mage soul level up...

Raze slumped against the wall, his breath coming in short gasps. His body trembled, not from fear, but from sheer exhaustion. The rush of information that had been forcefully engraved into his mind left him mentally drained, yet an underlying excitement stirred within him.

[Void Absorption]—the technique was his now.

His fingers twitched as he thought about it. He could feel the knowledge settling within him, like a puzzle clicking into place. The intricate process of mana absorption, the flow, the pathways, the intricacies of the void—it was all there, perfectly structured within his thoughts.

The system was remarkable. It had given him knowledge without the need for study or trial-and-error. It was perfect. Too perfect.

Raze's lips parted as he exhaled heavily. He recalled the early days of this life, the countless times he had called out for a system, for something, anything, to grant him the power to change his fate. Yet, it had never responded. It had remained silent as he suffered, as he was mocked, as he was cast aside.

So why now?

He dismissed the screen, closing his eyes for a moment before calling it again. Instantly, the glowing text materialized before him.

It was working now.

Perhaps... because he had no mana before? No element? Was that the requirement? Is the system only activated after his affinity awakened?

A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. How ironic. He had spent years believing he was nothing, that he was powerless, only for this hidden force to awaken when he had already been broken by the world.

But that didn't matter now.

He had it now.

His stomach growled loudly, interrupting his thoughts. Right. The knowledge transfer had taken a toll on him. He needed food.

Raze forced himself to his feet, his limbs feeling heavier than before. He staggered toward the dining area, where a simple meal awaited him. Nyx must have left it for him, knowing he wouldn't eat earlier. His lips curled into a faint smile. No matter how bleak things were, she always made sure he was taken care of.

He sat down, eating in silence. The warm food eased the tension in his body, slowly restoring his strength. He didn't rush; he savored each bite, knowing he needed to regain his energy before attempting anything reckless.

Once he finished, he pushed the plate aside and sat still for a moment. His hands rested on his lap as he steadied his breathing. It was time.

He closed his eyes and activated Void Absorption.

Instantly, a strange sensation overtook him.

The world around him dulled, the sounds fading into nothingness. It was as if existence itself was holding its breath. A faint hum vibrated in his core, growing stronger with each passing second.

Then, he felt it.

Mana.

It was everywhere, an unseen force that had always been present but beyond his reach. He had never been able to sense it before, but now—it was as if he had opened his eyes to a whole new reality.

And the void…

It was different.

Where other mages would draw mana from their surroundings like drinking water from a river, Void Absorption worked differently. Instead of pulling mana gently, it devoured it. It was not a request but a command, a forceful snatching of energy from the very fabric of existence.

The air trembled. A strange coldness wrapped around him, like unseen tendrils of darkness coiling around his body.

His body convulsed. Pain shot through his veins, sharp and relentless. It was like being submerged in freezing water while fire burned within his core at the same time. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let go.

His body was adjusting, he realized. It had never held mana before. The sudden influx was too foreign, too overwhelming. But he had to endure it. He had to make this power his own.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he clung to consciousness. Minutes passed. Then, finally, the pain began to fade, replaced by an eerie calm. His body no longer rejected the mana—it welcomed it.

He could feel it, pooling inside him, filling the void that had once been empty.

His first successful absorption.

Raze exhaled shakily, a triumphant grin breaking across his face.

Ding!!!

[mage soul level up]

[Unawakened -> Flickering Soul]

[Mana 10/100]

[the void absorption is improved]