THE MANALESS EXTRA
By: WeighingSwing35
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Life is a delicate balance, a scale that tips between fortune and misfortune, guided by an impartial hand that shows no mercy.
When I take my first breath in a cramped, leaky apartment on the wrong side of town, the scales have already tipped against me.
My earliest memories are painted in shades of struggle. My family's financial hardships bleed into every corner of my life, a constant reminder of what we lack. The leaky roof over our heads, the frayed clothes on our backs, and the palpable tension at the dinner table when bills are due define my upbringing.
My parents, despite their love and tireless work, are trapped in a relentless cycle of debt and despair. No matter how hard they toil, we seem to be one step behind, as if cursed by some unseen force.
Early on, I realized that education was my only hope of escaping the suffocating grip of poverty. I threw myself into my studies, dedicating every waking moment to burying myself in books. My naive hope whispers that hard work alone can change one's fate, that I can tilt the scales in my favor.
But the world is not so kind. Despite my relentless efforts, the dream of a scholarship—the ticket to a better life—slips through my fingers like grains of sand. The letter of denial is more than just a disappointment; it's a cold, impersonal slap in the face, a stark contrast to the warmth of my ambition.
The sting deepens when I discover who received the scholarship I so desperately need—a peer from a wealthy family whose mediocre grades are overshadowed by his illustrious surname. The bitter taste of injustice settles in my mouth, reinforcing the harsh truth that the world is far from a meritocracy.
Determined not to give up, I attend college anyway, juggling multiple part-time jobs to stay afloat. The workload crushes me, the stress unrelenting. My academic performance falters under divided attention and the ceaseless grind.
Eventually, the financial burden becomes too much to bear. My college journey ends not with a degree but with a resignation to the seemingly inescapable reality of my socioeconomic status. The dreams I have nurtured for so long are crushed under the weight of circumstances beyond my control.
I work part-time to make ends meet, including a receptionist position at a local karaoke bar. But then, fortune smiles upon me, however faintly. My employer recognizes my dedication and promotes me to shift supervisor. This small victory allows me to quit two other jobs and focus my efforts on this one.
My journey within the karaoke bar continues to rise. I am promoted again, this time to Assistant Manager. Each promotion allows me to narrow my focus further, and eventually, I dedicate myself entirely to the establishment's success.
The pinnacle of my career comes when I am promoted from Assistant Manager to General Manager. This promotion brings me a deep sense of achievement, a moment of triumph in a life that has seen too few. I want to share the news with my family, knowing it will bring them joy and signal the beginning of a new chapter where I can start repaying our debts.
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As I leave the karaoke bar, I think of my family and the modest apartment we have called home since childhood.
Why do we stay there all these years? The answer is simple: despite its peeling paint, creaky floorboards, and countless imperfections, this place is more than just an apartment. It is our home, a vessel of memories too precious to abandon.
The night air is cool as I navigate the dimly lit streets, my footsteps echoing softly in the quiet. The familiar chime of my phone breaks the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. I reach into my pocket, retrieve the phone, and my heart lifts at the sight of a notification that sparks a glimmer of excitement in my otherwise routine life.
{"A Magician's Path" has been updated!}
In my most challenging moments, I stumbled upon a web novel called “A Magician's Path”. It is more than just a story; it is an escape. Set in the world of Sylvestria, a land where magic and modern technology intertwine, the novel offers me a refuge from the harsh realities of my world.
The timeless tale of good versus evil resonates with me in ways I can't fully explain. Sylvestria was once dominated by demons, where humanity existed merely as prey, living in perpetual fear. This grim reality persisted until the emergence of Camille Rousseau, a revolutionary who ignited a spark of rebellion against the demonic oppressors.
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Under Camille's leadership, the oppressed find their courage, banding together to form an unlikely alliance against their tyrants. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Camille, in a desperate confrontation with the Demon Lord Eberos, manages to shatter his staff of power. In doing so, she absorbs the essence of a magic orb, which grants her the strength to turn the tide of battle.
With Eberos sealed away, Camille's victory ushers in a new era for Sylvestria, where magic is no longer a tool of oppression but a means of empowerment for humanity. Following this triumph, Camille introduces Aether, a Mana-infused rock, to the world and teaches humans the ways of magic. This begins a symbiotic relationship between magic and technology, propelling Sylvestria into an age of unprecedented advancement.
Five nations rise from the ashes of war, each embodying this new world's diverse potential. Yet, peace is temporary.
The appearance of star-shaped portals, "Stargates," brings forth alien invaders eager to plunder Sylvestria's riches. But they underestimate the resilience and ingenuity of Sylvestria's people. Armed with magical weapons enhanced by technological prowess, humans repel the invaders, securing their freedom once more.
But the threats to Sylvestria are far from over. The "Umbrascourge," remnants of demonic forces, linger, plotting in the shadows. Meanwhile, the constant emergence of Stargates poses an ongoing challenge, necessitating further advancements in magic and technology to safeguard their world.
The story begins anew with a protagonist vastly different from myself—born into wealth and magical lineage, yet marked by inherent humility and kindness. His enrollment at Verdant Arcanum, a prestigious academy in Verdant Haven that specializes in 'Combat Magicians' and 'Stargate Raiders,' promises a tale of growth, challenges, and the enduring fight against the forces that seek to disrupt the fragile peace of Sylvestria.
"I wish I had his life," I mutter as I walk.
The protagonist's world, steeped in privilege and opportunity, seems galaxies apart from my reality. While he navigates a life of luxury, I grapple with the harshness of a world where every penny counts and every day is a struggle to make ends meet.
His life, marked by the ease of wealth and the gifts of magic, is everything mine is not. And yet, in his struggles against the darkness that threatens Sylvestria, I find a reflection of my battles—fighting not against demons and invaders but against the crushing weight of circumstance.
-BEEP!
The sudden blare of a car horn shatters the stillness around me.
My heart jolts as I instinctively whip my head toward the source of the noise. On the sidewalk, I spot a high schooler with jet-black hair standing frozen like a deer caught in headlights. His eyes are wide with fear, paralyzed by the sight of the speeding car barreling toward him.
I didn’t think—there isn't time for that. My legs move independently, driven by something deeper than conscious thought. Is it instinct? A desperate need to protect? Or is it simply the raw, unyielding force of human compassion? I don't know. All I know is that I have to reach him.
"Hey, watch out!" I shout, my voice breaking through the fog of terror that grips him.
His head snaps in my direction, and for a split second, our eyes lock—his eyes are a striking shade of blue, filled with confusion and dread. Time seems to stretch, each heartbeat thundering in my ears as I close the distance. The world around us blurs, leaving only the two of us in sharp focus as if the universe has narrowed down to this moment.
With a final burst of speed, I reach him, shoving him out of the car's deadly path.
But then—impact.
"GUH!"
The sound escapes my lips involuntarily as the car slams into me with bone-crushing force. The world spins violently, and my body is thrown through the air like a ragdoll. Pain explodes in every nerve; the sheer intensity of it is overwhelming and consuming.
I hit the ground hard, the impact jarring every bone, knocking the breath from my lungs. A sharp, metallic taste fills my mouth, blood mingling with saliva, a bitter reminder of the brutality of what has just happened.
So, this is it, huh? The thought comes unbidden, a cold resignation settling over me. I have done it—I saved him. But at what cost?
My vision wavers, the edges darkening like the night is closing in, ready to swallow me whole. Everything begins to blur, the once-clear details of the world fading into a shadowy haze. In those fleeting moments, memories surge, a rapid montage of my life flashing before my eyes.
I see the countless nights spent working tirelessly, the weight of my family's hopes and dreams resting heavily on my shoulders. I remember the promises I made—to lift us out of debt, to give them a better life. Each memory burns brightly, a stark reminder of everything I have been fighting for.
"I can't just leave...I have a family to feed," I mutter, the words a desperate plea to a fate that seems already decided.
But as I cling to that thought, the darkness creeps closer, smothering what little light remains. My consciousness falters, slipping away as the world fades to black, leaving me in a void where time and space no longer hold meaning.
In the void, the echoes of my unfulfilled promise linger, haunting me in the following silence.
Everything is dark, an endless abyss where time seems to stand still.
Then, faintly at first, I catch the scent of lavender—an odd yet soothing contrast to the cold emptiness. A warm breeze brushes against my skin, the softness of sunshine caressing me as if coaxing me back to reality.
I open my eyes slowly and cautiously, half-expecting to be met with the aftermath of the accident. But instead, I find myself in a small bedroom bathed in gentle light. The room is elegant, its design whispering French sophistication—soft hues, delicate furnishings, everything meticulously arranged.
“Am I dreaming?”
The question hangs in the air as I blink rapidly, trying to dispel the illusion. I thought I was dead... How am I here?
The impossibility of the situation gnaws at me. This is no hospital room—it is too serene, too perfect. Something is off, something that defies all logic.
Before I can dwell on it further, a red holographic screen materializes in front of me, floating in mid-air with an otherworldly glow.
INFO Name: Dominic Eñerforte
Age: 15
Title: None STATS Strength: 20 (E-)
Endurance: 19 (E-)
Agility: 51 (E)
Mana: 0 (F)
Luck: 402 (C+)
Instinct: 747 (A+)
Charisma: 362 (C)