For two weeks, Lucius had pushed himself to his limits. He spent countless hours meditating, trying to grasp even a sliver of his old power. But every attempt ended the same way—failure.
His six-year-old body was weak, fragile, and barely able to handle a proper flow of mana. The memories of his past life told him exactly what he needed to do, yet his body refused to comply.
But tonight… tonight felt different.
Sitting cross-legged in his dimly lit room, Lucius steadied his breathing. He could feel something shifting inside him, a faint hum of mana responding to his will. Unlike before, it wasn't slipping away.
This is it.
Focusing every ounce of concentration, he directed the energy to his core. His body tensed as a small, intricate pattern began forming within him—his first magic circle.
The process was agonizing. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his hands trembled, and his breathing grew ragged. The mana inside him twisted and writhed like a beast refusing to be tamed.
But he endured.
Minutes passed like hours, but then… it happened.
A golden ring of intricate symbols appeared in his core, humming with raw energy. The first magic circle was complete.
A wave of relief washed over Lucius. For the first time since awakening, he felt something close to power.
But power was never enough.
He wanted more.
With newfound confidence, he immediately began forming the second circle. His mana surged, his core expanding to accommodate the new structure.
But the moment he tried—
Pain.
A sharp, unbearable pain erupted from within. His mana collapsed violently, sending shockwaves through his body. He gasped, clutching his chest as if his very soul was being torn apart.
His vision blurred. His body seized. The circle shattered.
And then—darkness.
Lucius woke up to the feeling of a damp cloth on his forehead. His entire body ached, as if he had been burned from the inside.
"Young Master?"
A familiar voice.
His blurry vision focused on Elise, who sat beside him, her brows furrowed in worry.
"You collapsed," she said softly. "I found you unconscious on the floor… Your body was burning up."
Lucius remained silent, replaying the events in his mind.
He had succeeded in forming the first circle—but his body had completely rejected the second.
He exhaled sharply.
So that's the limit…
Even with all his knowledge, he was still trapped in the weakness of this frail body.
If he wanted to move forward, he needed to change something.
He needed a stronger vessel.
A spark of determination flickered in his eyes.
This wasn't the end—this was just the beginning.