It's been a couple of days since my failed hunt in the forest.

My schedule is still the same besides Ashley checking my mana veins every night, ensuring they are okay.

I am training by myself, and don't mind, as Ashley would beat the crap out of me while saying it was for the experience.

Even though my hunting failed, it left me with so many unanswered questions.

There is one question that stuck with me the most.

Who were those elves?

Are they soldiers who patrol the border of their territory? No, that isn't it, as they had a kid with them, and that would make no sense.

The more I thought about it, the more questions I had.

This is such a headache.

"Benjamin," A voice whispered into my ear from behind me.

I jumped away with a yelp and saw it was Ashley.

"You scared the life out of me."

She scoffed. "We need to talk." and walked towards our little wooden house.

I dropped the stick I was using to train and walked behind her.

"So, what are we going to talk about?" I questioned.

"You'll see." She replied casually.

Please don't be something serious!

Once we got into the kitchen, Ashley sat down at the table and made me sit.

"Benjamin, I believe it's finally time I teach you the next stage."

My mouth curved, forming a smug grin.

"Finally! I have been waiting so long for this!" I exclaimed, almost jumping in joy.

"Alright, Alright, calm down,"

I calmed myself enough to ask, "So, what is the next stage?"

"Mana manipulation."

My calmness soon disappeared as my grin grew more prominent.

"So, you going to teach me mana manipulation?"

"I will help you feel your mana, but controlling it is up to you." Ashley stood up, walked to me, and continued, "Now, before we go further, I will explain the basic mana conception."

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'Humans can use the base of four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.'

'Humans can use mana because of an organ in our body called a mana pool, a hollow oval shape crystal behind the sternum. It's filled with a clear liquid that is assumed to be why it can hold mana.'

'The mana pool is important, but mana veins are far more needed. It carries mana to the place you want it to be.'

"That's the gist of it besides the mana circulation system."

"Mana circulation system? What are the differences between the two?" I asked while taking my shirt off.

"Hmm, with mana veins, you're a physical user. You can reinforce your body or a weapon with mana, strengthening it, but with the mana circulation system, you can cast spells, but you can not use it physically, like a person with mana veins and vice versa."

Ashley placed her warm hands on my sternum.

"You ready?"

"Yes."

"Close your eyes and focus."

A feeling of power flowed into my sternum as I closed my eyelids.

The darkness was all around me, but I could feel, no, I could see her mana. It came into my mana pool as a thick mist idle floating.

"Direct it, force it to open your mana veins."

I directed the mana to my right arm, forcing it to flow down. It wasn't painful, but it felt weird, like working out a muscle I had never had before.

When the mana hit my right fingers, the weird feeling disappeared.

"Good, now do your next arm."

It was the same for my left arm and legs.

"The fun part is here. Move all the mana into your pool and hold it there for as long you can."

I moved all the mana into my pool and held it there until it ached, making it harder to maintain.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I kept the mana in my mana pool.

The mana moved inside my pool.

What is goi-*shiiieeee*

"GRRRR!"

The mana swirled around, making my mana pool hurt.

"What... is.. happening to me?"

I gripped my chair in pain.

"The mana inside your mana pool is slowly chipping at the side, making more room for itself."

The mana was slowing down, but the pain seemed to intensify.

"Get ready," Ashley said, taking her hands off my chest.

"What do you mean ge-AURRRRRRR!"

Mana burst through my mana veins, causing them to expand.

I gripped the chair harder, expecting it to grow in pain, but it vanished.

I still was gripping the chair when I opened my eyelids.

I was panting, but the power I felt in my pool made it all worth it.

"Congrats, you just opened your mana pool."

My smile came back.

I wonder how I would use it to strengthen myself.

So I have a mana vein. I wonder what Ashley has? It wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Ashley, which one do you have?"

She looked at me, contemplating if she should tell me.

"I have a mana vein as well, but in the world, they call us Augeres."

I raised my right hand and gazed at my open palm.

Augere... That's what I am.

I opened a new path to gain strength, one that almost had infinite possibilities.

"I'm surprised you opened your mana pool on your first attempt," Ashley spoke, knocking me out of thought.

I looked back up at Ashley, who was leaning on the wall.

"Why? Doesn't everyone get it on their first try?"

Ashley almost busted out laughing, which surprised me, as she usually never broke her apathetic mask.

"Benjamin, it took me ten tries to open mine. For the average person, it takes twenty."

I sat there, perplexed.

"You're a genius." Ashley beamed, then put her hand on her chin and continued. "It must be because of all the training I have put you through."

I couldn't help but laugh.

She looked at me and asked in a serious tone."What so funny?"

Holding back laughter, I replied, "Nothing."

What she said next sent chills down my spine.

She smiled and spoke. "Hey, let's go duel and see how strong you are now."

I almost wanted to run away, but how would I become stronger than her if I didn't face her?

I tried my best to look confident.

"You are on!"

I followed her outside onto our open field.

I glanced around and asked, "What are we using to duel?"

"This." Ashley raised her right hand and summoned two wooden swords.

She tossed one over to me.

"How do you do that?"

"This is a spatial ring." She flashed me the ash-gray ring with a blue crystal and continued. "I can store stuff here, such as food, water, and weapons using mana, but space is limited." She readied her sword. "No more question."

I picked up my sword with my right hand and did the same.

We ran at each other.

Once we were only a meter apart, I raised my sword and swung down.

She swiped it away and jabbed towards my chest. I twisted my torso and let her sword stab past me.

I swiped my blade towards her ribs, but she stopped it with her left hand.

I glanced at her in surprise when her wooden sword fell to the ground, and her right fist connected with my ribs.

"Gah!" I slide back a meter and look at her, trying to catch my breath.

"Use your mana, Benjamin." She demanded while picking her sword back up.

I directed my mana to spread out through my mana veins.

Power coursed through me. It was the same feeling I felt while fighting the cat-like beast, but there was no burning sensation.

I readied my sword again.

I will land one hit on her, no matter what.