The library was quiet, almost too quiet, as Germaine held the ancient book to her chest. Even the hum of the mansion beyond its thick walls seemed muted. Her fingers trembled, though it wasn't entirely from fear—more from the strange, unfamiliar energy coursing through her. It had started as a whisper, then a pulse, then a warmth that spread through her entire body. She lowered herself to the floor, crossed-legged among stacks of dusty tomes, and opened the book again. The pages shimmered softly in response, like the book had been waiting for her to take this moment seriously.
All this time, she thought bitterly, I've been nothing. And now… this? She forced herself to breathe deeply, recalling the few lessons her family had tried to teach her over the years about mana cores. Strength, purity, tempering… she had memorized the ranks, the sub-ranks, and the traits, but none of it had ever applied to her. Because she didn't awaken. And now, suddenly, it seemed like everything was changing.
The glow of the runes wrapped around her fingers as if the book were alive. Tentatively, she whispered, "Show me… show me something." A ripple of warmth flowed from the pages into her hands. The air in the room thickened, the shadows shifting as if aware of her command. A faint pulse emanated from her chest, and she realized she could feel the currents of mana in the library—the subtle threads connecting the books, the shelves, even the dust motes floating in the sunbeams.
Germaine's eyes widened. Is this… my mana? She tried focusing again, envisioning a simple motion: a small ball of light forming above her palm. The first attempt fizzled. She felt a slight tingle, and the hair on her arms stood on end, but nothing tangible appeared. Frustration pricked at her chest. "Why… why isn't it working?" she muttered.
The book pulsed in her hands, almost like it was breathing. The runes shifted, forming a circle on the open page. Germaine leaned closer, reading the symbols she couldn't fully comprehend. And then, almost instinctively, she mimicked the hand motion illustrated in the diagrams. A flicker of light erupted from her palm—a tiny orb, barely larger than a marble, floating above her hand. It hovered, glowing softly with a golden hue that made her gasp. She couldn't help it—her mouth fell open in disbelief.
"It… it worked," she whispered. Her heart raced, pounding so fast she could feel it in her throat. The orb hovered for a few moments, quivering slightly, before shrinking and disappearing into a wisp of light. Tears of relief and exhilaration welled in her eyes. "I'm… really awakening. I… I have a mana core."
But even as the joy surged, a small, nagging fear crept in. "What am I? What kind of power is this?" She had awakened late—very late. Most people who awakened after the expected age were either extraordinarily powerful… or extraordinarily unstable. And she couldn't ignore the strange feeling in her chest, the warmth that had spread when she first touched the book. It felt… alive, aware of her, almost sentient.
The thought made her shiver, but curiosity burned brighter. She had to test herself, to see how far she could push this newfound energy.
The next hour was a blur. Germaine experimented cautiously, trying to summon light, heat, and even subtle air currents. Each attempt left her drained but exhilarated, and she could feel the connection growing stronger with every effort. The orb appeared again and again, each time more stable, more responsive to her intentions.
She realized quickly that her mana didn't feel like the bursts of raw elemental power her family members wielded. It was… different. Fluid, adaptable, almost intelligent in how it responded to her thoughts. She could feel it flowing not just through her hands but through her entire body, strengthening her reflexes, making her senses sharper, more attuned to her surroundings. Her training instincts which she never knew existed, kicked in "Physique and mana core are linked. If I temper this… if I refine it, I could become stronger faster than I ever imagined."
But she paused. The idea of tempering a newly awakened core alone was risky. A mistake could overload her system, burn her out, or worse. Still, she couldn't deny the lure of the possibilities. She wanted to understand, to control, to grow. Tentatively, she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. She pictured the mana core that had lain dormant inside her for sixteen years, imagining it pulsing, expanding, solidifying. A faint vibration tickled at the base of her spine, spreading outward until it wrapped her in warmth.
When she opened her eyes, she felt stronger, more aware, as if her body itself had shifted, attuned to her core. Even small movements seemed lighter, more precise. She raised her hand and willed the orb to appear again. This time, it hovered effortlessly, glowing steadily, and she could move it with subtle gestures. I could actually control it, she realized, a mixture of awe and disbelief washing over her.
The library doors creaked open suddenly, and she spun around. Her older brother stood there, eyes wide, though he tried to mask his surprise with a casual lean against the doorframe. "That's… different," he said slowly, stepping inside. "I didn't think you'd actually awaken."
"I… I did," she said, lowering her hands cautiously. "I'm not sure how… or why yet, but it's happening."
He frowned. "And you did all this alone? You could have hurt yourself."
"I know," she admitted. "But I had to try. I… I can feel it, and I have to understand it before anyone else does."
Her brother studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. "Careful, Germaine. A late awakening like yours… it's rare. You're either going to become something incredible—or dangerous."
Her stomach tightened. "Dangerous…?"
He shook his head. "You'll see. Some powers… some awakenings… don't follow the rules we know. There's a reason most people awaken young. Stability matters. Control matters. And you… well, you've been hidden all this time. I just hope you're ready."
The words were cautionary, but there was no malice in his tone. Still, a shiver ran down her spine. The world she had known—her family, her school, her so-called normal life—had suddenly shifted. She was no longer just an outcast. She was… something else.
Over the next few days, Germaine continued experimenting, keeping her newfound power a secret. She returned to the library every morning before anyone else was awake, focusing on small tasks: moving objects, creating light, sensing the flow of mana in the room. And then, almost by accident, she discovered something remarkable. While meditating and visualizing the expansion of her mana core, she noticed her reflexes sharpening beyond her normal capability. She could catch objects before they hit the floor, anticipate minor movements, and sense approaching footsteps before hearing them. Her body, she realized, was becoming more attuned—her physique strengthened alongside her mana core.
This was her first trait: instinctive perception of energy flows. It was subtle, almost imperceptible to an outside observer, but she knew it was there. She could feel the pulse of magic in every living thing nearby, tiny currents of mana that revealed intention, presence, and even emotion. 'This… is different from anything anyone else has', she thought. A thrill ran through her. 'I'm not just late… I'm unique'
But even as excitement coursed through her, doubt lingered. Could she control it fully? Would her family accept her now, or fear what she could become? And what of the shards she had glimpsed in the visions? If she was linked to them, then the power she was awakening was only the beginning.
By the time evening fell, Germaine was exhausted. Her palms ached, her shoulders were stiff, and her mind buzzed with a thousand thoughts. Yet as she rested in her room, she couldn't stop thinking about the future. The world beyond the estate was vast, dangerous, and full of factions who valued power above all else. Most people would measure her worth by her mana core rank and her ability to contribute to a faction's strength. Being sixteen and awakening late placed her in a precarious position. She was, in a sense, vulnerable. But she also felt… opportunity. She had something no one else had, a power entirely her own, tied to forces ancient and forgotten.
Her hand brushed the book once more. It glowed faintly under her touch, and the runes shifted, almost like a heartbeat. A whisper echoed in her mind again, softer than before: "Grow… temper… discover the shards… awaken what is yours."
Germaine's breath caught. The journey ahead was unclear, full of danger, mystery, and challenges she could not yet comprehend. But one thing was certain: her life as the "girl without a spark" was over. For the first time, she felt alive. Not just noticed, not just tolerated, but powerful. Capable. Ready. And though she did not yet know the dangers that awaited her, she knew she would face them. Slowly, steadily, she would master this awakening. She would temper her mana core, refine her physique, and discover her traits. She would explore the depths of this strange, intelligent energy that had chosen her. And when the world finally noticed… she would no longer be overlooked. She would definitely get to bind a strong pet to her soul. It has always been a dream of hers. And she has every plan of making her dreams a reality. Because now, she has the power of the ancient.