"Yes, Master," Celia added. "Please teach us. Let us begin the process."
Nolan nodded firmly. "Good. You have to become stronger than you are right now. Only then will I truly be at peace... and allow you to step into the arena without holding back."
"Yes, Master," Celia said earnestly. "I want to get stronger so I can stand by your side."
"Same here," Linda added, determination burning in her eyes. "I want to get stronger so I can protect you."
"Good," Nolan said. "Then let’s begin. Face me."
The two girls turned toward him, their expressions serious. Nolan took a deep breath. My mana capacity is extremely high... so high that even I have to consciously suppress it. Only a few people could ever sense it, and if I fully unleashed it in a fight... I could win—or a single punch might disintegrate my opponent.
"And you two," he continued, "need to double your mana. Join your hands together."
Celia pressed her palms together, and Linda did the same.
"Close your eyes," Nolan instructed. "Breathe in... breathe out... feel your mana. Imagine using your abilities or skills without actually using them."
The girls did as he said, focusing inward.
"Now imagine your mana forming. Picture it gathering into a golden light. When you see that golden light, stop. Don’t open your eyes yet. Do you see it?" Nolan asked.
"I... I don’t see any light," Celia admitted.
"Same here," Linda said, closing her eyes tighter.
"Keep your eyes closed. Focus," Nolan urged. "Feel it... sense it."
After a few moments, Celia’s voice trembled with excitement. "I think I’m seeing it! It’s like mana particles... shining gold... coming together."
"Me too!" Linda said. "It’s... golden, and the particles are joining together!"
"Good," Nolan said. "Open your eyes."
They opened their eyes, their expressions a mix of wonder and disbelief.
"Is that all?" Celia asked.
"Yes... that’s it?" Linda echoed.
Nolan shook his head, smiling faintly. "I wouldn’t call it easy. Some people’s mana has stopped growing, and they’d never reach this stage. What you just did shows that both of you have tremendous potential."
"Let test your power now your mana has increased ," Nolan said. "I think we should all step outside."
Linda nodded, and they all headed to the yard.
"Linda, heighten your senses, like you usually do," Nolan instructed.
Linda focused, filling her eyes, nose, and mouth with mana. "What...? It feels normal now. My senses are heightened, but it’s not taking a toll on my body like before. I usually feel a lot of strain, but not this time."
"Yes, that’s one advantage of increasing your mana. It makes it easier," Nolan said.
"Now, Celia, your turn," he continued.
Celia pulled out her sword and held it firmly. White phonic crystals appeared on her arm, and her sword glowed brighter than usual. She roared and slashed the air. A white, slashing figure followed her blade and cut down a tree in the yard.
"Wow... did I just do that?" Celia exclaimed.
"That’s one advantage of increasing your mana. And you did well. The flame on your sword is brighter now, and your power has clearly improved," Nolan said.
"Thank you, Master. Also, my body feels lighter while I hold the sword. It feels like it has become one with me," Celia said, smiling.
"You are welcome on the game. Don’t let your guard down, Celia," Nolan said. "I’m going to tell you this: be aware of your surroundings. Linda can hide in her senses, so she’ll know what the opponent is about to do and what they’re planning—but you won’t. I advise you to pay attention to everything around you—every move your opponent makes in the arena. Think of every possible outcome that could happen in a fight, and consider how to overcome each one. If you can do that, then you’ll truly be strong."
"Yes, Master," Celia replied earnestly.
From above, Lyra called out, perched on the roof of the two-story building. "Hey, it seems you guys are having fun."
"What are you doing up there?" Celia asked.
With a swift jump, Lyra landed, the ground shaking slightly under her feet. She walked closer with a confident grin. "Master is dropping some water of wisdom, so why don’t I join in the fun? You’re training them—train me too."
"Do you all know about strength?" Lyra asked.
"As of now, your strength is equal to mine," Nolan said calmly.
"You’re joking, right, Master?" Celia said in disbelief.
"No, I’m serious," Nolan continued. "We once fought in that dungeon. At first, I thought she had won, but in reality... we were equal. Right now, our strength is the same."
Celia frowned, still trying to wrap her head around it. "It’s hard to believe... isn’t Lyra too young? How is she this strong? She’s seventeen, and her power is equal to our Master?"
"She is not seventeen she is," Nolan said.
Before Nolan could continue, Lyra delivered a sharp kick to her leg. "It’s not good to disclose a woman’s age. You don’t even know my exact age!"
"Oh... sorry, my bad," Nolan said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"My power is in sequence with our Master’s," Lyra said. "His power is far greater than mine. But as of now, I’m not at his level... yet he knows. The day after we fought, he entered Level 3 on his status window. His power is now either equal to or greater than mine."
"Wait... Master’s level wasn’t even measurable," Lyra said in surprise. "And now, in his status window, he’s Level 3?"
"Level 3? And Master is this powerful? What if he reaches Level 20?" Celia asked, wide-eyed.
"Wait... you guys know about status windows? Do you have yours too?" Nolan asked.
"Yes, we do," Lyra replied confidently.
"So that’s why you guys sometimes stare at... things," Nolan said, realizing. "I didn’t know you all had them too."
"Yes, we do," Lyra said. "And I’m already at Level 32."
"And I’m at Level 37," Linda added proudly.