Bastards Ascension: A Playground of Gods
Chapter 59: learning to use mana 2

Chapter 59: learning to use mana 2

Mana entered their world the day the first realm gate opened.

It became the driving force behind their powers—the energy that fueled every talent and ability.

For most, the ability to use mana was only taught during recruit training.

But for members of the origin families—especially core members—training in mana began long before then.

That was why they almost never failed to awaken their talents.

After all, the ability to awaken a talent depended entirely on one’s capacity to sense and manipulate mana.

And not everyone was born with that gift.

From birth, each core member of an origin family underwent brutal training...

Especially those who showed no ability to sense mana early on.

They were subjected to a painful process known as the Loosening of the Meridian Points—an invasive procedure that allowed mana to flow freely through their bodies.

Once the meridians were opened, the individual’s perception of mana would sharpen drastically.

But the cost was immense—piercing flesh and enduring overwhelming pain.

Still, not once had a core member from an origin family failed to awaken.

Their futures were predetermined from birth.

Whether they aimed to conquer entire realms or simply remain within the borders of their own, there was one requirement above all:

They had to awaken a talent.

No family would endure the shame of having someone in their ranks who failed to do so.

They would sooner cast that person aside.

Of course, Kieran wasn’t subjected to any of this—he wasn’t from an origin family.

And he had already awakened.

He could use mana, though his perception of it would only grow gradually over time.

That was why they brought recruits to the tower, where—for some unknown reason—the mana was denser.

However, with the little time they had left, Alexa knew that relying on the normal method would take far too long.

’If he really wants to learn to use mana quickly... there’s only one way,’ she concluded after much thought.

There was no other option.

"You can learn to use mana instantly... but to do that, I have to ask one thing," Alexa said, her tone calm but serious. "Do you mind going through a little pain?"

Kieran’s brows furrowed.

’Little pain?’

What was that compared to being stabbed more times than he could count?

Frank had already done enough to break him. And although Kieran wasn’t reckless enough to leap into danger headfirst, he didn’t think this would be much worse.

"I don’t mind," he replied bluntly.

Alexa let out a deep sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had agreed.

"All right then. This will sting a little," she warned.

Kieran braced himself mentally.

But then a chilling thought crept into his mind.

’Wait... she’s an immortal. She’s died several times. What she considers little pain could be—’

"Wai—"

Before he could finish, he felt it.

Sharp, like a needle.

A sudden, blinding pain—enough to drive even the strongest man insane.

Alexa didn’t use the same method as the origin families. No, her method was far more brutal.

She forced the mana through his body.

Tearing his meridian points open from the inside.

Kieran’s eyes went bloodshot in an instant. He collapsed to the ground as his entire body went numb.

A sizzling sound echoed through the air, sharp and eerie—enough to make even Stan flinch.

"Hey? What’s going on?" Stan panicked, rushing over. But as soon as he touched Kieran, he recoiled. It was like grabbing a scorching kettle.

Kieran’s pain was unbearable.

It felt like molten lava coursed through his veins—burning, searing, obliterating everything in its path.

He wanted to scream, but it was as if something supernatural had sealed his mouth shut.

His face flushed red, his lips clenched tightly.

"He’s actually enduring it... He’s stronger than I thought."

Alexa, oblivious to the true extent of his agony, mistook his silence for resilience.

She continued the process, unaware that Kieran’s inability to scream wasn’t from willpower—but from sheer incapacitation.

In such immense pain, every minute felt like an eternity. But gradually, the pain began to ebb.

The sensation within his body started to settle.

His breath steadied.

The pain was gone—replaced by something else. A surreal sensation.

It edged on addiction.

It seeped into his body, washing away the last remnants of pain and fatigue.

His muscles tightened. His vision sharpened.

Even the grass looked greener.

The sound of the wind, the rustling of leaves, the fall of distant trees—everything felt heightened.

More vivid.

More alive.

And so did Kieran.

He felt something new coursing through him...

"...Is this mana?"

The sensation was unlike anything he’d ever known.

It was like a burst of fresh air filling his lungs, renewing every inch of him.

He took a slow, steady breath and stood.

"How do you feel?" Alexa asked, watching him closely.

"Well... I feel great?" Kieran replied, his voice uncertain. He didn’t know how to fully describe what was happening inside him.

He felt stronger. Sharper. More powerful.

And he wasn’t wrong.

The system confirmed it:

---

{System Update!}

{Host Information Updated}

Name: Kieran Marcoth

Exp: 0 / 1000

Level: 2

Strength: 35

Stamina: 25

Agility: 25

Constitution Control: 19%

Stat Points: —

Aetheris: 100

---

"All my stats increased by five... and wait—Level Two?"

Kieran’s eyes widened. He hadn’t even noticed the jump.

Then it clicked.

"Oh... must’ve been the reward for killing the troll boss. My Aetheris increased by fifty, too," he thought, grinning slightly. The growth felt good—real.

While Kieran reviewed his stats, Stan stood nearby, utterly bewildered.

One moment, Kieran was writhing on the floor in pain, face red like a tomato.

The next, he was standing confidently—perfectly fine.

And not just fine.

Stan blinked.

’Why does he look even more... handsome and muscular than before? What the hell is his ability?’

He had a million questions, but knew better than to ask.

Kieran didn’t offer any explanation either. He stood straight and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"We should go find the others. If I found you here, there’s a good chance the others are nearby too."

Stan nodded stiffly, still watching him like he’d just seen a ghost.

"Y-Yeah... alright, let’s do that."

He scrambled to his feet and followed.

As Kieran stepped forward, he noticed something different. Even without moving, he could feel his surroundings—like a field stretched ten meters around him.

"Is this how she does it?"

He was stunned by the precision of his newfound senses. It was like he’d awakened a sixth sense.

Alexa’s voice broke through his thoughts.

"Now that you can detect mana, you should be able to sense the others. They’re all awakened, so their signatures will stand out. And with my boost, you’ll be able to cover more ground—without Castan sensing my presence."

Kieran nodded, understanding the plan.

"Alright. Let’s do it."

He stilled himself.

Alexa expanded her awareness through him, using him like a conduit.

Then—

{Ding!}