After the final distribution of rewards, Thorian and his band of kobolds and direwolves began their departure from the lightning-infused dungeon. Emerging through the mystical portal, they found themselves back within the cold, damp cavern that marked the dungeon's entrance.
"That was quite the dungeon," Ifrit remarked, stretching her arms in satisfaction. "I've gained so many levels, I've lost track. We need to do this as many times as we can.”
“Couldn’t have said it better,” Forlune echoed her sentiment with a hearty chuckle. At this rate, I should evolve and reach my second advancement before the week's end."
While Forlune and the other kobolds bantered playfully, Harald cracked a wide, toothy grin. "Evolution, indeed... I should be ready for that in a couple of days. It's intriguing to ponder what form I might take."
Hearing Harald’s words, Thorian’s interest was piqued. He immediately summoned his companion’s status window to take a look.
Status Panel Race Alpha Direwolf Level 22/35 (exp: 1356/6800) Lifespan 50 years Stats Strength 77 Agility 113 Constitution 79 Mana 31 Skills Feral Leadership (Passive) Howl of the Lord (Active) Wind Leap (Active) Dire Rend (Active) Bestial State (Active) Mana Manipulation (Active)
Observing Harald's progress, Thorian was unable to suppress a smile. Despite Harald not benefiting from dual leveling, his stats were strikingly similar to Thorian's.
“Since you’re this close to your evolution, we should start training mana manipulation as soon as possible,” Thorian remarked with a serious look.
Grasping Thorian's logic, Harald responded with a nod, "I'll follow your lead. I'm eager to discover what new possibilities this evolution might unlock."
With their decisions made, Thorian and his companions set their course for the village. As they exited the cavern, the orange hues of dusk painting the sky marked the close of a strenuous day.
While navigating through the dense woodland, Thorian decided to examine his own status screen. He had neglected it for some time, and had experienced multiple level-ups in the interim.
Display Panel
Ding
Status Panel Race Flame Kobold Level 20/30 (exp: 3782/4400) Class Elemental Magus Level 17/40 (exp: 172/4200) Lifespan 40 years Cultivation realm Qi Gathering Fourth Stage (3.5%) Stats Strength 78 Agility 110 Constitution 59 Mana 100 Qi 60 Free Points 40 Regular Skills Minor Elemental Affinity (Passive) Flame resistance (Passive) Elemental Synergy I (passive) Dual Casting (passive) Mana Manipulation (active) Fireball (Active) Combustion Touch (Active) Waterball (Active) Wind Gust (Active) Rock Bullet (Active) Thunderclap (active) Mist Veil (active) Molten Shield (active) Dust Devil (active) Icy Barrage (active) Druidic Dome (active) Fire Pillar (active) Wind Tornado (active) Cultivation Skills Dark Flame Meditation Dark Phoenix Flame Arts: First Form [Dark Flame Palm] Production Skills Blacksmith I Alchemist I
Impressive progress indeed, Thorian reflected, a spark igniting in his eyes. Only my constitution and strength are lagging a bit. Given the surplus of points I have, I can afford to bolster them.
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Having determined his strategy, Thorian divided his forty available points equally between the two stats.
Strength: 78 -> 98
Constitution: 59 -> 79
A satisfied smile spread across Thorian's face as he observed his bolstered stats. However, as he delved further into his stat screen, almost trance-like, his expression morphed into one of realization.
How could I have forgotten about that skill? Thorian chastised himself, biting his lower lip as he reviewed his four primary stats. I need all of them to reach the triple digits in order to unlock the 'Jack of All Trades' skill.
Recalling this skill and its prerequisites made Thorian wish he could smack himself for his oversight. If only he'd remembered earlier, he could have devised a more effective plan for allocating his free points.
There's no point lamenting over past mistakes, Thorian shook off his self-reproach. I'm still in a position to unlock it before anyone else. My focus now should be on boosting my constitution stat.
With a new strategy forming, Thorian set aside these thoughts for the time being. More pressing matters demanded his attention.
I need to assess how the kobolds and orcs are faring, he thought. Once I've handled the internal affairs of the village, I can concentrate on mana manipulation training with Harald.
In no time, the group found themselves back at the village. Thorian's first task was to circulate through the village and receive status reports from all four gates. Thankfully, nothing out of the ordinary had transpired during their time in the dungeon. The outer wall showed some cracks from monster attacks, but it remained intact.
A considerable number of kobloids had evolved into full-fledged kobolds, with only a few lagging behind in their evolution. The orcs, in their natural pace, steadily increased their levels and honed their skills by combating the monsters at the wall, much like the mature kobolds.
Under Thorian's directives, the army units worked in rotation, felling trees in the space between the inner and outer wall. As the hours ticked by and the day came to a close, the area surrounding the territory altar was teeming with logs and lumber, matching if not exceeding the previous day's yield.
Despite their smaller numbers, the civilian units also made headway. The blacksmithing team successfully forged seven low-quality White Mist swords, but their other attempts fell short and were subsequently smelted back into ingots.
Conversely, the alchemists had no such recourse. Failed experiments led to irretrievable material losses, prompting them to be exceedingly cautious. If an experiment showed signs of going awry, they would promptly abort the process to minimize waste. Their meticulous approach yielded only two low-grade mana pills by day's end.
Thorian made his customary rounds through the village. Upon reaching the territory altar, he converted some of the felled trunks into wood units and used them to repair the outer wall. Despite his army's competent defense, he was adamant about maintaining the wall's integrity. After all, the existing cracks could serve as potential breach points in the future.
With the village maintenance tasks successfully completed, Thorian headed toward his dwelling where Harald was lounging by the entrance. Upon seeing Thorian approach, the alpha direwolf awakened and rose to his feet.
"Is it finally time for our training?" Harald inquired with a soft growl.
Thorian laughed lightly at his companion's impatience. "I apologize for the wait. There were a multitude of pressing matters that needed my attention."
"It's part of being a leader," Harald shrugged nonchalantly. "But perhaps we should now concentrate on enhancing our own strength."
Acknowledging Harald's point, Thorian motioned towards an open space in the village center. "Let's practice there. It's safer."
Upon reaching the designated area, Thorian settled into a cross-legged position, with Harald seated beside him.
"Mana originates from the heart," Thorian instructed, his body folded into the lotus pose. "That's its source, its reservoir."
Inhaling deeply, Thorian turned his attention inward. Having recently transitioned into his feral body, he was still acclimating to its inner mechanics and nuances. For a moment, he even struggled to identify his own heart.
After a quiet minute, Thorian finally reopened his eyes. It barely qualifies as a mana heart. It's barely a nebulous collection of mana, hovering aimlessly. This will be more challenging than I thought...
Turning to his companion, Thorian was surprised to find Harald deeply engrossed. Although the direwolf hadn't yet grasped the concept of the mana thread, his earnest effort was nonetheless impressive.
That's the right mindset, Thorian thought approvingly.
Silently, Thorian closed his eyes once again. He immersed himself in the depths of his being, attempting to comprehend the dynamics of mana within his flame kobold body. Thorian experienced a researcher's thrill. While he was thoroughly versed in the flow of mana within a human, this was his first opportunity to explore it from a monster's perspective.
Those old geezers of the council would kill to get this chance.
Thorian's concentration was unwavering. He delved into his internal systems, seeking to trace the route of his mana. He needed to understand how the cloud-like mana in his heart journeyed along the mana channels, making its way to his palm, before it was actualized into a tangible spell.
Time slipped away unnoticed, minutes merging into hours as Thorian and Harald persisted in their intense introspection.