Damon sat beside his bedroom window, watching the sunlight spread across the gardens of the Jubo estate.
His body was recovering, but he knew better than to mistake improvement for strength. Every attempt to use his mana reminded him that something was wrong. The energy inside him was immense, yet controlling it felt like trying to hold back a river with bare hands.
He needed answers.
More importantly, he needed to understand the world he had found himself in.
“System, tell me about this world.”
A familiar blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM ACTIVATED.]
[WORLD INFORMATION AVAILABLE.]
“Start with the basics.”
[WORLD NAME: OMOLLA.]
[KNOWN MAJOR CONTINENTS: 8.]
[CONTINENTS:
1. EVERLIGE
2. DRAKMOR
3. SYLVARENTH
4. VORTHANE
5. AETHERION
6. NYTHRAVAL
7. FROSTHELM
8. CELESTARA.]
[CURRENT LOCATION: PLATUNMINA KINGDOM.]
[CURRENT CONTINENT: EVERLIGE.]
Damon studied the information.
Eight continents.
That was a lot of land to explore, especially in a world where magic existed. He wondered how many kingdoms, empires, magical beasts, and ancient ruins were scattered across them.
“Tell me about the power system here.”
[THE WORLD RECOGNIZES TWO PRIMARY PATHS OF POWER: MANA CULTIVATION AND KNIGHTHOOD.]
Damon leaned forward.
“Explain.”
[MANA CULTIVATION DEVELOPS MANA CAPACITY, CONTROL, AND MAGICAL ABILITIES.]
[KNIGHTHOOD DEVELOPS PHYSICAL STRENGTH, COMBAT ABILITY, AND THE BODY'S CAPACITY TO WIELD POWER.]
“So people can become powerful through magic or physical training?”
[CORRECT.]
Damon nodded. It made sense. A world filled with magic would naturally have different ways of developing strength.
“What are the ranks for knights?”
The system responded immediately.
[KNOWN KNIGHT RANKS, FROM LOWEST TO HIGHEST:
WOOD IRON COPPER BRONZE SILVER GOLD DIAMOND PLATINUM ADAMANTINE JADE.]
Damon stared at the list.
“Jade is the highest?”
[JADE IS THE HIGHEST RANK IN THE CURRENTLY PROVIDED KNIGHTHOOD CLASSIFICATION.]
He committed the information to memory.
“And mana cultivation?”
A second list appeared.
[MANA CULTIVATION STAGES, FROM LOWEST TO HIGHEST:
1. MANA CONDENSATION
2. FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT
3. CORE FORMATION — GOLDEN CORE
4. NASCENT SOUL
5. SOUL FORMATION — DEITY TRANSFORMATION
6. VOID REFINEMENT
7. BODY INTEGRATION
8. MAHAYANA
9. TRIBULATION.]
Damon read through the stages twice.
The names alone suggested that reaching the highest levels would require more than simply gathering mana. It would involve transforming both the body and the soul.
He glanced at his own hand.
Unfortunately, having an enormous mana reserve didn't automatically make him powerful.
If anything, his current condition made his supposed advantage feel like a curse.
“System, what cultivation stage am I in?”
[CURRENT CULTIVATION STAGE: UNCONFIRMED.]
[MANA CONTROL: SEVERELY DEFICIENT.]
[MANA CIRCULATION: OBSTRUCTED.]
Damon frowned.
“Obstructed? What does that mean?”
[THE HOST'S MANA IS BEING OBSTRUCTED.]
[THE OBSTRUCTION INTERFERES WITH THE NORMAL FLOW OF MANA THROUGH THE BODY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND USE MAGIC.]
[THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.]
Damon fell silent.
That was the clearest explanation he had received so far.
Something was interfering with his mana.
It wasn't simply that his control was poor. There was an obstacle preventing his mana from flowing normally.
“Can you remove the obstruction?”
[NEGATIVE. CURRENT CAPABILITIES ARE INSUFFICIENT.]
[RECOMMENDATION: CONTINUE MANA STABILIZATION AND INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE OBSTRUCTION.]
Damon exhaled slowly.
He had hoped the system would solve everything, but apparently, he would have to do some of the work himself.
That was fine.
He had never expected his second life to be effortless.
“Tell me about this kingdom. Who holds the most power here?”
[PLATUNMINA KINGDOM CONTAINS MULTIPLE NOBLE HOUSES, INCLUDING TWO ANCIENT FOUNDING DUCAL HOUSES.]
[IDENTIFIED HOUSES: JUBO CLAN AND GASSI HOUSE.]
Damon's expression changed.
Of course, the Gassi family had to be involved.
The original Damon’s memories already contained countless unpleasant encounters with Gassi, the arrogant young nobleman who had bullied and humiliated him for years.
The two families were rivals, and their conflict had shaped much of Damon's childhood.
“Tell me about the Jubo Clan.”
[THE JUBO CLAN IS ONE OF PLATUNMINA KINGDOM'S ANCIENT FOUNDING DUCAL HOUSES.]
[THE CLAN POSSESSES SIGNIFICANT WEALTH, POLITICAL INFLUENCE, AND HISTORICAL PRESTIGE.]
Damon looked around his luxurious bedroom.
The expensive furniture, elaborate decorations, and servants who attended to his needs suddenly made more sense.
He hadn't transmigrated into an ordinary young man.
He had become the heir of one of the kingdom's most influential noble families.
Yet despite all that privilege, the original Damon had lived with humiliation and insecurity because of his inability to control his mana.
“Tell me about my father.”
[IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUAL: MARCEL JUBO.]
[RELATIONSHIP: FATHER.]
Damon remembered Marcel's serious expression and the concern he had shown after his son collapsed.
His father was strict, but he wasn't cruel. Beneath his stern manner was genuine affection for his family.
That was something Damon intended to preserve.
“And the Gassi House?”
[THE GASSI HOUSE IS ANOTHER ANCIENT FOUNDING DUCAL HOUSE OF PLATUNMINA KINGDOM.]
[THE HOUSE MAINTAINS A LONG-STANDING RIVALRY WITH THE JUBO CLAN.]
Damon's eyes narrowed.
The rivalry explained the hostility between the two families, but it didn't explain why someone would go to the trouble of interfering with his mana.
He remembered the system's warning about foreign magical interference.
He also remembered how the original Damon's condition had deteriorated after the awakening ceremony.
Could someone have deliberately caused it?
The possibility made his stomach tighten.
He needed evidence before accusing anyone.
For now, he would keep his suspicions to himself and investigate quietly.
“System, what opportunities do I have to become stronger?”
The screen changed.
[HOST STATUS AVAILABLE.]
[NAME: DAMON JUBO]
[AGE: 18]
[RACE: HUMAN]
[SOUL ORIGIN: EARTH]
[STRENGTH: 5]
[AGILITY: 5]
[CONSTITUTION: 4]
[INTELLIGENCE: 8]
[PERCEPTION: 7]
[SPIRIT: 10]
[AVAILABLE STAT POINTS: 0]
[DESIRE POINTS: 0 DP]
[MANA RESERVE: ABNORMALLY HIGH]
[MANA CONTROL: SEVERELY DEFICIENT]
[MANA CIRCULATION: OBSTRUCTED]
Damon studied the numbers.
His physical attributes were nothing impressive. His Constitution was particularly low, which wasn't surprising considering how much his body had suffered.
His Intelligence and Perception were better, while his Spirit stood out from the rest.
“Why is my Spirit so high?”
[THE ATTRIBUTE MAY BE INFLUENCED BY THE HOST'S SOUL AND MAGICAL STRUCTURE.]
[COMPLETE ANALYSIS UNAVAILABLE.]
Damon raised an eyebrow.
“That sounds important.”
[INSUFFICIENT DATA.]
“Fine. Keep your secrets.”
He examined the remaining information.
“What's the purpose of stat points?”
[STAT POINTS CAN BE USED TO INCREASE ELIGIBLE ATTRIBUTES.]
[STAT POINTS MAY BE OBTAINED THROUGH QUALIFYING MISSIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND OTHER DESIGNATED REWARDS.]
Damon's interest grew.
“So if I complete missions, I can improve my attributes?”
[CONFIRMED.]
That was promising.
He could gradually strengthen his body while working to regain control over his mana.
“What about Desire Points?”
[DESIRE POINTS, ABBREVIATED AS DP, ARE THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY OF THE UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM.]
[DP CAN BE USED IN THE SYSTEM SHOP WHEN ACCESS REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.]
“Open the shop.”
[ACCESS DENIED.]
[REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOP ACCESS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.]
Damon stared at the screen.
“Already? I haven't even seen what's inside!”
[ACCESS DENIED.]
He rubbed his forehead.
This system had a talent for being frustrating.
“Then show me the inventory.”
[INVENTORY FUNCTION DETECTED.]
[DETAILED STORAGE FUNCTIONS ARE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED.]
Damon sighed.
At least the feature existed. He would explore it properly when more functions became available.
The system might not be able to cure his condition immediately, but it offered opportunities he couldn't afford to ignore.
He needed to understand its rules, complete its missions, and discover how far its abilities could take him.
However, becoming stronger wasn't his only concern.
He needed to prepare for the future.
The memories of the original Damon provided a name he couldn't forget: the Imperial Academy of Arcane Arts.
It was one of the most prestigious institutions for magical education, attracting talented students from powerful families and distant regions.
Admission wasn't simply a matter of wealth or noble blood. Students needed the ability to learn, compete, and survive in an environment filled with ambitious rivals.
Damon remembered his father's words.
The next intake was six months away.
Six months to recover from his injuries.
Six months to improve his mana control.
Six months to prepare for an academy where his weaknesses could become everyone's business.
He wasn't sure how much progress he could make in that time, but he had no intention of wasting it.
Then another memory surfaced.
Vanessa.
She was a young woman from another ducal house, renowned as a once-in-a-century genius. Her talent and beauty had made her famous among the younger generation of nobles.
Both the original Damon and Gassi had been interested in her.
Damon leaned back and shook his head.
“Even in another world, there's always someone talented enough to cause trouble.”
Still, he wasn't interested in chasing someone simply because other people wanted her attention. He had more pressing problems to deal with.
If he ever became close to Vanessa, it would be because they genuinely connected, not because the original Damon had once admired her.
His future relationships would be his own to build.
For now, he needed to focus on himself.
“System, show me my current mission.”
The familiar screen appeared.
[CURRENT MISSION: STABILIZE THE FALLEN HEIR.]
[OBJECTIVE 1: SURVIVE THE AFTERMATH OF MANA OVERLOAD.]
[STATUS: COMPLETED.]
[OBJECTIVE 2: AVOID UNCONTROLLED SPELL CASTING.]
[STATUS: IN PROGRESS.]
[OBJECTIVE 3: ALLOW THE BODY TO RECOVER.]
[STATUS: IN PROGRESS.]
[OBJECTIVE 4: BEGIN INVESTIGATING THE MANA OBSTRUCTION.]
[STATUS: IN PROGRESS.]
[REWARD: BASIC MANA STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE.]
[REWARD STATUS: ACQUIRED.]
Damon nodded.
He had already received the technique, but he needed to keep practicing it.
The mission also made his next steps clear.
He had to avoid reckless spellcasting, give his body time to recover, and begin investigating whatever was obstructing his mana.
It wasn't glamorous, but it was necessary.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on the technique.
Rather than forcing the mana to move, he tried to sense its natural flow. He imagined guiding a stream around a blocked passage, allowing the energy to move wherever it could without putting unnecessary pressure on his body.
A dull ache spread through his chest.
He slowed his breathing.
The discomfort gradually eased.
When he opened his eyes, a small notification appeared.
[BASIC MANA STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE]
[PROGRESS: 2%]
Damon stared at it.
Two percent.
It was a tiny improvement, but it was still an improvement.
He smiled faintly.
“Every journey starts somewhere.”
He would keep practicing until his control improved. He wouldn't rush his recovery or allow frustration to push him into another dangerous overload.
There was too much at stake.
He reached for the bell beside his bed and summoned a servant.
“Please ask Elder Rowan to visit me when he has time.”
The servant bowed.
“Of course, Young Master.”
When the door closed, Damon turned back to the system.
“Six months until the academy,” he murmured. “I need to make every day count.”
The system screen faded, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
He had a powerful family, a mysterious condition, a rival house that might be hiding something, and a system whose full potential remained locked.
It was a complicated situation, but at least he finally understood the basics.
The world was called Omolla.
His home was the Platunmina Kingdom.
His mana was obstructed, and he needed to discover why.
His next major goal was the Imperial Academy of Arcane Arts.
And his journey toward strength had only just begun.
Damon looked out across the Jubo estate, his expression growing firm.
He would recover.
He would grow stronger.
And he would uncover the truth.
The Jubo heir had spent years being treated as a failure. Now, with a second chance at life and the Universal Desire System at his side, Damon was determined to change his fate.
He just needed to survive long enough to do it.