My Infinite Mana System

The Sanctuary of Resonance was unlike anything Allen had seen before. The walls pulsed with a faint blue light, and the air hummed with energy, sending shivers down his spine. The System's interface displayed a single, ominous message.

[Welcome to the Resonance Trial. Only those worthy may claim the Resonance Key.]

Emma glanced around, her fingers brushing against the glowing walls. "This place is… alive. It's like the air itself is watching us."

Kael stood near the entrance, his hand resting on his blade. "The trial will test you, Allen. These ancient places don't tolerate failure."

Allen nodded, gripping Stormfang tightly. "I've come this far. I can't fail."

The doors of the Sanctuary slammed shut behind them, and a deep voice echoed through the chamber.

"Seeker of the Forgotten Path, prove your resolve. Face the trial of Resonance and uncover the truth within."

"Come on shut up, I already know" Allen said

The floor beneath Allen glowed, and a circular platform rose from the ground, lifting him high above the others. Emma shouted, but her voice was muffled as a shimmering barrier surrounded the platform, separating Allen from his companions.

"Great," Allen muttered. "Guess this is a solo mission."

[Trial Objective: Align the Resonance. Time Remaining: 30 minutes.]

The platform shifted, revealing three massive crystalline structures floating in the air. Each crystal emitted a different sound a low hum, a sharp chime, and a deep resonance.

A holographic interface appeared before Allen, showing a diagram of the crystals with their energy levels displayed as glowing bars.

[Objective: Balance the energy of all three crystals to stabilize the Resonance. Warning: Failure will result in termination.]

"Termination?" Allen muttered. "No pressure."

The first crystal pulsed erratically, its glow flickering as its hum grew louder. Allen reached out, using the System's interface to channel his mana into the crystal.

[Energy Transferred: +10%. Balance Adjusted.]

The crystal's glow stabilized, but the second crystal's chime grew sharper, its energy destabilizing. Allen moved quickly, transferring energy to the second crystal while monitoring the first.

Minutes passed in tense silence as Allen worked, balancing the energy levels with increasing difficulty. The third crystal's deep resonance began to vibrate violently, threatening to shatter the equilibrium.

"Focus," Allen muttered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

He activated Arc Surge, channeling lightning into the crystals to stabilize their vibrations. The energy pulsed through him, his System tracking his every move.

[Resonance Stability: 70%. Time Remaining: 15 minutes.]

The crystals shifted positions, their movements becoming faster and more chaotic. Allen had to time his energy transfers carefully, each mistake threatening to unbalance the entire system.

Just as Allen began to stabilize the Resonance, the Sanctuary shook violently. The crystals dimmed, and the voice boomed again.

"Prove your strength, Seeker, or be consumed by the void."

"Just shut up already" Allen shouted

From the shadows emerged a figure shrouded in black energy a manifestation of the void itself. Its form was humanoid but shifting, its eyes glowing with malevolence.

[System Alert: Resonance Guardian (Level 16).]

Allen cursed. "Of course it wouldn't be that easy."

The Resonance Guardian attacked, its movements swift and unpredictable. Allen activated Static Veil, the crackling barrier absorbing the first strike. He countered with Chain Lightning, the energy surging through the Guardian's form.

The creature hissed, its shape distorting as it retaliated with tendrils of void energy. Allen dodged, leaping toward the nearest crystal to resume stabilizing the Resonance.

"Come on," he muttered, channeling mana into the crystal while keeping an eye on the Guardian.

The creature lunged again, forcing Allen to abandon the crystal and defend himself. He struck with Stormfang, the blade glowing with lightning as it clashed against the void energy.

[Resonance Stability: 85%. Time Remaining: 5 minutes.]

With time running out, Allen knew he had to finish the trial. He activated Arc Surge, pushing his abilities to their limit. Lightning coursed through his body as he moved between the crystals, transferring energy with precision.

The Guardian attacked relentlessly, but Allen's movements became faster, more fluid. He struck the creature with a final blast of Chain Lightning, sending it hurtling into the shadows.

With seconds to spare, Allen stabilized the last crystal. The platform glowed brightly, and the Guardian dissolved into mist.

[Trial Complete: Resonance Aligned.]

[Reward: Resonance Key Obtained.]

The crystals merged, forming a single glowing artifact the Resonance Key. Allen reached out, the artifact's energy surging through him as he grasped it.

[System Alert: You have obtained the Resonance Key. Power increased by 20%.]

The barrier surrounding the platform disappeared, and Allen descended to the ground. Emma and Kael ran to meet him, relief evident on their faces.

"You did it!" Emma said, grinning.

Kael nodded. "Another Key down. But the next will only get harder."

Allen held the Resonance Key tightly, its glow reflecting in his eyes, he grinned. "Let it be then. Nothing was ever easy."