Chapter 22

Early in the morning, Runa knocked on his door, she knocked once but there were no answers, she knocked twice and it was still the same. She decided to use the knob, Wilhelm doesn't lock it for some reason.

Once again she had entered his room but with clothes on, it was making her feel embarrassed after recalling what she had done last time, barging into his room naked and even sleeping next to him, not that anything happened but it was still making her aware of the reckless decision she did.

Now that she had a better view of his sleeping face, he was even more handsome the longer you looked at him. Runa tried to shake him while calling him out, he was a heavy sleeper just like her friend Patricia.

She tried shaking him harder and called out a little bit louder until finally, he woke up.

"Good morning," He said, she replied with the same greeting and he added, "I'll go get change, wait for me outside."

Runa waited outside but it was unclear whether he meant outside his room or outside the house, so she waited outside the room facing against it. The door opened and Wilhelm told her to follow him.

They went to his research area beside the study, it was cleaned a few days ago and now it starting to look a bit messy only the study remained neat. Wilhelm started to work on Lagus' request, a few days ago.

He handed a book to Runa, it was about mana condensation. She asked him about it and why he handed her the book. He only told her to read it so that she'll understand.

She didn't ask any more questions and started reading its content. The book explained something about a bottleneck for every magician's mana and in order for you to overcome was elaborated further.

This means that Runa has reached her limit for increasing her mana capacity and Wilhelm noticed it yesterday. He told her to familiarize herself with it because they would be performing the steps after she was done reading it.

While she was reading, Wilhelm wrote rune symbols on the floor using chalk, they formed a geometric pattern creating a circle as a finished product, the language used was not similar to the one they used for creating magic but the circle was surely related to magic.

Runa was right, Wilhelm told her that the one he wrote was an ancient language and by using it they could easily perform the ritual.

It was not mentioned in the book but it's similar to the process. Wilhelm confirmed that she understood and familiarized herself with the process.

He guided her to the center of the circle, she was advised to sit because it would be a long process considering that it was her first time.

Wilhelm placed hand-sized mana crystals, aligned in an octagonal shape but they seemed to be different than the one Wilhelm gave her after summoning York, they were glowing a pinkish-red color rather than a cyan-blue shade. Wilhelm explains the difference between the two,

"This is a rare magic crystal that I had collected for the past years, they are a different kind of mana crystal that are easy to fill and has a large storage for mana. I'll be using them to supply you with the mana that you need in case they run out of energy... Keep in mind that the process needs you to be in complete focus."

Runa nodded then he added, "Mana condensation is a unique process that enables you to store more mana inside your body, the book explained how you can condense mana by compressing the energy."

"But before that, we must break down your mana pool and develop a body that can withstand a sudden exposure of concentrated mana, you can exceed your limit and proceed to the next level after you reinforce your broken mana pool. Just like how other creatures break their shells to create a new and stronger one... It is a dangerous process and you must remain conscious or else it'll endanger your life but don't worry, I'll be watching over you."

Fear? She felt no such thing despite knowing that it might end her life if ever she messed things up instead, she was overjoyed to experience someone watching over her well-being, someone that's concerned about her, it had been so long ever since she felt that.

Wilhelm was by far the most reliable man you can find. Once he gives you his word that he'll watch over you or do something for you, he will make sure to do it without fail. A man of his word and someone who acts in accordance.

He who values his promises, such a man would surely catch people's trust.

Runa sat down, she was in a cross-sitting position. It was the most suitable position, in case she couldn't handle the breakthrough then she wouldn't have to fall because of losing consciousness.

Wilhelm started to deplete every bit of mana Runa had, after that, he filled Runa with his mana. He transferred it through the mana stones that surrounded her, she was receiving it just fine for the first five minutes but she began to release some sweat as Wilhelm increased the speed of transfer.

They were connected and she saw how large Wilhelm's mana was, it was like the ocean, vast, deep, and dense. It was overflowing, the mana that was coursing through her body.

She could sense that the mana pool inside her body started to break and some of her mana links or rather the mana veins that connect the energy in every inch of her body started to adapt right after receiving excess energy.

It was like her whole body was being reconstructed, it made her remember the first time Wilhelm used his magic to restore her body. It's as if her body was being twisted but compared to it, she was feeling extreme pain and she didn't release any sound of being in pain.

It was still branded to her, the enjoyment of wicked humans enjoying her pained voice and thus, she forced herself to remain quiet no matter how painful the beating was. The girl was used to pain but that doesn't mean she's gone completely numb.

Wilhelm could notice that her mana pool is slowly getting bigger adapting to the abdundant mana that was flowing through her body. He could fasten up the speed but that would be painful. He paced it nice and steady so that it won't cause severe pain that Runa couldn't bear.

They have been doing that for three consecutive hours. Wilhelm was not contented with the mana capacity of Runa and wanted to push her for another hour. Although he wanted to ask her if she could still handle the pain but seeing how she endured it so far made him decide to do it anyways.

He believes that she can still do it. If it's Runa then she can handle a few more hours worth of pain. But to be sure, he stopped filling her with his mana.

"Can you still endure for another hour?" He asked. It was great that he believes she could withstand the process for a lot longer. He just want her to know that he was being considerate of her.

Runa nodded and told him, "I can still go on... This is very exciting I could feel every inch of mana in my body grow and I feel it... My mana pool has improved... With this I can use magic a lot more longer so please... Don't stop until you think I can't handle it."

Trust... It was what her eyes were screaming. 'I trust you with every ounce of my body' Those eyes that are also filled with excitement and joy. Wilhelm was glad that she trust him. With her concent to leave everything to Wilhelm. They continued to increase her mana capacity.

An hour, two hours, three hours, until it was ten hours.

'This girl... She can handle pain really well... I'll push her for as long as she can bear with it... The pain steadily grows along with her mana capacity... Even if it's Runa who was is used for feeling pain she'd still lose conciousness along the process... I'll stop as soon as she faints.'

To his surprise. The little missy has continue to improve her mana for a about three days. Even the old instructors can't use this process for a whole straight hour. It was because their mana is larger than that of a normal mage. The pain is intense that they could only last for a few hours.

It may be different for Runa that has smaller mana. Despite that, what is commendable is her endurance, her persistence, someone who can withstand anything.

This ritual is only adviced to be used for five hours max. Even if Runa withstood the first five hours she had felt the drastic change of pain. A feeling like being electricuted while you feel your body wanting to explode.

Wilhelm secretly helped her by healing her body from time to time. Giving her a brief moment of ease every hour.

She was able to keep the process for two whole days with his help before completely passing out.

Wilhelm caught her when she was about to fall, "Not bad... You did great."

Now that she was overflowing with mana. Now that her body experience sudden change, she caught a severe fever. It was expected since she pushed herself too much. Now that it resulted to that, Wilhelm was in charge to handle the aftermath.

He carried her back to her bed and went to his laboratory right after. He knows how to deal with her condition. He prepared herbs and potions. Mixing ingredients to create a potion.

"With this, her growth will increase threefolds... A small gift for my student who showed an amaxing result... A very famous elixir that was created by the Mad Alchemist... A Mana Potion with permanent effects."

Wilhelm fed her the potion and the energy that was heating up inside her began to rampage. Runa's body started to tremble because of the effects of the potion. Blood fell through her nose and her veins looked like they were about to pop.

Wilhelm used advance healing magic to stabilize Runa's body. The damage of forcefully enlarging the mana capacity was being healed by Wilhelm. Continuosly healing and destroying Runa's body to absorb more energy was a very dangerous process but he already have experience on dealing this kind of thing.

He doesn't want to use this process since it gives you a dying sensation but Runa's was unconcious and could not feel anything. A gift he wanted her to have.

"I was moved of your tenacity... This will be my first gift... A potion to increase your mana... I know you've worked hard to increase it to this much but this time it's my way of doing things..."

Wilhelm felt it... Runa and Wilhelm had the similar characteristics... He too experienced the pain of the process but he didn't last for two days on his first time. He lasted for only eight hours. Which made him realized that he lacked pain tolerance. It was admirable for him.

Runa being prone to pain may have been a blessing in diguise. With her hellish experience comes with a tolerance that was developed from years worth of pain. The pursuit of magic is a painful path.

Only the strongest have experience pain deserving of their power. To be strong one must experience pain. Pain is the key to be strong. Everyone knows that concept.

A knight suffers from physical pain because they train their body to surpass human limits. A mage suffers the same amount of pain to surpass their mana capacity and achieve strength far greater than they had.

After successfully improving Runa's mana, Wilhelm had to sit back and relax to have his breather.

"I never used this kind of thing to Celestine. Never have I thought that it would be this difficult to use it to your student."

Wilhelm despite his monstrous mana had to control the entire ritual to avoid any permanent injuries that may occur to Runa's body. The flow of mana, the circulation to her veins, and the healing should only be sufficient to not revert back to it's original state.

"Phew~ That's enough for a break... I still have to finish Lagus' request... I've been really busy these days... I want slack off and read some books~"