Chapter 53: Unlikely Matchup (I)
“Like what?” Nerin asked. “You wouldn’t be thinking of borrowing a sword to strike at the enemy are you?”
Even Ezamin spared his attendant a glance, wondering what was cooking in that little clever head of hers.
“I have something even better in mind.” She said, smiling meaningfully at him. “But we might have to act a little more cautiously for it to work.”
The requirements for Tier 4 in Mana Foundations were: 30 mana apertures, 100% completion in the mana circuit, and only 80 breaths of mana. Ember had managed the first months ago, though there had been no further improvement in opening any more mana apertures after that. Thirty was supposedly the limit imposed on anyone without a class, whereas his breaths of mana had reached 110 over time.
It was only his mana circuit that made him falter. Already at 99.2%, it seemed like he was very close to making it. Unfortunately, the progress had almost stalled since he had reached the 99% mark. It had been weeks since he had gained even a fraction of a point of improvement.
Thinking on that, Ember brought out the only Intermediate Mana Elixir he had packed with him and poured it into his mouth without hesitation.
Mana elixirs were mostly used to boost Breaths of Mana, though they could still provide some benefit to the mana circuit and even help open new apertures. Of course, Ember would be unable to open any more apertures anytime soon, but the elixir could still improve his mana circuit, perhaps even allowing him to advance to Tier 4.
Feeling the cool liquid travel through his throat and into his stomach, Ember immediately concentrated, circulating his mana to incorporate the elixir’s pure mana. His body warmed up in no time as a breath of mana formed within a couple of minutes.
Even if it didn’t bring his mana circuit to completion, a few more breaths of mana in his apertures would be more than welcome. Now that he had more ways to apply his mana, even that little boost would be useful, especially since conflict with the Asarii clan seemed impossible to avoid.