“You’ve got this Sam! Prove them all wrong!”

Sam ignored Ivan’s supportive yell. He held on to a thick branch of one of the trees around the mansion's edge, short of breath and arms shaky. He managed a final agonizing pull up, falling on his back with a thud and a grunt.

「Attributes Improved」

「Description: Through extensive physical activity your [Strength] and [Endurance] have been strengthened.」

“Who is, them, suppose to be?” Sam questioned between breaths, ignoring the window that popped up for now.

“Whoever you need them to be, my friend.” Ivan said with a wide grin. Sam took his outstretched hand and in a blink found himself upright. Jarring, but after working out with the man so much, he was getting used to being pushed and pulled around like a feather.

Not a fact that thrilled Sam.

Together they headed towards the mansion entrance for their usual post-workout breakfast.

The clearing around the mansion didn’t hold anyone aside from a handful of people on guard, all equipped with the armory’s enchanted gear of their choice. With their primitive perimeter and defenses -all more or less fashioned from sharpened wood- still in the works, it was agreed that everyone stayed inside, only leaving in groups if needed.

While Ivan eagerly exchanged greetings with guards, Sam took the chance to get a look at his Personal ID, the window popping up in accordance with his thoughts as usual.

《 Personal ID 》

Designation: Sam

Origin: Pure Human

Sex: Male

Age: 21

Alignment: Neutral

Titles: Lone Observer, Desperate Survivor, Second Fiddle, Phantom Estate’s Owner

Core Attributes: [Strength: D] [Agility: D] [Endurance: D] [Perception: C] [Charisma: D] [Intelligence: B] [Luck: E]

Inherent Attributes: [Aura: B]

Divinity Points: 3

Traits: Level-headed, Sharp Senses, Trashy Swordsmanship

Inherent Traits: Armaments of the Soul

Despite the prior window’s claim of a stat increase, the rank of his strength and endurance underwent no change. He had a few theories, the most sensible of which being that he had to improve by a significant margin to trigger a rank up. It wasn’t a popular method but every once in awhile a game might handle their leveling in such a way.

‘Seeing this thing makes it way too easy to forget how serious this all is.’ Sam thought. Adjustment should be a good thing, but he didn’t like how little the windows bothered him now. If he became too accustomed to them, he might take what they said as an undeniable truth. A trap others already fell into. It worked as a guideline and promoted growth -a visual representation of progress could motivate anyone- but until he understood it, he preferred to confirm any information when possible.

Unfortunately he couldn’t confirm anything about Divinity Points: another mystery with no explanation held close to his chest. It’s rare, he knew that much. No one else mentioned such a stat, though if he were to go out on a limb, Mai probably had more than him considering the method of acquisition.

Sam dismissed the window of information as they stepped into the building.

His back straightened, breaths steadying.

Walking into this place was a peculiar experience. Not a bad one, just different. His body felt lighter, his vision clearer, and his mind as calm as a still lake. The mansion’s magic affected him and only him in a number of ways.

Ivan lead the way to the dinning room on the first floor. Like everything in this place it veered on the extravagant side; chandeliers overhead, long tables, superfluous decorations. Some adjustments turned it into something resembling a public cafeteria, various tables set up around the room to accommodate them all.

Sam sensed a few early risers long before they entered the room. He also knew Sasha was in one of the kitchens, helping prepare today’s meals while Mai just left one of the training rooms in the basement, on her way up for breakfast. The presence of every living being in the mansion tugged at the edge of his mind every so often, updating their positions.

Headache inducing but it went without saying how useful this sixth sense would be if it also worked on intruders.

Sam took up one of the fancy wooden tables while Ivan went off to get their meals. Ivan wasn’t the worst guy to have around but Sam still savored the rare moment of isolation. Somehow he managed to get used to mystical flames and the gamey nature of the situation before adjusting the another’s presence. That said something about him.

Unfortunately the solitary peace didn’t last long.

“Good Morning.” Eric, a lanky man around the same age as Sam, sat across from him. He nodded in acknowledgement. It wasn’t official but Eric played the part of leader to their group. While he may not have fought alongside them, the man kept things from devolving too much when they were gone and didn’t hesitate to get his hands dirty when it came to hard labor.

“How was your training with Ivan?” Eric said after a period of silence. The guy couldn’t go very long without talking. A real people person; a good thing for any leader to be, just not the type of people Sam enjoyed dealing with.

“Good.” He answered

“Great, I’m glad to hear it. I wish things were going as smoothly when it came to the others. Most people are reluctant to take up arms.”

Sam held back a scoff. Magical gear laid on a golden platter apparently wasn’t enough to convince people to get off their asses.

“I was thinking, Ivan, could head out with a few groups and help us get our levels up hunting wolves. Stat increases should help build confidence.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Ivan should be happy to help.”

“Of course, but, I thought I should run it by you before I ask him.” Eric adjusted his black rimmed glasses, the lens cracked but still intact. “To be honest, you four are the only ones capable of exploring the island at the moment. I’d rather not ruin any expeditions you might have planned.”

Talkative nature aside Sam appreciated that Eric typically hovered on the same page as him.

He hadn’t come to a decision yet but with them no longer needed as hunters, that expanded what was possible for their little four man party. The perfect time to laze about if it weren’t for the fact his life hung in the balance. These would be dungeons were bound to be dangerous but the rewards could be worth it if they tracked one down.

There’s no way that necromancer wouldn’t make a return. They needed to be ready.

“It’s fine. We aren’t going out anytime soon.” Sam said. He needed more time to understand the contents of that book about mana. Another source of power could offset his lack of a level.

“Another thing. Could you keep your head down?” Eric asked, quickly explaining at Sam’s raised brow. “Some are still a bit steamed about how you handled those who passed. It’s a shame after everything you’ve done but you know how it is when emotions are running high. It makes people shortsighted and I think we can both agree that infighting is the last thing we need.”

Sam shook his head.

He lacked strong opinions when it came to most subjects but one of the things he hated most in the world were people who had the nerve to open their mouth to complain about a situation when they didn’t do a damn thing about it. If they wanted their oh so precious loved ones found sooner, they should’ve taken action, not shove their hopes on complete strangers.

He stood up, threw out a nod, and took off silently.

They should’ve been there if they wanted a say.

‘It’s not like any of these useless bastards would’ve been able to survive that fight.’

----------------------------------------

Cool winds danced around his chest, rousing the flames that rested beside his heart. The winds ghosted up his torso, to his shoulders, and down his arms. The rising heat followed, a warm trail left behind in its pursuit. The winds swirled around his open palms and shot upwards.

Pillars of crimson flames erupted from Sam’s hands. The winds returned subduing the angry blazes until they were small crackling balls. Sam admired the fire and the colorful winds that danced around them.

It was entrancing.

“Remember.” Mia said.

They sat crossed legged in one of the empty rooms of the basement, face to face, the curated winds wafting from her all that kept the flames in check.

These flames, crimson for some reason, we’re weaker than the orange one that he used instinctively for reasons beyond his understanding.

According to Mia, aura was his soul given form. For people like him, with no prior training, that meant instinct and emotion held firm control over it. Much like a growing child wrestling with impulses, he needed to exercise constant restraint and discipline over it until the flames learned to obey his commands rather than acting out at every turn.

Bit by bit the dark green winds retreated into Mai. The flames flickered after but he forced them to remain in place. The balls grew, shrunk, and flicked about, resistance put up every step of the way.

He might not fully comprehend the power but it was his and he would not stand for something meant to protect him being the cause behind more issues. There were enough things making bids for his life.

As if culled by the thought of death, the flames stilled. Hot flames that consumed anything in their blaze frozen like some kind of sculpture. A bizarre sight.

Mai’s watched, perhaps just as fascinated, the winds of her aura swaying her ponytail. Behind that dim interest laid caution. That power of hers stood ready to snuff out his the moment instability showed up.

And he wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing about it.

As usual, the flames swiftly receded into his hands. It might readily chase after those winds but the mere thought of that power being turned upon it was enough to disperse any control he had over the flames as they turned tail to retreat.

He still had a long way to go, especially if he wanted to summon weapons.

“Again.”

Sam followed Mai’s command after a deep breath.

----------------------------------------

Locked in the study that he first appeared in, Sam scanned and rescanned the pages of The Manifestation of Mana. There were three things one needed to understand before they could control mana.

Mana acuity: the awareness of mana, represented the first step. As long as one could not perceive mana, understanding it, let alone controlling it, remained an impossibility, firmly out of reach.

For a moment, everything lit up. The walls of the study, the table, the book, his very own body. Wispy blue lights surrounded and passed through all, in constant motion, yet perfectly at ease.

Then the glow vanished.

「Trait Formed: Unstable Mana Sense」

「Description: You’ve become aware of mana, a powerful source of energy that can be harnessed by those with the appropriate aptitudes. Awareness does not equal comprehension however. Continue training if you wish to make proper use of your newfound sense.」

Unstable was an apt description. He failed to replicate the precious moment after numerous attempts. He’d have continued well into the night had it not been for soft knocks to the study’s door.

He must have been deep in thought if he hadn’t noticed someone getting closer. Sasha by the feel of it: her smaller presence felt brighter compared to others. Familiar even. An odd word choice but the one that felt right.

Book slipped it one of the desk’s drawers, Sam replaced it one of the many history books then answered.

“You missed dinner again.” Sasha said, a plate of meat and vegetables held out for him. Thanks to the development of another skill, she was able to pick out edible plant life that could be added to their meals. Still far from ideal but there’d be no complaints from him about the added variety.

“Must have lost track of time.” A weak excuse. Eric’s request aside, Sam preferred to learn what he could about mana rather than socialize. “Thanks.” He said as he took the plate, heading back to the desk. Unfortunately, Sasha followed him in.

“Did you do a lot of reading before all of this?” Sasha said, a hand running along the spines of books.

“Here and there.” Sam said as he sat back down. In a world full of tech it wasn’t his go to hobby but it never hurt to keep a book or two on hand. Phones and the like could die, a solid book on the other hand, was always good for a bit of entertainment. “Fiction, mostly.”

“The same goes for me. Books about real world events tends to be a little on the bleak side. Have you found any good ones in here?”

“Depends on your definition of good.” Everything in here read like a school history book but were filled with things he associated with fantasy novels. Did they document the events of this world? They helped pass the time if nothing else.

Sasha hummed, her stride coming to a stop in front of the desk. “Don’t you find it strange? We’re all from different worlds but use the same language.”

“No stranger than running from corpses.” He said. The thought passed his mind during the first days but he eventually shrugged if off. Everyone back home spoke and wrote in the same language despite differing cultures and little to no contact between societies according to historical records. The machinations of the so called gods that dragged them into this mess he assumed.

It was no easier to wrap his head around their apparent existence.

“True.” Sasha said with a slight smile, a hand at her abdomen. He didn’t understand how she could manage one at all after that brush with death. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe….maybe this is what we were meant for?” His brow joined his hairline. “I know that sounds bad. So many of have passed away and the rest of us are struggling just to get by but there must be a reason. Gods wouldn’t have brought us here just to suffer, right?”

Considering the voice that brought him here labeled him a sacrifice and sent him on his way with zero explanation, Sam couldn’t be bother to entertain the idea. Be that as it may, if religion kept Sasha pushing forward, all the more power to her. It’s not like he knew any better.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Sam answered with a noncommittal shrug.

Sasha lulled about for a few minutes while he turned his attention to the plain meal. Her blue eyes flicked to him from time to time, whatever words might’ve been on the tip of her tongue, dead before they were ever spoken. It was only once his plate was halfway cleared that she finally spoke up again.

“W-Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have a goodnight.”

Sam nodded and Sasha shuffled out of the study.

He appreciated Sasha and Ivan. The siblings were the kindest of them, the older brother’s go getter attitudes and younger sister’s general optimism a sort of encouragement for others, but they were barking up the wrong tree.

Her especially.

He never intended on drawing any attention to it so he could only hope his distinct lack of reciprocation killed Sasha’s painfully obvious interest in him. And if not, hopefully she never took any direct action.

Survival came before all else.

Sam pulled the mana book back out, flipping through its pages. While he wouldn’t mark the first step complete -any direct control of mana would likely be beyond someone who couldn’t perceive mana on command- it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize himself with future steps.

With any luck a new power would be at his fingertips in the next week.

“Hiding things, little one?” A familiar voice whispered in his ear.