Chapter 52: Reunion!

Mana Sight

Perhaps because, unlike mana cores which cannot manipulate mana directly, mana circles allowed Ethan to move the mana in his body however he wanted...

One of the first things he did after discovering this was to circulate mana all around his body to observe its effects.

Apart from basic strengthening, one of the most interesting functions he discovered occurred when concentrating it into his eyes.

The mana seemed to grant him a form of dynamic vision, allowing him to follow and trace the movement of mana throughout the world.

It was the primary ability that allowed him to observe other abilities and use his Max Level Comprehension to construct spells.

It was his Mana Sight.

Ever since he had noticed Alex and his gang, Ethan had used Mana Sight to scan all four of them, only to discover that Terry was the only one who possessed a core.

He was an awakener.

Not only that, but from the intensity of mana surging within that core, it was at a level comparable to Victoria when she had just awakened.

’However, how is this possible? In the whole of Emerald City, only Victoria became S-class...’

’Also, if he’s being bullied, why didn’t he do anything? Why did he just let them step on him even though he could do whatever he wanted?’

’Is he planning something?’

Looking at the kid who was nervously staring at him, even though he tried to hide it, Ethan could still see the hatred lurking behind his eyes.

’This kid...’

In fact, had it not been for the possibility of creating a new spell, Ethan would have eliminated him on the spot.

However, now that he knew Terry was an awakener, he could always do that after deducing his ability.

"Now answer me, kid! What is your ability?!"

"And what are you hiding?"

"Those three were your companions; who knows if you’re worse than them?"

"Answer me, or else I’ll have no choice but to send you on your way," said Ethan, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.

At this moment, Terry, having thrown up all the food he had eaten over the last few days, finally came to his senses.

Although still profoundly confused by everything going on, he knew that if he didn’t speak now, he would die right here.

So, taking a quick glance at his system panel, he began to explain frantically.

"Wait, wait! I’ll talk!"

"You’re really misunderstanding something!" he said, waving his hands as he tried to convince Ethan.

"You see, while I have indeed awakened an ability, I don’t even know when or how it happened!"

"A few minutes ago, this weird translucent screen suddenly popped up in front of my face, and before I could even read it, Alex grabbed me by my hair saying I should sacrifice myself!"

"If I had known I had awakened some power, I would have stood up for myself!" said Terry, his eyes flashing with raw anger.

Looking at the ability description he had just read, it was more than enough to deal with Alex and those girls; unfortunately, at that time, there was far too much chaos for him to think straight.

"I promise you! I’m not lying about that!"

"Also... yes, you’re correct about me hating them. I do hate them, a lot. They made my life a living hell!"

"Every day at school they would tear my books, beat me up, and take all my money."

"And my foster home was worse! My adoptive parents would hit me for fun or to de-stress after work!"

"Because of that, I have a deep dislike for people in general."

"I promise, I don’t mean any harm to any of you! If you spare me, I’ll leave and never come back!"

Dropping to his knees, Terry cast away all pride.

Although he had suffered so much in life, he didn’t want to die.

Especially since he had just awakened, with an ability like this, wasn’t this his chance to turn his life around?

To die just as such an opportunity arose would be his greatest regret, even in death.

Thinking of this, he continued to beg and explain.

"As for my ability... it seems to be called Elemental Summoning."

"Although I haven’t tried it yet, I should be able to summon elemental beings to help me fight," said Terry.

Hearing this, Ethan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

’Oh? A summoning ability? I wonder what I can learn from this.’

’This should be interesting...’ he thought.

Unfortunately, just before Ethan could tell Terry to activate his ability, Victoria suddenly spoke up.

"Wait a minute, Ethan... I know this kid."

"Terry? Isn’t that you from the orphanage? I was so happy for you back when you were adopted... I didn’t know you were being treated like this."

"I’m so sorry!"

As she said those words, her eyes met Terry’s, confirming her suspicion.

This was the little boy who used to follow her everywhere in the orphanage, constantly calling her ’Big Sis.’

Back then, he had been adopted and promised to visit after graduation, but he never did.

’How could I have known he was going through all this?’

’Being Bullied by his classmates just like I later would with mine’

’Damn Higgsfield... just how trash is their environment for both the university and high school to be breeding grounds for bullies?’

Shaking her head, memories of the past washed over her mind as she wondered how the other kids from the orphanage were faring.

Right now, only thirty of them had not been adopted, and Ethan had already moved them all safely to the Smith Shelter.

However, seeing Terry here made her wonder about those who had been adopted over the years.

Were they living good lives? Or were they being abused like Terry?

For a long moment, she fell silent.

Terry, who had been holding back everything, hearing Victoria speak up for him, couldn’t suppress a choked sob any longer.

"Sniff...! Big Sis Victoria... thank you so much!"

Although he hadn’t wanted her to see him in such a pathetic state, hearing her familiar, caring voice made him feel more relieved than he had in years.