11 What the hell is nano?

The instructor let out an exaggerated sigh, disappointment evident on his face. Rolling his eyes, he glaced once more at the crystal ball, probably hoping it would sprout wings and fly away.

He confirmed that the device was indeed in working order.

And so, once again I was told to channel my mana into the crystal ball.

And I did.

But rest assured, the darn thing remained as lifeless as a brick.

-"Looks like we've got a dud in the class," someone complimented.

-"That's strange... "Another voice chimed in.

And soon, the taunts began...

-"You sure he isn't just allergic to magic?"

-"Looks like we've got ourselves a real genius in the class."

The cackling of a few girls. Some more taunts.

"Good grief! Apparently the loser doesn't even knows how to channel mana." Freya commented. A blissful smile on her face. It seemed like the group of girls were her friends.

'Tsk... annoying.' I cursed in my head. The situation was indeed getting annoying.

-"That's strange, it worked for me just fine."

-"Ugh! What a waste of time!"

-"I can't believe we have to put up with this incompetence."

I refused to falter or show any signs of being affected by what they said.

Without wasting any more time, I left the room with a frown etched on my face.

-"Don't hit the door on your way out loser!" The voices of taunts trailed off as I walked out.

My frown wasn't because of what they said, but because of what had happened.

It only meant one thing.

"I had no mana core. That also explained why my mana capacity was zero."

***

A world filled with monsters and magic.

Obviously not possible to survive without a mana core.

If it was someone else in my shoes, they would have surely been paranoid.

But not me.

After pondering for sometime, I came up with two solutions to my situation.

Solution one was to acquire a mana circuit tattoo.

The problem lay in the nonexistence of mana circuits.

The concept was only introduced in the later half of the novel.

The circuits functioned as a converter which absorbs and augments atmospheric mana.

Waiting for its creation was not an option. Time was of the essence.

Therefore, I will have to take the initiative to invent it myself.

Solution two, I could try to learn aura and get my hands on more mysteries.

As I was formulating the plan of action I should be taking...

—Dhup! I bumped into someone.

"Hey, watch where you're going?"

Turning my head, I saw two guys.

One with orange hair and blue eyes, and the other with black hair and violet eyes.

I immediately recognized Luke Armstone as one of Takahasi's layckeys. He was likely ranked F.

I was easily able to memorize his character due to his orange hair.

The other boy was unknown to me.

"Isn't he that weakling from the affinity test?" Luke asked, pointing at me. "And now he's walking around like he owns the place."

"Can't believe Arcanum allows these types of losers. I think we need to show him his place?" The other guy suggested.

Before I could even say anything, Luke kicked me in the groin.

Pain. Immense.

My knees sank to the ground.

'Fuck this...!' The pain began in my kidneys and spread all the way to my lungs.

Luke raised his fist, and I could feel a subtle energy...mana, radiating from it.

I tried to move, but my body gave out on me. I was barely able to stand up.

It seemed like today was going to be specially painful. But...

[Sensing danger from hostile entity.]

Nano's voice echoed in my head.

[Initiating healing process. Numbing sensory nerves for instant pain relief.]

[Activating augmented reality on user's field of vision to deal with the threat.]

[Activate battle mode? To enter battle mode, initiate command 'Let's go.']

Without thinking too much I replied with, "Let's go."

As the fist came at me, my body reacted on its own.

My knees bent as if they had their own brain, avoiding the punch while my arms covered my face in a boxing stance.

A quick duck, a fleeting evasion.

Luke's punch whiffed by like a gust of wind.

Should I be impressed?

A smirk played on my lips, I was definetly amused. My pain from earlier, all gone.

My smile seemed to have infuriated him further, and he followed up with another punch.

The fist came at me, fast yes. But I was faster. Another dodge, as if guided by an innate instinct.

No, not just instinct, but more like...an ultra instinct?

I dodged him, a rotating motion followed suit. My fist clenched, and with a sudden surge of energy a punch was launched.

My left foot turned, my wrist twisted with the punch, and a coiling motion. First contact, a sharp impact to the center of his sternum.

Three more punches, each landing with surgical precision.

Fluid movements, a symphony of violence.

Retreat, grab, strike.

Luke pulled closer, my fist met his nose, and then blood oozed. His nose bled and his eyes closed.

Luke fell to the floor.

He didn't move afterward.

"You freak!" Exclaimed the other one with black hair and violet eyes. He lifted his foot, aiming to kick me.

Without hesitation, my leg moved and stepped on his leg before it could raise to a kick.

I jumped using his leg as footing wrapping both my legs around his neck in a tight triangle chokehold, while simultaneously pressing my hands against his head.

[Releasing adrenaline...]

The stength in my hands suddenly doubled with energy and my heart's pace quickened.

I swear I could almost hear a sound coming from his neck.

"Stop! Nano stop!"

[Ending battle sequence...]

And just like that, it was over.

A fight won in seconds.

No... it wasn't a fight; it was an attempt at murder. If I hadn't stopped...

My pupils trembled—was it fear? Apprehension? Excitement?

I wasn't sure.

Bu-dump! dump!

My heart was beating wildly. A surge of adrenaline pulsed through me followed by a weakness. And my heart pumped jets of blood; felt like something light was bumping inside my head.

Before my eyes, Luke was passed out on the ground with blood dripping out of his nose and the other one went to sleep.

Seeing the scene infront of me only one thought crossed my mind, 'What the hell is nano?'

I couldn't help but stay still, but...

A certain...doubt creeped up on me.

I just couldn't help but...the doubt...

'Was nano really just built to save me, or was there something else that grandpa didn't tell me?'

***

Emily Reed's POV:

The cascading droplets kissed down my skin.

With a soft touch, I silenced the shower and wrapped myself in a plush towel, stepping out.

Through the hazy veil of steam, I caught a glimpse of myself in the wall-to-wall mirror.

When the steam parted, I couldn't help but admire myself.

Moving to the side, I caught a glimpse of a tantalizing curve, tracing the arch of my lower back.

Currently I was in A1 hostel building.

Knock! Knock!

"Excuse me, m'lady, but sir Reed is on the line," informed the maid.

My countenance seized up, but I took a deep breath and loosened my tension.

With a measured tone, I replied, "I shall be with him shortly. Kindly tell father to hold off for a moment."

Stepping out of the bathroom, I prepared myself for what awaited.

—Click!

With a clicking sound I brought the smart phone near my ear.

"Good day, dear father. May I inquire as to what great fortune has bestowed upon me the pleasure of your call today?"

"I am your father, Emily. It's only natural for me to keep in touch with you."

I could feel the seriousness in his voice.

I quickly fixed my elocution and answered in a more earnest tone,"Oh, of course. Sorry if my words sounded ungrateful, that wasn't my intentio-."

"No worries. Now, tell me about your affinity."

"Tsk!" I clicked my tounge. He wasn't even playful like before.

Sigh!

"During the ritual, the crystal emitted a bright green glow."

In a serene tone I continued,"Instructor commented that I have a wind affinity."

"Really?" Father asked. I detected a shift in his tone.

Perhaps he held some pride for me.

Unintentionally, a sad smile gradually appeared on my face.

"I'm aware it's-Boom! Sir, they're attacking!... My apologies Emi, I have to go." Click!

Before I could even reply, he terminated the call.

I stared at the phone silently for a few seconds.

He was a busy man, and with emergencies growing more prevalent these days, he had become busier than ever before.

But, it hurt to see that as time passed, father and I were growing farther apart.

I clenched my fist.

'That's why...I must become strong, so when the time comes, I could join him.'

***

"Status!"

Crackle!

──────────────────────

┌─────────────────┐

│ 𝐒 𝐭 𝐚 𝐭 𝐮 𝐬 𝐖 𝐢 𝐧 𝐝 𝐨 𝐰 ➙

└─────────────────┘

𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞: Noah Grey ⇔ 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤: (G-)

𝐀𝐠𝐞: 16 +(23?)= 39?

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬: Homosapien

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬: None

■𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒 →

⌜ ⌝

Health: (G-) 100/ 100

Mana: (G-) 100/ 100

Strength: (G-) 110/ 110

Dexterity: (F+)

Intelligence: ???

Mana Capacity: 0

⌞ ⌟

■𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒→

⌜ ⌝

Armor: (G-) 1

Resistance: (G-) 1.2

Stamina: (G-)

Charm: (E-)

Durability: (G-) 1

Flexibility: B

⌞ ⌟

𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒:

None

𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐒: None

𝐀𝐑𝐓:

None

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲: None

𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

[Mystery of telepor...]

𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

[Legendary Achievment! Acquired the mystery of Teleportation!]

──────────────────────

"It should be about time, I should get going."

I took a glance at the room's simple decor, and its practicality made sense for a single occupant.

The comfortable twin sized bed, the standard-sized desk...

The walls were plain, and the wooden floor-boards were scuffed and well-worn.

A small closet, complete with hangers and shelves on one side, was tucked away next to the entrance.

I knew that other students from the academy were also staying at this same hostel, but everyone was given their own private room.

It wasn't quite as glamorous as the living spaces for students who ranked higher, but I was grateful to have my own space to focus.

I was in A3 hostel.

Of course, this place was for the bugs of 1st year. Bugs which included me.

Your average Joe is sent to A2 hostel with much better facility.

And those who are ranked hundred and above are sent to A1 hostel.

"It's about time," I said to no one in particular while taking one last look at the room.

"I hope they are not dead yet."