บท 25: Another Day of Mana Training

As Axel closed his eyes and sat in a lotus position, He began expanding his mana pool and circulated the mana thoroughly. Gathering mana from the surroundings and letting it pass through his mana veins, Slowly directing it into his mana core. While the depth of his mana core began growing and its color began brightening into a more profound orange color.

"Huh?" Axel mumbled, After realizing something.

[What's wrong? Are you shocked? Kekeke!]

Axel quietly stared at his hands, Confused on why his Mana expansion technique was also cultivating the level of his Mana core's stage.

How? I thought.. That using Mana expansion would only widen my mana pool...?" Axel mumbled through his mind.

[No need to be shocked, It's because you've already achieved enlightenment that's why.]

Enlightenment...?"

[Yes. The moment your worries and anxiety vanished, Your cultivation will proceed smoothly. Mana reacts to the individual's Emotions, So keep that in mind that the longer you worry the slower your mana cultivation becomes.]

I-I see..."

[Enough chattering, Continue on your mana training while you still have alot of time to spare.]

Yes sir!"

[Yes sir? Kyahaha! You sound like one of those army men Haha!]

While Erza could not attend Axel, She shot glances at him from time to time. But after noticing that Axel was completely immersed in his seclusion training, She smiled realizing that it was pointless to worry about him.

"Now start gathering mana in a more proficient way! Let it seep through your skin and let it flow in your mana veins. Directly circulating it towards your Mana core like an active stream." Erza spoke in a serious tone whilst walking back and forth behind the four.

Kraig, Zephyr, Zigion and Kibaki were truly immersed in their mana training. Their concentrations were truly commendable while the process was still abit lacking, It was still a commendable feat since the three just started Mana Gathering yesterday.

Meanwhile Kibaki was having a hard time, Trying to breakthrough and reach Master stage. Erza lightly held his back, Checking his situation about why he was troubled on breaking through the final stage of the Advanced stage.

"I see..." She mumbled to herself.

Some of his mana veins are being blocked by the prompt uses of his Enhancement skill. Either way he needs to destroy those blockages by himself in order to let his mana flow thoroughly." Erza pondered, Realizing Kibaki's problem.

"Kibaki." She uttered, While Kibaki immediately paused and opened his eyes.

"Huh?"

"You need to open those mana veins properly, If you want to let your mana circulate towards your mana core. The flow of your mana is currently being jammed by the blockages of your Mana veins that's why you're having a hard time breaking through the bottleneck of the Advanced stage." Erza explained.

"I see... But how am I gonna open those routes properly?" Kibaki asked, Confused on what to do.

"You must generate and hold the mana you've been gathering and let it all stream together with force that'll shock the blockages and open them entirely." Erza stated, Pointing out what Kibaki needed to do.

"I'll do that, Thank you for explaining!" Kibaki replied in a serious tone and followed Erza's instruction.

Meanwhile Zigion was proceeding in a stable pace and the two were also catching up.

They will reach Intermediate stage immediately if they keep doing it everyday in that pace." Erza thought while gently smiling and pondered, Before we depart should I teach these three the mana expansion technique..?"

.....

....

In the Outskirts of Asmahan, Outside of the fortress walls. Almasin had finally arrived in his animal form.

He then reverted in his original form and went inside the walls after being greeted by the Beastman guards that were stationed on the eastern gate.

The city was undoubtedly bustling with Beast people, Chattering while sounds of carriages being dragged escalated through the city.

Without further ado, Almasin immediately headed towards the Councilors building in order to inform them.

But as soon as he got there, Magnus was sitting on one of the chairs, Tapping his fingers on the table while he was deeply immersed in his thoughts.

"Huh? Magnus? Where are the Councilors?" Almasin asked.

Magnus paused and noticed Almasin had arrived, "Goodness! Stop showing up out of nowhere that almost shocked the hell out of me!" He exclaimed in surprised.

"What do you mean stop showing up out of nowhere!? Its 'cause you've been wandering in your thoughts you dumb lion!" Almasin replied in a slightly angered tone.

While Magnus bursted into laughter, Realizing that Almasin was still the almasin he knew. "Haha! Anyways Elder, There's a huge problem." Magnus stated in a serious demeanor, Whilst staring intensely at Almasin.

"What do you mean problem? Is it about the Draconians? Tell me everything about it." He demanded and sat on his Chair.

Magnus then gulped and started telling him what recently happened about the sudden visit of the Emperor himself.

.....

....

After some time passed, Everything was explained thoroughly that shocked Almasin.

"So they want the human child and silver haired wolf girl? And he brought two unknown individuals who exuded an ominous strong aura...?"

"Yes elder. It was truly terrifying that even my animal instincts got bothered." Magnus replied.

"What about the scouts we sent? They were all killed? Is that what you're saying?" Almasin asked.

"Yes." Magnus bluntly replied.

Those beastman scouts were the best among the best we've had. And they were eliminated easily without anyone getting the chance to return!? What absurdity!" Almasin pondered, Agitated by the sudden news.

But I can't give them the human child and silver haired wolf girl. Those two are the savior of my daughter. I must inform the councilors." Almasin mumbled through his head.

While Magnus stared at him intently he wandered in thoughts, I know what you're thinking right now Elder... I'm sure you don't want to give those draconians the human child and especially a wolf girl. But my instincts tell me that if we defy his orders, Those monsters wrapped in bandages would surely show up in our front gate. We still don't know how many of those monsters he has been raising and kept hidden. So you must agree, And obey in order for our people to live in prosperity." He pondered deeply, Deciding for the future of their people.

After a brief moment of silence, Almasin gazed unto Magnus' eyes.

He then mumbled in a grumpy tone, "Bring the councilors here immediately. Tell them we have something to discuss."

Magnus nodded and quietly stood up from his spot and left the room.

.....

....

Meanwhile, It was already afternoon. Axel gasped out of shock after realizing that the process of his Mana cultivation increased rapidly.

I can't believe it..." He mumbled through his head, Reminiscing the feeling of his new achievement.

So this is what achieving enlightenment means..." He thought and smiled happily.

[Congrats, If you proceed on this pace without resting. You'll be able to reach Master stage before the countdown runs out. Kyahaha!]

What do you mean without resting? I also need to sleep duh." Axel replied through telepathy.

[Are you dumb? Sleeping while Mana gathering can be done at the same time-- Oh... Don't tell me you still don't know? Kyahahaha!] As Greed tried teasing Axel with an annoying tone.

Stop using that tone, It's irritating. And you've never told me about it anyway! How can I know!?"

[Well I've always saw you as a genius User. So why bother on telling you? Kyahaha!]

Sometimes I don't really know if you're useful or not."

[Come on! Kyahahaha! No hard feelings! Fine I'll transfer you the data. Since it's a bother teaching you.]

Axel instantly stumbled after the knowledge and information came seeping through his brain.

Fuck, My head hurts like crazy." He grumbled.

[Ofcourse it will, Data transferring isn't some kind of charity that'll give you something without side effects. Especially when it comes to a more profound data, Some will take hours to transfer that'll make you unconscious for several hours.]

Ugh... That sounds like a pain in the ass." Axel replied wearing a frown, Showing hints of being irritated if that were to happen.

[Pain in the ass...? Hahahaha! I like that line! Kyahaha!]

And after that, Axel learned to continuously gather mana even while he was sleeping so soundly.

Without realizing that the next day had finally came. And they were about to depart in order to meet up with the Carriages that Almasin would bring so that the duration of their travel would decrease.

Chapter End.