Unlike yesterday, today I couldn't focus. My mind kept wandering, brainstorming strategies while my hands drew random scribbles on the paper. I kept glancing out the window, checking what was happening outside near dungeon entrance.
One idea was to ask Adventurer Eva to teach me how she used her magic to engulf her entire blade with flame. The only problem was that I wouldn't be able to maintain it.
Deep in thought, I barely noticed Kei whispering to me, "What's wrong? You're not even focusing on class today."
"I'm thinking about training my magical skills," I replied.
"Your magical skills?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but I'm not sure how to do it effectively."
Kei glanced at my scribbles and said, "How about this: if it's hard to materialize, then channel your mana inside your body instead. Enhance your strength and use it to help you swing your sword."
"Bro, are you a genius or a prodigy?" I exclaimed, nearly hugging him but stopping myself because we were in class.
Kei grinned. "If you don't have enough mana to materialize elements, just enhance your body for now. It might be more effective since you're good with swords."
He was right. I had been limiting myself to methods I'd seen other adventurers use. I needed to think differently. This could work for me. Even circulating a small amount of mana to enhance my body's limits by a fraction could be a great help.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
I waited impatiently for school to end. As soon as it did, I headed to the dungeon, not to explore this time but to experiment. Since the routes to the hobgoblin's lair were already clear, I could focus on improving my skills.
Inside the dungeon, I ventured deeper until I found a secluded corner, away from both monsters and adventurers. In the darkness, I sat down and tried to control my mana flow.
"Focus, Ray... Focus on my mana flow."
I could feel my mana. All I needed to do was divert its course throughout my body. I imagined the mana rushing into my muscles.
_Breathing out_... "I feel lighter, and my vision is sharper."
A strange feeling of being both clouded and lightheaded washed over me. Looking around, I could feel my mana burning, and I started feeling nauseous.
"Let's test this on a couple of goblins."
Emerging from the darkness, I went to one of the paths I had marked for goblin encounters. It wasn't a huge horde, but there were a few of them.
"Let's see what I can do now..."
Instead of hiding and ambushing them one by one, I decided to fight them head-on. It wasn't much, but I could see and react a little faster.
Blocking and parrying, I managed to kill one of the goblins with just two hits. It was definitely easier to kill them now.
"Let's push forward."
The only thing that didn't go according to plan was my fatigue. While this method made fighting easier, it also caused exhaustion to build up, eventually slowing my movements.
"Ahh..." I cried out as one of the goblins managed to cut my back. It wasn't a lethal blow, but I was bleeding.
Somehow, I fended off any more hits and killed the remaining goblins.
"They're really dangerous in numbers," I panted, exhausted and in pain. I wondered why I was trying so hard to join the raid.
I found a secure place to rest and sat down, unable to lean back because of the pain. I just sat to catch my breath for a while.
"At least I know I can fight confidently, even if only for a short time."