My Infinite Mana System

The air in the small apartment crackled faintly as sparks danced across Allen's fingertips. He stared at them with a mix of wonder and disbelief, the dim light from the single bulb overhead flickering in response.

He clenched his fist, snuffing out the sparks, and turned his gaze back to the transparent blue screen floating before him:

[System Activated: Awakening Complete]

Ability Unlocked: Lightning Manipulation

Unique Trait Detected: Infinite Mana

Rank: E

Two years. He'd waited two agonizing years, watching his peers awaken at 18 and step into their destinies while he remained ordinary. He'd been left behind, dismissed, and forgotten. And now, on his 20th birthday, the System had finally arrived.

But the rank "E" burned like an insult.

A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. Before he could answer, the door creaked open, and Emma stepped inside. She didn't bother waiting for an invitation she never did.

"Well, well," she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Look who finally decided to join the party."

Allen sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Do you ever knock?"

"Do you ever clean?" Emma shot back, wrinkling her nose at the cluttered room. She brushed a strand of blonde hair from her face and plopped onto the couch, her sharp eyes scanning him. "So? What did you get?"

He hesitated, his fingers twitching with residual energy. "Lightning."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Elemental? Not bad for a late bloomer."

"And… infinite Mana."

Her grin froze, replaced by a look of disbelief. "Infinite Mana? Are you serious?"

He nodded.

Emma leaned back, whistling low. "Okay, now that's something. Infinite Mana… That's cheat-level stuff. But…" She gestured toward the screen still floating beside him. "E-rank? How does that even work?"

Allen's jaw tightened. "Because I'm new."

"Yeah, but infinite Mana—"

"It doesn't matter," he cut her off. "The rank's all anyone sees."

Emma's smile returned, softer this time. "Let them underestimate you. It'll make it that much sweeter when you prove them wrong, just like in the comics."

The System chimed, a cold, mechanical voice ringing in his ears:

[Daily Quest: Begin Your Training]

Objective: Complete 50 Push-ups, 50 Sit-ups, and a 5km Run.

Reward: 5 EXP, 1 Skill Point.

Failure Penalty: Minor Stamina Reduction.]

Allen groaned. "A tutorial quest? Really?"

Emma laughed, pulling her legs up onto the couch. "What did you expect? To be dropped into a dungeon with dragons right away?"

Ignoring her, Allen dismissed the screen with a wave of his hand and dropped to the floor.

The push-ups weren't difficult, but halfway through the run, Allen felt the familiar ache in his legs. Infinite Mana didn't translate to infinite stamina, apparently.

***

As he rounded the final stretch near the old park, Emma jogged beside him, having caught up effortlessly.

"You're slow," she teased.

"Not everyone has time to train for marathons," he shot back, sweat dripping from his forehead.

The System chimed again as he completed the last step.

[Quest Complete: Begin Your Training]

Reward Claimed: 5 EXP, 1 Skill Point.]

He exhaled in relief, his legs trembling as he slowed to a walk.

"How's it feel to be a Hunter now?" Emma asked, her tone more serious.

Allen glanced at her, then at his sparking fingers. "Like I'm finally getting started."