Stage 2 Strength Boost now increased his Strength to 150% at level 10, a whole 50% bonus. With his mana recovery, he could perpetually keep this technique activated, but simply a 50% boost in strength wasn’t all that stage 2 offered, of course.
With Mana being highly in sync with his physical body during Physical Enchantment at Stage 2, he could now consume Stamina at an increased rate for a short-term boost in physical attacks, like making certain parts of his body highly stronger, up 100% stronger.
This meant that if he punched with his 100 Strength stat, it would be boosted to the power of 350 Strength stat if he used his Stage 2 Strength Boost to full power.
The cost of stamina-to-strength conversion for the short-term boost of extra 100% Strength varied depending on the mastery and control of Mana.
For instance, Julian had also reached Stage 2 of Body Strength a month ago, but to acquire that 100% extra boost in Strength on a certain part of his body for an explosive move or attack, he had to consume 28% of his maximum stamina.
But Almond had reached the ideal conversion rate.
10% of Stamina consumption = 100% of strength Boost for 2 seconds on a certain body part.
This was the highest possible for Stage 2 Strength Boost. Stay tuned with empire
Fortification Stage 2 also did a similar job but tailored for its effect.
Fortification was creating a network of Chakra points using Mana to connect them all and leak out Mana evenly around the body to provide an ethereal coating around the user that would remain for a few minutes, granting a natural skin-tight barrier that would absorb damage and protect the user.
While in Fortification, one’s entire body would be tougher, internally and externally, thanks to a mana-empowered chakra network.
This skin-tight barrier also had a certain resistance to physical and magic attacks, but it could become strong if one could use elemental style on it.
Stage 2 of Fortification was about evolving that skin-tight barrier, which was possible only after one reached a certain level of Mana control.
At Stage 2, the skin-tight barrier would become highly transparent and make it look invisible, unlike in Stage 1 where one could easily recognize it due to the blue color.
This thinner, transparent version of the Fortification barrier could only be achieved with pressured mana leaking, the crux of Stage 2.
For that, one must flow mana through the Mana network instead of just creating this network by connecting chakra points.
After a single cycle of flow in the network to make the Mana more condensed and thin, this Stage 2 of the Fortification barrier would come into existence—a barrier 100% more powerful than before and also capable of being highly attuned to any elements, making it ideal for using elemental-styles on it.
Elemental-style Stage 2 Fortification could become a generator of refined elemental energy to boost skills by converting the flowing Mana from the chakra network into elemental energy instead of using normal Mana from their Mana pool.
Stage 2 Focus Field’s specialty was extending one’s sense in a narrower field but limitless distance, only limited by one’s Mana consumption—Linear Eye mode.
The default Focus Field was a dome of sense around the user, allowing the user to observe everything in 360 degrees, but it had a certain limit to its range.
On the other hand, Linear Eye mode was like a string. This string had a range of sensing everything within a certain meters of its radius. This string could be extended as long as one had Mana.
Using it, one could observe what was happening 1 kilometer away as the string acted like eyes, but it gave a limited field of vision to the user, less than normal human vision.
Still, Focus Field could turn into an excellent scouting move at Stage 2.
Lastly, Aura Enfold.
Stage 2 Aura Enfold was a whole lot of new dishes. Almond wanted to cook it as soon as possible because the second stage of Body Enfold and Weapon Enfold opened a whole new perspective to combat.
Battle Art—the art of combat synthesized by using one’s every combat aspect: a combination of Skills, elemental mastery, physical movement mastery, and combat techniques to deliver the masterpiece art of their combat style.
But before that, it was time to learn a new skill.
The day of Labyrinth opening was approaching with only 5 days remaining.
All five of them had their specialized class ongoing. Marcus and Maya were on the same quest as Almond, Lily, and Natalia.
All of them have gained 2 class skills so far, so it was time to use their next skill insight and get the 3rd class.
But since it would knock them out for 24 hours, everyone decided to do it turn by turn.
…
On the 14th of December, after everyone finished breakfast, they went outside for training as usual.
Aside from Almond, the others had finished creating their third specialized class skill.
And today, it was Almond’s turn.
“Alright, I am entering meditation now. See you after 24 hours,” Almond waved his hand as he walked towards Grimlord’s Garden, as named by Sylvia and Nyssara.
They combined their garden into one several days ago and were improving it whenever they didn’t train with others.
They ultimately created an aesthetically beautiful and highly pleasing garden displaying the artistry of greenery and crystals, with a meditative open pavilion built in the center.
Almond sat inside cross-legged and entered meditation as he used his skill insight.
‘I’ve created my first battle art, I’ve improved my skills and combat style. Now, I desire a skill that can give me a new flow in my combat.’
‘I’ll make myself supremely powerful because no amount of power is enough if I want to change the destinies dictated by others.’
Almond lit up his burning desire as he drove himself into the pit of darkness to create his new class skill.
Labyrinth was opening tomorrow, and with his new skill coming into the play, Almond wished to rumble across the Grand Abyss Labyrinth like he owned it all!