Over the weeks, the reputation of Amukelo and his guildmates within the Adventurers' Association had grown significantly. Their rapid ascent through the ranks of silver-tier quests had not gone unnoticed. People within the association began to greet them by name, a mark of respect and acknowledgment for their capabilities and achievements. This visibility, however, also brought them to the attention of less savory characters within the guild community.
As they approached the quest board one day to pick their next challenge, A group of men lounged casually in the hall's shadows. Among them was a distinctive figure with white hair and a scar running down his face—the same man who had eyed Amukelo suspiciously on his first day at the training facility. The scarred man, known to his cohorts as the boss. His companion whispered, "Boss, how do we plan to take that sword? They've become quite strong."
The boss shook his head slightly, "We'll need to catch them off guard during one of their quests, but it has to be something tougher than what they've been handling."
Unaware of the scheming, Amukelo and his team selected their quest for the day, a challenging mission that would test their skills and coordination further than before. The quest took them deep into the forests surrounding the city, where they faced off against a band of rogue elementals that had been disrupting trade routes.
Returning to town late in the evening, the group was too exhausted for any additional training and opted instead for a well-earned meal at their favorite pub. As they settled into the comfortable buzz of the establishment, Bral broached a subject that had been on his mind, "I think we should pace ourselves with these high-difficulty quests. While they're lucrative, they don't leave us much time for training or anything else."
Amukelo was initially hesitant, "But won't scaling back on these quests slow our progression toward higher ranks?"
Idin chimed in, "Grinding through these quests without improving our skills won't help us in the long run. We need to balance missions with training to truly grow stronger and tackle even more challenging quests that are crucial for our advancement."
Nodding in agreement, Amukelo saw the advantage of this approach. The conversation drifted into different topics as they enjoyed their meal. Then they returned to their rooms and prepared for the next day.
During the weeks that followed, Amukelo and his guildmates struck a balance between their questing and training schedules, limiting their forays into the field to three days a week. This arrangement allowed them ample time to focus on individual growth and skill enhancement. Amukelo devoted most of his days to rigorous physical training at the facility, pushing his combat skills to new heights under the watchful eyes of seasoned fighters. However, his afternoons were reserved for a different kind of training—one that required him to tap into unseen forces rather than physical prowess.
Pao had taken it upon herself to introduce Amukelo to the fundamentals of magic, a subject utterly foreign to his warrior's training. At first, they focused on practical exercises designed to awaken his mana—the vital energy believed to permeate all things. Yet, despite their efforts, progress was painstakingly slow. Amukelo struggled with the very first step: releasing his mana. His frustration grew palpable with each failed attempt, a fact that did not escape Pao's notice.
Seeing his growing disillusionment, Pao decided to shift her approach. One afternoon, after yet another unsuccessful session, she gently broached a potential underlying issue. "Amukelo, have you ever learned about the concepts of mana before? I wonder if perhaps the lack of foundational knowledge is holding you back."
Amukelo paused, his brow furrowed in thought. "No, I've never really learned about it. Where I come from, we didn't have proper education, so I never was introduced to these concepts."
Pao nodded, understanding the gap in his education. "Then we need to start there. Understanding mana is crucial. It's like trying to read without knowing the alphabet. You can't control the mana, because you don't really understand what it is, and how it works."
She began by explaining that mana was the life force that interconnected all elements of the world. "Mana is in the air we breathe, the earth we walk on, and the water that flows through the rivers. It's within us, though sometimes in amounts too small to be of use without proper training," she explained.
Pao illustrated her point by picking up a leaf from the ground. "This leaf, for example, contains mana. A skilled mage could manipulate the life force within it, accelerating its growth or causing it to decay rapidly, all through the manipulation of mana."
She went on to discuss how mages could tap into the mana of their surroundings to amplify their powers, particularly when they had an affinity for a specific element. "Consider a water mage near a lake," Pao continued. "Their spells would not only be more powerful but also more efficient, using less of their own energy and drawing more from the environment."
Amukelo listened intently, absorbing every word. It was a revelation to him that the world was so intricately connected by this invisible force, and it gave him a new perspective on the potential of magic.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the training grounds, Amukelo felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was still far from accessing his mana, but with Pao's guidance, he was on a path that might one day allow him to wield the mana of the world, just as he wielded his sword.
As weeks turned into months, Amukelo and his guild's reputation within the adventurer's association grew remarkably. Their frequent ventures and successful completions of increasingly difficult quests had not only earned them the admiration of their peers but also the cautious watchfulness of a particular group of onlookers. Though Amukelo and his friends rarely noticed, these observers kept a close eye on them, whispering amongst themselves and plotting quietly.
Amukelo, meanwhile, continued to excel in his combat training. His skills with the sword had sharpened to such an extent that he was soon outperforming his peers in the training facility. It wasn't long before his teacher noticed his exceptional growth, surpassing even those who had been part of the group long before him. Recognizing that Amukelo needed more advanced training than the group sessions could offer, his teacher spoke with the facility's master about the young warrior's potential.
On a day marked by another routine but vigorous training session, the master approached Amukelo with a serious expression. "You've made remarkable progress, Amukelo," the master began, his voice carrying a mix of pride and contemplation. "It's time for you to move beyond group classes. We need to find you a suitable partner for more advanced training. Yet, this process will take some time, as there are not many advanced warriors without partner."
Amukelo nodded, understanding the importance of the step yet feeling a surge of anticipation about what was to come. Before he could respond, a familiar voice called out from across the room, halting further discussion.
"There will be no need for that process," said Padrin, striding towards them with confidence. The room quieted a bit as all eyes turned to him.
The master looked at Padrin with a raised eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?" he asked.
Padrin's eyes were fixed on Amukelo, a spark of determination in his gaze. "I want to be his partner," he declared without a hint of hesitation.
The master paused, considering the implications. "I can't let him be paired with someone too strong, nor can I allow you to partner with someone too weak. Therefore, let's have another sparring match to assess your compatibility. The conditions will be different this time," he explained. "Amukelo wins if he manages to hit you, Padrin. However, you must deliver a strike that would be considered a fatal blow to claim victory. If I perceive any holding back, I will forbid this partnership permanently."
Both young men nodded in agreement, understanding the stakes of the upcoming match. "The sparring will commence in a few hours, as all our healers are presently occupied," the master added, signaling the importance of safety in the duel.
Padrin then turned to Amukelo, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Don't disappoint me, partner," he said with a mix of challenge and camaraderie in his tone.
"I will do my best," Amukelo responded, the weight of the upcoming challenge settling in. He returned Padrin's smile, one of resolve and mutual respect as they both prepared mentally for the clash ahead.