While cooking, Asroth thought about Mana. According to the memories of the former Asroth, he learned that his talent for gathering mana to become a Mana Warrior wasn't bad.
His talent was average.
He had often come close to reaching the 1st Level in gathering Mana, but the former Asroth quickly lost motivation. When he turned 14, he stopped gathering mana and accepted his fate as a mortal.
Shhkshhk...
This was the sound of what Asroth cooking.
He was cooking the meat of a half-step Magic Beast. This was a Magic Beast that failed to become 1st tier.
Even though it was just a half-step, its price was already 2 silver coins for just 1/8 kilo.
Asroth laughed to himself while cooking because the former Asroth took great care to eat this meat himself and never shared it with Asrah.
But now, Asroth cooked it for Asrah. According to the former Asroth's memories, Magic Beasts were the food of Mana Warriors.
They could hunt Magic Beasts, so they had easy access to them.
The meat was full of 'Mana' making it great for eating and effective in help to gather Mana.
It also helped wounds heal faster and also provided energy so you wouldn't get tired easily, and it has many other benefits.
The benefits from the meat of a half-step Magic Beast were 10 times that of normal animal meat and the benefits would be 50 times if it came from a 1st tier Magic Beast!
The price however, was very high.
Asroth thought. He only had 20 silver coins left, enough to last about 5 months if he used them to buy corn and other common food.
(1 gold coin = 100 silver; 1 silver = 100 bronze coins)
After cooking, he called Asrah to eat.
Asrah came out and was surprised by the food on their small table. She repeatedly looked at Asroth who was standing there and then look at the food, as if she couldn't believe it.
Since when did Asroth learn to cook?
She was confused by Asroth actions because she was used to him always ordering and yelling at her.
She took a deep breath and sat down in front of Asroth.
Asrah looked at the dish and was shocked to see it was half-step Magic Beast meat!
"Uhm..." Asrah was confused as to why she was called. She knew Asroth would never let her eat this expensive food.
Asroth shook his head, realizing the problem. She must be confused by his behavior.
He took a large slice and placed it on Asrah plate.
"Eat up, Asrah" Asroth softly said.
Honestly, Asroth didn't really know how to talk to her. He wouldn't apologize because he had no fault at the first place and thought it would be better to just show through actions.
Asroth ate quietly while watching Asrah eat.
He couldn't help but smile at the strange feeling he had.
"By the way, if you want to absorb Mana again, I won't stop you."
"We'll buy Mana Grass tomorrow to help with your absorption." Asroth said.
Asroth regretted the wasted years Asrah hadn't spent absorbing mana.
Asrah simply nodded and continued eating.
Asroth also realized he needed to get stronger.
With his experience as kai.
His strength now was comparable to a 2nd Level Mana Gatherer.
He needed to get stronger so no one could control him like in his previous life.
___
It was late at night.
Asroth was sitting on top of his bed with his eyes closed.
He carefully searched the memories of the former Asroth to learn the correct process for Mana Absorption.
He regulated his breathing, connecting his mind to Nature.
"Mana Energy..."
Blue energy quickly flowed into the 'Mana Core' within Asroth's body.
6 hours later.
Asroth slowly opened his eyes and immediately felt the strong mana energy in his body.
1st Stage Gathering Mana!
Excited, Asroth stood up. The pallor on his face was gone.
His senses were now sharper.
Even though he hadn't slept, he didn't feel tired.
He felt full of energy, like he could run for hours.
Asroth quickly cooked food for Asrah and then went outside.
Asrah would surely be surprised when she woke up.
Outside, the trees swayed gently, the river flowed, and smoke rose from the houses.
Asroth took a deep breath and began exercising.
___
Asrah had just woken up and was surprised to see food on the table.
"932, 933, 934..."
Asrah looked out the window and saw Asroth outside. He was drenched in sweat while doing push-ups.
'I thought it was just a dream that he had changed,' Asrah slowly smiled.
Asrah didn't know if Asroth had eaten a magic mushroom or what had caused his sudden change.
But she didn't care anymore; the important thing was that Asroth had changed.
After a few hours, Asroth stopped and called Asrah.
"Asroth?" Asrah was taken aback while looking at Asroth.
"Have you reached the 1st Level Gathering Mana?" she softly asked.
Asroth nodded and smiled.
"Get a basket, Asrah. We're going to the village now," Asroth said.