Following the successful raid on the Red Moon Gang's stronghold, Aaron and Arna returned to Vicente Manor with valuable spoils. After several days of close cooperation, their relationship had grown noticeably stronger. The distance and hostility in Arna's gaze had softened, replaced by a subtle sense of trust and respect.
Aaron recognized Arna's courage and competence as essential to the mission's success. Their teamwork had fostered a closer bond, and her loyalty seemed increasingly steadfast. He knew that if he were to leverage black market resources effectively, he would need more reliable allies like her.
For now, however, Aaron decided to avoid any significant moves. He spread rumors to intensify tensions between the Red Moon Gang and other black market factions, ensuring they would be too preoccupied with internal and external conflicts to retaliate. Shifting his focus inward, Aaron prioritized his own advancement. Remaining at the bronze rank was no longer viable for his ambitions—reaching the silver rank had become his most urgent goal.
To break through, Aaron required a more sophisticated understanding of magical theory to enhance his mana control. Capitalizing on his recent contributions, he formally requested access to the family's library from his father, Count Vicente.
The family library, a treasure trove of ancient magical texts and spell scrolls, was one of the Vicente family's greatest assets. In his previous life, Aaron had lacked the status and influence needed to gain entry. But now, with his recent achievements, he finally had the opportunity to delve into these long-coveted tomes.
The library doors swung open with the aid of a servant, releasing a waft of ancient parchment and leather. Aaron stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the countless shelves, feeling a surge of mixed emotions. These precious sources of knowledge, once beyond his reach, were now his to explore.
Without wasting time, Aaron headed directly for the shelves housing books on spellcraft and mana, carefully selecting volumes that would be most beneficial for his breakthrough: Essence of Mana, Techniques of Mana Compression and Refinement, and Optimization of Low-Rank Spells. He settled into a quiet corner and began reading.
As he studied, Aaron uncovered insights into mana purification and compression that highlighted certain gaps in his previous practice. In his last life, his progression from bronze to silver rank had been rushed, leaving his mana unrefined and limiting his control over high-level spells.
In Techniques of Mana Compression and Refinement, he learned methods for using breath and inner focus to gradually condense mana, increasing its density and potency. Aaron realized that his earlier impatience had prevented him from mastering the delicate timing required for such compression, thus delaying his advancement to silver rank.
"Breath rhythm, resonance with the core… combined with the energy from fairy dust, this time the breakthrough should go smoothly," Aaron mused, mentally mapping out a plan to integrate the new techniques with his resources.
After several days of study and preparation, Aaron returned to the secluded chamber, ready to attempt his breakthrough. Sitting cross-legged in the center, he placed fairy dust and other rare materials around him, clutching a few pure mana crystals to ensure he'd have enough energy for the process.
Taking a deep breath, he began circulating his mana, uncorked the vial of fairy dust, and sprinkled a small amount into his palm. The dust emitted a soft glow, and as he directed it into his mana channels, a cool wave of energy surged through his body.
Following the breathing techniques he had learned, Aaron synchronized his breaths with the flow of mana, gradually merging the fairy dust's energy with his channels. His heartbeat slowed, and his breathing and mana achieved a delicate resonance. Bit by bit, his mana condensed, approaching the density required for silver rank.
The breakthrough process, however, was far from painless. The fairy dust's potency exceeded his expectations, sending searing energy through his veins, as though needles pricked at his channels. Gritting his teeth, Aaron held his hands in a sealing gesture, concentrating all his focus on guiding the mana flow steadily. He knew this moment was critical; only by compressing his mana to its utmost could he break past the limitations of bronze rank.
Time passed, and Aaron's forehead gleamed with sweat, though his expression remained resolute. After hours of channeling and compressing, his mana became dense and heavy, flowing like liquid mercury within him.
Suddenly, he felt a powerful pull at the core of his mana, as though his entire energy were compressing into a new form. Recognizing this as the breakthrough moment, Aaron focused all his willpower on guiding the final compression.
A surge of energy exploded within him, and he felt a wave of clarity unlike anything before. The quality of his mana had transformed, becoming steadier and more responsive. He had finally transcended bronze rank and stepped into the refined power of silver.
Aaron opened his eyes slowly, calm and sharp. The mana coursing through him was no longer the turbulent energy of bronze but a smooth, mirror-like power of silver. He raised his hand, and a silver glow danced at his fingertips—more stable and pure than before.
"At last, I've broken through…" he murmured, savoring the newfound strength within.
Rather than rushing out, Aaron spent several hours in the chamber testing various spells. The techniques he had studied enabled him to manipulate mana with greater precision. He could now double the power of low-rank spells, casting faster and with heightened accuracy.
Experimenting with a fireball spell, he noted that the flames burned brighter and lasted longer than before. A small smile crossed his face; this advancement had elevated his combat capabilities far beyond those of any bronze-rank mage. In certain respects, he could even contend with some gold-rank opponents.
"This breakthrough exceeded my expectations," Aaron muttered with satisfaction. The step into silver rank gave him a solid foundation for future endeavors, as well as the confidence to face stronger adversaries.
Following his breakthrough, Aaron carefully laid out his next moves. For now, he would remain discreet, allowing black market factions to turn against one another under the influence of rumors while continuing to expand his hidden network.
At the same time, Arna's loyalty had solidified, and she was quickly becoming a valuable asset. Aaron planned to establish her as a key agent within the black market, managing intelligence networks and handling covert operations when necessary.
In the coming phase, Aaron intended to exploit the weaknesses in the Red Moon Gang, gradually infiltrating the Shadow Alliance's core. Through this, he aimed to establish his own "sub-faction" within the black market, laying the groundwork for future expansion.