Just then, a messenger entered the tent, his expression serious. “Soldier Lucavion, Colonel Morgan requests your presence. It’s time to receive your reward.”
I turned to Jesse, giving her a reassuring smile. “Stay strong, Jesse. Remember what we talked about.”
She nodded, giving me a small….but a sad smile….As if she knew something.
“Good luck, Lucavion. I know you’ll make the most of this opportunity.”
I nodded, rising to my feet. “Lead the way.”
As we walked through the camp, I couldn’t help but think about the High Tier Mana Essence I was about to receive.
Essences were highly concentrated mana extracts obtained from the cores of powerful monsters. Alchemists meticulously refined and purified these essences, making them potent sources of mana that could significantly enhance an individual’s strength and abilities.
High Tier Mana Essences were particularly rare and valuable, often reserved for those who had proven their worth on the battlefield. Consuming one could potentially elevate a warrior’s power significantly, accelerating their growth and unlocking new potential.
The path through the camp was familiar, but today, it felt different. The significance of the moment weighed heavily on me. This essence was not just a reward; it was a lifeline, a chance to bridge the gap between my current self and the warrior I needed to become.
We arrived at Colonel Morgan’s tent, and the messenger stepped aside, allowing me to enter. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of burning incense. Colonel Morgan sat behind his desk, a small vial of shimmering liquid placed before him.
“Lucavion,” he said, looking up from his papers. “Step forward.”
I approached the desk, my eyes fixed on the vial. The essence inside glowed with an otherworldly light, a tangible manifestation of power and potential.
Colonel Morgan picked up the vial, holding it out to me. “You have earned this through your dedication and service. Use it wisely.”
I took the vial, feeling its weight in my hand. “Thank you, Colonel. I will.”
He nodded, his expression serious. “I expect great things from you, Lucavion. Do not disappoint.”
‘Do not disappoint, you say…..’
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I had kept my expression intact. Since revealing that would be detrimental. At this point, I had already learned what to do with my expressions, as the battlefield had taught me that not keeping your expressions to yourself would mean death.
With a final nod, I turned and left the tent, the vial of High Tier Mana Essence securely in my grasp.
Instead of returning to my quarters, I headed toward a special place I had discovered during my time here.
The Valerius Plains were known for their strategic importance in the war, but they were also home to a variety of terrains. To the north of our camp lay a dense forest, a place I had often retreated to for training and meditation.
It was a secluded spot, far enough from the main camp to provide solitude but close enough to return quickly if needed.
The path to the forest was familiar to me, though it required navigating through several sections of the camp. As I walked, I passed various troupes, each engrossed in their own preparations and routines. Some soldiers cast curious glances in my direction, but most were too preoccupied with their tasks to pay much attention.
Though some of them looked at me with envy, well, that was to be expected, considering the fact that I am now a Third-rate soldier, an Awakened.
The forest was a sanctuary for me, a place where I could focus without distraction. I had spent countless hours here, honing my skills and reflecting on my journey.
The canopy overhead provided a natural shield from the harsh sun, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze was a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.
Reaching the forest’s edge, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I continued deeper into the forest, the familiar sights and sounds grounding me.
Of course, being familiar with the place where one would be training was important, but at the same time, there was another reason why I was in this place.
‘There is a special mana vein that will help me boost my Breakthrough.’
In this world, special phenomena happen. It is the natural order, the place where mana exists; there are bound to be the natural things that were altered to fit the mana well.
Mana veins were one of those.
‘It is a Minor Mana vein, but still, it should help me increase the efficiency of my breakthrough.’
As I walked, I recalled my master’s words. He had always emphasized the importance of understanding the land and its secrets. “This place bears many treasures,” he had said. “There’s a reason why both empires have coveted these plains for so long. The Valerius Plains are a natural mine that is rich with [Mana Stones]. And where there are mana stones, there are often other phenomena, like mana veins.”
Mana veins were like rivers of concentrated mana flowing through the earth. They were rare and valuable, capable of boosting cultivation and aiding breakthroughs. I discovered this Minor Mana Vein during one of my training sessions, its presence subtly altering the flow of mana in the area.
I had been able to sense it partially due to my unique physique and my master’s teachings. His guidance had sharpened my perception of mana, allowing me to detect the subtle shifts and flows that indicated the presence of a vein.
Reaching the spot where I knew the vein was strongest, I sat down and prepared myself. The vial of High Tier Mana Essence was still in my hand, its contents shimmering with potential.
I closed my eyes, centering myself and focusing on the flow of mana around me. The energy of the mana vein was palpable, a steady pulse that resonated with my own core. I uncorked the vial and drank deeply, feeling the essence merge with my being.
As the High Tier Mana Essence flowed down my throat, a surge of energy exploded within me. The mana contained within the essence was potent, overwhelming in its intensity.
I felt the raw power coursing through my veins, merging with my own mana and igniting a fire within my core.
I closed my eyes, centering myself amidst the torrent of energy.
‘Maintain the flow and guide the mana.’
My master’s teachings echoed in my mind, reminding me to maintain control to guide the flow rather than let it consume me.
‘For you, the energy will always be a wild beast. You will need to tame it with your sheer will.’
The energy was like a wild beast, powerful but unpredictable. I needed to tame it, to harness its strength for my breakthrough.
THUMP!
The pulse of the Minor Mana Vein beneath me resonated with the surge of mana within my body. I focused on the connection, drawing the energy from the vein into my core. The two sources of mana merged, creating a harmonious flow that enhanced my cultivation.
“Hummfffff….”
The pain was immediate and intense. My body felt like it was on fire, the sheer volume of mana threatening to tear me apart. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to endure. The path to power was never easy, and this was just another trial I had to overcome.
‘Don’t lose your focus. Endure the pain; this is nothing. This is nothing.’
“Humfffffff….”
To muffle my screams, I bit down on a piece of cloth I had pushed into my mouth. The fabric did little to dull the agony, but it kept my cries from alerting anyone in the camp. The pain was excruciating, my muscles spasming and my bones feeling as if they were being crushed under the immense pressure of the mana.
The mana flowed through my reversed meridians, following the unique pathways within my body. I visualized the formation of the third star, a bright point of light within my core. The energy swirled around it, feeding its growth and making it stronger and more defined.
Time seemed to blur as I focused on the breakthrough. The pain was a constant presence, but so was the determination to succeed. I could feel the third star taking shape, its light growing brighter with each passing moment. The essence and the mana vein worked in tandem, pushing me closer to the next stage.
With a final surge of effort, I directed all the mana into the star. The energy coalesced, a brilliant burst of light filling my core. The pain reached its peak….
I felt like the world around me was going blank…. And then, suddenly, it was gone. The third star was complete, its light steady and strong.
‘Not yet…..’
But I refused to stop. I could feel the mana vein’s energy still pulsating beneath me, its efficiency yet to wane. Even though my first core was complete, the three stars shining brilliantly within, there was still mana left to be absorbed. This was an opportunity I couldn’t afford to waste.
Gritting my teeth, I altered my breathing, shifting from the circulation of [Devouring the Stars] to [Black Blade of Ironclad].
“Humffffff-!”
The transition was challenging; the sudden change in mana flow was sending fresh waves of pain through my body.
But I persisted, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing, guiding the remaining mana into my second core.
Strangely, I noticed that the mana required for this art to advance was significantly lower. Perhaps it was due to the nature of the [Black Blade of Ironclad], a technique that emphasized raw, unrefined mana rather than the intricate, celestial energies of [Devouring the Stars].
The mana flowed into my second core, filling it rapidly. I visualized the new core forming, its structure solidifying with each pulse of energy. The sensation was different, less intense, but equally fulfilling. The mana vein’s energy continued to pour into me, and I absorbed it with fervor, determined to make the most of this moment.
As the last bit of mana was drawn in, I felt the second core reach the peak of the first stage. The [Black Blade of Ironclad] had advanced, its power now firmly entrenched within me.
The dual cores within my body hummed with energy, their distinct but harmonious rhythms blending together.
“Haaaaah…Haaaaaah…”
———————–
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