Chapter 24: Path To Enlightenment
It's been over a week since I resumed my training with Alvida, and despite all my efforts, I still haven't broken into the fifth stage of intermediate magic. No matter how hard I push myself—expanding my Mana pool, practicing spells, or even consuming beast cores—nothing seems to change. Yet, I know I haven't hit my limit. I can feel it—my Mana pool has the potential to grow even further.
In this world, increasing one's proficiency in magic isn't as straightforward as some believe. The way magic works is both complex and simple if you pay close attention. Unlike the common belief that killing beasts or adventuring automatically boosts one's magical abilities, the reality is much more complicated.
There are many steps to becoming a great mage—learning spells, intense training, consuming beast cores, and gaining real-world experience. That's why the path to the top is so difficult; what works for one person may not work for another. Many dream of mastery over magic, but only a few actually achieve it.
In truth, every mage must find their own path—what some call gaining enlightenment. It's only through enlightenment that one can continue to grow without hitting a ceiling. And enlightenment is anything but easy. That's something I learned from reading about Agus, the strongest human mage who ever lived.
Right now, I'm sitting in my room, feeling depressed as hell. Even though I might seem like the type who chases after women all day, I actually care a lot about my personal growth. Being weak? It sucks. It means always settling for less. Sure, thanks to my mom, I've managed to secure two somewhat powerful women.
But that's not enough... I haven't gotten a single woman on my own, without someone else's influence. (Fufu, and yeah, I only want to get stronger to attract badass women—not because I'm a muscle-head or anything.)
I look like a mess right now—my clothes ragged, my hair unkempt. I've been in seclusion for two days straight, telling everyone not to bother me. In front of me are a bunch of dull, lifeless beast cores, their radiance gone from me draining them.
*BRRGHHHHHHH*
My stomach growls painfully, forcing me to clutch it in discomfort.