'Concentrate... Do not think about the past. Focus on your own path from now on. Remember what your Grandmaster said yesterday. Just, don't think about it. Visualize an imaginary Mana that flows within one direction only. Do not let the mana flow randomly, and when it travels, strike it down.' Nile's thoughts were deep. He's currently at the phase where his mindset is finally calm.
Being in the void, his visualization is perfectly active. A few seconds have passed and an imaginary river full of Mana appeared inside his mind. He can feel the Mana he's accumulating, but he is not converting it to propel a skill. Instead, he is patiently waiting for the right signal when he will shoot the power of the Mana Skin Flow method.
Again, this method is a secondary indirect process of where your body wouldn't need to convert and manipulate the Mana that dwells inside you. Instead of converting them, you visualize the Mana and you calm your presence in order for it to work. This process revolves around using its individual instinct. The only difference is that this method doesn't require any physical movement nor reduction of Mana. It will not use any Mana inside you.
Nile was constantly thinking really deep. A few moments later, he finally saw the waves of Mana from his imaginary vision. He took a step backward and started doing a stance on where he prepared his body to brace the impact and shockwave of the spell.
"There it is!" After five seconds, the wave of the Mana inside his mind went into a calm state and flowed itself in one direction. The concentration he did is pretty decent. Numerous light particles can be found circulating around Nile's body. He raised his left arm and then he finally chanted the spell.
"Water Magic Skill: Stingray!"
A luminous ball of water emerged from his left hand. Inside the ball of water, a light blue particle can be seen in which it amplifies his power. Nile opened his eyes, he carefully looked around his surroundings to see where he can shoot the stingray water skill. He noticed that there's a boulder on top of the hill not that far away from his position. He slowly turned his body to the left side without ruining his stance and he aimed his hand directly into the hill.
"Take this!" He shouted. A large stingray fish made out of water blasted from Nile's left hand. Compare to the last stingray spell he did when he used his wand, using the Mana Skin Flow method, it made its effect 3 times stronger and faster. This is because he did the spell using his mind with the help of his desire and calm state. When using the primary method, it will cost his body to get drained.
But without the ring, Nile can finally cast a spell without worrying about the Overdrive Fatigue in which his body wouldn't be able to handle it.
The boulder that is situated on the hill exploded in an instant. Numerous rocks and debris as well as some smokes appeared in sight. It is powerful enough to destroy 4 to 5 wooden dolls. After seeing the result he made, Nile joyfully shouted.
"YEAHHH! I did it!" He jumped. He took a gaze on his hand and then made his decision.
'With this, I can finally have a chance on beating him. But there are more things I need to do. First, my body's regulation. In order for me to last long on a battlefield, I need to train my body and condition it. This is my primary requirement. Aside from that, I'm still doubting about the soul transfer incarnation that Luong did to me. But I have no choice but to do it, in order for me to use it safely, I need to get myself into the top without using it. I'll only use it when the time comes. And that time will be when I face that Yama.' He thought.
A month has passed since they started their training. Everyone was working hard as it is. There's no indication of a problem whatsoever. Nile, Stell, Adara, and Aella were constantly doing their best for the training until they reach the requirement for the Expedition that will happen on the second semester in which they are going to be doing a pre-deployment to random locations and will try to solve any problems there as part of their training.
Stell, in such a short time, learned how to condition his body. He went from a skinny guy to a pumped-up guy with muscles. He also learned a lot of skills and spells and developed his fortification passive effect. With the help of Grandmaster Brook, he was able to pass the evaluation by showing them what he learned for the past few weeks.
Adara learned a lot of powerful spells including the Firebolt skill that Lars has told them. She mastered all of the basic fire element spells without any problem. She also passed the opposite elemental training in which her body has sustained the water damage effect. At this point, she no longer feels any pain when a basic water spell hits her. In order to beat these kinds of elemental mages, they need a powerful spell that will break the passive barrier.
Aella, on the other hand, has also mastered all of the basic wind elemental spells. But not just her, because of Syphyl's help, everyone in the Wind Elemental User section also improved their own individual skills. From a chaotic wind spell, up to the point where they can now manipulate the wind outside the area. Aella had also developed a mental state where her concentration and focus are top notch. Her own mindset is now full of peaceful current.
Nile has learned how to control his Mana with the use of the secondary method. With the help of his wand, he can also do some basic water elemental spells. But without his ring, his own power is not amplified. All of the spells that he has done so far are different from where had his ring in the first place. This is because he is now living inside a secondary soul that Luong has prepared. In order for Nile to practice his own strength and to train his body and individual skill, he needs to remove the effect of the ring temporarily so he can develop his mana manipulation and body without any harm.
For 1 month, all of them have shown a lot of progress. Everything seems to be fine. Meanwhile on the capital. Captain Lennon and the other Captains are also doing their best to come up with a plan regarding the Organization that they are pursuing. They are discussing the idea of each captain in order for them to avoid the clash and in order for them to stop King Yama from getting the 3rd Elemental Ring.
All of the other 8 elemental users are getting used within their own field as well. Everyone is happy that they've managed to accomplished a lot of things in a month.
"Attention everyone! Gather outside the field for some announcement!"
A shout can be heard outside.
"Nile, did you hear that?" Stell asked.
"Yeah, let's go." Nile nodded as he responds. All of the Astrochist that are currently resting in their own dorms have decided to go outside to see the agenda. All of them are not in their uniforms which is fine because it's a rest day for all of them including the Maids.
After a few moments, all of them are complete.
"Hey, over here!" All of them turned their body to see who it was.
It was Brook alongside with Faye and Luong. Just the three of them.
"Alright, thank you all for coming here in such short notice. But this is actually important for all of you. You see, in the past few weeks, or no, not really weeks, I mean last year, we've started a project called PECW Synchronization Release Project. Alongside with the development of individual wands and grimoires, this project is also connected to the one you guys are using." Luong has started the speech.
"You see, your Personal Element Control Wand is not just for your guidance in interactivity with your Mana. They actually have a second purpose that might hype you up. And that is where the Synchronization Release Project comes in." He continued.
"Hey you, show me your wand." Brook picked one Astrochist in the front. He ordered him to show his wand in which he did. It was a regular wand without any attributes. Brook took the wand and placed it on the table.
"What are you going to do with my wand?" He asked.
"Let that guy explain it to you," Brook responded.
"Okay, now that we have the sample PECW, I have here an Iron bar. This Iron bar is actually pretty rare to find. Miners have been looking for this but since we're lucky to have one, we will use this for the experiment. Now let me explain to all of you the meaning of the Synchronization Release Project. Have you ever thought of inverting your equipment with a certain object and makes it a refined weapon?" He asked. No one answered.
"Yeah, I guess you guys didn't really think about it. Anyway, so this Iron bar will be used in order for the wand to consume it. Basically, it will synchronize both of the objects and merge them all together until they create a certain shape that resembles a weapon. If you have managed to acquire something like that, then there's a high chance of power ups in your own skills. You see, this wand is just an ordinary weapon guide that controls your mana, but what if we turned them into a sword? Would you guys like a flaming sword?" Luong explained the process in which everyone suddenly shouted with a joyful expression. They are excited about the outcome of the project.
"Okay without further ado, we will use Brook's earth elemental deformation to make his wand a sword made out of iron." He said.
Brook took the Iron bar from Luong and started holding the Wand.
"Earth Magic Skill: Crafting deformation list, weapon tier 2, Iron sword." After enchanting a long spell. A yellow light appeared with a lot of particles circulating around the wand. All of them have witnessed the PECW Synchronization Release Project. After a few moments, the yellow particles have created a laser like a thingy that creates the shape of a sword and the Iron bar completely disappeared.
"And it's done." Brook ended the spell.
"WOAH!" Everyone clapped and had their jaw dropped.
The boy's wand had finally become a special Iron sword that has some epic designs and a good handle.
"Here, this is now your PECW. Make sure that you take care of it." Brook gave the sword to the kid. He was in awe when he received the weapon.
"Oh, by the way, just to let you guys know, this project is not going to work to any object. It can only be perceived by PECW and a single base object. It can be either a stone, a gem, a diamond, or something that is pretty rare to find, and it will be adequate enough for you to do the Synchronization Release." Luong explained.
"By the way, kid. What's your element?" Brook asked the kid he gave the sword earlier.
"I'm a Lightning Elemental User." He answered.
"Go cast a spell and let your sword do it," Brook ordered him.
"Lightning Magic Skill: Lightning bolt." He cast a basic spell and after he did it, he flicked the sword he was holding. It made a loud thunder sound. In a single flash, his sword had become powerful. Yellow electricity can be found on the blade while covering it.
"Now, go shoot it in a far location," Brook said.
The kid waved the sword upward and after he did that, A massive lightning bolt destroyed the tree on the front side of the yard. Everyone shouted and clapped.
"See how powerful it is now? That's the project we've been working on. So, if you guys have any rare stones or some base object, just go to Grandmaster Brook and he will synchronize it with your personal elemental control wand." Luong said.
"Um, I have a question?" A girl suddenly raised her hand out of the blue.
"Mm?" Luong stared at her.
"What if we don't have any stones or whatsoever that you have mentioned? How can we perform the synchronization project? I mean, it's really a sudden announcement, but if you guys are just going to announce it anyway then wouldn't you give us a stone or gems in the first place?" She literally real talked Luong with a confused expression.
"Mmm..."
'Goddamn it!' Luong smacked his face with his hand.
"Hey..." Faye glared at him.
"Yeah?" Luong twitched his head as he turned back.
"Don't tell me that you came up with this project without even considering everyone's equipment?"
"Y-Yeah... I-I didn't, I'm sorry."
"Oh my god, this is your 2nd time now."
"But don't worry, I'll have them deliver all of the silver talismans in the next few weeks in order for them to use the synchronization release project."
"You better do it. Or else everyone will be jealous of the kid over there who received a 2nd tier weapon." Faye said.
"Yes. Ma'am." Luong responded.
Within the crowd, Nile has seen the effect of the project. Everyone was happy that they can transform their personal wand into a weapon that will suit them for the battlefield. While watching them, Nile remembered the time where Francis AKA Marie's father has gave him a special stone that is really rare and can be only found inside the Cave of Deirdre.
"Hey, Nile..." While he is in the middle of his own thoughts, Stell tapped his belly.
"Hmm?" Nile responded.
"Do you think, this will work as a base object?" Stell showed him a thing.
"What is that?" Nile asked.
"Remember that time where you ventured into the Cave of Deirdre? After they fixed the village, I've found this White Fang scattered around the area."
"Hey, don't tell me. Could it be?" Nile startled.
"Yeah, I think this fang belongs to the Drake that they have killed. I guess I'll be using this. Hold on, let me just go ask Brook." Stell left Nile.
He smirked.
"Looks like things are going to interesting..." Nile softly said.