"First things first," Gromorlig said, sitting cross-legged on the stone floor. "Everyone, sit down. Yes, you too, Sir Knight. Take off that clunky armor."
Sir Tristan looked like he wanted to object, but after a moment he began removing his plate armor, piece by piece.
"Now," Gromorlig continued once they were all seated in a circle, "close your eyes. We're going to learn something that used to be fundamental to any warrior worth their salt - Meditation."
"Meditation?" Heidi frowned.
"First things first," Gromorlig said, sitting cross-legged on the stone floor. "Everyone, sit down. Yes, you too, Sir Knight. Take off that clunky armor."
Sir Tristan looked like he wanted to object, but after a moment he began removing his plate armor, piece by piece.
"Now," Gromorlig continued once they were all seated in a circle, "close your eyes. We're going to learn something that used to be fundamental to any warrior worth their salt - Meditation."
"Meditation?" Heidi frowned."How is that going to help us fight spiders?"
Meditation was a rather common Skill that briefly increased Mana Regeneration. Some Mages tried to master it, but it was common knowledge that the little bonus it offered, even after evolving at Level 100, was basically useless.
"Patience, lass!" Gromorlig chuckled. “Meditation is one of those Skills you can bring to 10% without meeting the usual bottleneck.”
"What bottleneck?" Monica asked.
"Skills have bottlenecks that make reaching a new stage much harder because a Skill with one hundred percent Skill Efficiency will not lose any Skill Efficiency once it evolves," Gromorlig explained. "Most can't even go beyond the 10%-bottleneck; they get stuck an nine percent unless they know what to do.”
“And you know what to do?” Sir Tristan asked, still a bit skeptical.
“Do I?” Gromorlig replied, teasing the Knight. “Look, Meditation is different. It's simple. Basic. That's why we'll start with it."
"I don't even have that Skill," Heidi said.
"None of us do," Ted added.
"That's because you never practiced it! How many idiots do you think are out there not focusing on these precious Skills just because they’re seemingly useless until their Skill Efficiency goes up?" Gromorlig laughed. "Come on, close your eyes. Focus on your breathing."
They did as instructed. Monica felt a bit silly sitting there with her eyes closed.
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"Now, feel your Mana," Gromorlig said. "Don't try to use it. Just feel it moving through you."
Monica concentrated. She could sense her Mana, especially with Mana Sense active.
Perhaps, unsurprisingly, after a few minutes, she was the first one getting the Skill.
*Ding*
You have learned a new Skill - Meditation
"I got it," Monica said, opening her eyes.
Gromorlig handed her the monocle again.
Skill List
Meditation - Lv. 1
SKILL EFFICIENCY: 1%
Basic meditation technique that allows you to regulate your Mana flow.
#1 Base Effect: Increases Mana Regeneration by 5% while meditating. Current Bonus: 5%
“Alright, finally a sign you’re actually an Avatar,” Gromorlig slapped Monica’s shoulder and despite the fact that he was supposedly Attribute-less, she almost faceplanted.
"Now comes the hard part," Gromorlig said, letting the others do their own practice. "You need to guide the Mana. Don't force it. Just... nudge it. Like steering a boat down a river. Feel where it’s supposed to go while it circulates. The better the feeling you get, the smoother it’s going to go while you practice."
Monica tried to direct her Mana. It was harder than it sounded. Every time she tried to push it, the flow got choppy.
This time, Monica infused Mana Sense with the Golden Flame and Gromorlig weirdly rested a finger over her forehead as she practiced.
Monica felt something change when she used the Golden Flame with Mana Sense. She could almost see her Mana now. The Golden Flame helped her track its movement.
"That's it!" Gromorlig said. "You're getting it!"
She stopped for after a few minutes, checking her notifications and borrowing the monocle again.
*Ding*
Utility Skill – Meditation reaches Level 2
Skill List
Meditation - Lv. 1
SKILL EFFICIENCY: 2%
The others were still struggling to get the basic Meditation Skill. Ted looked frustrated. His face was scrunched up in concentration. Heidi kept fidgeting. Sir Tristan sat perfectly still but his jaw was clenched tight.
Monica went back to her own practice. The Mana felt different now. Instead of fighting her, it seemed to respond to gentle nudges.
Time seemed to flow differently as Monica focused on guiding her Mana. The gentle nudges became more natural, like steering a boat with subtle shifts of the rudder. But as the hours passed, weariness began to creep in. Her shoulders ached from sitting still, and maintaining focus became harder.
She pushed through the fatigue, determined to master this fundamental skill. The Mana still responded, but her mind started to drift to her children and Machina, giving her sharp spikes of anxiety.
Still, she persisted. Even as her legs went numb and her back protested, she kept guiding the Mana flow. The Golden Flame's enhancement of her Mana Sense flickered as exhaustion took its toll, but she fought to maintain it.
When Gromorlig cleared his throat, Monica opened her eyes with effort. The sudden return to awareness made her head spin slightly.
"You need to rest, lass."
Monica looked around, surprised to find the courtyard empty except for Gromorlig.
"You've been like this for ten hours," the Dwarf said with respect in his voice.
*Ding*
Utility Skill – Meditation’s Efficiency has reached a threshold!
*Ding*
You’ve uncovered Meditation’s Hidden Effect - Flow!