have created a bioenergetic scanner that, in theory, could make this phenomenon visible.

The device he held was rudimentary, made from recycled components and materials stolen from the ruins of some ancient industrial plant. It resembled a combination of an electrocardiogram and a thermal camera.

He placed the sensors on various parts of the subject's body, ensuring to cover the arms, chest, and head. After some adjustments, he activated the device. The screen flickered with static for a few seconds until something finally appeared.

Dr. Varnholt: There it is...

He whispered. A faint purple glow coursed through the veins of the subject, in shapes and pathways that did not match the normal circulatory system. It was something deeper, something directly connected to his magical ability. The "Mana Circuits."

Dr. Varnholt: It's real

He said, unable to contain a smile.

Dr. Varnholt: Mana is real. It flows through these circuits like blood flows through our veins. This is what allows them to use magic... and destroy us.

Day 5, month 11, year 2037.

The next recording showed an even more disturbing image. The skin of subject number 22 was covered in small cuts, into which microchips and tiny wires were inserted, connected to the bioenergetic scanner.

Dr. Varnholt: I have perfected the device.

The doctor said as he adjusted the intensity of the electrical impulses.

Dr. Varnholt: Now I can manipulate the mana circuits. What I have discovered is fascinating: mana not only flows, but it can be "Condensed" under certain conditions. Exposing the circuits to extremely low temperatures or high atmospheric pressures causes the mana to take a physical form. Crystals, liquids... I have managed to collect small amounts.

The doctor took a small vial and held it in front of the camera. Inside, a luminous liquid floated, in a color between blue and purple.

Dr. Varnholt: This is the result. "Condensed mana." If we can learn to control this process, we could use it as a weapon or as a source of energy. Imagine... a human soldier imbued with mana. Or a machine powered by this energy. Perhaps humanity could have a chance in this war.

Day 29, month 3, year 2038.

The hum of the camera activated once again, recording the doctor in a room that now appeared more chaotic than before. Disordered instruments, vials with mysterious liquids, and a board filled with notes occupied almost all the space. The doctor, noticeably paler and with pronounced dark circles, leaned closer to the lens, turning on the recording.

Dr. Varnholt: Subject number 35. Female, approximately 28 years old. Captured in the ruins of the ancient commercial district. Her magical capacity has been documented as medium level, with limited abilities in fire manipulation.

He turned the camera toward the gurney. The subject was immobilized, with wires connected to her body, monitoring every aspect of her physical condition. Her breathing was heavy, and her skin, pale under the laboratory lights, twitched at irregular intervals. The doctor adjusted the sensors and checked the screen of his bioenergetic scanner.

Dr. Varnholt: The objective of today's experiment is to measure the physical and magical resistance of the subjects under extreme conditions. I have noticed during the last experiments that their biology is not completely different from ours. However, their ability to channel mana gives them greater resistance to physical damage compared to us.

He approached a tray of surgical tools, selecting a long, thin needle.

Dr. Varnholt: Today, I will attempt to increase the pressure in their mana circuits, forcing them to the limit to see how much they can endure before collapsing.

The doctor injected a special serum into the subject's arm. It was a compound he had developed to overload the mana circuits, accelerating the flow of energy in the mage's body. The reaction was immediate. The subject's body began to tremble, her muscles tensed, and her breathing became erratic.

Dr. Varnholt: Incredible...

He murmured as he observed the screen.

Dr. Varnholt: The mana flow has increased by 200%. The subject's body is enduring a pressure that would kill any average human. This confirms that their resistance is directly related to the amount of mana in their bodies.

The subject's eyes, previously closed, opened wide, filled with pain. Her mouth tried to emit a scream, but the sedatives prevented it. The doctor observed her coldly.

Dr. Varnholt: It's fascinating how mana reinforces their tissues. Even at this level of stress, there are no fractures or visible damage to their bones. Their biology has evolved to withstand the magic that runs through their bodies when they use it.

Day 30, month 11, year 2038.

The laboratory was darker, illuminated only by the flickering lights of the monitors. On the doctor's table was a metallic object that glowed faintly with a purple light. In front of the camera, the doctor held a bullet, small but with a distinctive shine.

Dr. Varnholt: I have made a revolutionary discovery. Mana, when exposed to certain metals, not only adheres to them but also impregnates their molecular structure. Which means...

He paused, contemplating the bullet in his hand.

Dr. Varnholt: That we can use mana as a weapon.

He turned the camera toward a target on the wall, and without saying a word, he took a modified firearm, loaded with one of his new bullets. He aimed precisely and fired. The sound was dry and quick, but what happened next was truly shocking. The bullet, upon hitting the target, exploded in a small flash of purple light.

Dr. Varnholt: These are the first anti-mage bullets. Theoretically, the mana that impregnates the metal is not only capable of piercing the skin but destabilizes the mana circuits in the target's body, causing their magical abilities to collapse from within. Just as magic destroys matter, these bullets destroy magic itself.

Day 18, month 2, year 2039.

The camera activated once more. This time, the scene showed the doctor observing a knife on a metal table. The blade, sharp and perfect, was imbued with the same purple glow as before.

Dr. Varnholt: I have not only developed bullets.

He said, his voice almost a whisper.

Dr. Varnholt: I have also created close-combat weapons. The tests with this magical metal have been more successful than I imagined. Knives and any other bladed weapon can be imbued with mana, making them devastating against these magical invaders.

Dr. Varnholt: The metal with mana destabilizes the natural flow of energy in their bodies. The imbued weapons are not only lethal but also incapacitate their ability to use magic in those areas. The cut in their mana circuits is theoretically irreversible.

He set the knife aside and turned to the camera.

Dr. Varnholt: I have reached a new level of progress. Now we have the ability to fight; however, this is just the first step. Humanity need not fear any longer. With the bullets and anti-mage weapons, we are ready to strike back when the time comes.

The red light of the camera continued to flicker, recording every word as the doctor moved away into the shadows of his laboratory, preparing for his next experiment.

Day 12, month 6, year 2039.

The sound of the camera powering on blended with the echo of metallic footsteps in the underground laboratory. The doctor, now with a grim and distant expression, adjusted several instruments on a long table. On the operating table lay subject number 47, a captured mage, immobilized, conscious, but unable to move due to powerful sedatives.

The doctor activated a light and, with a cold and meticulous voice, began to narrate.

Dr. Varnholt: Today we will begin the effectiveness tests of conventional weapons against mages, compared to weapons imbued with mana. We have previously observed that the regenerative capacities and resistance of these beings are superior to those of normal humans, presumably due to their connection with the mana flowing through their bodies.

The doctor approached a steel box and pulled out a standard pistol, loaded with regular ammunition. He marked the shoulder of the subject to ensure that the bullet would impact a non-lethal area of the body. He moved closer to the table and aimed at the mage's shoulder, who weakly struggled.

Dr. Varnholt: Test one: impact of a regular bullet.

The shot resonated in the room, striking the mage's shoulder. The skin broke, and blood flowed from the wound, but the subject barely let out a muffled groan. The doctor observed carefully for a moment as the wound began to regenerate very slowly, the tissues reconnecting, though not completely.

Dr. Varnholt: As I expected... The bullet has caused minor damage. The regeneration process has already begun. Their physical resistance and healing ability make them practically invulnerable to conventional weapons.

The doctor took a note while the mage still breathed with difficulty but showed no signs of deep damage.

He put away the pistol and approached a special display case. From it, he took a modified revolver, gleaming with a faint purple glow, loaded with the new anti-mage bullets impregnated with mana. The tension in the air was palpable. The doctor held the weapon in his hands, as if it were a trophy.

Dr. Varnholt: Test two: impact of a mana-imbued bullet.

He aimed again at the mage, but this time it aims at the other shoulder. He pulled the trigger. The bullet flew, and upon impact, the result was instantaneous. The purple light shone brightly upon contact, and a wave of energy shook the mage's body. The shoulder exploded in a small burst of flesh and blood, as if the mana itself had turned against him. The scream of pain was deep, something that had not been heard with conventional weapons.

Dr. Varnholt: The impact is devastating. The mana bullet not only physically damages the tissues but also completely destabilizes the mana circuits in his body, causing a collapse in his regeneration. The subject shows no signs of recovery, and the wound does not heal.

The doctor walked towards the injured mage, observing closely. The skin around the shoulder now had a grayish, dead tone, with no trace of mana flowing. The magical veins that once glowed faintly beneath the skin had disappeared.

Dr. Varnholt: The mana circuit in this area has been destroyed. Magic no longer flows through that part of the body. This confirms my hypothesis: the mana-imbued bullets can permanently neutralize their magical abilities.

He set the revolver on the table and pulled out a knife from the same display case, its blade glowing with the same purple sheen.

Dr. Varnholt: Now, we will conduct a test with close-combat weapons.

The doctor approached the mage, whose breathing was erratic and labored due to the injury. Without a word, the doctor raised the knife and made a quick cut on the subject's right thigh. The reaction was immediate; an explosion of purple light burst from the cut, and the mage screamed again as the mana in his body went out of control.

Dr. Varnholt: The cut has not only affected the muscle tissue but has interrupted the flow of mana in the affected area. Magic cannot heal this wound...

He watched as the skin around the cut darkened, similar to the effect of the bullet.

Dr. Varnholt: The bladed weapon, like the ammunition, destabilizes his mana system, rendering him unable to regenerate.

He leaned over the dying mage, taking meticulous notes while the subject continued to struggle futilely against his bindings.

Dr. Varnholt: In conclusion, conventional weapons are useless against these beings, but the mana-imbued weapons not only destroy their flesh but also break the magical balance that sustains their bodies. This gives us a crucial advantage on the battlefield.

The doctor set the knife aside and approached the camera, looking directly into the lens.

Dr. Varnholt: With this technology, we can nullify their primary advantage: magic. Now, we can turn their power into our weapon. Humanity has a chance to win.

The red light of the camera continued to flicker as the doctor, satisfied with his discoveries, moved away into the shadows of the laboratory, leaving behind the mage who, in silence, slowly bled out.

Dr. Varnholt: Day 29, month 10, year 2039...

The doctor said in a cold voice.

Subject number 49 has shown impressive resistance. His ability to endure pain while I extract mana from his body remains a fascinating mystery. We will proceed with another round of extraction to see how far we can take him before his mana circuits collapse.

Samantha held her breath as the video showed the doctor inserting a series of glowing needles into the body of a woman lying on a table, immobilized. Her face was covered by a mask, but her moans of pain could be heard through the speakers. The screen displayed how the doctor extracted mana from the woman, her veins glowing under the skin before fading, leaving her body lifeless.

Samantha: How could they do something like this?

The girl continued to sift through the files, each one more disturbing than the last. There were recordings of mages undergoing endurance tests, where they were beaten, burned, and shot with regular weapons, while the doctor observed and took notes. The conventional weapons barely harmed them, but then, when the mana-imbued weapons were used, the screams of the mages echoed throughout the laboratory.

In one of the last videos, the doctor appeared older, with a crazed look.

Dr. Varnholt: Day 16, month 12, year 2039...

He said, his voice trembling slightly.

Dr. Victor: We have perfected the mana-imbued bullets and bladed weapons. There is no place for magic in this world anymore. We, the humans, will be the sole owners of this land. These invaders... These beasts... will be exterminated. And I will be the one to lead us to victory.

(Perspective of Jessica)

The recording cut off abruptly, leaving us with a feeling of emptiness in our stomachs. The doctor had gone too far. He had become something worse than the magical invaders he so despised.

So... this is how the mana-imbued bullets and anti-mage weapons were created...

I knew they hadn't been made without some cruelty behind them, but this exceeded my expectations.

With a heavy heart, I turned off the computer and looked around the laboratory one last time. The doctor's atrocities... my uncle... He never wanted to tell me how he discovered this innovation; he only mentioned that it was the first step to winning the war.

The problem now is that this girl knows about the anti-magic bullets and the weapons. It's not that we've never used them, but we keep them strictly secret. I didn't even know how they had been created. They haven't fully come to light yet, and the enemy doesn't know about them entirely. Those mages, after all, are largely ignorant due to their arrogance in feeling superior.

Though it's only a matter of time before they find out. When that happens, my uncle's second step should already be underway.

When the time comes, I will kill this girl... she knows too much. For now, I just need to get out of here alive.

As we walked away from the laboratory, the echo of their footsteps resonated in the abandoned place, where the shadows of those who had suffered in the name of science lingered, invisible but indelible.

Despite all the atrocities I saw, I will not change my opinion about my uncle. Since my father passed away at the beginning of the war, he has taken care of me. He never scolded me, never yelled at me, never hit me... He always taught me everything in the best way. He was one of those people who preferred that I learn from my mistakes. Being the genius that he is, I could only admire him...

But, deep down, I wish he hadn't had to walk this path... All of this is because of those damned mages... Because of them, he had to dirty his hands forever.

If those idiots had been more careful, those mages wouldn't have detected us, and I could have met up with my uncle more quickly...

I looked at the pendant I had carried with me since I was a child...

I vowed to end the beings that took away his smile...

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