New skills

"Now we move to the next thing," Troy said as he nodded in satisfaction.

"Listen closely," Troy continued, his tone serious yet encouraging. "Mana Augmentation isn't just about channelling mana into your body. It's about harmonizing it, blending your own essence with the ambient mana ."

Damien leaned forward, eager to absorb every word. This was an important moment in his mana training.

"You've mastered drawing in mana and controlling it in such a short time and honestly I want to see how far you can go," Troy acknowledged, a hint of pride in his voice. "Now, you need to push your own mana into that ambient layer. It's like weaving threads of light and energy together."

Damien nodded, trying to envision the concept. He closed his eyes and began to draw in the mana, feeling its gentle pull towards him.

With Troy's guidance, he concentrated on pushing his own mana outward, envisioning it merging seamlessly with the ambient energies.

"Keep it steady," Troy advised softly, watching Damien's brow furrow with concentration. "You're doing well. Remember, it's a delicate balance."

Minutes passed as Damien focused intently, the room filling with a faint shimmer of magical energy. Finally, a subtle shift occurred—a faint, almost imperceptible glow enveloped Damien briefly before fading away.

Troy nodded approvingly. "You're getting it. Now, let's refine it further."

They spent the next hour honing Damien's technique, adjusting the flow of mana and perfecting the harmony between his own essence and the ambient mana.

Suddenly Damien heard the ever-sweet sound of the system notification.

[Ding: You have learnt the active skill 'Mana Augmentation']

"Good now that you have learnt that the next skill should be a lot simpler," Troy said, his voice low and measured.

"Now I want you to try something similar but this time with this blade and add your element." Troy said as he passed one of the swords beside him to Damien.

Damien eagerly grabbed the sword and began his practise but unfortunately, he failed again and again and eventually Troy had to intervene.

"Every time you tried coating mana on the sword, a bit of it seeped inside. That's because the weapon has its own affinity for mana."

Damien furrowed his brow, processing Troy's words. He nodded, recalling how he sensed the mana flow into the sword rather than just around it.

"You're right," Damien said slowly, "it's like the blade is absorbing the mana."

Troy smiled, pleased with Damien's observation. "Exactly. Now, here's the next step: instead of just coating the blade, focus on pushing your mana directly into it. Visualize the mana infusing the metal, merging with its essence."

Intrigued, Damien nodded and closed his eyes, concentrating on the blade in his hands. He reached out with his mana sense, feeling the subtle currents within the weapon. With deliberate intent, he directed his mana into the blade, channelling it deeper than before.

Almost immediately, the blade began to glow with a faint, ethereal light. Waves of mana radiated from its surface, shimmering in the air around them.

[Ding: You have learned the active skill 'Enhance Weapon']

Almost on clue Troy nodded approvingly. "Well done, Damien. With 'Enhance Weapon', you can now imbue your blade with magical prowess. Just remember, the balance between enhancement and durability is crucial. Practice controlling the flow of mana, and you'll master this skill in no time."

Damien grinned, feeling a surge of pride at mastering a new spell under Troy's guidance. As he looked at the glowing sword in his hands and nodded at his accomplishment.

"That will be all for today go and meet Edward and try to familiarise yourself with the skills and remember DONOT NEGLECT YOUR MANA CONTROL TRAINING" Troy stressed as he advised Damien.

"Thank you very much sir." Damien said as he bowed deeply to Troy before standing up and taking his leave.

Just as he left a notification alert sounded.

[You have impressed Troy, the Great mage of Gleyma]

A smile blossomed on Damien's face as he made his way back to the adventurer guild.

*******

As he made his way towards the Adventurer guild Damien took a look at his status update.

[Name: Damien Morningstar]

[Race: Human]

[State: Awakened]

[Rank: 0]

[Level: 10 (90/100)]

[Title: N/A]

[Free Attribute Point: 214] 

[Health: 130/130] 

[Stamina: 140/150]

[Mana: 50/200]

[Strength: 15]

[Agility: 20]

[Vitality: 13]

[Intelligence: 20]

[Innate Soul Ability: Adapt]

[Passive Skills]

[Active Skills]

Damien's eyes opened wide as he saw his free attribute point and he immediately checked the notification he had ignored.

[Ding: You consumed the Legendary elixir 'Catalyst Elixir']

[Ding: You have successfully awakened your mana core]

[Ding: You have elevated your state of existence to 'Awakened']

[Ding: You have received 100 free attribute point]

[Ding: The attribute points you received as been doubled by the Catalyst Elixir]

[Ding: You have received 200 free attribute point]

[Ding: Rebuild Gleyma]

[Ding: Pass Edward's test 1/1]

[Ding: Become an Adventurer 1/1]

[Ding: Talk with Troy 1/1]

[Ding: Create your Mana Core 1/1]

[Ding: Impress both Edward and Troy with an outstanding performance 2/2]

[Ding: You have completed the hidden side quest 'First come First serve']

[Ding: First come First serve]

[Ding: Be one of the first three habitant of your world to awaken your mana core']

[Ding: Congratulation you have completed the first part of the chain quest 'Rebuild Gleyma']

[Ding you have received the rewards 'Reactivation of Adventurer Guild, +2 Gleyma reputation, and Innate Soul Ability']

[Ding: You have received the second part of the chain quest 'Rebuild Gleyma']

Damien immediately checked it.

[Ding: Rebuild Gleyma]

[Ding: Second Chain Quest]

[Ding: Complete 10 mission from the Adventurer guild 0/10]

[Ding: Revitalise the Adventurer guild, Invite 100 inhabitant of your world 0/100]

[Ding: Explore the ruins of the forgotten city 0/1]

[Ding: Explore the Forechester Manor 0/1]

[Reward: Cause of draught, Foes of Life and Third chain of the quest]

A wide smile blossomed on his face as he saw that the Foes of Life was actually included in the rewards.

Next, he checked his skills description and effects next.

[Innate Soul Ability: Adapt

Description: What doesn't kill you instantly only makes you stronger]

Damien raised his eyes as he saw the description of the skill before he moved on to his passive skill.

[Passive skill: Mana control

Description: Refined control of mana in your body and immediate surrounding]

[Passive skill: Mana Regeneration

Description: 10 mana regen/sec while out of battle and 1 mana regen/ sec during battle]

[Active skill: Perfect mana sense

Description: Detect 10 metre radius

Base mana cost: 10 mana

Active period cost: 1 mana/sec to keep active]

[Active skill: Body augmentation

Description: Enhances your body with mana. Reduce damage taken by 10%, Increase body stat by 20%.

Base mana cost: 100 mana

Active period cost: 10 mana/sec]

[Active skill: Enhance weapon

Description: Enhances your weapon with mana. Increase damage caused by weapon by 10% and cause burn buff

Burn buff: -10 health/sec for 10sec

Requirement: Must be in physical contact with weapon

Base mana cost: 10 mana

Active period cost: 1 mana/sec]

"Wait what!!!"