CHAPTER 2

By the afternoon, Harry and Lily were at the training ground with their mother, Frigga, waiting for their father. The sun cast a warm glow over the open space as the siblings stood side by side, anticipation flickering in their eyes. Moments later, their father, Lor Gold, entered the training ground with his usual commanding presence. He glanced at Frigga and gave a brief nod.

"Alright, both of you, sit cross-legged and do as your mother instructs," Lor said firmly.

Harry and Lily exchanged a quick glance before nodding and taking their seats on the ground. Frigga moved behind them, her expression serene yet focused. She gently placed her hands on their backs and said, "Close your eyes and relax. I'm going to channel my mana through your bodies to awaken your dormant cores."

They obeyed, shutting their eyes and steadying their breathing. Harry soon felt a strange sensation, like being pulled into a dark abyss. He floated weightlessly for what felt like an eternity until a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:

Mana detected. Utilizing mana to initialize AI system: X.

Before he could process the words, Harry felt himself being yanked out of the void. His eyes snapped open, and he saw his parents and sister watching him closely. Lily was glowing faintly with a golden light, which gradually dimmed as time passed. When Harry looked down at himself, he saw no glow at all.

Lor's brow furrowed as he observed Harry's lack of visible reaction. Without a word, he strode to the training ground's weapon rack and picked up a sword. Returning to Harry, he extended the weapon toward him. "Harry, take this sword," he said, his tone firm.

Harry nodded in confusion and grasped the sword. harry thought Am I the type of protagonist who seems powerless at first? The one labeled a waste only to discover some hidden cheat ability later? As soon as his fingers wrapped around the hilt, the blade began to glow with an intense light. Harry's thoughts raced.

His train of thought was interrupted by the glow of the sword. Being a mage would have been better, he thought with a sigh. The idea of swinging a sword every day just sounds exhausting. His eyebrows twitched in annoyance, but he kept his complaints to himself.

Lor noticed Harry's expressions and chuckled. "You don't seem very excited about this, Harry."

Harry hesitated before replying, "Well, training every day and learning how to swing a sword doesn't exactly sound thrilling to me."

Frigga and Lily burst into laughter, clearly amused by his candid response. They both knew how much Lor loved swordsmanship and practicing daily.

Lor coughed to hide his embarrassment and quickly composed himself. "Both of you have four years to train," he said, his tone regaining its authoritative edge. "After that, you'll take the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. So, work hard. Your training starts tomorrow morning."

Harry groaned inwardly but nodded in agreement, knowing he had little choice. Lily, on the other hand, seemed eager, her eyes shining with determination. 

Harry stretched and sighed, looking at his mother. "Mom, I'm going to my room."

Frigga smiled warmly and nodded. "Alright, rest well. Training starts tomorrow."

As Harry entered his room, he shut the door behind him and leaned against it. "System, or X, or whatever you are—speak up," he called out, scanning the room as if expecting a physical presence. "I clearly heard your voice when I was in that dark place. I've read too many novels not to recognize a system when I encounter one."

A calm voice echoed in his head. "I know, Harry. I was just waiting for your command."

Harry froze for a moment, then smirked. "So, I wasn't hallucinating, huh?" he said, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"No, Harry, you weren't hallucinating," the voice confirmed.

Harry tilted his head thoughtfully. "Alright, then. What are your powers?"

"I am an AI. My name is X, and I can provide you with the knowledge to create or build anything you want using science."

Harry raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "That's it? Nothing like quests, shops, inventories, or powerful artifacts?"

"No, Harry," X replied firmly. "I am an AI, not a magical system. You can call me X."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, having the knowledge to make stuff from my previous life is useful, I guess. But in this era, gathering materials to build anything will take too much time."

X chimed in quickly. "Harry, can't you use Blackstone to forge whatever you need?"

Harry scoffed. "Even if I can use Blackstone, do you think I have enough mana to make the things I want? I'd burn through it in seconds."

"That won't be a problem, Harry," X replied. "You have an enormous amount of mana in your body. If you were a mage, it would've started overflowing by now, enough to attract monsters and even sleeping dragons to you."

Harry's jaw dropped, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. "What?!"

"Don't worry," X reassured him. "You are what this world refers to as a 'blocked person.' Your mana cannot leave your body unless you use Blackstone as a catalyst."

Harry rubbed his temples, still processing. "Why is it that Blackstone is the only thing that can release my mana?"

X explained, "Blackstone is pure, condensed mana, formed over millions of years. People like you, born as 'blocked,' cannot use the mana within themselves naturally. Over time, their mana condenses into something purer than the mana of mages. This unique trait allows them to use Blackstone, as its purity resonates with their own condensed mana."

Harry leaned back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "So, you're telling me I have this absurd amount of mana but can't use it unless I rely on Blackstone?"

"Exactly," X replied. "That's why you are special, Harry."

Harry exhaled deeply. "Great. I'm a walking mana battery without a plug.