Once more Hannah's mana tanked to 0. She felt a sudden weakness wash over her for a moment as something within her began to change. She leaned against the wall of her bedroom as Alex's rushed to her side. Sweat dripped from her brow as her body felt like it was burning.

Upon seeing the glow in her eye's Alex realized she had accidentally activated her most dangerous skill. Alex screamed for Hannah to turn off the skill, but she could not hear her over the pounding of her own heart and the roaring sound of blood rushing through her ears.

Hannah felt weak and powerless in that moment. Her body was strong but she was not. She just wanted to be stronger. From the bottom of her heart she wanted to be strong so that she could be what her friends and family had been for her. A person willing to lift up others and to give them hope. She wanted to give back for all the love she had received in her life. She wanted to be strong fpr other's but also for herself.

The pain and sound of her raging heart all at once stopped. She opened her eyes to find herself floating in a black void. There before her she saw a singluar orb of radiant white and golden light, no larger than her fist.

She looked around in this dark place in which she floated, only to find there was only the orb and herself. Not even her HUD was to be seen in this place. She felt she should panic, but that feeling of existential dread seemed to be held back by something. That was when she felt it.

She felt mediation was still in effect, 'What's happening...' Hannah's thoghts interrupted as her eyes flashed once more with golden light. Here, in this place, her answer's came without pain. Hannah reached out knowing what she was about to obtain. She knew that this was a way for her to get stronger. Not only in a physical way, but spiritually. With this she could have the strength of mind she so desperately needed.

Hannah grasped the small orb of randiant light. She felt something new wash over her body. Something that had always been there just beyond her reach. Just beyond her perception. The black space that surrounded her was bathed in the radiant white and golden light as she heard the all too familiar ping of a system notice.

You Have earned EXP!

Congradulations!

You have discovered the hidden system aspect, Cultivation!

Reward!

Level Up!

Gongradulations!

You have Leveled Up!

You have Leveled Up!

You are now Lvl. 25

+(2x10) 20 Health, +(2x10) 20 Stamina, +2 Mana, +(0.2x10) 2 to Health and Stamina regen, +0.4 mana regen, +2 to all stats

The world spun as she laid on the floor. Her conciousness fading in and out. In the brief moment she had been lucid before slumber took her she saw that her considerable stamina pool, was empty. Her eyes glazed over as her eyes shut, sleep took her.

Several times over the following hours did hannah wake for a moment before her exhaustion forced her back to sleep.

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It was morning when Hannah finally stirred from her dreamless slumber. She felt relaxed as if all the tension of her body had been released. As she breathed in she felt something warm within her chest.

"A cultivation core." Though it was but a small bead of warmth now she knew it would become so much more down the road. Hannah smiled as she watched the sun rise though the set of glass doors that lead out onto her balcony.

The sky was drenched in red and golden light. It was beautiful. It gave her hope.