An Extra’s POV

Forced Magic Activation.

It was the a forbidden technique among Mages, but for some… it could be considered something of a trump card—albeit a temporary one.

Once a Mage's Mana was depleted, they could never use Magic no matter how hard they tried. The Spell just wouldn't activate regardless of the means.

However, Forced Magic Activation bypassed this by inducing one critical element into the mix.

—Sacrifice.

Just as there was a way for Martial Artists to exponentially increase their abilities by sacrificing their Life Force to grow stronger, Mages could also let go of something incredibly important to attain a temporary burst of power.

They would have to let go of Mana itself.

Despite what was displayed by the system, every Mage—no, perhaps every human, really—had a secret stockpile of Mana within them.

This stockpile of Mana was what made it possible for anyone to grow Magic and develop Skills and Classes if they practiced over time. Many considered it a representation of latent abilities embedded in everyone, waiting to be manifested.

It was trite that zero multiplied by zero was still zero, and that it was impossible for something to emerge from nothing. So, once a Mage depleted their Mana, where did this refill over time come from?

From this same stockpile of Mana.

Without it, Mages would have no way to grow any further than they already had, and they would likewise be crippled if they drained everything at once.

In essence… they would never be able to use Magic again.

This was why Forced Magic Activation was a forbidden technique, but the Otherworlders still learned it during their compulsory education.

The hidden stockpile was an essential part of Magic learning, so Lucielle and their other Magic Tutors had to reference it one way or the other. They never went in-depth on it, though.

Being the inquisitive one, however, Eric went and asked Lucielle all about it after classes.

She did him the service of properly explaining everything about the latent stockpile of Mana and Forced Magic Activation to him, just as he wanted.

she told one thing after—something like a word of

use it, Eric. You'll completely ruin your

Mage who closed his eyes and channeled that hidden power within him, more tears flowed down his

have to disobey you.' Sparks of Mana began to

jagged blade that approached him at a rapid rate, instead focusing on

to eliminate only his own arrow and not completely drain the Mana that was within

all of the arrows that

all the energy that he had pent-up within himself in

blades

"Ahh…"

state of absolute lull. It

like an illusion, and the fleeting essence of Mana began to depart from

in bliss, but he also

end here.' A sad smile played on his face as he looked at the faces of

falling, so Eric decided to use

his wand in the direction

so slow…

time, and that this moment would last

But he didn't.

complete his Spell, he suddenly felt

… Something very ominous.

~SQUELCH!~

behind, ripping apart

surreal state could not properly process pain, or almost any sensation, so the moment he felt a complete hole dug through his chest, the first thing

that

ripped open by this arm, and before he could even process why and how, blood burst out of his

it at

You're the one shutting off my

he heard the disgruntled voice of the Dragon General, also listening to the splashing sound that his blood made as it poured on the ground before

hand, causing fatal damage that not even he could hope

turned to Alicia, but she wasn't