The camp was bustling with activities. The soldiers were fired up because Sullivan would be leading the army personally.
This meant that the battle would definitely end in their victory. However, just like how Sullivan led this base, they knew Sullivan wouldn't personally intervene as long as nothing big was going on.
Still, feeling assured that they would win alone was enough to make them excited.
The soldiers were preparing their equipment, from their weapons to armor. Some of them even had a light spar.
They sang, they cheered. There was nothing stopping them from believing in tomorrow's victory.
Selena remained in the tent, not because she didn't want to understand the lives of the soldiers, but because she was trying to master her new ability.
There was flame-like Ena enveloping her body. The flame flared up as if trying to form a body that would protect her.
When Nathan saw it, he realized the difference between their talents. He had trouble just mastering explosive bullets, so there was no way he could form such a stable object from Ena.
Then again, this was the exact reason he chose guns. He couldn't afford to practice everything.
Nathan just smiled, knowing this was Selena's specialty. There was something he planned to do, so he quietly exited the tent, only to find his path blocked by a big person.
As he raised his head, he heard a familiar voice. "To be able to control her Ena to that extent… This is the first time I see it. Even the Sage managed to achieve it during his second year. It seems her talent is better than the sage's."
"Sir Sullivan?" Nathan raised his eyebrows, not expecting him to wait outside the tent. "Why are you here? I mean, have you been standing here this whole time?"
"No. I was just about to call you." Sullivan shook his head.
"Call me?" Nathan tilted his head in confusion. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Sullivan raised his head, staring at Selena. "It seems your future is looking bleak if you're going to compete with her all the time."
"Not really." Nathan shrugged.
"Hmm?" Sullivan looked Nathan in the eyes. His expression indirectly implied it wasn't a lie. At least he didn't think it that way. "It's very clear that her talent is much higher than yours, especially in Ena Manipulation."
Nathan smiled. Of course. However, Sullivan didn't know that he could upgrade his talent by having a lot of Ena. That was why he might be slow right now and had to use a lot of things to bridge that gap, but once he grew stronger, he would have an easier time.
Besides, he had divine beasts unlike anyone else in this world.
Nathan simply said, "For you, what kind of path before you?"
"A straightforward path," Sullivan answered without hesitation.
"For me. Everyone's path has a big block standing before them, stopping them from moving forward. Some people have bigger bodies or higher physical strength, but all of us have to push the same block.
"Only by training will you improve your body and better push that block forward. I'm the same, but unlike her, I can turn that block into a sphere to make it easier to push.
"That's why I believe that the difference between our talents is not true. It's just we don't have the correct method that suits us, or it's simply our path is different." Nathan ended his explanation with a smile.
Seeing that sincere expression put a smile on Sullivan's face.
"In that case, I will lend you this." Sullivan took out a small red crystal.
"This is…" Nathan frowned, examining the crystal. There was nothing wrong with it.
"Clench it in your hand and use your technique by pouring your Ena into that crystal first."
Nathan was confused, but he still followed Sullivan's instruction.
He held the crystal with three fingers while making a gun motion. After that, he formed a bullet through the crystal.
To his surprise, the bullet he formed became much smoother and more powerful. The size alone was 50% more than what he usually had.
"Is this the staff's eye? The crystal that is said to be able to conduct Ena? Summoners often use it to amplify their Ena." Nathan gasped.
"This is just from my observation, but it looks like you are fighting with your fist. However, because of that very reason, you are unable to use crystals. After all, if you attach the crystal inside your hand, it will mess with your grip's strength. If you attach it to the back of your palm, it would be quite painful to be hit in that area.
"That's why you normally don't see people having a similar fighting style having one. But your main fighting style will always be a ranged style, so I don't think it's a bad idea to use it.
"No. Your teacher must be very stingy. To think that she didn't even give such a crystal to her precious student."
"Ehm…" Nathan scratched the back of his head. "Well, I got this from the Dragon King after he gave me one of his core techniques."
"What?" Sullivan looked stunned, but he hurriedly snorted, "Oh. That sweaty old man. What I'm trying to say is that you should be able to utilize more power like that girl with this crystal. In fact, most people use it, including me."
Sullivan showed his sword, specifically the red-colored gem attached to the hilt. "If you have it, you should be able to kill aliens easier."
"Why do you give it to me?"
"I'm not giving it to you. I'm lending it! Besides, if you kill a lot of aliens, it will give the knights an easier time. However, I'm going to tell you this. If you don't produce enough results, I'm going to demand it back before the two weeks are up."
Nathan smiled. "Fine by me. I don't know how this will affect my performance, but it doesn't hurt to try. Thank you."
Sullivan patted Nathan's shoulder. He didn't say it, but the biggest reason was because the plan Nathan gave the following day.