The morning light was still pale when Elynara stirred, the faint gold of dawn barely brushing across the dormitory’s wooden floor. Her limbs felt heavy in the soft quilt, and the faint ache behind her eyes reminded her of just how much mana she had pushed last night.

With a soft grunt, she sat up.

The small crystal rested where she had left it on the windowsill, faintly pulsing with a dim glow. Not yet full, though most of the way there. And her own reserves? She brushed her senses inward and frowned, then checked with her status to make sure.

Only nine mana regenerated overnight. Not nearly enough.