Attentive to how the mana connected with his muscles and tendons he realised how his body was slowly adapting to the income of energy.
When imbuing his right arm with a flux of mana he watched as the blood vessels, muscles, nerves and tendons absorbed it all growing in power.
He felt as if he could burst through the wall in front of him with ease.
Chris also realised he had to layer his mana with a specific intent in order for it to have an effect. If he didn't, his mana would simply move through whatever he passed it through.
Sensing his arm after the experiment, he could feel a very feint fatigue. It seemed he would have to continuously supply his body with mana to refine it and get accustomed to this new energy.
By how he had used his mana vision previously he knew the mana orb sent out pulses of energy to start this process.
However, if he could continue his on going method it would surely make the process quicker.
Gaining his first idea of how to better strengthen and utilise this profound energy in accordance to his physique, he began testing out different intents while surging mana through different parts of himself.
'Power, sharpness, agility. In a fight these seems the most appropriate.. If I could also mix them, the possibilities that would unlock..' chuckling to himself he continued his practice to gain more insight.
'There is no purpose in bringing an intent of sharpness to my muscle, but bringing it to the outer layer of whatever limb, whilst bringing an intent of power to my muscles and flexibility to my tendons. Yes, this is the right way.. but god, this will be difficult' he thought while sighing.
With another hour passing by, the old couple was still in deep meditation slowly absorbing the atmospheric mana. Their progress seemed negligible at first, but now it was clear what was happening.
It would seem as the mana coming from the orb was also refining their physique, though in the case of Chris there wasn't many visual indications to his changes. Except for his facial and bodily outlines being more prominent.
In comparison, the changes happening to George and Theresa was enormous.
While the mana was coursing through their bodies it rejuvenated their cells and damaged tissues. Chris could observe as the wrinkles on their skin smoothed out and their hair regained its youthful colours.
With his eyebrows raised watching them he was looking forward to seeing their own reactions to the transformation.
However, knowing it would probably be a couple more hours, he decided to step outside the house to begin his usual routine of martial arts training.
Standing in their front yard, Chris brought his body through all kinds of different postures, getting a new feel for his improved physique.
Straining his muscles he began performing a series of punches, kicks, and blocks in a fluid motion. His movements became more rapid and intense, his breaths quick and measured as he continued to progress in speed and power.
Slowly but surely he started implementing his mana to the best of his abilities. Straining not only his body but his mind as well.
With every action fuelled with power-intent mana he noticed how the air rippled with every strike. Maintaining a steady balance of mana surging through his body so he wouldn't leave other parts of him fragile he continued in this motion for as long as he could manage.
Every second became increasingly more straining, but he held on, losing himself in the notion of progress.
He stopped occasionally to catch his breath and release his mind of some pain. It was truly taxing work for the mind.
Having multiple focus points active at all times wasn't easy, but the more his brain was exposed to the training whilst receiving mana for refinement it would get easier in time.
For the next couple of hours Chris continued in this fashion. Sometimes bringing in his dagger into the mix as well, which he previously had tucked away under the porch.
After 4 hours passed he heard a door creak open. As he was in the middle of a routine he was quite vigilant making him immediately jump in a defensive posture.
But seeing whom had opened the door he quickly relaxed followed by a look of complete surprise.
The old couple walked out on the porch, if you could even call them that anymore. There was no longer any indication that the two of them could ever be mistaken for an old couple.
George stood as a somewhat lean figure, adorned with a now blond hair and his green-blue eyes. He had a somewhat rough face still with a stud on his chin, but he was quite the handsome man.
Theresa had long brown hair with her almond eyes. She had a vase like figure and stood with a posture as if trained in court. She gave of a warm and kind feeling when watching her round face with red tainted cheeks.
"Wow.." Chris muttered as he watched two people who was supposed to be in their 90s suddenly show features resembling a 30 year old.
"We've been in disbelief for some time now after we came out of our meditation, this is truly incredible Chris.." George spoke in a wistful tone still reeling himself in after the shock of their transformation.
"Well I kinda had an inkling about what was happening, but seeing the results up front.. It is quite baffling." Chris responded while staring at the two. 'This mana energy is really something else huh.' He thought to himself.
"It seems my retrieval has been delayed somewhat considering they haven't shown up yet.. if it isn't too much trouble, would it be okay if I stayed longer?" He asked.
Inwardly he was quite worried about something happening to his father and organisation. 'They should've been here already' he thought.
"That would be the least we could do Dear, thank you for showing us all of this.." Theresa finally spoke with a beautiful smile adorning her face, radiating in even more warmth than before.
Sighing out Chris added "That's great, thank you! By the way, I've gotten a lot of new information from watching the two of you and also doing some experiments myself, why don't we share our experiences?"
"Sounds great!" The two spoke in unison, happy with how much help they were receiving from this unknown young man.
Following the two of them back inside the house they began sharing their findings whilst sitting in the dining area.
Feeling intrigued by Chris' martial arts and the way to utilise mana, they asked if he could train them while he was there.
It seemed they had multiple reasons for it. They still hadn't received word from their son Jacob, which was worrying them and considering the reports of animals and people going berserk they knew they might have to fight if they were dragged in an unfavourable position.
As such the days trickled by, with the three teaching and training, growing their strength and mana capacity. Chris seemed to have an advantage owing to his already well tempered physique.
The mana needed their bodies to adapt to the best of their abilities, the stronger the vessel the easier it would be to syphon mana.
On the fourth day of Chris' stay in the middle of the night they suddenly heard an object crashing through a window downstairs.
Now being allowed his weapons inside, Chris quickly equipped himself with his knife and gun. They had first been reluctant when Chris brought it up on the second day after the news reported forest animals raiding villages and people. But after there was even a report on other humans killing and ravaging half of Exeter they had to admit it would be good safety precaution.
Running out of Jacobs room which he was borrowing, he met George and Theresa standing outside of their own bedroom just a little down the corridor.
The two had quite the frightened faces, while Chris was showing a calm and serene face. He was exuding a sense of inner strength and confidence. He knew what he might be facing should be different from his time as an assassin, but he was different from before as well.
Surging his mana throughout his body, he let his senses focus to the maximum and giving the rest of his body an equal amount of 'mana reinforcement' strengthening his combat capabilities.
"I'll go alone," he said in a stern but confident voice, giving the two behind him a much needed reassurance.