Unconventional: My way

It was almost daybreak, Clifford with his group had cleared and wrapped the tents, while setting out to move towards the knoll territory.

Clifford took out a device, using it to scan the area, looking for any hidden dangers and the safest route to take.

Anna and Torren were putting their bags while Rano was told to check on Oscar, making sure he was awake.

Rano tried to wake him up, using some harsher than normal methods to do so but Oscar didn't budge, his eyes were closed and his breath was uneven.

Rano thought he was faking and decided to hit him harder, kicking the side of his ribs. This only worsened Oscar's condition as sweat starting forming on his head while his body was shaking.

Torren noticed this as he came to see what was happening.

"Rano what are you doing? I know you are pissed at him but you shouldn't take out your anger on someone who is still trying to heal from his injuries."

"But..."

"We had set some plans for him which we'll act on in due time, but he needs to be alive for it to work." Torren reprimanded Rano.

"Looking at his condition right now, I would say he has developed fever. His body is hot, he is shivering from time to time and he seems a little pale." Torren said while examining Oscar's condition.

"What is the matter Torren?" Clifford spoke as he came by.

"I think the kid might be sick with fever, he won't be able to move for a while without assistance."

"Haa.. how typical of a non-mage." Clifford said shaking his head.

Mages never suffered from illness or turned sick because the circulation of mana in their body through their core boosted their immune system tenfold making them heal almost immediately from cuts and bruises. On the other hand, non-mages could get sick from anything. From the slightest cold to the highest degree of organ failure. So seeing Oscar in such a state was not one of surprise for a non-mage.

After giving their captive member the required medication and potions to keep him alive, the result seemed to be in reverse.

"Rano."

"Yes Boss"

"Stay here with him, we will have to delay our movement a bit. Torren, come with me."

"Alright Boss." Torren answered and stood up.

"Here, give him this." Taking a small bottle, Clifford gave it to Rano.

"If he doesn't show any signs of getting better in an hour then we move with him in this state. He is worth more to us alive than dead not only for the knolls, his capabilities could usher a breakthrough for your kind." Clifford spoke, his term derogatory but factual.

"Duly noted Boss." Rano replied with nod.

While Clifford walked off, Torren cut Rano a warning.

"If anything else happens to this boy, I'll hold you accountable." Torren spoke, this time his gaze was fixed at Rano.

Surprise spread across Rano's face

"I have been watching you for a while and I can see the way you look at him. Like he stole something from you. Tone it down a notch for your own good before you face the consequences of your actions.

This scared Rano, they were all planning to get the secret of Oscar's abilities so why did it seem like he was the only one.

"Did I do too much?" Rano muttered, questioning no one in particular.

Oscar's POV

Throughout the night I've been trying to subdue it, my core has been shrinking while taking in mana from my surroundings.

I had never felt my core to such an extent, I could tell how it was, the characteristic features of the spherical object. It felt like I was looking inside myself. Something that couldn't be done at my stage. I would have been happy if I was inching closer to death.

The first time I glanced at the core, it was the size of an orb that could be be held by two hands but now it could easily be grasped by one. If it keeps going like this, I would explode from inside. I need to do something.

It's almost daybreak, my eyes were partly closed so I could see what was going on. Regardless I lost the ability to move. At the moment I was no different from a plant.

This idiot has come again, if they want me to get up then it's not going to work.

Wait, what's he doing? Why is he kicking me?! Ugh fuck! My ribs! This bonehead just cracked my ribs. I'll kill you even if it's the last thing I do. If this process doesn't work out I will use the last of my to make sure you're going with me. Ugh...

Think Oscar, think. How do I control the core and stop it from imploding. There are no conventional methods available. Wait! That kick from before made my core move? So it's not static, do I need to get kicked again for it to...

Stop spouting nonsense Oscar if you get hit again you might as well die. Let's see if I could control the core mobility.

Oh, I see the issue now. The core isn't fused with my hypogastric region, so the body thinks of it as foreign. If the body thinks of a part or organ in the system as foreign they would fight against it. This is why I could die.

The mana core is not just a the essence of magic alone, it's the core of my being.

It has moved again, upwards this time. At the region of my solar plexus. I need to fuse it back to my lower abdomen.

It's not working...more like it's not going to work. I can't move it...but I can guide it.

Which organ has the capability of fusion with the core?

My brain!

That's too far and too delicate I would end up with one of two outcomes. Either I blow up or I become an idiot.

They are feeding me something. Is it another healing potion? This ain't good. It might interfere with the process but I don't have the strength to refuse it.

There is a coolness in my chest, it should be the effects of the potion. It's countering the heat, I can finally subdue the core.

But is this what I want? To put it back where it was and wait for death?

No!

It's time to do something crazy, I'm not guiding it to my brain. There is a closer and significantly powerful organ I could fuse with the core.

Possessing an electrical component about sixty times greater and an electromagnetic energy field five-thousand times greater than the brain's, the heart has a significant influence on the body down to the cellular level.

Merging both of them would make my heart stronger, the result would not only be effective in terms of strength but also in mana circulation.

The downside to this, however, is whether my heart could take it. It's a sure way to power, but a faster pathway to the other side.

Let's do it! Move!

I directed the core, guiding it's movement to my chest region. It was still shaking violently, even with the coolness in my chest once it reached that point, it got heated.

There's nothing worse than performing a surgical-like procedure on yourself. The pain was indescribable.

The moment it touched my heart, I lost total control of my body. My senses were gone. At this point in my life, I was very sure of one thing.

I was going to die.

Third Person POV

After Rano was given the potion he administered it to Oscar immediately. In a few minutes some noticable changes occurred, his body temperature reduced, his breathing was also becoming stabilized, he was only shaking slightly.

"Haah..." Rano heaved a sigh of relief.

"You ugly runt, I'll deal with you soon enough." Rano spoke, feeling annoyed about the whole thing.

'Should I kick him again?' Rano thought to himself but decided against it.

While Rano kept contemplating about beating a defenseless boy a noticable change occurred.

Oscar's body started shaking violently, his muscles were involuntarily contracting. Anyone would notice, the boy was having a seizure of pain. Blood was coming out of Oscar's eyes, nose, ears and mouth.

"Oh no!" Rano freaked out.

Anna, Torren arrived at the scene.

"What the fvck?" Anna expressed shock.

"What the hell is going on?!" Torren cast a suspicious gaze over Rano.

"I-I didn't do anything, I only gave him the potion and a few minutes later he started doing like this. I'm not responsible for this I swear."

"You couldn't have done this, what's happening is related to his abilities." Clifford stated.

"What?"

"How?"

Anna and Torren asked almost simultaneously.

"A few minutes ago I felt the aura of a mage, a strong one at this location but it died off the moment it came." Clifford said as he walked over to Oscar's side, inspecting his body but not doing anything to stop the spasms.

"I think this boy tried to awaken his core by himself but he failed, even if he survives this he is bound to become an invalid."

'His former abilities would be lost, he would become a total non-mage.'