The First Step
Tyla collapsed to her knees, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as liquid fire surged through her veins. A searing heat coiled around her spine, expanding outward in relentless waves. Her muscles locked, her fingers digging into the wooden floor as her vision blurred.
A sharp, uncontrollable tremor wracked her body.
"Agh—!" The cry tore from her throat before she could stop it. It felt as if something inside her—something ancient and long-dormant—was being forcefully wrenched awake.
Above her, System 111 flitted anxiously, golden hair swishing as she hovered close. "D-Don't fight it!" she urged, her tiny voice tinged with panic. "The potion is unlocking your magic receptors! Just—just endure it!"
Endure? Easy for a floating pixie to say! Tyla curled into herself, her entire body trembling as the unknown energy rampaged through her system. It was like being burned from the inside out, yet somehow… it wasn't just pain. It was something deeper—something primal, a force claiming her as its own.
And then—
The fire dulled.
The searing agony melted into a steady, pulsing warmth, as though molten gold now coursed through her veins. It settled inside her, weaving through her limbs, coiling around her heart. A presence. An ember waiting to be stoked.
A new awareness bloomed in her chest.
She could feel something—subtle yet ever-present—like an invisible thread connecting her to the world around her.
She exhaled shakily, her fingers unclenching. The tension in her body eased as her vision cleared, the translucent system interface flickering back into view.
[Mana Unlocked. Host can now cultivate magic.]
System 111 twirled in excitement, her wings shimmering. "You did it, Tyla! You're officially a mage!"
Tyla wiped the sweat from her brow, still catching her breath. "That… was awful."
"But worth it!" The pixie practically vibrated with enthusiasm. "Now, onto the Mana Cultivation Manual!"
A small glowing book materialized in front of her, floating gently from the system chest. Its pages flipped open on their own, elegant script etching itself across the parchment.
Tyla studied it, brow furrowing. "This doesn't seem that complicated."
System 111 let out a nervous giggle. "Hehe… that's what everyone says before they start."
She had a bad feeling about that.
Still, with a determined breath, Tyla sat cross-legged and closed her eyes.
The book described mana as a soft presence in the air—like mist, like warm sunlight, something just beyond perception.
She reached for it.
She waited.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Nothing.
Tyla's brows furrowed. "…Am I doing something wrong?"
System 111 hesitated before shaking her head. "N-No! You just… need to get used to it! Try again tomorrow!"
Tyla groaned, flopping onto her back. Learning magic was going to be so much harder than she thought.
The Next Four Days
Day 1
No matter how hard Tyla concentrated, she couldn't sense anything.
Annoyance curled in her stomach, but she refused to give up. After hours of meditation with no results, she finally stood, rubbing her sore temples.
Forget magic. Right now, she needed food.
She moved to the kitchen, pulling out a fresh onion. Her fingers worked on autopilot, slicing through the crisp layers. The sharp scent stung her eyes, grounding her. A flick of the knife, a scoop of garlic—soon, the rich aroma filled the air as it sizzled in hot oil.
The familiar sound of cooking soothed her frustration.
As the rice steamed, she stir-fried bell peppers, mushrooms, and strips of meat in a fragrant soy-based sauce. The deep umami scent mingled with the subtle sweetness of caramelizing onions.
The moment she took her first bite—fluffy rice soaking up the sauce, the vegetables crisp, the meat tender—her frustration eased.
Food was happiness.
System 111 perched on a spoon, nibbling on a breadcrumb. "Mmm! Tyla, you cook so well! You should sell food for a living!"
Tyla smirked, rolling her eyes. "If magic doesn't work out, maybe I will."
Day 2
Morning light streamed through her apartment window as she sipped her coffee, still groggy from last night's meditation failure.
Then—
She felt it.
A faint hum in the air. Delicate. Fleeting.
Her breath hitched.
She stilled, focusing on it.
It was barely there—like a whisper in the wind, teasing the edge of her senses.
That night, when she meditated again, she reached for it. A wisp of mana drifted toward her, flickering like a dying ember.
Her heart pounded. This was it!
She stretched out—
The moment it touched her, it vanished.
Like water slipping through her fingers.
System 111 clapped her tiny hands. "You sensed it! You're getting closer!"
Tyla exhaled. At least she was making progress.
Day 3
She did it.
For the first time, she successfully pulled mana into her body.
It was faint, weak, but real. She guided it through her meridians, feeling it settle in her core.
A strange sensation—like warmth coiling deep inside her, becoming part of her.
By the time she opened her eyes, she was breathless, her skin tingling with residual energy.
Exhausted, she leaned back against the couch, chest rising and falling in exhilarated gasps.
I'm really doing this.
System 111 rewarded her with a tiny mana boost, making her next attempt slightly easier.
That night, curiosity got the better of her. She opened her system interface.
The translucent screen displayed five options:
[Host] [Teammates] [Soulmate] [Shop] [Inventory]
She tapped [Teammates].
[Feature Locked: Conditions Not Met.]
Her stomach twisted.
She tried [Soulmate].
[Feature Locked: Conditions Not Met.]
A strange unease crept into her. What were the conditions?
Sighing, she opened [Host] instead.
[Host: Tyla White]
Mana Pool: 10/10
Cultivation Level: Novice Witch (Stage 1)
Skills: None
Bare-bones, but at least it was something.
Finally, she opened [Shop].
A massive list of items appeared—spells, talismans, enchanted weapons, even food and luxury goods.
Her fingers itched to buy something, but she barely had any points.
For now, she could only browse.
Day 4
By the fourth day, she could absorb mana consistently.
Her control? Still terrible.
During a break, she checked her [Inventory]. A translucent space appeared—2x2x2 meters. She tested it by storing some extra rice bags and canned goods.
It worked.
That night, she sat in meditation, mana circulating steadily within her. A soft glow surrounded her body.
A system notification popped up.
[First Mission Completed!]
Reward: 50 System Points + Beginner Spell Book.
Tyla opened her eyes, sweat clinging to her skin.
She did it.
System 111 spun excitedly. "YES! We're one step closer to survival!"
A slow smile formed on Tyla's lips.
This was just the beginning.
And for the first time—she truly believed she could do this.