I stood up, unsteady at first, but with an energy that was not the same as before. I could feel it: that siren core was not just loot, it was a rare catalyst that compressed and refined mana, hardening my body and spirit.
I looked at myself and smiled with satisfaction as I clenched my hand, letting the mana flow freely over my fingers, almost as if dancing in the midst of an invisible stream. I felt first-hand that its density had increased and it seemed more alive, more "pleasant" than ever. I could see how it vibrated beneath my skin, responding to my will with a docility it had not had before. I had felt this sensation before, I was sure.
"I'm one step away..." I murmured to myself, feeling satisfied. Just one more push, and I would be able to cross the threshold into the next rank.
***
