"So... I heard that a teleportation portal was available at the end of the trials." I said, the main reason why I even entered the Labyrinth was because of the portals existence.
"Hmmm...indeed. However, where do you wanna go?" At the word of affirmation, a smile formed in my face.
Finally, I could leave this forest.
I had spent many uncomfortable days in the forest. Needless to say, I did not like it one bit.
"Anywhere, as long as it is somewhere near human civilization." I said, not being able to help hide the excitement in my voice.
"Well, I can certainly help you with that."
My eyes shone, I clutched my hands tight.
All my hard work, all the pain, and everything I went through finally started bearing fruit.
I can finally leave.
Hwhahwhwha
"Ohhh, wait, before I show you the portal. I can see that you have a spirit as your companion of which you have made a contract. I can also see that it is but a child. Raising a spirit to adulthood is very costly and needs a lot of nourishment, you know? It would take a lot of time." The man set his sights in Neph, he was saying something I already did know.
"However, I am quite generous, and I have something that would elevate your future situation." With a smug and magnanimous face, he snapped his fingers.
"What is this?" I looked at the crystal in my hand. It looked identical to a mana shard but a bit different.
Aside from the fact that it was larger than what I usually handled, it looked nothing too special.
"This is a mana ore. Mana ores are a type of mineral that is very coveted by high-ranking mages. It contains a very pure packed mana. It can only be found in the 'wonderlands' where even there, it is extremely rare. This one here is very high above the market if I say so myself. Its value is something that you can't even imagine."
"You may not feel anything from it because it is securely condensed that not even a bit of mana is leaking out." The man went through the explanation.
"As you may not know, beasts form mana shards with their innate ability to absorb wild mana in the atmosphere. However, mana ores are different, they are condensed form of mana. Even though it is beneath it, you can say that the mana ore is a more efficient version of a mana shard."
Wha-
If this is true, then this mana ore in my hands right now could shoot me through a few realms with little to no effort.
"I know what you are thinking, unfortunately for you, this mana ore is beyond your capabilities, you can't even absorb any of it even if you tried your hardest. And even if you did manage to, your Elemental Anchor will simply break apart as the mana contained in the mana ore is not only vast, but it's quality is much more potent than what you are usually used to. It's suicide."
The man dumped down my excitement. I sighed, even though it was indeed a great power-up, if I die using it, then it would be meaningless.
But this also brought me to another topic, "Then how can this help my future situation with Neph?"
A moment after my question, I realized the answer.
"Well, I was about to go into that. Unlike you and me, your companion isn't human, she is a spirit. The childs of mana. Much like the beasts, spirits have the innate ability to absorb mana in the atmosphere like they are simply breathing without doing any harm to their physical bodies. Humans do not have the same blessings."
It was as I expected.
"Your companion here can easily absorb the pure mana in the ore without even trying." The man pointed at Neph by my side who continued to levitate with her flowing hair sparkling.
Neph surprisingly nodded, as if she understood what the man just said and confirmed it.
What a cheat!
If that was true, then Neph could potentially leave me behind in terms of power.
"Though spirits have that advantage, they aren't all-powerful. It would take a lot of time for her to absorb all the mana inside the mana ore, but it should be enough to push her to mid-adulthood. She should be pretty strong by then. By my estimation, it should only take her around a year to absorb all the mana?"
Damn, such a hack ability!
I was envious but I looked at the situation in a good light, if Neph grew stronger, then I would also be more powerful with her assistance, coupled with the golem.
Hwhaha, I could just see the future where I can fight alongside powerful allies.
Of course, I intended to not fall short, I would also grow stronger no doubt, after all, I was a genius.
A smirk showed in my face.
I looked at the man ready to finally leave this forest and go to the outside world.