“Mere hours have gone by, yet our hero only looks a bit tired.

He has managed to find the strength to hobble to a less conspicuous location. Yet close to the blast zone.”

“I still need to continue doing things. I can’t just lay here.”

“What monstrous vitality, even I. In my undeniable wisdom and knowledge would not have predicted such ferocious healing capabilities.

Despite young master Ji’s capabilities, his body has not adjusted to the massive trauma of magic literally storming every last piece of him.

Now as we watch him sitting, his back to the wall and a bored look on his face. We, the more in tuned can see the ambient mana struggling to even enter his body, like a ship besieged by stormy seas.

Waves after waves of mana bombarding into him, albeit not violently.”

“I’m not sure if I believe you. I think I’d feel it if any of that was happening.

How do you see mana? Is it like a sixth sense or just a visual thing?”

“Lord Ji Aleksy asks. No one answers as per usual. His mental faculties remain forever in question.

The lingering silence and the audible sigh of a lonesome protagonist can be heard in the eerie silence that has dominated the area after the previous events.”

“How am I supposed to heal ten creatures? Band aids? I’m very confused.

Should have packed some antibiotics, alcohol and gauze.

Then there is, befriend or tame a creature.

I suppose I could befriend something. Stupid things usually respond well to be being fed.

Right?”

“The humans are known for forming many illogical habits, for example we can see this specimen scratching his temples. They often do something similar.

In fact if you simply mention the feeling of itching they get uncomfortable, they are very easy to influence, to say the least.”

“Hm? What?

I can definitely train my physical body. Or probably, I can’t be sure how much training is needed.”

“Our hero has potential, same as anyone. To clear all objectives laid before him.

However, it would be surprising if he suddenly figured out the secrets to shapeshifting, the ways of the druids or even touch upon the surface of mending the physical and psychological.”

“What a tease! Come on. Just a hint.”

“We of course can expect the humblest of heroes to be able to take a strike or two. Being capable of enduring a few hits from a foe is essential in the adventure business.”

“Come on! Imagine the possibilities! To change into whatever you want on demand!

Sure, healing is cool and all but shapeshifting!

Ye, before you say it, I realize my features are near impeccable and hard to do better, but still.”

“Denial is but a side effect of the delusional.”

“Why did your voice get so much deeper?”

“Within the lifespan of the fragile beings born to the lesser realms. A lot can change in a short time.”

“What?”

“What should take many centuries can take them a moment. But with it comes high risk, short life and almost inevitable doom.”

“Should I just relax and let you talk? You seem to be going somewhere with this.”

“Our hero lazily lounges on the hard floor, support by the decrepit wall.”

“Oh? Wait. You’re back to normal now? What’s going on with you?

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I´ve been wondering. The training my body part of the quests.

Does that mean I have to do push-up?

I’m not sure if going full Rocky will achieve anything.”

“The misconception our hero is experiencing is that the physical aspects of training one’s body is somehow about lifting weights.

Although that can achieve some miniscule progress it is at best way to mold oneself into a more aesthetic looking physique.

But when we delve into the very basics of strengthening the body it is of course through magic, how else would you break through otherwise very restricting limits?

Although there are many ways to improve one’s flesh, they all have one thing in common. And that is to imbue the flesh, blood and bones with mana, with magic in its many forms.

Most would have a more efficient way of training than just channeling mana through their bodies.

For example, the Fluo would in most cases focus on using the water elements or the many forms of liquid, which are more compatible with their natural bodies.”

“Oh. Oh. I see. Ye, that would make a lot more sense!”

“Sadly our protagonist doesn't even have the slightest idea how to utilize any this information, as he is most likely somehow mentally impaired.

And of course the matter of his body still rejecting majority of ambient mana.

As to why it is rejecting natural mana, or even how. Even I am not sure. But I am very sure it is not the intent of our hero.”

“No. You’re right. I’m not doing anything. I’m just trying to enjoy this feeling. For some reason I’m only feeling this intense buzzing feeling rather than pain. It’s great!

How dangerous are these explosions really? I don’t mind experiencing them once in awhile if this is the result.”

“When people talk about the ignorant being free and live a life filled with joy. I am sure they hadn’t met someone like our hero.”

“I’m going to close my eyes for a minute, I feel like I might be able to take a nap.”

“Time flows forward and slowly the previously avoided blast radius sees life again. as the mindless stumble forward and fall into the crater left behind.

It would appear that the old man has yet to return after he escaped with his life.

The young master has slowly tipped over in his sleep. His drooling face has nearly assimilated with the ground.

The mana continues to get pushed away, one must wonder. What could possibly be causing the ambient mana being unable to properly interact with the young master?

We have to wish for his well being. It is already a miracle that he survived that explosion. It is hard to be forced to observe but being unable to act.”

“Njow.

Juu go.

Juu.”

“Don’t let the noises fool you. I can assure you, that our hero is still sound asleep.

Although the night and day cycle in this desolate area is nigh but impossible to see I can tell you that is somewhere in the afternoon.

We’ll have to take a break and come back.”

…

…

…

“Mleph.”

“Our hero is greeted with the ambience of a graveyard accompanied by the sporadic noises made by the mindless undying.”

“Murning.

Oh. It’s a lot livelier.

Oh, ah. The fuzzy numbness is gone.

I can even move! Look.”

“Our hero waves his fists in celebration. We the more adept can see that the energy has found its way to naturally flow through his body yet again.”

“Now that you mention it. I feel a thousand times better.”

Optional: Train your physical body. (Complete)

“Check it out. See. I did it!

Pft. And you went on some sort of rant that I needed a technique or a special method or whatever.

I do feel extremely light. The pain has become more a more manageable as well.”

“It would appear that our hero has somehow managed to enhance his body by literally bombarding it with ambient mana..

One would doubt that any clan, faction, family, faction or other noteworthy powers had this sort of cruel and merciless method to train.”

“Wasn’t that bad, really. Bit of mana radiation. Right?

I’ve been wondering. How difficult was this area supposed to be? I mean a beginner mission for a level forty something. Couldn’t have been considered difficult right?

No. Ye, those huge amount of zombies were a bit over the top. But! That was just a slight mistake right? Coincident. Has to be.

I’m going to try to take out a few zombies. I think I can definitely outrun them this time around.”

“Our hero leaps out the window of this two story building with confidence.

Not even moments pass as his hands and legs start to flail about before he awkwardly lands and rolls on the ground.”

“What the hell.”

“Our hero quickly glances around, presumably trying to ascertain whether he was being watched.

Luckily no one was. Except for me and of course anyone watching this late night special.”

“Jump has a subtle difficulty I never realized. The skill cap is pretty high.”

“My god. He’ll never learn if he can pull out excuses like these.”

“Alright. Let's get some fighting on.

I’m pretty sure I should be able to capture something as well.

Got to see if I can make any progress on those optionals.”

“Quietly our hero lunches forward. His speed has dramatically increased to say the least.

We can see the mana and their respective elements slowly flow towards him.

Even with the increase in ambient magic, our hero has still no control to match up with his new foundations.

White hue gathers around him and give off the illusion of a weak cyclone circling him. Truly we are baffled by his progress in the realm of connect with the elements.”

“Ready!?”

“A shout towards the small group of three alerts the unsuspecting victims of our hero’s presence.

His hand half open appearing to hold a transparent ball of mana and miscellaneous aspects.

His hands swipes with stunning confidence. Not a sliver of hesitation can be detected as the invisible energy loses control and explodes once it hits its target.

Our hero is blasted back a meter and his hand violently flings backwards.”

“Shit. What was that!?”

“Of course this was bound to happen. It is far too dangerous to play around with a cluster of random ambient mana, especially in combat.

This doesn't seem to hinder our hero has his hand has already started gathering more power.

And before the undying have a chance to balance themselves our hero is back in his unpracticed assault stance. Ready to strike again with this his accumulated ball of extremely volatile mana.”

“But it’s all I have! And it worked well before, right?

Whatever just watch.”

“Another strike shoots towards one of the two remaining undying creatures. Its leathery skin appears to be having some issue staying in place.

As the brute force of the violent mana makes contact with the poor defenseless undying, it causes such an impact that it shattered into pieces as a tiny.

A near undetectable shockwave propels the fragments of its body in various directions.

As our hero bathes in his success and his newfound strength the third undying creature launches an attack. Hands in the air and heavy swipe down.”

“Wow! Woooo. That was close!”

“A quick but horribly looking kick ends the life of yet another creature. Black blood floods the dark ground.”

“Ah. Damnit. I was going to capture one.

Okay, let’s find more.”

“We shiver. Not in excitement but disgust.”