Chapter 120: Mana Training
Scene: The recruits of the East Holy Nation have spent weeks honing their physical skills under Commander Elara's watchful eye. Now, they stand on the cusp of their next great challenge—mastering the art of mana control. Eren, Rylan, Aria, and Asher, the heroes who defended the South Nation, have arrived to guide the recruits through this difficult phase. The recruits, most of whom possess Divine Mana, are eager but unsure of how to wield this powerful energy.
Narrator: With their physical training well underway, the recruits now face a new challenge—tapping into the raw power of mana. While most possess Divine Mana, few understand how to control it. Under the guidance of the South Nation's heroes, the recruits will learn the delicate art of mana control—a skill that could one day save their nation.
The recruits gather on the training field, their faces filled with both excitement and nervous anticipation. Aria, known for her sharp intellect and calm demeanor, steps forward to lead the session. She glances at the recruits before speaking, her voice clear and confident.
Aria: (calmly) Mana is the life force that flows within all of us, but controlling it requires discipline and focus. Today, we'll start with the basics—how to tap into the mana stored in your core.
The recruits listen attentively, hanging on to her every word.
Aria: (explaining) Think of your core as the center of your being. It's where your mana resides, waiting for you to call on it. To access it, you must quiet your mind, focus inward, and feel the energy within you.
Aria gestures for the recruits to sit down. They lower themselves onto the ground, closing their eyes and taking deep breaths as they prepare to search for their mana. The field falls silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind.
Aria: (softly) Focus on your breathing. Feel the rhythm of your body. Let your mind guide you to your core.
The recruits do as she says, their faces tense with concentration. Slowly, one by one, faint glows of white light begin to appear around them—their Divine Mana awakening for the first time. The energy pulses faintly, shimmering like light through a crystal.
Commander Elara: (impressed) They're doing it… they've tapped into their mana.
Aria smiles, clearly pleased with the recruits' progress. They've taken their first step, but she knows the real challenge lies ahead.
Aria: (nodding) Good. Now that you've accessed your mana, the next phase is shaping it. Mana is raw, untamed energy. In battle, you need to control and refine it.
Asher steps forward, his calm confidence radiating as he prepares to teach the recruits the art of shaping their mana. He raises his hand, demonstrating the flow of mana around his body as it forms a shimmering, controlled aura.
Asher: (firmly) Mana is like water—it can flow, but you need to guide it. Watch.
Asher's mana swirls around him in a controlled manner, the energy glowing softly before he releases it in a smooth wave. The recruits watch in awe, realizing the depth of control needed for such precision.
Asher: (seriously) Your mana is still unrefined, but that's normal. Focus on guiding it, shaping it, and letting it flow through your body without letting it overpower you.
The recruits, energized by the display, rise to their feet and begin to focus on shaping their own mana. At first, their Divine Mana flares erratically, but with practice, the glowing energy begins to form more defined shapes around their bodies. The process is slow, and for many, the mana remains difficult to control. However, after nearly two hours of intense focus and practice, the recruits start to get the hang of it.
Volkra: (grinning) I think I've got it!
Around Volkra, Alexis, Milton, and Kara, their Divine Mana forms steady auras, flowing smoothly around their bodies. The four stand out among the recruits, their progress in controlling mana remarkable. Asher watches them, nodding in approval.
Asher: (smiling) You've all come a long way in a short time. Keep it up.
Narrator: After learning to tap into and shape their mana, the recruits are ready for the next phase of their training—mana attacks. Under the guidance of Eren and Rylan, they will learn how to use their mana in combat, a skill that will be crucial in their future as knights.
Eren and Rylan step forward, taking over the session as Asher steps back. The recruits, still buzzing with the thrill of controlling their mana, listen intently as Eren begins to explain the basics of mana attacks.
Eren: (calmly) Now that you've learned how to shape your mana, the next step is using it in battle. The most basic form of mana attack is the mana projectile. It's simple but effective when used properly.
Eren turns to face a nearby tree, his hand glowing red as he channels his mana into a concentrated form. He releases a burst of energy—a glowing red projectile—that flies across the field and strikes the tree with pinpoint accuracy. The recruits watch in awe as the tree shakes from the impact.
Eren: (seriously) That's your target. Now, try it.
The recruits focus, channeling their mana into their hands. White orbs of Divine Mana begin to form in their palms, but controlling the projectiles proves challenging. Many of the recruits struggle to aim, their shots veering off course or fizzling out before reaching the target. However, as they continue practicing, a few begin to show promise.
Volkra, Alexis, Milton, and Kara, who have already excelled in shaping their mana, fire their projectiles with ease. Each of their attacks strikes the target dead-on, the force behind their strikes impressive.
Rylan: (smirking) Looks like you've got a knack for mana combat.
Volkra and his friends share a grin, proud of their progress. The other recruits are still working on their form, but they're getting the basics down.
Narrator: As the recruits practice, Eren and Rylan exchange a glance. The progress of the recruits, especially the top four, has been remarkable, but now it's time to show them what advanced mana control looks like.
Eren and Rylan stand side by side, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before they turn to the recruits. The two heroes smirk, clearly planning something impressive.
Eren & Rylan: (in unison) Let's do it.
The recruits watch in curiosity as Eren's red Liquid Mana and Rylan's dark Mana Mist swirl around them, their energies combining as they begin to form duplicates of themselves. The mana takes shape, and within moments, each hero has created multiple clones of themselves, their forms shimmering with the raw power of mana.
The recruits gasp in amazement, their eyes wide as they witness the incredible display of advanced mana control. The clones move fluidly, perfectly mirroring Eren and Rylan's movements.
Volkra: (in awe) How did you… how did you do that?
Alexis, Milton, and Kara are equally stunned, their expressions filled with admiration and curiosity.
Alexis: (excitedly) Can you teach us how to do that?
Eren chuckles, shaking his head gently.
Eren: (grinning) You're not ready for that yet. First, you need to master the basics. The techniques we're using take years of practice and control.
Rylan nods in agreement, his arms crossed as the clones dissolve back into mana.
Rylan: (calmly) Focus on refining what you've learned today. Once you have full control of your mana, we'll talk about more advanced techniques.
Narrator: The recruits are left in awe of what they've witnessed, but they understand that the road ahead is long. They have come far in their training, but the heroes have shown them just how much more they have to learn.
Commander Elara steps forward, her voice cutting through the lingering excitement.
Commander Elara: (calmly) That's enough for today. You've all done well. Rest, recover, and be ready for more tomorrow.
The recruits bow respectfully, their expressions filled with gratitude for the heroes' guidance. They may not have mastered everything, but they've taken important steps toward becoming true knights.
Narrator: The chapter ends with the recruits bowing to the heroes in respect, their determination renewed. The road to knighthood is long, but with the guidance of Commander Elara and the heroes, they are well on their way to becoming protectors of the Great East Holy Nation.
The final scene shows the recruits walking back to their quarters, their heads held high as they reflect on their progress and the challenges that still lie ahead.