Reincarnation of Nikola Tesla in another world-Chapter 31: The test

Kim walked through the endless corridors of the tower, following the butler's lead. He had already memorized twenty-three turns, four staircases, and seven identical hallways, yet he still wasn't sure how far they had actually traveled.

Vaqihr had summoned him. That was all he knew.

The butler eventually stopped before a set of large double doors, pushing them open without hesitation.

Inside, the chamber was dimly lit, with floating inscriptions lining the stone walls, their glow pulsing faintly in deep blue and gold. At the center of the room stood Vaqihr, arms crossed, waiting beside a floating mana crystal on a raised pedestal.

Kim stepped inside, scanning the setup.

"A private mana crystal?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "I assume this isn't just for decoration."

Vaqihr smirked. "You assume correctly. This is a test."

Kim took another step forward. "Let me guess—you're measuring my mana, figuring out if I'm secretly some chosen hero or an unremarkable peasant?"

Vaqihr chuckled. "I wouldn't phrase it quite like that, but yes. You don't belong to any known magic academy, nor do you have a recorded lineage, and yet—" He gestured toward Kim. "You're here. That makes you interesting."

Kim scoffed. "You wizards sure like keeping things vague."

Vaqihr merely gestured to the crystal. "Place your hand on it."

Kim hesitated for a second—not out of fear, but because he had already realized something. This wasn't just a test of mana. It was a test of obedience.

Still, he had nothing to gain by resisting. He stepped forward and pressed his palm against the crystal.

A strange sensation shot through his arm. Not warmth, not cold—just a pulse.

For a moment, the crystal resisted his mana, like trying to pour oil into water. Then, something clicked, and the energy flowed in freely.

Vaqihr's gaze flickered with interest. "Huh."

Kim removed his hand. "Something wrong?"

"Not wrong. Just... peculiar," Vaqihr murmured. "Your mana doesn't settle into any elemental classification. It's not aligned with fire, wind, earth, or water. It's more like..."

He trailed off.

Kim crossed his arms. "More like what?"

Vaqihr studied him. "An anomaly."

Kim didn't reply.

An anomaly.

The system. His past life. His unnatural ability to understand concepts beyond this world. It made sense that his mana wouldn't fit neatly into their pre-existing categories.

Before he could think further, a sharp chime rang in his mind.

[ New Quest: Break Your Bones ]

Break at least one bone.

Reward: Bone Strengthening Potion.

Failure Consequence: Depression will increase every hour until death.

Kim froze.

His first thought was that he had read it wrong. His second thought was that his system had finally lost its mind.

Break his bones?

This wasn't a normal task. It wasn't about gathering information, testing skills, or anything remotely logical.

Kim inhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.

This system had rewarded rational actions before. But this... this was different.

And then he saw it. The penalty.

Depression. Every hour. Until death.

His pulse quickened.

No. He wasn't going to do this. The system could threaten him all it wanted—he wasn't going to harm himself like a fool.

"Kim?"

Vaqihr's voice pulled him back. The wizard was watching him, curious.

"You good?"

Kim nodded curtly. "Yeah. Just thinking."

Vaqihr raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Well, that's all I needed for today. You can go."

Kim didn't hesitate to leave.

The moment he stepped out of the chamber, something shifted.

The air felt heavier. The hallways, once sharp and structured, seemed dimmer, like the world had lost some of its clarity.

His thoughts, normally sharp, turned sluggish. The weight in his chest grew, slowly but steadily pressing down.

Kim clenched his jaw.

It's real.

He forced himself to think rationally. The system wasn't bluffing. The penalty was already taking effect.

He needed a solution—fast.

His legs carried him forward, but his body felt drained. His movements, once instinctual, became deliberate, like he had to force himself to keep walking.

His foot caught against the edge of the stairway.

Kim barely had time to react before his weight shifted.

The world tilted.

His body tumbled down the stairs, the cold stone slamming against his limbs. Pain shot through his arm as his wrist twisted unnaturally, a sickening snap echoing in the hallway.

By the time he reached the bottom, his body screamed in pain. His vision blurred.

Then, just as suddenly—

[ Quest Complete. ]

Bone Strengthening Potion Acquired.

Kim barely had time to process the message before the oppressive depression vanished instantly.

The suffocating weight in his chest was gone, like it had never been there in the first place.

His body, however, was still in agony.

Footsteps echoed in the hall.

"Sir Kim?!"

The butler's voice rang out before hands lifted him off the ground. The world blurred in and out as he was carried through the corridors.

Kim groaned as he felt a cool cloth press against his forehead. His senses slowly returned, and when he finally opened his eyes, he found himself staring at an all-too-familiar face.

Catherine.

The nurse smirked down at him. "You're awake. That was quite the performance."

Kim exhaled. "Wasn't intentional."

"I figured. The butler said you tripped down the stairs like a sack of potatoes." She tapped his arm lightly. "Your wrist was broken when you arrived, but somehow... it healed on its own before I even got to work."

Kim tensed.

The system had activated recovery mode. That explained the lack of lasting damage.

But what about the potion?

Kim reached into his coat and pulled out the small vial that had materialized after completing the quest. A faint blue glow pulsed within it.

Catherine's gaze flicked to the potion. "What's that?"

Kim hesitated. Then, without answering, he uncorked the bottle and drank it in one gulp.

The effect was instantaneous.

A deep warmth spread through his bones, like molten metal settling into place. It wasn't painful—but it wasn't comfortable, either.

Catherine frowned, placing a hand against his arm. A faint glow emanated from her fingertips as she muttered a diagnostic spell.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Kim," she said slowly. "What the hell did you just drink?"

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He blinked. "A potion."

She gave him a flat look. "I can see that. But your bones—" She pressed her fingers lightly against his wrist. "They're denser than normal. Not just healed—enhanced."

Kim flexed his fingers. His wrist, which had been fractured just minutes ago, felt stronger than before.

Catherine leaned back, studying him. "Your body composition is changing."

Kim remained silent.

The system didn't just heal him. It was reshaping him.

And he had no idea where it would end.