After resting for a while following his return from the spar, Drax decided to finish up the last part of his training.
…Mana absorption.
Mana absorption was one of the ways sorcerers acquired mana in Xenithia. However, it was not the most efficient way.
For beginners, it may seem to be the best choice because it was convenient and nothing else, but the return could not compare to that of other methods.
This was so because other methods, which also happen to be more efficient, are riskier.
Absorbing mana from the atmosphere stops mattering when one gets to a certain level of strength as a sorcerer and if the sorcerer in question continues to use only the method of mana absorption, it would take several years before they experience a single breakthrough.
Mana absorption majorly serves to help the body with repair.
Because it was slow, it suited perfectly for a gradual, stronger healing process as well as recuperation of mana after a moment of exhausting it.
This was exactly Drax's case as he was still within the range of a 2-Star Sorcerer for years now.
Mana absorption was the only method he could utilise for now since Freya was not yet satisfied enough to let him run amok.
'I should be able to advance after this,' Drax thought as he sat cross-legged on the floor and took a few deep breaths.
He was almost about to experience an expansion of his Spirit Node for the first time.
Just a little more mana to be absorbed after all the years and he would be right there.
…He would become equal to a 3-Star Sorcerer.
Maybe after that, he could stand a better chance with Madame Coletta.
From his gained experience, Drax was familiar with how to locate a Spirit Node and also how to guide the mana one absorbed from the atmosphere toward the Spirit Node.
He practised his breathing method first, calming his body and mind so he could focus on the next process.
After that, Drax started to gather the mana in the atmosphere, drawing them into his body as the world's energy seeped into his pores in a controlled fashion.
He continued to do this until he could not take it anymore.
As the mana entered from his pores into his body, Drax utilised a second type of mana channel to carry the mana towards the Spirit Node.
This second channel was not as popular as the Spirit Veins since the veins were much more, but they served the purpose of drawing mana towards the Spirit Node.
There were two important structures as far as magic was concerned in Xenithia — Spirit Node and Spirit Vessels.
The Spirit Vessels were further split into two types of vessels that were responsible for different pathways of channelling mana.
The first half was the Spirit Veins — structures responsible for carrying mana from the Spirit Node and spreading it towards the entire body for usage.
The second half was the Spirit Arteries — responsible for carrying mana from outside towards the Spirit Node for storage.
Drax had formed a Spirit Node and one-half of the Spirit Vessels, the veins.
Subsequently, when he learned about mana absorption, he was forced to learn about the Spirit Artery Formation.
Without this formation, it was impossible to learn mana absorption as it was the first step.
The mana which Drax was absorbing made its way through the Spirit Arteries until it reached his node for storage.
After a while of this happening, Drax started to feel bloated, like his abdomen was filled with gas.
It was a signal; a signal that his Spirit Node was starting to expand to accommodate more mana.
What he just did with mana absorption had filled his nose to the brim, and to be able to take in more, the Spirit Node had to expand, and this was a marker of breakthrough.
'This feeling…'
Drax was discomforted but he couldn't stop.
He knew this would happen and so he endured through the entire time until it stopped.
After a few minutes, his bowels started to relax and the uncomfortable feeling was beginning to disappear.
< Ding! >
< You have achieved a milestone! >
< You have ranked up! >
< Rank: 3-Star >
Drax heaved a deep sigh of relief when this was over and opened his eyes, gaping forward.
"Status…"
—––
< Status Window >
Name: Drax Manawyn van Elenor
Race: Mixed [Half-elf, Half-dragon]
Mana Points: 610/800
Health Points: 300/300
Skills: [Universal Tongue]
Magic: Fire Magic // Tree Magic // Healing Magic
< Stats >
Strength: 135
Agility: 140
Intelligence: 150
Dexterity: 135
Outstanding Quest(s): 1
—––
Drax glanced through his status window and was pleased with what he was seeing on his stats.
After all, that was where he made the most progress. Other parameters were pretty much dormant.
"Now I can settle this…" he said as he clicked on the [Outstanding Quest(s)] tab.
He massaged his forehead as the prompt for the quest rolled out in front of him.
He was already familiar with this prompt but still wanted to read it anyway.
< Ding! >
< Quest: The Saurian Cave >
< Motive: Defeat the Saurian King >
The Saurian Cave Quest was the first quest that Drax received from the system since he completed the workout routine quests that were consistently dished out to him.
However, the Elf Prince felt inadequate to take the quest at the time and had only saved it for whenever he was prepared.
It was because of this delay that his progress seemed to be bland as well.
There was no moving forward with the system if he didn't complete an index quest.
That was simply the modus operandi.
Drax sighed as a feeling of doubt crept into his heart once more, just like it did the first time he saw the quest.
The Elf Prince clutched his heart, his eyes suddenly coming alive with resolve.
Drax shook his head as if shaking off the controversial thoughts that seemed to depress his spirit.
He was not going to let the new feeling of doubt hold him back again.
"You can do this, Drax," he motivated himself.
"This is what you have been preparing for."
*********
A/N: The novel is now contracted. Thank you all for your support and do continued to support if you enjoy the book.