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The basis of someone's magic are their volume, density, flow, control and vitality. The more volume of mana they have, the longer they would last before burning out. The density would then be how potent and effective their magic is. For flow how fast they would cast the spell. Control for how good you manipulate mana and lastly the vitality of it for how quick it would be recharged.

For Nhefil he could do nothing for the volume but let it grow naturally. But for the others, he would have no problem. His mana was already dense because of his constant practice in mana manipulation.

Letting a small trickle of mana in the cells of his skin he felt power in his left arm. Feeling euphoric he keeps on putting in mana until he wasted a third of it. Then pain came and in his arm were burn marks. The cells overloading from having so much mana than they could currently contain. He stopped what he was doing and fainted.

*

He woke up in intense hunger. He could hear his stomach roaring and demanding to be fed. He first checked his left arm and found out that the burn marks were already healing and were more than sunburns at this point. Getting out of his dumpster base, he saw that it was already afternoon and means he was unconscious for about 8 hours.

He immediately headed to his supply line which was a dumpster near a restaurant. He always scavenge for any thrown out food there though it was not without dangers like any other thing that happens in this city. Other scavengers are always present and fights over scraps are a must.

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Arriving at his destination, he saw others like him waiting for the restaurant to take out the trash. After several minutes the restaurant's garbage boy came amd quickly threw out the trash as if being chased by something. Then there was the calm before the storm. Street rats waiting for the first move. The first one to go would become public enemy number one. All the other children would then fight, break bones and bleed just to get food. Everyone there knew that they should hurry as it was nearing nightfall and the sweepers would be out if they stay any longer.

Nhefil crept closer while slowly filling his left arm with mana. He adjusted and put in just a fourth. As he arrived and touched the bag, hell broke loose. His impassive face now had a wide grin on it. It was time to test how strong his left arm was.

Surviving in this city, his enemies now are other street rats like him with the exception of the sweepers. He could take on one of any kids a year older than him and below. But it would be taxing and time consuming. The case yesterday where he was beaten halfway to death was because he was outnumbered.

There were six other kids today and half of them rushed to him. The other remaining half were smart and waited and would rush either when the fight would be over because regardless of who wins, stamina would be consumed.

The defense for food started when the first kid arrived. He was about the same age as Nhefil but bigger. As the bigger kid punched, Nhefil also punched and the sound of bone breaking could be heard. He ignored his numb arm and tossed the bigger kid to another kid that stopped approaching. They both flew backwards and the third kid took out a knife but ignored Nhefil and went straight for the bag. The third kid slashed the bag open and quickly pulled out some leftover food and ran away as fast as he could.

Nhefil was a little stunned as he didn't even notice the dagger but as he saw the kid already running away, he turned forward again. Like a beast defending his territory he roared. The kids that waited were dumbfounded and took a step back. Afraid and in awe at his strength. Nhefil stared at them and looked at any signs of hostility. Finding none he took some food from the bag enough for him to last three days if he would ration it then left. The other remaining kids were confused as to why he didn't take it all but watching Nhefil leave, the remaining ones then proceed to fight for what was left. 

In another base, in a corner where the roofs overlap a kid was crying in joy as he took a look at what he got from the earlier scuffle. The food he got was plenty and enough for him and could last him a maximum of two days. Then he suddenly had a thought. Why didn't he just stab the other kid? He refused to believe that a stab at his neck would not kill him. He then like a crazy person got mad at himself and talk to himself why he didn't do this and that while also defending himself from himself and coming up with different excuses.