The feeling of being dependent on was huge for Harvey, Jane, and Kane. While Ervin didn't feel much at all.
Still, with determined tones to face the future, they said at the same time, "Understood sir!"
"Good." John's expression slightly relaxed. Young people like them were the easiest to teach and mold. "Now then, before starting your first real patrol, we will debrief on our abilities and experiences to get a feel for each other."
Harvey, Jane, and Kane faintly clenched their fists, a mix of anticipation and tension filling their nerves. There would be no more good safety net from today on and the rest. Everything they do will be on their own terms, their lives and many other lives will be in their hand.
Ervin simply began to space out on other magical topics. He didn't think anything unexpected would happen.
And to his expectations, the talks were of the standard fair.
Ervin did his part in giving his abilities and strategies. But other than that, he only faintly paid to John, Kane, and Jane's abilities.
When everything was over, John had decided to take their team out for a test drive.
Along the way there, John, Harvey, Jane, and Kane took the extra effort to get to know each other at least a little beyond the surface level.
Ervin basically went back to the autopilot mode he had when our Dylan's team. Things have changed. But for Ervin, it was basically a new coat of paint on his daily life.
...
Time quickly flew by. Days passed in the same regular routine until a full week finally came over.
Numerous Mage Enforcers were doing exceedingly well with their new teammates.
Others experienced various struggles. Whether it came from a disparity of abilities, a clash of personalities, or a weak mentality when facing Demonic Beasts.
Teams like these couldn't just get replaced or fired. They were still Mage Enforcers, central people to the entire Lightwall City. Many had to get harsh scoldings or violent wake-up calls to change their ways in the upcoming days.
Ervin's team was not one of them. They fell into the exceedingly well category.
Ervin noticed the other team's chemistry was growing day by day. He really only took notice since the chemistry of his team literally affects his daily life.
Not one of their conversations was remembered in his mind. But at the very least, even with Jane's meticulous personality, Kane's slight bashfulness, Harvey's over-optimism, and John's strict leadership style, there were no visible cracks he could see.
Clashes sometimes occur, but nothing that ever affects their battles in the heat of the moment.
Since Ervin rarely talked more than he needed, nobody really had any problems with him. He did what was told and helped when it was needed.
Just like with Dylan's team, he showed himself to be reliable if not somewhat disinterested in relationships.
After a week of the new routine but the same lifestyle, a critical change was finally happening for Ervin.
On this day, near the early morning, bright colors of beautiful Magical energy were faintly shimmering out of Ervin's body.
Flows of Magical energy continually flowed into the lower portion of his stomach, directly fusing inside his Magical Space.
The red magical core within Ervin grew 15% larger. Dazzling flashes of Magical energy constantly glittered throughout the entire Magical Space; pulsation of intense magical principles changed its atmosphere.
There simply wasn't a faint sensation of Magic radiating off from Ervin now. His breath now held a clear feeling, exuding a power to make all Non-Mages rapidly back away in fear.
Even other Early Stage Novice Mage would stay rooted in sight, fear tingling through their bodies.
This was the gap in actually grasping higher Magical energy.
Ervin was hard at work with Magical energy absorption. Every single day he always took the time to comprehend Novice-level Magical energy and then absorb the same essence from the environment and the white magical crystals.
Ervin's absorption speed tremendously increased whenever he was in the state of comprehending the Telekinesis Control Art. His speed multiplied over six times compared to all other red-color talents!
Throughout this entire month and two weeks, Ervin made a breakthrough.
His red-color core brilliantly glistens, pulsating out waves of Magical energy.
The entire living room was faintly illumined. Ervin had reached the Middle Stage of the Novice Mage realm!
Ervin slowly opened his eyes, the world around him growing slightly brighter with his breakthrough.
Power flowed through every inch of his body. A mere twitch of his finger felt as if he could easily break apart everything in his living room.
His mind also became calmer, and clearer to understanding the complex topics of Magical energy.
When thinking, his thought process became slightly faster.
But above all, Ervin was able to detect that his Magical Sense grew by 5%.
A 5% increase was not small at all despite seeming so. This was the mystical sense that could alert Ervin to all danger coming towards him, seek out other auras from a distance, and even detect auras that were trying to conceal themselves.
Ervin's Magical Sense expanded by 5 meters, allowing him to reach up to 10 meters of distance.
The possibilities in Magical Senses were immense. At higher realms, the Magical Sense alone can easily identify the Magical Path a Mage was on and even exude an all-powerful force that can crush weaker Mages from where they stand!
Ervin was eager, but everything had to be taken at one step at a time. He didn't let the breakthrough cloud his judgment or let him think he had some greater power over everyone else.
The calm came back to him. Ervin did his usual routine and went for his patrol.
...
When making it to his patrol team, Ervin already expected the reactions he would receive. His greater breath of Magic flowed out his mouth, causing everyone to stare at him with slightly widening eyes.
Harvey, Jane, and Kane felt the greatest impact on their minds. They were still only at the Early Stage despite their practices.
While John gazed on in curiosity. He directly asked, "I can't sense a shaky magical breath or unstableness in your aura. A natural breakthrough? Just how did you do it? Is it what I am thinking of?"
"That's right, captain." Ervin calmly nodded. "With the money I saved up, I managed to gamble for more white magical crystals and also have enough to purchase various Physical Magical Arts. They all are common, but when studying at the same time, I did see a greater effect on my magical absorption. It took a lot of my focus and time. At some points, I nearly passed out in exhaustion. But I was able to just barely edge in a breakthrough from my dedication."
"You really did all of that?!" Harvey exclaimed in genuine awe.
All of that sounded absolutely extraneous to him. Just trying to comprehend his Common-Grade Fire Magical Art leaves him with headaches for several hours to this very day.
He honestly couldn't see himself doing for all night like how Ervin does it. This also wasn't mentioning how he liked to hang out with his friends, and family and pursue other hobbies along with studying Magic.
"That's-that's really impressive! Gosh...why didn't I think of it sooner?" Jane murmured as her brows tightly knitted together.
"Probably because, just like what Harvey said, it leaves you with tremendous headaches. I guess someone like you would be able to come up with such a crazy method." Kane spoke while scratching his head in bewilderment.
It wasn't as if they hadn't seen dedicated Mages before. Many of the senior Mages are extremely dedicated to their cafts. But they all were at a far older age than Ervin.
Compared to Mages with far longer lifespans, someone like Ervin is still just a child to them.
And yet, Ervin already has that intense dedication not really found in many others around his age.
John gave one last look to Ervin before nodding in appreciation. "Alright. This is a welcome surprise to be sure. Keep up the good work. And I will be sure to notify the seniors of your breakthrough. For now, let's get moving."
"Understood." In that instant, everyone regained their focus.
No other thoughts can distract them when they move through the outer area of the Twilight Forest.
The influence of Ervin's breakthrough gave Harvey, Jane, and Kane the pressure to have them on a greater edge than usual. None of them certainly wanted to get left behind and be seen as slackers by their superiors.