According to the Paradox Scriptures, Syrix is a special magic that only a race called the Nurukaido and certain gods can use. It’s similar to mana but with one crucial difference: it doesn’t exist in all living things.

At first glance, it seems like an exclusive, closed system.

Except… I just used it.

Syrix also has an overwhelming advantage in raw power. It’s more efficient, stronger, more refined.

But, like everything in life, there’s a catch.

They call it Ultra Instinct.

A state where the body moves on its own, bypassing conscious thought. Essentially, you become a puppet of your own reflexes. In exchange, your seven senses sharpen to their absolute limit: sight, taste, touch, hearing, smell, vestibular sense, and proprioception.

Interesting.

But if I think about it… it makes no sense that only the Nurukaido and gods can use it.

I used it.

And—

"I did it! That took 50 tries!" Isolde cheered, bouncing up and down.

I took a deep breath.

"Bravo," I said, clapping half-heartedly.

I’d hoped that, at the very least, having Syrix would give me an edge over my sister.

Nope.

Turns out, she can use it too.

Apart from mana.

Damn it. I can’t use mana.

"Come on, Lucy. Could you at least pretend to be proud of me?" Isolde teased, flashing that annoyingly familiar smirk. But her tone softened when she noticed my frustration. "You’ll get mana in a few days, I know it."

I appreciate her optimism.

I wish I could share it.

I skimmed the Paradox Scriptures again. Nothing new. Just the same mana basics from the Guide to Magic and Combat. No extra details.

With a sigh, I stood up.

"I'll trying again."

"Hehe. Fine. I’ll coach you."

"Sure."

I stretched out my arm, closed my eyes, imagined the air inside me, tried shaping it in my palm—

Nothing.

"Keep trying! You’ll get it!" Isolde encouraged.

Why the hell is this so hard for me?

I tried again. Nothing.

This time, though, I felt a faint tingle in my palm. A flicker of something—but not enough. I lowered my arm, frustrated.

"Are you going to give up?" Isolde asked.

"Just taking a break. I’m exhausted."

"Ah… I’m tired too."

She has a valid reason. Using mana drains energy.

Me? No clue why I’m like this. I didn’t even cast anything.

Except with Syrix.

Maybe that’s why? Could my reserves be so pathetically small that a few Syrix attempts wipe me out?

No answers.

"Going to sleep?" I asked.

"No! I want to learn healing magic next! That way, I can fix you up when you get hurt, Lucy!"

Her voice sparkled with excitement as she pumped her fist. I smirked.

It’s nice having a sister. My past life didn’t have one. And thank God for that—if I had, my parents would’ve treated her just like me. The thought alone makes my skin crawl. I shook my head, refocusing.

"Fine. Let’s check healing magic."

Isolde flipped through the Guide to the right section, and the moment I saw the contents, a weight dropped in my stomach.

"Healing magic is divided into biological branches…" The words left my mouth like lead.

I knew what that meant.

And I knew how brutally hard this would be to learn.