A week has passed.
I repeatedly released my mana whenever it recovered, desperately trying to reabsorb it before losing consciousness.
However, failure was more common than not.
The number of times I had succeeded so far was zero.
To begin with, reabsorbing released mana was no easy feat.
Still, it was theoretically possible.
‘It’s not like I’m transforming it for any particular purpose. I’m just releasing pure mana and then reabsorbing it.’
It couldn’t be reabsorbed if it was converted into magic or any other form of attack.
It was only possible if I released pure mana…
But just because it was possible didn’t mean it was easy.
Sigh-.
How long would it take to improve my Mana Manipulation to the next level with this brute-force method?
I looked down at my body.
My entire body was covered in dark bruises, and my face was haggard.
The final exams were fast approaching.
But my body was getting weaker by the day.
If I continued like this, there was a high chance I wouldn’t be able to hold onto my fourth-place ranking.
My minimum goal was to maintain my current ranking, or even aim higher.
That’s why I had to master Mana Manipulation as quickly as possible.
‘…This is the thirteenth time today.’
I rubbed my forehead in frustration.
I had released my mana thirteen times already and collapsed every single time.
My head ached because I hadn't succeeded even once.
If I didn’t succeed this time, it would be my fourteenth attempt…
Anxiety crept in, but thankfully, I noticed something.
‘The pain I feel in my body is lessening.’
I still lost consciousness after releasing my mana.
However, the amount of time I could stay conscious was gradually increasing.
When I told Samuel about this, he looked surprised.
[Already? That’s impossible…]
“What are you talking about? Didn’t you say it would take about a week?”
Samuel had clearly said that I would adapt within a week of starting this training.
He said I would be able to improve my Mana Manipulation by the second week.
“Don’t tell me you lied?”
[…That’s absurd. It’s true that repeating this will make it easier to use Mana Manipulation.]
“Then why did you react like that?”
[I’ve never taught this training method to anyone but you, so I was just guessing how long it would take.]
“Hmm.”
It was true that something felt off, but it didn’t seem like he was lying.
So, I put aside my doubts for now and decided to release my mana.
“I’ll begin.”
[Wait, where’s Luna? She needs to heal you.]
“I told her to stay away because it could be dangerous. She’ll probably come when I collapse.”
[I see.]
Luna had been using healing magic on me every time I collapsed during this training.
She had just started learning medicine from the medical instructor, so she hadn’t shown much improvement yet, but I was sure she would show her true potential when she actually had to fight.
Anyway.
“Let’s do this.”
[Go ahead.]
Hoo-.
I took a deep breath and calmed my mind.
Please, let me succeed this time.
With that thought, I closed my eyes and released the lump of mana that was gathered inside my body.
Bang-!
Along with an earth-shattering roar.
Excruciating pain slammed into me, threatening to tear me apart.
My mind began to fade once again, and my head throbbed mercilessly.
‘…It hurts.’
The pain was more intense than anything I had ever experienced.
If my mental strength was even slightly weaker, I would have completely collapsed.
But.
‘I will overcome this. I will…!’
I gritted my teeth and forced my eyes open.
The shock would have killed an ordinary Demon.
I was resisting the pain with only my willpower.
However,
No matter how hard I tried, my body was overloaded, and I couldn’t stop my consciousness from fading.
I was about to give up, thinking that I would fail again.
Thud-.
A sharp thorn pierced my forearm.
And then, a hard voice cut through the deafening roar that was assaulting my ears.
[Get a hold of yourself!]
Samuel was trying to shock me back to my senses.
Drip. Drip.
As I saw the blood dripping down my arm and onto the floor, my vision cleared.
Was it because of the pain?
My senses had become sharper.
At some point, I became able to feel the flow of mana being released from my body in much greater detail.
This was the opportunity that Samuel had created for me.
Clench-.
I gritted my teeth.
And then, I desperately tried to pull the pure mana that was lingering outside back into my body.
At that moment.
Exhale-.
I gasped and succeeded in absorbing all of the mana.
However, the pain that had gripped my body didn’t go away.
Cough-.
I coughed up a mouthful of dark blood as I got up.
Finally.
I had succeeded in Samuel’s first task, ‘Releasing and Reabsorbing Mana.’
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