Erik lay in his dormitory bed, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window. The events of the day swirled in his mind like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind. He replayed each moment—the sparring session with Thrain, the exhilarating sensation of tapping into Mana, and the unexpected thrill of feeling something beyond the ordinary.

With a sigh, he reached beneath his pillow and pulled out the shiny fragment he had found some time ago. It was smooth and cool to the touch, glimmering faintly in the dim light.

He had kept it close, drawn to its mysterious allure, though he hadn’t fully understood why. As he rolled it between his fingers, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was somehow connected to the strange power he had felt that morning.

What was that energy? Erik wondered, his mind racing. The warmth that had enveloped him during the training ground still lingered in his thoughts, leaving him both excited and anxious. The idea that he had somehow awakened a power meant for non-humans sent shivers down his spine.

Erik set the fragment down on his bedside table, his heart pounding with curiosity. He closed his eyes and focused, trying to recall the overwhelming warmth that had surged through him earlier. He envisioned reaching out into the space around him, attempting to tap into that energy once more.

Stolen novel; please report.

Nothing happened.

Frustrated, he opened his eyes, disappointment settling in his chest. Maybe it’s just a rock after all. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more than that.

Taking a deep breath, he turned his thoughts inward, directing his focus to Ki. He had trained with it for years, and the flow of energy within him was familiar. He envisioned the warm light coursing through his veins, pushing it through his limbs.

“Let’s see what happens,” he muttered to himself, determined to explore the boundaries of his abilities. With that thought, he activated his Ki, concentrating hard to feel the familiar rhythm.

As he channeled the energy, he suddenly felt a reaction—a surge within him, a powerful resonance that seemed to harmonize with the fragment sitting on the table. Erik's eyes flew open as warmth enveloped him, radiating outward from his core. The room shimmered around him, colors blending and dancing in a way that felt utterly surreal.

The two energies—Mana and Ki—intertwined in a way he had never experienced before. It was as if the fragment had awakened something deep within him, unlocking a door to a realm of potential he had never thought possible.

A mixture of excitement and fear coursed through him. What does this mean? Erik’s heart raced as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening. He had awakened powers beyond his understanding, and yet, he couldn't share this with anyone—not Thrain, not even Claire.

The moment passed as quickly as it had come, leaving Erik breathless and shaken. He lay back against his pillows, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts a whirlwind of possibilities. He had tapped into Mana, however fleetingly, and it was a secret he would have to keep close to his chest.

As exhaustion began to pull at him, Erik finally allowed himself to drift off, the fragment glinting softly in the darkness—a reminder of the mysteries yet to be uncovered.