Utopian System

Chapter 452 System's Extra Mana

Brok's massive hand connected with the back of Kriz's head with a solid thwack.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Check your book, idiot."

"I don't need to check my book! I know I didn't get any..." Kriz paused mid-rant as his book floated in front of him. His eyes widened as he flipped through the pages. "Oh. I, uh... I got it too."

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The silence that followed was deafening.

"I mean," he coughed, trying to salvage some dignity, "obviously I knew I would. I was just testing you all. Making sure you were paying attention. You know, keeping the team sharp and..."

Another thwack from Brok.

"Stop hitting me!"

"Stop being an idiot!"

Selene couldn't help but laugh. Even in the midst of their mission to save Elio, moments like these reminded her why she loved this team.

"Wait," Selene's voice cut through the lingering amusement of Kriz's performance. "Something about this feels familiar."

The others turned to her, noting the thoughtful expression on her face.

"That day at the monster sea," she continued, "when we saw that impossible hole in the endless waves. Almost every soldier said it couldn't be him, that no one could survive out there. But Elio..."

"He found a way," Mei finished softly.

"Exactly. When impossible things happen, they tend to happen around him." Selene closed her book deliberately. "If we all received this increase, it's logical to assume it wasn't limited to just us. The entire city might be experiencing the same thing. We need to check if that's happening now and..."@@@@

"Or maybe," Kriz rubbed the back of his head, glaring at Brok, "Elio just wanted to help me make a fool of myself."

"Elio doesn't need to help with that," Brok grinned. "You manage just fine on your own."

♢♢♢♢

The city was alive with excitement.

People gathered in streets and squares, their books floating before them as they compared notes and celebrated their newfound power. For a population that had struggled with an average of 100 mana points or less, this sudden doubling represented more than just numbers, it was hope made tangible.

In the council chamber, the team found Lucien and Ren already deep in discussion about the implications.

As soon as they arrived Ren took the 3 youngest and put them to work.

Nessa was compiling reports from different districts, while Kai and Milo worked on calculations about the city's increased magical capacity.

"The patterns are consistent in the reports," Nessa reported, looking up from her new unexpected work. "Every citizen, regardless of level or status, received exactly 100 additional mana points."

"The timing can't be coincidental," Lucien mused, glancing at the gathered team.

"It's Elio," Lila said firmly. "It has to be."

Ren nodded slowly. "The citizens already attribute the city's spatial expansion to him. They trust his ability to achieve the impossible so..."

"It gives us an opportunity," Kai interjected, looking up from his calculations. "The city's collective mana pool just effectively more than doubled. If we frame this right..."

"We can encourage greater participation in resource gathering," Milo finished, catching on. "People will be more willing to contribute if they believe Elio is actively working to improve things."

"Even though he's not here," Selene added quietly, for their ears only.

"That's exactly why we should do it," Lucien said. "The truth about his absence would only cause panic. But this? This gives people hope, and more importantly, gives them the means to act on that hope."