Leona's Mana Awakening

Learn mana. Leona Violet Reinhardt. The girl who had changed her name to Leona Dice. Upper races were generally born with outstanding abilities. She was one such case, but if ranked among her siblings, she'd be dead last without question—a weakling. Part of it was her young age, but she hadn't inherited any proper skills from her father, only her race. Even so, that alone made her value immense, so her future had been set: become a vassal or marry into nobility.

But the kingdom fell, and she was adopted by a human. Even after losing her entire family and siblings, there was no affection to speak of, no time to feel sorrow. One might wonder if life could twist so harshly. Her kingdom destroyed by a sealed [Evil God]—of all things, a [Succubus Lord]—they couldn't even mount proper resistance, which made her fragile peace all the more miserable. Countless knight orders, even her father who bore the blood of a Master-realm upper race, had bowed to desire.

Such a being had been slain by a human who seemed infinitely weaker than her. His true identity was unknown to most of the party... but Leona knew. She knew he was the [Hero]. She had a sharp, precocious mind beyond her years, and there were plenty of clues to piece it together. But she wondered why someone chosen by a goddess on the level of a hero would take her in. If he'd just felt pity at the scene, he could've handed her to the All Gods Temple. Was it some family role-play he craved? Or did he see her as a potential wife candidate? Young as she was, she knew these things—she'd been raised with that kind of education from the start.

But she became an adventurer. He'd told her to decide for herself what she wanted, demanded nothing, and respected her free will. The hero's party members were all kind, and the massive metropolis was a wonder to her first-time eyes. Then came the sudden plunge into demon training, but knowing it was for survival, she followed without complaint and gave her all. For someone born with no proper skills, just her race, she could only pray inwardly that his heart wouldn't change and obey faithfully. At the very least, she needed to build a solid foundation until she grew up.

The fact that a mere 9-year-old prioritized pandering for survival over dreams said it all: her kingdom life had been colorless, dry in every sense. When she heard he'd fought a griffon head-on, she was puzzled. Why would a hero who could beat an [Evil God] struggle with a griffon? But seeing him up close, he really did seem weaker than her—no illusion, she could beat him arm-wrestling with ease. Yet against foes she couldn't even dream of fleeing, he never considered retreat.

Through the window, she watched him charge to save a total stranger. Returning battered, carried by adventurers, collapsing into bed—he let her sleep beside him, and curiosity made her ask, "Why, Hero? Why fight so hard?"

He looked startled at "Hero," but asked her to keep it secret from others, stroking her hair. "...Even if I throw away everything I have, fighting for others is why heroes are strong."

"But Hero, you're weak."

Wouldn't someone else chosen as hero be stronger? Her father, maybe. Even the dullahan priestess in the party outclassed him utterly. A hundred heroes with swords couldn't take her. Leona could feel that power gap. But at the same time, she wondered if he'd abandon fighting for such reasons.

"Weakness isn't an excuse."

Was that why he fought the [Evil God]? He neglected himself but clung to his beliefs. He'd gotten an earful from the demon receptionist for it. Mana-less humans—how weak were they? Could such a person really be the hero? The worry lingered. Hearing he risked his life every fight only deepened it.

To her, the hero suddenly dropped a bombshell: he'd give her a skill. Could skills even be transferred? Unlikely. Divine blessing or not, he offered a mana-related one, saying only she could use it, extending his hand. Why her? Why such care, even handing over a skill? Would he think her sly for accepting wordlessly? Did he never fear she'd run? Trust the gods' punishment since he was the hero? But she knew he wasn't the type.

Dazzling star clusters, unfolding nebulae. A vast, immense energy she'd never felt. A star that could crush her outright—he held it in one hand and offered it. The radiant light seemed to strip away her dirty thoughts and heart. As the star settled in her body, mana flowed unbidden, drawn by something—like stars tracing the night sky, natural and inevitable. But she couldn't control it.

A skill blessed by the [Constellation's Blessing]. Something everyone coveted, begged miracles for—he gave it to her without greed. She couldn't hold back: "Shouldn't the Hero use it?"

He fell silent, then patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Those chosen bear that much responsibility."

Endless, unwavering faith and trust. Not greed hoping for something in return, she realized—fear he'd abandon her. Fear of suddenly being deemed useless. But he wouldn't say that. From the moment he took her in, worthless lower race or not, he'd committed to seeing it through.

From that day, she strove. Gave her all, gritted through pain. She'd grow strong, never yield to anyone—punching with that resolve. Five months later... the constellations answered her effort and heart.

Mana overflowed her body—unchecked power explosive enough to corrupt with desire. But she knew yielding to it meant endless fall. She understood arrogance's peril. Always frugal ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like the hero, nurture a kind heart; resolve not to be swayed, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to do as she wished.

──Heart set, she looked up at the night sky after so long. A star seemed to smile down at her. The day she decided what she truly wanted.

★ "Shouldn't the Hero use it?"

The 9-year-old's fact stabbed deep. If I said I can't use it... she'd think, Ugh, this guy's the hero? World’s doomed. Game over face. So I packaged it nicely. "If I can't use it, I'm passing a usable skill to you. You grow strong, help people in my place... the world can't be saved by one hero alone!" Yeah!

"I may be weak for a hero. But being chosen by the goddess doesn't change. Countless aren't. So the chosen bear their share of responsibility."

Leona nodded solemnly, deeply moved. ...Sorry, total scrub hero... I might lose to her in a no-skill fight. She'd wail like a puppy robbed of toys. Losing to a 9-year-old? Self-esteem gone.

But like magic, five months later, Leona awakened the [Saintly Divine Art] I'd craved, becoming super Leona, radiating mana. Her punch held sky-shattering might.

Me? I finally learned mana. Droplets beading in my palm... the odd sensation of mana circulating my flesh. "Human victory..." Riko, pale and weary, grinned before passing out. From rune magic to potions, island runs, scouring books—her efforts paid off.

Noksu hammered mana into my gut with lightning blasts to "make me feel it!" My mana now carried thunder properties. Attribute locked; she apologized. Lightning at least blocks with rubber. Fire or water? Nightmare averted.

Simultaneously, I felt Forest LV.MAX's wonder. Vast natural mana gathering around me... fresh walker, yet it crammed into my body, agony rolling on the floor. Mana piled endlessly. Even Clear Mind failed; foaming, out a week.

Awakening, I strongly felt my mana. "Knew you'd make it!" Leona fired mana blasts from punches... whoa, mid-sentence, she treaded air, sky-walking. My mana: thunder and nature. Prime farming material.

...Fine, I'm the hero, no tears. Drifting productive? Okay. Parapara bampam~

...Leona, be filial when you grow up. Skill transfer outvalues Evil God kill? Run sims with transfer tickets...? Food's free anyway. But valuing kids as assets? Hate that. Cherish just Leona... Luckily, one Feridae skill left for her. Hoping she grows fast, I tore 3 Constellation Tickets. Let's see what pops.

Constellation [Seohee■■Emotion]. Skill: Fading Star. Trade skill level for ally buffs (self included), enemy debuffs; low chance real meteor falls! As if~ If it does, enemies die... allies too? (lol) PS: Use to delete unused skills.

"...."

'Trash.' Reroll ticket craving maxed. Foes might spam magic buffed a week? Nightmare... No choice on debuffs, auto-applied—head-spinning. +200% stamina meaningless...? Eye drawn to deletion perk. 1/1/1 impossible... humanly? Catastrophe anyway—post-injury, 100% hits me. [Watcher’s Eye] wrecked mine sans roll. Hated more, but unharmed usable. Ouija risky by nature, but I choose targets. Heart at end? Dunno... Deletion upside real. Other constellations grabbing collars? 5x stats great buff... side effects? "Allies" note sparked doubt.

'No "applies to self" anywhere.'

Yeah, unusable buff for me. Still, solid last-resort nuke.

Constellation [Sa■■■chi]. Words: Old open-world games had wall-cling unlike ■■. So wall-cling skill for our Dice.

[Wall-Cling]. Palms/soles only "stick" to walls. Toggleable. "Stick..." Testing, arm to floor—immovable. Works on people? Leona's back—nope. Terrain/objects only. Better than nothing, positive spin. Griffon fight? No falls. Fix legs to sword, surf it? Last constellation—trust. Final hit please!

Constellation [Sua■■■] Boost total stats, you can grow! Skipped heals, you'd flop... bulk up. Basic Mana Heart Method Accumulate mana proportional to total stats. Meditation: Mana regen up. All-attribute mana usable. Lowest subskill of magic subs. Base established! "?"

"????" Five months' effort...? Dizzy, I toppled. Thanks but... last one? Gods toying? Shuddered, teary. Still, constellation gift. All-attribute mana huge win. Lowest of lowest...! Base skill acquired! Near year in world! Gains! Rank-Up left. Festival...!

Heart pounding, tore Rank-Up.

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"....." Silently fetched fridge booze. Larirure griped solo drinking; I blew bottle-farts wordless. No constellation gives [Status Window] base-of-bases...? Teasing me? ──It was autumn.