“Kashita Maryoku wa 'Revo Barai' de Kyousei Choushuu,” commonly known as “Maryoku Revo,” is a fantasy manga where a boy who was used by his companions and ultimately expelled from his party awakens a special ability to turn his life around. Speaking of party exile stories, the classic plot involves the protagonist showcasing hidden talent to prove their former allies wrong, but this work has a unique twist. Unbelievably, the protagonist's means of counterattack is to forcibly collect the mana he had lent to his companions until now! What's more, it is astonishing that the system works through “revolving payments.” The story is full of exhilarating satisfaction, contrasting the growth of the protagonist who suffered unreasonable treatment with the downfall of his former companions who looked down on him.

The protagonist, Lent, is a boy belonging to the adventurer party “Skypiercers,” which is rumored to be on the verge of reaching A-rank. Continuously demonstrating remarkable achievements in its fifth year since formation, this party had a certain secret. That was the existence of Lent's unique gift, 《Mana Vault》. Through this ability, his companions borrowed mana and continued to grow while using powerful skills. However, Lent himself, who lent the mana, could not directly participate in battle and received no experience points. Furthermore, the unfair situation where the lent mana would not be returned persisted. The ironic reality was that the stronger his companions became, the more he alone was left behind. Even so, Lent had continued to support the party, but the day when his dedication would be rewarded never came.

The members of “Skypiercers” are the swordsman Guy, who is a childhood friend, Misa, who is also a childhood friend and Lent's former fiancée, and the healer Elle, who harbors feelings for Guy. Having obtained the “Bracelet of Mana Recovery,” they determine that Lent's ability is no longer needed. They then ruthlessly expel the benefactor who had supported the party until now. Moreover, what Lent received was not a mere expulsion, but a humiliating mistreatment that damaged his dignity. Years of trust and accumulated contributions likely meant nothing to them. It is a frustrating development even for the reader, but from this point, the story rapidly begins to unfold.

Lent, whose anger over the betrayal reached its limit, shouts, “Give me back my mana!” At that moment, his gift 《Mana Vault》 evolves into 《Infinite Mana Vault》! He gains the astonishing power of forced collection to take back the mana that had been unilaterally stolen from him until now. Furthermore, through his encounter with the cute support fairy Empee, Lent's new adventure opens its curtain. The system of managing the collected mana and connecting it to his own growth is another charm unique to this work. The development where the ability once used solely for his companions now becomes a weapon to carve out his own future truly warms the heart.

While Lent continues a smooth journey together with Empee, “Skypiercers,” who expelled him, falls into a miserable situation. Due to the forced repayment of mana, they become unable to properly activate even the skills they had used as a matter of course until then. The development where the strength they believed to be their own true ability is revealed to have actually been sustained by Lent's support is pure poetic justice. Against them, whom he eventually meets again, Lent mercilessly collects the mana. In his words, “This isn't revenge. It's a legitimate collection!” his anger and unwavering determination are condensed.

What I felt was particularly interesting about this work is the point that it incorporates the clear logic of “getting back what was lent” into the expelled protagonist's turnabout drama. The setting of recovering the mana that former companions had defaulted on, rather than simply defeating enemies with a new power, is truly thrilling! Moreover, as Lent grows stronger, his former companions are driven into a corner, highlighting the contrast between light and shadow for both sides. On the other hand, the adventure of Lent and the fairy Empee also has brightness, and the charm lies in the fact that it does not end as merely a gloomy revenge story. A suitable price awaits those who continue to take advantage of others' goodwill. It was a work from which such a message could also be felt. For those who like big reversals from unreasonable expulsions or developments where villains meet a self-inflicted end, this is a manga that you should definitely check out.