In a messy-looking room, I sat cross-legged and meditated to restore the mana inside my body. It had been three weeks since I started my training, although I managed to significantly increase my physical strength and swordsmanship, but to awaken the natural elements in my body, I still didn't understand enough about the elements that had an affinity with my body.
Previously my teacher had given me a little information about the sensation that describes the affinity of the elements to the body. For example, if I have an affinity for the fire element, then when I control and flow the mana throughout my body, my body will feel hot and burning.
If it is the water element then I will feel like washing my body while taking a bath. The air element will make me feel like being hit by a gust of wind, and the earth element will make me feel like being pressed by something.
I'm unsure about the sensations I'm feeling right now. I can feel intense heat, but at the same time, I sense something flowing like water when I try to flow the mana throughout my body. I also feel a sensation similar to being blown by something, although it's not wind, but rather something that makes me feel a little ticklish. Additionally, I feel as though I'm being pressed, but I'm not certain if it's related to the earth element.
I was unable to identify which elemental affinity my body has due to different sensations I experienced. To awaken the element, I needed to discern which one caused the sensation in my body when I flowed the mana throughout my body, then I began practicing by imagining the physical form of the element.
According to my teacher, a person could only awaken one element, so I had never considered the possibility of multiple elemental affinities with my body.
How can I practice the imagination stage if I still don't know what elements have an affinity with my body?
While I was still thinking about awakening the elements in my body, the promised time had arrived and today Lichtalia came to the Hall of Combat to meet me as per the previous agreement.
When she saw my troubled expression, Lichtalia asked, "What's wrong, Ace? This is the first time I've seen you show a troubled expression like that."
I answered Lichtalia's question honestly, "It's about my training. I'm training a special technique but I'm currently stuck and haven't made any progress. I think I should use plan B because if it continues like this, then I'm not sure I can face Desmond and Teradein at my best."
"What's your plan B?"
I quickly answered that I was thinking about it right now.
After thinking for a moment, I stood up from my previous position. Looking at Lichtalia, I explained, "Class Prefect, as you already know, my biggest problem is the mana capacity in my body. That's why I train my physique and learn spells and combat techniques to cover my shortcomings. However, my shortcomings are not something that can be easily covered, that's why I'm thinking of buying a weapon that can help me overcome my shortcomings. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?"
"If you're looking for a weapon, then I know the right person. It's just that you'll probably have to pay a high price for it."
Nodding in understanding, I replied, "As long as I can improve my overall abilities, that's no problem. The most important thing is to increase our chances of winning against Desmond and Teradein."
Lichtalia smiled as she guided me somewhere. She also said that I don't need to worry because if I don't have enough money, she will help me too. Afterall, the fight next week is a life-and-death duel for us.
Of all the places, I didn't expect Lichtalia to take me to the Hall of Armament, but at the same time, this place is the most logical if I want to look for weapon or equipment. That's because the students who choose this magic division are a group of creative students who like to experiment by combining technology and magic.
When the two of us entered the hall, many students noticed us and talked about us in whispers. Most likely the slander given by Desmond and Teradein had reached the ears of the students in this hall.
Lichtalia and I don't care what they think because the truth will be revealed in the duel that will be held next week. If Merlin is present and sees the duel himself, they won't be able to use a thousand excuses for their defeat. All we need to do is ensure our victory.
The deeper we walked, I noticed fewer and fewer students passing by. Until finally when we arrived in front of a giant door, Lichtalia pushed the door open and said, "Vivianne, I have come to bring you a customer!"
Unlike the outside, the entire area inside this room is made of special white and blue materials. From the floor and walls to the ceiling of the room. If my guess is correct, this area is most likely a work space.
Not long after Lichtalia announced her arrival, a red-haired girl appeared before us accompanied by a maid butler maid whose entire body was made of metal.
The maid was not a human but a machine powered by a core filled with mana. Even a layman like me could immediately see that behind its simple form there was a complex machinery inside its metal body. I was amazed by the creation.
But of course, someone who managed to create such thing must be an extraordinary person.
"As usual, you are always accompanied by your beloved maid, M41D. Oh yes, Vivianne, let me introduce you to your customer, Ace Arcane, the figure who will accompany me in the duel against Desmond and Teradein."
"Ace, she is one of the six elites of the Hall of Armament, Vivianne Blanch."
After Lichtalia introduces ourselves to each other, Vivianne and I smiled and shook hands. At first glance, everything looked harmonious, but behind the smiles we showed, Vivianne and I were assessing each other.
If I assessed her because my impression of the students who had elite titles was very bad except for Lichtalia, then Vivianne doing the same to me because she was curious about the abilities I had to make Lichtalia dare to propose a life-and-death duel with Desmond, which resulted in one of the losing parties being expelled.