The morning air buzzed with a mix of anticipation and nerves as Alex and Emily arrived at the guild's training grounds. Spread out behind the main guild building, the grounds were a sprawling expanse filled with practice dummies, sparring rings, and a variety of wooden and metal weapons hanging from racks. Several groups of adventurers were already hard at work, their grunts and shouts punctuating the crisp morning air.
Lola greeted them at the entrance, her usual warm smile in place. "Good morning, you two. Ready for your first lesson?"
"As ready as we'll ever be," Alex replied, stealing a glance at Emily, who nodded despite the tension in her posture.
"Perfect. The guild master himself will be leading today's session," Lola said, gesturing toward the far side of the field. There stood Darren, the burly guild master, barking instructions to a group of adventurers attempting to spar. His booming voice carried over the field, drawing a bead of sweat from Alex's brow.
"I feel like I'm about to be crushed," Alex muttered.
"You'll be fine," Lola said reassuringly. "He might look intimidating, but he's an excellent teacher. Follow me."
As they approached Darren, he turned to them, his face softening just slightly from its usual stern demeanor. "Ah, there you are. You're the newcomers Lola mentioned. Emily and Alex, correct?"
"Yes, sir," Emily said, her voice steady despite the weight of his gaze.
"Good. Today, you'll start learning how to strengthen your bodies with internal mana. It's a cornerstone of survival for adventurers, especially for those like you who can't use magic." He crossed his arms and studied them for a moment. "Strengthening techniques amplify your physical capabilities—speed, strength, reflexes. But they require control over your internal mana. First, we'll see how much control you already have."
Darren led them to a cleared area with two large, smooth stones set in the dirt. He crouched down next to one, placing a hand on its surface. "This stone weighs about as much as a grown man in full armor. With proper strengthening, even someone of your size can lift it. Without it…" He trailed off, raising an eyebrow. "Well, you'll find out. Try it."
Alex and Emily exchanged nervous glances. Alex stepped forward, crouching next to the stone. He took a deep breath and gripped its edges, straining with all his might. The stone didn't budge. After a few seconds, he stepped back, panting.
"Exactly as I thought," Darren said. "You're relying on brute force alone. Now, watch."
Placing his hand on the stone, Darren's body tensed for a brief moment. A faint, almost imperceptible glow pulsed along his arms, and he lifted the stone effortlessly, holding it aloft for a few seconds before setting it down.
"That glow you saw? That's mana. To strengthen your body, you need to channel your internal mana into specific muscles or areas. Close your eyes and focus on the energy within you. It might feel like a pulse, a warmth, or even a vibration. Once you sense it, try guiding it to your arms."
Alex closed his eyes, concentrating. At first, all he felt was his own heartbeat, but after a minute, he noticed a faint warmth in his chest. Tentatively, he tried to push that warmth toward his arms. A tingling sensation spread through his muscles, and when he opened his eyes, his hands seemed steadier.
"Good," Darren said, nodding. "Now try lifting again."
This time, when Alex gripped the stone, he felt lighter, more controlled. He heaved, and to his astonishment, the stone shifted slightly. Though he couldn't lift it completely, the progress was undeniable.
Emily was next. At first, she struggled to find her internal mana, but with Darren's guidance, she began to channel it. Her progress was slower than Alex's, but Darren praised her patience and focus.
"Strengthening isn't just about raw power," Darren explained as the two of them caught their breath. "It's about balance, control, and endurance. Some of the best adventurers can maintain strengthening for hours in battle. You'll get there with practice."
By the end of the session, both Alex and Emily were exhausted but invigorated. Darren dismissed them with instructions to practice sensing and channeling their mana daily. "Next time, we'll move on to reflexes and speed. Be ready."
As they left the training grounds, Emily turned to Alex with a small smile. "We're really doing this."
Alex nodded, his muscles sore but his spirit unshaken. "Yeah. And I think we might actually have a shot at surviving this world."