[Ding! The entity Forest Wolf has been added to your Summoning List]
[Ding! The entity Forest Wolf has been added to your Summoning List]
[Ding! The entity Forest Wolf has been added to your Summoning List]
[Ding! The entity Forest Wolf has been added to your Summoning List]
[Ding! The entity Forest Wolf has been added to your Summoning List]
Ethan's grin widened. This actually works. This small detail made so much difference. Within a matter of minutes, the entire wolf pack was taken care of and also added to his summoning list. A job done perfectly!
But his mana bolt was still pathetic. "Hmm… there are more wolves inside the forest." Ethan let out a breath and started walking. Tweety was already scouting ahead for the next pack of wolves and he took it slow by gathering and releasing one mana bolt after another as he walked.
Practise was obviously important to get better at it and even the spell scroll stressed the practise aspect quite a bit. There was also the other thing that the spell scroll described which Ethan wasn't able to accomplish.
As he continued his steady trek through the forest, releasing Mana Bolts at random trees and rocks to practice, his thoughts returned to the spell scroll's description. It hadn't just explained how to conjure and release the spell but also hinted at an advanced technique that eluded him thus far.
The scroll described a way to "compress" the mana before releasing it, increasing the spell's power and speed exponentially. The diagrams etched on the scroll showed swirling, tightly coiled lines of mana within the orb, a level of refinement Ethan hadn't yet achieved.
Despite multiple attempts, his Mana Bolts remained raw and unrefined, more like a thrown rock than the deadly projectile it had the potential to become.
Ethan paused, his hand glowing faintly with the beginnings of another Mana Bolt. "Compress the flow, focus it," he muttered, trying to recall the precise phrasing on the scroll.
He closed his eyes, slowing his breathing, and allowed his mana to pool in his palm once more. Instead of letting it expand freely into its usual sphere, he attempted to guide the energy inward, forcing it to spiral into itself.
The resistance was immediate. The mana pulsed unevenly, crackling as if rebelling against his control. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed harder, gritting his teeth. The orb flickered and distorted before violently dispersing with a sharp pop, sending a stinging sensation through his fingers.
"Ugh," Ethan groaned, shaking his hand to ease the discomfort. He glanced at Lia, who was watching him intently, concern etched on her face. "I'm fine," he assured her, though his pride stung more than his hand. "It's harder than it looks."
"Master," Lia said gently, "it takes a lot of time to train in magic spells. My mother is a water mage and she said she managed to cast her first successful spell only after she reached E-rank."
Ethan nodded. "Ya. I guess I should take my time too. Talking about E-grade… are you sure everyone can evolve to E-grade when they reach level 25?"
Lia nodded confidently, her hazel eyes glinting with certainty. "Yes, Master. That's how the system is designed for most individuals. Once someone reaches level 25, they face what's called an Evolution Threshold. It's not just about leveling, though—it's a test of compatibility, talent, and mana flow. Successfully passing it allows a person to evolve to E-grade, gaining significant enhancements to their class, physical attributes, and mana control."
Ethan mulled this over, tapping his fingers against his thigh. "So, it's automatic as long as you meet the requirements? No weird rituals or dangerous trials?"
"Well," Lia hesitated slightly, "for most people, it's straightforward. They only need to meditate and align their mana for a successful breakthrough. But…" Her voice trailed off, her expression growing more serious.
"There are exceptions. Some classes, especially rare or cursed ones, have additional challenges. The evolution process can vary. For example, Warlocks or other dark-aligned classes may require specific items or rituals. It depends on the class affinity."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And what happens if someone fails this 'Evolution Threshold'? Do they just… stay stuck?"
"Not permanently," Lia reassured him. "If someone fails, it just means they weren't ready. They can try again after improving their mana control or leveling up further. But each failure makes it harder to evolve in the future." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "That's why most people prepare carefully before attempting. It's not a race—it's about precision and readiness."
Ethan leaned against a tree, processing this new information. "So, when I hit level 25, I should expect something like that?"
"Yes, Master," Lia replied with a small smile. "But considering your talent and how quickly you've adapted, I doubt you'll have much trouble. Just don't rush it. Even the most talented people take time to prepare."
Ethan nodded, filing the information away. Leveling to 25 wasn't immediate for him, but knowing what lay ahead helped him feel more prepared. "Alright. Let's focus on the wolves for now. Evolution can wait until I'm strong enough to reach that point."
With that, he adjusted his stance, his hand glowing faintly with another attempt at compressing his Mana Bolt.