Chapter 58: He Had Stumbled Upon Fortune.

"Identify"

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[Item: Mana Stone.

Grade: Intermediate.

Description: A rare gemstone that radiates pure mana, the essential energy of mages. Found only in the Rising Flame Continent, Mana Stones serve as vital resources for mages.

For beginners, it can gently increase their mana reserves, providing the foundation needed for their magical growth. When absorbed, it replenishes a mage's mana, strengthening their Magical core and fostering the formation of Circles within the heart.

Intermediate-grade Mana Stones, like this one, possess a potency far beyond that of basic stones, offering refined, concentrated energy that resonates deeply within a mage's soul. While a treasured resource for those adept in magic, this stone remains foreign—often volatile—to cultivators.]

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"An Intermediate Grade Mana Stone?" Reon murmured in shock, his fingers tightening around the gem.

He had stumbled upon an incredible treasure—an Intermediate Grade Mana Stone, rare even in the Rising Flame Continent.

In that land of mages, such stones were prized possessions, typically held only by the aristocratic families and highborn elites.

For an ordinary mage, encountering even a Low Grade Mana Stone would be a rarity, let alone one of Intermediate Grade. 

Spirit Stones and Mana Stones were scarce in all realms, mystical and mundane alike. For ordinary mortals, even glimpsing one of these stones was a near impossibility.

Only the wealthiest or most influential among the Noble families, Aristocratic houses, Magic Tower, Royal bloodlines, and Powerful Sects and Academies had the means to acquire them.

While everyday society functioned with Gold coins as currency, the elite dealt in Spirit and Mana Stones, with each stone being a symbol of power, wealth, and status.

Mana Stones and Spirit Stones themselves existed in a refined hierarchy, with each tier greatly surpassing the last in both quality and energy density.

Starting from the lowest grade, they rose through tiers: Low Grade, Common Grade, Intermediate Grade, Advanced Grade, Refined Grade, High Grade, and Superior Grade. Beyond even these, there existed exceedingly rare Stones, rumored to hold unimaginable power.

These were treasure of legend, wielded only by the mightiest beings or the ruling sects at the pinnacle of the world.

Each grade held exponential worth over the previous. One hundred Low Grade Stones were required to match the energy of a single Common Grade Stone, and likewise, one hundred Common Grade Stones equaled the potency of a single Intermediate Stone.

This scaling continued, creating a clear and unbridgeable gap between those who could only dream of such power and those who controlled it.

Reon felt a surge of exhilaration. In his hand was the equivalent of ten thousand Low Grade Mana Stones—an astounding fortune.

This amount would be a year's income, or more, for even a Viscount family within the Rising Flame Continent.

And here he was, holding what they could only yearn for, a resource capable of accelerating his growth and opening new paths of discovery.

He recalled that even the protagonist of the novel, despite being born into a High Class Noble Family, had not possessed Intermediate Grade Spirit Stones at the beginning of his journey.

He had to fight his way through countless trials, struggling with only the most basic resources, to reach the power he desired.

Reon, by comparison, had landed a stroke of pure fortune—an advantage that could reshape his path forward.

As he held the Mana Stone, its energy hummed, as if sensing the latent mana within him, waiting to be unlocked.

The possibilities it offered filled him with anticipation, yet he also felt the weight of the unknown mysteries it brought.

In his hand lay the potential for true power, and perhaps, the answers to questions that lay just beyond his reach.

Reon placed the Intermediate Grade Mana Stone carefully into his System Inventory. 

This journey to the Mystic Evergreen Forest had been incredibly fruitful. Not only had he significantly increased his strength, but he'd also acquired a rare Mana Stone, a prize of notable value.

With his newfound power and Cloudia by his side, he felt confident that he could now rival the top disciples of the Outer Sect—or perhaps even take on some of the low-ranking Inner Sect disciples.

Just as Reon was about to move on, a low, rumbling sound echoed through the quiet cave.

"Grooowl…"

Cloudia sprang into a defensive stance, her muscles tensed and hackles raised. But Reon quickly reassured her with a chuckle and a wave of his hand. It was only the sound of his stomach.

After an intense battle with the Ironclaw Direwolf, he'd pushed himself to the very edge of his abilities and now felt a deep, gnawing hunger.

Looking down at the Direwolf's massive form, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation. Wolf fry, he thought, envisioning a hot, savory meal.

But first, he needed to recover his energy. Reon took out a Grade-1 Healing Pill from his Spatial Ring, the smooth green-and-gold pill glinting faintly as he swallowed it.

Almost immediately, he felt a rush of restored Spiritual Qi, his strength replenished just enough to let him work.

With his Spiritual Qi flowing again, he activated his Sword Aura, which had now reached the Pinnacle Stage.