The first thing to solve the problem of my zero familiarity with essence and this new swordsmanship was to practice it with every second I have.
Once Again I made a timetable for the whole week. In this world the time was the same as Earth (24 hours a day ), So it was easy to make a routine schedule.
" Let's get this done!!"
____
For the first training with my Sword Art , I easily got the hang of it after some time as it was ingrained in my muscles.
But my essence training was not so good. Even after 5 days of regular training, the progress was very little. It was a very complicated process compared with Mana control. Even with the memories it was difficult for me. Consider you have just received memories of a person who can drive, but when you yourself start driving, it's different.
' How about I make some changes to my essence art and try to combine it with my Mana breathing.'
As I thought of a way to do that, an idea lit up.
"Jerry!!" I called out to my solution.
[ what is it? ]
" Hey! can you tell me if I can combine Mana art and essence art ?"
[ No. But I can help you with one thing. Just like you have Mana heart to help you circulate Mana, you can have another one to circulate essence. ]
[ I can help you construct an Essence organ. It will make the circulation of Essence 50% faster and the amount stored will be doubled. Even the purity will increase. What do you say?]
"OH, it's great. Why didn't you told me sooner?" I asked with a bit of frustration. I just wasted 5 days for nothing.
[ Well the reason being that someone just cut off the connection. You reap what you sow!! ]
I was feeling pissed at his words. I know it's my fault but who told him to spout bullshots every time I let him speak.
Feeling my annoyance, Jerry continued -
[ Alright Alright, I'll start. But I'll give you a warning. It will be very painful. ]
' It's fine. Just do it. If I cannot handle essence, I will be expelled in no time.'
[ . . . I'm starting! ]
" Aaarghhh. . . Aaaaaa." I groaned on top of my lungs.
An excruciating amount of pain bombed my body. It was as if each and every corner of my insides were twisted and torn apart. The Mana and Essence was running wild inside. My mana heart was beating so fast that it would explode any moment.
My body was losing consciousness and the pain went on to grow even more as time passed.
[ Do not close your eyes Rey, we are at the most important step and I need you to stay conscious. ]
I gritted my teeths and clenched my fists so hard that my fingers sunk into my palms making it all bloody.
'I have to endure it. endure it.'
After half an hour which to be honest felt like an eternity, the pain started slowing down. My mana and Essence were starting to stabilize themselves around my heart.
As the pain finally stopped, many system messages started flooding in front of my eyes.
But I just did not have any more strength to look at those and fell asleep immediately.
I was drained both mentally and physically.
____
I woke up after a long sleep. Then I checked the time and it was already morning.
' I slept for almost 18 hours. '
" Aaah.. . . . .ahh" , My body was still in pain. It will take almost a week to fully recover.
Sigh.
After doing a light practice of my sword art. I started reading the system notifications that came yesterday.
_____________________________
Essence rank level up
Essence rank level up
Mana rank level up
Stamina rank level up
Strength rank level up
________________________
Mana-Essence Heart Breathing ( evolved )
Grade - SS
Type - Dual Circulation
The technique that used to be a Mana circulation technique has now turned into Mana and Essence circulation art. All the attacks will have 100% damage increase. Efficiency has been increased. It can further add two more types of energy.
{ 2/4 slots are full }
_________________________________
Without wasting any more time I checked my overall improvement.
{ "Status" }
_________________________________________
Name : Rey Geller
Rank : [D ( locked )] currently E-
Strength : [D (locked)] currently E-
Speed : [D- ( locked )] currently F +
Stamina : [D ( locked )] currently E-
Mana : D +
Essence : E +
Luck : B +
Charm : B
Essence Element -----> Metal
Skills ------>
Metal spike : Rank F
Proficiency: 66 %
Metal Property Manipulation : Rank A
Proficiency : 11%
Body Strengthening : Rank D
Proficiency: 55%
Star Sect Hand Combat : Rank A
Proficiency: 66%
Techniques -------->
Golden Body : Grade D
type - Body Strengthening.
Meteor Shower Essence Sword Art : Grade C
type - Essence circulation and sword art
Mana-Essence Heart Breathing : Grade SS
type - Mana-Essence circulation
_________________________________________
"OH!! I entered E- rank. That is a good thing. My Metal spike's and body Strengthening's Proficiency went up too.
But the main highlight was the evolution of Mana heart."
I cannot be any more happy with the progress.
I tried talking to Jerry but he was asleep. I guess he spent quite a lot of energy yesterday.
Since my training for the day was over and I had no one to talk to, I began comparing the lives of both me and ReyII.
Oh yeah, I started getting my memories back after the synchro was complete. It was still not completely back but I know certain important people and events.
Just like me, Rey was living alone with his mother alone until 2 years ago when his mother suddenly passed away. On his mother's funeral, a man came to Rey claiming to be his father and was taken away.
His father was a heir of a very big family. He was already married but had a lots of bastard children. Rey was one of them.
His father Austin Hilde is an A- Rank Mage and also the Vice-Guild Master of Gold Grade Guild - ' Shattered Sword Guild '. Austin had two sons from his official wife Jeffrey and Simon. They both were only average in terms of Magic and Essence art. The only reason Austin looked for Rey was because he was more talented than his sons.
Rey was fairly talented since his young age. The only thing stopping his potential was his poverty. So when his father said he will be given resources and opportunities, Rey decided to follow his father.
But he was not welcomed by his other family members. He was always neglected and sometimes beaten up by his brothers. Even the resources allotted to him were taken away sometimes.
The only reason Rey stayed there enduring was to get a chance to attend Grace Academy. After staying here for 3 years Rey would be qualified enough to get a good life on his own. That's why he worked his ass-off.
'What a tough life the kid had. . .Don't worry Rey I will make every one pay for the things you have endured.'
'I will have some quite time in the Academy until I get strong and then show the world who is Rey Geller '
After making my vow to ReyII, I went to bed quite early.
____
Next Morning I had my uniform on and was ready for the Academy. I checked my Classroom number and it said Class-A-1.
Standing in front of the door of my classroom, a weird excitement was jumping in my heart.
"My first adventure here I come!!!"