After searching for millions of years, the Crystal had not been able to find its master anywhere. Countless worlds, realms, and timelines scoured... all in vain. It was beginning to despair.
But then, something changed.
A faint pulse. A flicker in the bond it shared with its master—a link long dormant.
It followed that thread, that whisper of energy, until it began to sense something peculiar... the signature of transmigration.
It was confused. Transmigration was no simple matter, and what baffled the Crystal even more was that the person in question—its master—was no cultivator. No one of note. In fact, the world branded him as something worse than powerless:
Cursed in whispers. Mocked by crowds.
But none of that mattered now.
The Crystal’s joy at finally finding its master again knew no bounds. Nothing else mattered. All it wanted now was to re-establish their connection—deepen it. Strengthen it to the point that it could finally lend its powers to help him grow stronger once more.
It didn’t take long for it to regain the memories of Leon—before, during, and after transmigration. Though Leon himself could not recall them—and might never do so unless the System helped—the Crystal had seen it all.
It had seen how Leon died on Earth... and how, instead of entering the usual cycle of reincarnation, his soul was diverted—transmigrated.
The only thing that confused the Crystal now was this:
What had its master been doing in that primitive world?
What was he searching for?
The Crystal didn’t know.
But it felt something—through their bond. A deep, gnawing sense of need and want. Whatever it was... it was important. Crucial.
Perhaps the most important thing of all.
But it also knew better than to meddle. At least, not until its master—Leon—remembered on his own.
Still, time would reveal everything. Slowly.
Leon’s mind was filled with questions, but the System didn’t give him much info of note...
The Crystal gave its next instruction.
[Try to increase the speed at which the energy is moving. Try to manipulate its flow—make it go to places it normally wouldn’t. Guide it into your blood, your flesh, your veins, your arteries, and other blood vessels. Let it circulate through your entire body. Let it flow... and wash away all the impurities. Unite with it. Make it part of you.]
After sensing the energy for so long, Leon had been waiting for instructions—and now, finally, they came.
The Crystal’s words were like the sacred chant of an ancient mage. Like the perfect rhythm from a master musician. The sound of it alone stirred something deep in Leon’s bones.
And yet... despite their weight, his mind remained calm.
Each syllable from the Crystal was like a verse from a divine poem, and his body listened—willingly. So, he began.
It sounded simple enough when the Crystal said it.
He tried to force the energy in a new direction—but it resisted. Slipped away. Like trying to grip water with bare hands.
"Don’t try to force it," the Crystal corrected gently. "Join the flow. Blend into it. And slowly guide a portion into your veins. Don’t worry. With time... it’ll become second nature."
Leon was sweating hard now, his concentration burning at full throttle.
His eyes were shut, but within that darkness, he could see everything—his internal self—in the most ethereal way.
His body wasn’t colored as it normally was.
Instead, everything was blue.
Every organ. Every limb. Every cell. Blue—yet distinct. The lines between muscle and organ, bone and flesh—still perfectly clear.
A deep, dark blue, radiant and flowing.
Then, slowly—his limbs.
Bit by bit, he guided the Mana into his blood vessels.
And with every beat of his heart, it moved with his blood—coating his body from the inside out.
A wave of power rushed over him. Like a flood bursting through a dam. With his Mana Sovereign title and strengthened existence achieving this much was easy.
He could feel it. His strength... had multiplied.
He was about to leap up in excitement when the Crystal’s voice rang out once more.
[Don’t stop. Keep going. You need to be able to do this while fighting. It must become second nature. You must be able to manipulate Mana even in battle—without needing stillness or meditation. It must become... easy.]
Leon nodded and resumed.
First by repeating the process cross-legged.
Then, he stood up and tried to pair the manipulation with simple attack moves.
Unlike the still state, now every step made him lose concentration.
His flow of Mana became erratic. His power weakened with each misstep.
"Sigh... This is harder than I thought."
Still, he didn’t give up.
Over and over again, he tried.
Until it became a rhythm.
Until it became habit.
Until it felt like breathing.
Until it felt like he had grown a third hand that acted independently.
And just like that... he had done it.
He could now fight and manipulate Mana at the same time.
He could move, speak, strike, dodge—and still control the flow of energy within him.
It had become part of him—etched into his bones.
[You’re doing well so far,] the Crystal finally said, satisfaction dripping from its voice. [But there’s still one more thing you must learn. This one... will push your attack power to the next level.]
Leon’s ears perked up.
He was already aware of how much stronger he’d become—and if there was more to gain?
He wasn’t about to hesitate.
[Try to gather all your Mana... into your hands.]
Leon focused again, his movements practiced and smooth. Now that he’d spent hours learning to manipulate Mana, this new task was much easier.
The difference was immense.
The Crystal continued.
"You can do this with your toes. Your elbows. Even your head. Learn to concentrate Mana at your point of impact when attacking—it will increase your destructive force exponentially."