Vol. 1 Recap

Kane, an eyeless 17-year-old boy, bought a new full dive VR game called "Ember."

Unbeknownst to him, the game was actually a secret government experiment involving the injection of unique modified liquids into individuals with compatible DNA, and the training of those who receive the injections.

These injections result in the creation of special channels throughout the body that can hold and control an extremely powerful element known as Manilium, this element functions very similarly to magic in video games and can be found floating ambiently in any and all locations.

After receiving the second, very painful dose, Kane gets rid of the game, only to awaken mana usage soon after. He has a natural affinity with the supremely powerful, and rare, space attribute, and spends the next week dedicating himself to training.

Despite not having the complete set of doses, Kane is still able to achieve powers similar to those who have. His incredible growth is thanks to the heightened sensitivity he has due to being blind, plus his own intelligence and natural affinity.

During his week of training, he becomes close friends with his neighbor/classmate Cassandra and fosters a slightly romantic interest in her.

Kane is soon brought to a hospital under the guise of a medical checkup, and is secretly given the third dose. Just as he realizes something is wrong with the shot, soldiers burst into the room and take his father hostage, then use tranquilizers to put Kane to sleep.

Waking up in an underground facility, Kane meets the commander of his district and is filled in on the experiments and his new role.

Now part of a military squad, Kane quickly proves himself in training, and his first mission, being allowed to leave his squad and pursue personal training with an elite Manalite (Mark).

In both magic and practical combat, Kane's growth soars, as he experiments with new techniques and focuses heavily on fundamental magic control.

After repairing his rocky relationship with Rick, his former squadmate, Kane visits home and reveals his abilities to Cassandra and his father.

This reunion doesn't last long, however, as Kane soon gets sent out to the front lines of a war that the government had been keeping secret for decades.

He's shocked to find the eastern end of the continent had been ravaged without anyone finding out.

While driving to a base, his Jeep is struck by a missile, Kane feels guilt for failing to save the soldiers inside.

After arriving at the base, Kane meets up with Mark and has a heart-to-heart talk about the things he will have to overcome.

A few armored trucks leave the base the morning after, preparing to move to a second base closer to the battle zone. Mark makes a request for Kane to ride with him.

During the drive there, one of the trucks (which is holding an important political leader) seems to explode from inside.

A while later, Kane arrives at the war zone and tries his best to take out enemy soldiers non-lethally.

This goes on for some time until he gets a request from Mark to meet him near an abandoned factory by the edge of the frontlines.

Upon arriving there, Kane's mentor reveals he was actually born and raised in Treychla (The enemy country) and had sabotaged the political leaders truck.

He requests that Kane dramatically reduce the number of soldiers he takes out, but Kane refuses.

Kane needs to show good numbers in this battle so he can progress as quickly as possible, the more resources he has access to, the faster he can grow, and the better he can protect his family.

Meanwhile, Mark doesn't want his country to be pushed out of its foothold. The professional assassin hardens his heart and swiftly attacks his student. But Kane, being only 2 ranks behind and a genius at the most powerful magic attribute, is just barely able to hold his own.

In a desperate last-ditch move, Kane creates a black hole directly inside Mark's brain, killing him just before he finishes Kane off.

Burying Mark's body and taking his dagger as a memento, Kane reflects on his goals and hardens his determination, deciding to not only protect his family, but carry on Mark's will to save the country from its corrupt leaders.