the beginning after the end perfect duo

A new awakening

As I approached the hovering orb, the ambient mana encircling it seemed to pulse in rhythm with my heartbeat. This could truly be a great opportunity—perhaps even the breakthrough I'd been hoping for during this raid. The orb glowed faintly with a soft blue light, reminiscent of the water that had begun to rise around us, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding environment.

With cautious precision, I reached out and carefully plucked the orb from the air. The moment my fingers brushed against its surface, I could feel the immense power contained within—a swirling vortex of pure mana, raw and untamed. This wasn't just any ordinary core; it belonged to the beast we had defeated, a testament to its strength and ferocity.

But then, something unexpected happened. As I delved deeper into the core's essence, I encountered resistance—a presence that pushed back against my intrusion. 

It was unmistakable: the will of the beast itself, lingering within the core, refusing to let go without a fight. Its energy crackled around me, almost as if warning me not to take what didn't belong.

"Interesting," I muttered under my breath. "This isn't just a mana core—it contains the beast's will as well." The realization sent a thrill through me. Such a discovery could prove invaluable. My mind raced with possibilities. If I could find someone with a strong water affinity, they might be able to harness this core's power effectively. And who better to train them than Virion? His expertise in elemental manipulation would ensure the core's potential was fully realized.

Perhaps there was another step to consider. Should I discuss this directly with Virion? He'd undoubtedly have insights about how to unlock the full capabilities of such a unique artifact. Not only did it hold immense magical energy, but the presence of the beast's will added an entirely new dimension to its value. With proper guidance, whoever wielded this core could become an unparalleled force.

I tucked the orb safely into my satchel, feeling its faint hum against my skin. The journey ahead would require careful planning and collaboration, but one thing was certain: this core represented far more than mere loot—it was a key to unlocking greater power, and I intended to use it wisely.

Good, now where the hell are the others, now after the monster has been beaten, I need to find them quickly, I said as I closed my eyes, I focused a big chunk of my mana on one spell, one that Elijah aka Nico used back in the adventuring arc.

I released a wave of mana into the ground, letting it spread outward like ripples in a pond. The energy flowed seamlessly through the earth, bumping against objects and returning to me with fragmented echoes. This was my mana-based sonar—a technique I had been practicing for weeks. However, the results were still mixed, leaving me puzzled by the information the waves brought back. Each echo carried a unique signature, but interpreting them required precision and focus that I hadn't yet mastered.

Closing my eyes to clear my mind, I allowed the asuran mana within my core to flow through my body, filling my mana channels with a warm, tingling sensation. As the ambient mana around me grew clearer, it felt almost alive—like a voice whispering secrets to me. My senses extended far beyond their usual limits, allowing me to perceive the world around me in ways I never imagined possible.

The first presence I detected was Jasmine, her wind-magic-filled core radiating a gentle, swirling energy. She was closest to me, her affinity unmistakable even at this distance. Next came Arthur and Lucas, their cores resonating with the steady, grounding power of earth magic. They stood side by side, their signatures distinct but harmonious. Further away, I could feel Mira's fiery core, burning brightly with the raw intensity of flame. Her energy was unmistakable, a beacon of heat and passion.

Then there was Sylvia. Her core remained enigmatic, its level and elemental affinity shrouded in mystery. Despite my repeated attempts, I couldn't discern whether her mana leaned toward light, shadow, or something entirely different. It was as if her core existed on a frequency I couldn't fully tune into, a puzzle waiting to be solved.