As they ventured deeper into the Everglades, the trio navigated through a landscape that seemed untouched by time. Mr. Julian guided James and Lauren through the dense foliage with a stride that didn’t disturb the natural rhythm of the swamp, his eyes occasionally scanning the surroundings with an attentiveness that hinted at a lifetime of experience. Despite his clearly superior power, the old man still paid attention to his surroundings.

"The transition to D-rank is a pivotal moment for an Awakener," Mr. Julian began, breaking the silence that had settled among them as they walked. "It's more than just a step up in power; it's a fundamental change in how you interact with mana. Some say it's when Awakeners stop being humans and become more, but that's nonsense. In truth, it's a moment when the System becomes more invested in your growth, thus allowing you to access more resources."

James and Lauren listened intently, their steps careful to avoid disturbing the murky waters that bordered the path. "You might not be aware of this since James has always had sensory skills from what I know, but they are a rarity below D-rank. Above it, they become the norm. It's impossible to be that tied into the magical side of things and not perceive how mana moves around you." The old man kept explaining.

Around them, the Everglades teemed with life, uncaring of the presence of powerful Awakeners. Birds called from the treetops, their songs weaving through the air, while the occasional splash in the water hinted at unseen creatures moving just beneath the surface.

"Many Awakeners reach D-rank and believe they've made it. They grow complacent, content with the power they've achieved, or more correctly, with the power they were given. Some call it the last freebie since after this, there are several more complex requirements to rank up." Mr. Julian continued, his tone carrying a note of caution. "But the true test is what comes after. Do you settle, or do you push further, strive harder, and seek to surpass even your own expectations? The world is filled with potential, but it's up to each individual to reach out and grasp it, and the majority enjoy the benefits their meager strength gives them without ever looking for more."

The air grew heavier, a mix of humidity and anticipation, as Mr. Julian led them to a part of the swamp that felt different. The usual sounds of wildlife seemed muted, and there was an underlying stillness that set James's nerves on edge.

"Your coming rank up," Mr. Julian said, pausing to let the gravity of his words sink in, "will be a significant one. You've both achieved notable victories, battling creatures beyond your current level. This experience has prepared you, but as we approach the threshold of D-rank, the nature of your challenges must evolve."

James, processing this, glanced at Lauren. Team 0 had been through hell the past months, pushing hard to become strong and having their effort be recognized felt good.

"Unlike last time," Mr. Julian continued, "my presence in your battles would do more harm than good. The System recognizes the disparity in our strengths. To gain the full benefits of your rank up, you'll need to engage with monsters that present a genuine threat but remain within what you can handle."

"Does that mean you won't help us even if we need it?" Lauren asked.

"I won't let you die if that's what you are worried about, so you should fight until you no longer can. Earn those last levels, but more than that, get achievements."

James, wanting to use the old man's expertise for all it was worth, broached a topic close to his heart. "What about our Talent and Skill choices? Any suggestions?"

Mr. Julian smiled, "Your Talent and Skill development is a deeply personal journey. However, I can offer some guidance. Since you will only gain one additional skill slot at D-rank, which is reserved for a signature ability, it’s crucial to focus on enhancing what you already have. Diversify your skill set if you haven't done so last time."

He leaned forward, emphasizing his following words. "A couple of mighty skills can shape the core of your combat strategy, but don't underestimate the value of utility and enhancement skills. Sensing, self-healing, or even environmental manipulation can turn the tide of a battle. These should be available for you to choose from now or soon. Think strategically about how each skill complements your style and strengths."

Lauren and James absorbed his advice, the weight of their decisions pressing on them now that they were close to the goal.

I really wish Daniel was here. We have the best back and forth when we start speculating about new Talents and skills. Oh well, at least I know he's in good hands, since Mr. Bethany wouldn't give us to Mr. Julian and them to a scrub.

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"As you navigate your rank up," Mr. Julian concluded, "remember that strength is not just measured in the skills you wield or the monsters you defeat. It's also found in your ability to adapt, learn, and forge your path with wisdom and courage."

I hope their trainer for the month is less sanctimonious than this guy. He's wise, no doubt, but man, he loves the sound of his voice.

The old man gave James a brief look as if sensing what he had just thought before resuming his speech.

Jesus, there is no way he's a psychic, too, right? Am I that creepy when I feel people's emotions?

Shortly after, James found out that, no, the old man wasn't a psychic and probably was only looking at him to see if he had noticed anything weird because he sensed an angry presence testing the edges of his range. It felt fuzzy and somehow divided, but it was unmistakably there.

"Notice anything unusual?" Mr. Julian asked, stopping at the edge of a particularly dense thicket of mangroves.

"Is that a powerful monster?" James asked, trying to scry the presence better but feeling frustrated at how far it was.

With a hint of amusement in his voice, Mr. Julian provided a clue. "It's something ubiquitous, yet its absence here makes it noteworthy."

James focused, extending his psychic senses further, filtering through the layers of natural and magical energies that permeated the swamp. And then, it clicked. "There are no insects," he realized aloud, a note of surprise in his voice.

"Exactly," Mr. Julian confirmed just as a low hum rose in the distance. The sound grew louder, and within moments, a vast cloud of mosquitoes lifted from the swampy waters, their numbers so vast they seemed to darken the sky as they approached.

That's a lot of bugs. I can see now why it felt so confusing. While there must be thousands of mosquitos in that swarm, they are all psychically connected. It's somewhat similar to the ant nest, but that connection was probably due to the red energy. This one is wholly natural. It's a hive mind.

Mr. Julian watched their reaction, a severe expression settling on his face. "This is your next challenge. These mosquitoes are not ordinary pests. They've been enhanced by the mana here into the D-rank, making them more aggressive and resilient, but the most dangerous part is that they will swarm you together. Dealing with them will require more than physical strength. It will test your ability to adapt, to think creatively, and to use your powers in ways you haven't before."

James took a deep breath, steadying himself as the cloud of mosquitoes became a discernible mass of tiny, buzzing bodies, each glowing faintly to his senses with absorbed mana. He turned to Lauren, sharing a few quick points. "They're connected, a hive mind of sorts. I'll try to disrupt their coordination with a mental push. Keep them off me if you can."

Lauren nodded, beginning to produce dark smoke, ready to form arrows and strike at the swarm.

As the mosquitoes drew closer, James extended his psychic senses, feeling the collective consciousness of the swarm. It was unlike anything he had encountered before - a single, unified will driving thousands of individual creatures. He focused, channeling his telekinesis into a barrier around himself while probing the edges of the swarm's mind, looking for a way to introduce chaos into its ranks.

The swarm hesitated as it encountered James's telekinetic shield, the buzzing intensifying as if the creatures were communicating, assessing this new obstacle. Then, unexpectedly, James felt a counterforce, a pushback from the swarm's collective mind, a mental assault that sought to overwhelm his defenses and sap his will.

Lauren acted swiftly, launching spears of darkness into the swarm, each strike disintegrating dozens of mosquitoes. But for every insect that fell, it seemed as though ten more took its place as they kept rising from the swamp. The swarm was undeterred, focusing on eliminating the enemies and feeding itself.

James gritted his teeth, splitting his focus between maintaining the telekinetic barrier and countering the swarm's psychic attack.

He had only ever been in one other mental battle, and that one was nothing like this. He pushed, focusing his mind into a spear like the last time, but the hive mind was too scattered for him to pin down properly. Again and again, James tried to force it into direct battle, but it shied at the edges, trying to overwhelm him with its sheer presence without directly coming into contact with him.

It was frustrating work, but it did mean that the swarm was moving much more slowly than it should be capable of, allowing Lauren to whittle it down slowly.

Understanding that his spear wasn't working correctly, James dismissed it, reabsorbing the mental energy. In the vast, dark mindscape in which the battle was taking place, he tried a different tactic. Usually, he would use a representation of himself as a conduit for his attacks, but there was no real need to do that since everything was tied to his imagination. He could easily attack from any direction his energies could reach.

Thus, James dispersed his presence, allowing himself to be free of his human constraints and becoming something closer to the swarm, if only for a moment. In doing so, he became able to sense the hive mind much better.

It was like touching the surface of a vast ocean with innumerable currents beneath. Each current was a thought, a fragment of the collective that moved with terrifying synchronicity. James realized that to fight this entity, he couldn't be a single spear; he needed to become a net, wide and encompassing.

He started to weave his consciousness into a lattice, spreading thin but interconnected strands of thought across the mental landscape. This network was not designed to attack but to listen and learn. For the first time, James wasn't pushing; he was inviting. He let the swarm's thoughts brush against his to understand their movement, purpose, and weaknesses. Unable to find him, the mosquitos let him.

James discovered something crucial about the hive mind. It was coordinated, yes, but not truly unified. There were minute delays and tiny imperfections in how it communicated across its vastness. These were not faults of individual thoughts but rather a limitation in how quickly and efficiently the collective could respond. It was an entity that relied on overwhelming force rather than finesse.

With this knowledge, James began to adjust his strategy. He focused on creating disruptions, small pockets of confusion within the hive mind's communications. He didn't need to overpower the entire swarm; he just needed to generate enough noise to disrupt its harmony. Like introducing a foreign note into a symphony would cause a cascade of dissonance.

It was an approach that required a much more delicate touch than he had ever needed to employ, but James didn't let that discourage him. Even if he couldn't simply overwhelm the swarm, he had found a way to fight it.