19~ An Old Man's Trick

{ Do you remember the old man's trick you used to do? }

The shadow's voice echoed in my mind as I focused on the swirling energy around me. Each person's mana is unique, like a fingerprint. This truth had been drilled into me countless times.

"If the mana doesn't align perfectly, the recipient could face dangerous repercussions," I murmured, recalling my mother's warnings. "At best, they might lose the ability to use magic temporarily. At worst, their life could be at risk."

Sybil's wide eyes followed the glowing mana coalescing around my hand, the air crackling with raw energy. Her mocking smirk had crumbled, replaced by an expression of pure, unfiltered fear.

{ That's right. This is the face she should have—pure terror. Show me more of it! }

The shadow's mad laughter echoed as my blood-soaked left eye burned, unlocking something deep within me. My vision sharpened, and I saw the mana coursing through everything around me—including Sybil. It flowed in her like veins, concentrating in her head and heart.

I took a step forward, savoring the way she recoiled, trembling. "Do you understand now?" I whispered, my voice laced with venom. "Each person's mana is their essence. To manipulate it is to tamper with their very soul."

Sybil opened her mouth, perhaps to plead or beg, but no sound escaped her lips. Her once-commanding presence had shriveled into something pitiful, fragile, breakable.

My heart raced as I moved my finger toward her head, ready to unleash the gathered power. Her breath hitched, her eyes wide and glossy with terror. She couldn't move—she couldn't resist.

Just as my fingertips were about to graze her, ready to unleash the power I had gathered—

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The sharp, grating sound pierced through the forest, echoing in all directions.

"EXAM OVER," a mechanical voice boomed, its announcement cutting through the tension like a blade.

Before I could react, the world around me shifted. My surroundings blurred, the oppressive atmosphere of the forest melting away into a swirl of light and shadow.

In the blink of an eye, I was gone, along with every other student.

—----

When I opened my eyes to find myself sleeping on the floor with many students moving around me.

Critically injured students have already been moved to infirmary, those who were injured and could walk were following the staff wearing white coats.

In the busting conference hall, I sat there, unmoving.

Sight of just some moments ago replaying in my mind again and again.

'I was angry'

'I was lead by the hand by Dreil'

'That memory…'

'Why can't I remember it anymore…'

'And i tried to ruin future of someone'

'And to make it worse i don't feel even an ounce of remorse'

'Its as if…

'In that moment…

'I truly believed that she was better off without her skills'

'Why '

'After saying that she had no regard towards human life…

'How could I treat her life so casually…'

Looking at my hands 'these hands i truly considered blowing those students away if they didn't get knocked down by 'oppression''

'No…'

'There is no point in contemplating '

'I am not some child'

'I know the world is curle'

'And i will have to kill many people'

Hahahaha 

Hahahahahaha 

'Since when did i become so soft'

'I was well aware of what needs to be done, since the moment i decided to come back'

'Hunt and survive that's the law of jungle'

'I need to become stronger'

'How many people will I kill?'

'Only Time will tell…'

…

Seeing Cardea sitting there alone, a nearby male staff member approached him, his brows furrowed in concern. He crouched slightly to meet Cardea's gaze, eyes scanning him for any obvious injuries. The man's uniform was crisp, a white coat draped over his shoulders, but his sleeves were rolled up as if he had been tending to the wounded for hours.

"Hey, How are you feeling?Where does it hurt?" he asked, his voice firm yet kind.

Breaking free from his loop of thoughts, Cardea answered, "Ahh! No, I'm just tired."

The staff member's expression hardened. "Do you think I am blind?"

"Pardon?"

"Do you think I am blind? You are obviously injured. Just look at the blood on your head and face. I just hope you don't have a concussion… Can you walk?"

"Yes." As Cardea stood up, his balance wobbled. The dizziness hit him like a wave, and just as he was about to fall, the staff member caught him with a firm grip.

"Hey!" The staff member raised his voice, turning toward his colleagues. "This guy has a head injury, and I suspect he might have a concussion. Take him to the infirmary; he can't walk without support."

Another staff member rushed over, placing Cardea's arm over their shoulder for support. As they led him away, the first staff member let out a sigh, watching him go before moving on to check the next injured student.