The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

As the Dark Mana barrier fully took shape around him, Ruvian slowly walked along its edge while dragging his fingers across the black wall — ripples spreading wherever his fingers passed.

At first glance, it resembled an ordinary [Magic Barrier], yet the force flowing through it carried properties that felt far more volatile, and utterly chaotic. As if the Dark Mana twisted over itself again and again, fighting inside the same space, and forcing among themselves into complete harmony.

The longer Ruvian observed it, the more fascinated he became.

[If I were you, child, and if I happened to be your enemy, I would not lay a finger upon that barrier.] Morvayne’s gentle voice suddenly echoed through his mind. [There are some spells that are safest admired from afar.]

Hearing that, Ruvian’s expression changed, and he immediately withdrew his hand from the barrier.

He glanced down at his palm before raising an eyebrow with quiet annoyance. ”Couldn’t you have mentioned that before I touched it?”

Morvayne let out a soft, helpless sigh.

[Rest assured, child, nothing will happen to you, because you are my contractee, and I would never weave one of my own spells in a way that could bring you harm. And you are standing within my protection, so the barrier knows your presence and allows you to touch it without resistance.]

Morvayne continued gently.

[However, if an enemy or a creature tried the same thing, the Dark Mana would tear into their body, drain their strength, and feed that stolen energy back into the barrier.]

She coughed, somehow trying to make it sound more grandiose.

[To explain it in another way, the more they struggled against it, the faster their power would fade.]

”I see.”

Ruvian slowly lowered his hand and took one step away from the barrier.

’What a terrifyingly useful spell.’

With a shelter now secured for the remainder of the night, Ruvian lowered himself onto the ground and opened his [Bookmarks]. It was only then that a thought suddenly occurred to him. Could Morvayne also see his [Editorial System]?

”Hey, Morvayne... are you seeing this?” Ruvian asked, pointing toward the [Bookmarks] interface.

[Your hand?]

”No. What’s in front of me?”

[Child... is this some sort of riddle? There’s nothing in front of you.]

”...Right.”

Well, at least, that answered his question.

”Anyway... forget about it.”

Ruvian inspected his [Runeheart].

[Mana Resonance: (315/500)]

He had killed 15 Lesser Voidspawns with his [The Endseeker].

’Still a long way to go.’

Another 185 Mana Resonance stood between him and his breakthrough. Judging by his current pace, reaching it was impossible.

In the end, the only possible solution was through using the system.

’Alright, let’s just do it.’

Ruvian activated [Powerscaling]. A familiar translucent panel unfolded before his eyes, its blue glow quietly lighting up the darkness around him.

Without any hesitation, he focused on the ManaResonance section. Then, he mentally issued a command.

’Increase Mana Resonance from 315 to 500.’

The interface immediately refreshed.

[Mana Resonance (315 → 500): 9,250 PP]

[Total Cost: 9,250 PP]

[Remaining PP after Upgrade: 52,750 PP]

[Proceed with the upgrade?]

[Confirm / Cancel]

Ruvian silently read through every line. Once he confirmed everything was correct, he gave the system his answer.

’Confirm.’

[Mana Resonance: (500/500)]

[Spellcore: Tier 2 → Tier 3]

[Mana Resonance: (0/1,000)]

The moment the final notification disappeared, a surge of mana spread throughout Ruvian’s entire body.

His Spellcore trembled deep within his chest. The familiar flow of mana circulating through his mana pathways suddenly accelerated, growing denser and smoother.

Ruvian slowly closed his eyes.

He could clearly feel it.

The mana inside his body was changing.

His Spellcore seemed to expand before violently compressing into itself. Several seconds later, the surging energy gradually settled.

Ruvian slowly opened his eyes.

A faint blue glow flickered across his pupils before quietly fading away.

’...So this is Tier 3 Spellcore.’

The change felt small, but huge at the same time.

==========

{}---『RUNEHEART』---{}

◇ Name: Ruvian Castelor

◇ Age: 17

◇ Spellcore: Tier 3

◇ Rank: Second-Class Magus

◇ Magic Affinity: None

◇ Relevance Tier: Stage III – Pivotal Extra

◇ Plot Points: 52,750 (PPs)

◇ Current Arc: Arc 3 – The Vazrun Island

[Mana Resonance: (0/1,000)]

==[General Attributes]==

Strength: C- → C

Agility: C- → C

Endurance: C- → C

Vitality: C- → C

Perception: C- → C

==[Mage Attributes]==

Mana Control: C- → C

Casting Speed: C- → C

Magic Power: C- → C

Mental Strength: S

Mana Sensitivity: C- → C

Mana Essence: [13,000/13,000]

==========

==[Innate Blessings]==

- [Blessing of Indomitable Will]

==[Affinity Mastery]==

- [Pure Mana, Wind, Darkness (Advanced)]

- [Water (Intermediate)]

- [Dark Mana (Basic)]

==========

Ruvian had also spent a portion of his Plot Points earlier that evening to raise his Endurance from C- to C, granting him enough stamina to contend against groups of Lesser Voidspawns for far longer than before.

However, unlike his other attributes, Endurance did not advance to C+ alongside his breakthrough. It seemed that manually increasing the stat beforehand had already consumed the improvement the breakthrough would have otherwise provided.

Still, with every one of his attributes having entered C Rank, Ruvian had officially stepped into the realm of a Second-Class Magus as well.

Though, he hadn’t realise that yet because Morvayne interrupted him.

[Huh? Did something happen to you, child? You seem different all of the sudden.]

For a brief moment, Ruvian considered answering. But in the end, he simply feigned ignorance, deciding to keep it to himself. It was better to left it unsaid.

”What is it?”

[....My, it’s not your doing? Huh, perhaps, I was simply imagining it. Never mind.]

Ruvian smiled, then he stared at his bracelet.

There should still be several minutes, perhaps even an hour, before the fifth day’s ranking announcement. With time to spare, he decided to speak with Morvayne about a certain matter.

”Also, now that I’m your contractee... how about tell me a bit about Dark Mana?”

Ruvian let out a restrained smile.

[If you’re planning on learning it on this island, just forget about it.] Morvayne said in a calm but firm voice. [I’m not saying this to stop you, child. I’m saying it because this isn’t the right place.]

Ruvian frowned. ”What? Why?” His eyes narrowed as he waited for her answer.

[Although you’re protected from its corruption now, I’m afraid the others are not. If something goes wrong, even by accident, the other scholars could be caught in it.]

Ruvian immediately shook his head. ”No, I’m not planning to use it on any human. That was never my intention in the first place.”

[But didn’t you tell me that you’re planning to fight a demon that has taken over a human vessel?] Morvayne asked softly. [If that happens, Dark Mana will still be used against a human body.]

”...Yes, I did say that.” Ruvian let out a quiet sigh, then rubbed the back of his neck. ”I guess I can’t argue with that.”

[Don’t worry, child. It’s not like I’m refusing to teach you.] Morvayne’s tone softened again. [There are also a few eyes on this island, and if they see you using Dark Mana this early, it could bring danger to you before you’re ready.]

Ruvian’s gaze drifted toward the distance. The academy had stationed instructors throughout the island to watch over the examination, and if any of them witnessed Dark Mana, explaining it would be impossible.

He looked back at the black wall around him before a sly smile slowly spread across his face.

”Alright, then how about this? Just tell me about Dark Mana for now. I only want to understand the theory, and I won’t try using it until we’re somewhere safe.”

Morvayne remained silent for a moment.

[You really are impossible to persuade.]

Then a quiet sigh echoed inside his mind.

[...Very well.]

Her voice carried the helpless patience of someone dealing with a particularly stubborn child.

After a long conversation with Morvayne about Dark Mana, the bracelet around Ruvian’s wrist suddenly began to beep.

=========

[Top 10 Current Squad Rankings — Day 5]

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[Chapter 288: Stepping into Tier 3 Spellcore]

Plot Points= 52,750 PP