Chapter 45: Prelude to the Rift Mission

Chapter 45: Prelude to the Rift Mission Then—suddenly, Inigo felt tired. "You are exhausted, that’s normal, especially for the first timers. You have to increase your mana capacity if you want to sustain effects like that in real combat," the instructor said, stepping forward with hands clasped behind his back. His voice was calm, but there was a glint of intrigue in his eyes now. "You didn’t just infuse the projectile—you altered the kinetic discharge with pure intent. That wasn’t a mere enhancement. That was transmutation on the verge of evocation." Smoke still curled from the impact site on the reinforced panel. A shallow crater, scorched at the edges, marked where the bullet had struck—its normal penetration amplified by a burst of mana detonation on contact. "So, how do I increase my mana capacity?" The instructor gave a thoughtful nod, pacing slowly across the room as if considering how best to answer. "There are several approaches," he began, gesturing for Inigo to sit on the bench near the wall. "You’ve got decent instincts. That’ll take you far. But raw talent isn’t enough if your body can’t sustain the flow." Inigo wiped his forehead with his sleeve, breathing slower now. "I figured as much." "First," the instructor said, raising a finger, "there’s the natural route. Meditation, mana breathing exercises, deep concentration over long periods. It takes discipline, but if done consistently, your mana pool will gradually expand. Think of it like a muscle. Strain it, rest it, grow it. And once it’s resting, your mana is slowly filling up." Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Second option—accessories. Mana crystals, amplifiers, or enchanted charms. Some store mana, others act as conduits to stabilize flow and reduce strain. They won’t grow your core, but they’ll let you do more with what you already have." "I see, so meditation huh? That’ll do," Inigo said. "Thank you for the lessons instructor?" The instructor offered a faint smile, the first sign of warmth he’d shown since they arrived. "Instructor Relas," he said. "I’m here most afternoons. Come back when you’ve rested. We can work on weapon imprinting next time—embedding enchantments that trigger only on impact." Inigo stood and gave a polite bow. "Thank you, Instructor Relas. I learned a lot today." Relas gave a short nod, already turning back to his desk full of alchemical runes. "And remember—rest. Burnout isn’t just mental. It erodes the core if you push too hard, too fast." With that, Inigo and Lyra quietly exited the training room, the soft hiss of magic seals reactivating behind them. As they stepped out into the hallway, Lyra elbowed him lightly in the side. "Not bad. Even without affinity, you could still inflict some serious damage with your arsenal alone." "I’d like to think I did it with style," Inigo replied with a tired grin. "Still, that took a lot out of me." "You looked like you were about to pass out." "I was close," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it gave me an idea. Relas mentioned magic accessories—crystals, charms, and such. I want to check some out." Lyra raised an eyebrow. "You’re actually going shopping for magical gear?" "Think of it as investment," he said. "Besides, I’m curious what’s out there." They left the Imperial Mage Department and returned to the city streets. The fog had lightened, revealing more of Elandra’s polished stone roads and busy intersections. Streetlamps powered by glowing mana crystals flickered softly to life as dusk approached. Their path took them to one of the nearby merchant districts just outside the university quarter, where smaller magic shops nestled between potion stalls and old bookstores. They passed a vendor selling enchanted scarves and another advertising mood-based hair dyes before stopping at a shop called Glyph & Garnet. The interior was cozy but well-lit, with shelves lined in velvet and a faint scent of incense in the air. Glass cases displayed accessories of all kinds—rings, necklaces, bracelets, even a few enchanted belt buckles. A soft magical hum filled the space, subtle but ever-present. "Welcome to Glyph & Garnet," said a friendly shopkeeper, a bespectacled elf in a long cobalt tunic. "First time in?" "Yes," Inigo said. "I’m looking for accessories that help with mana storage or enhancement casting." "Ah, enhancement type?" the shopkeeper beamed. "Of course we have all of those, you can have a look at our display." He opened a glass case and produced a pair of thin silver rings—plain-looking, but etched with small arcane symbols around the band. "These store your mana while at rest and slowly release it when you cast. Not enough to power a full spell on their own, but great for easing strain. Especially if you’re new to channeling." Inigo picked one up and turned it over between his fingers. He could feel the subtle vibration of stored mana, like a gently pulsing heartbeat. "I’ll take this one," he said. Then, after a pause, he looked at Lyra. She caught the glance. "What?" He picked up a second ring and held it out to her. "For you," he said casually. Lyra blinked. "Huh?" "You’ve got wind magic, right? Think of it as a backup. Store a little energy in it so you can steady your aim even when you’re tired. Practical." Her eyes flicked from the ring to him, then back. A faint color crept into her cheeks. "You’re giving me a ring?" Inigo tilted his head. "Yeah? Is that weird?" "I mean... kind of?" she mumbled, visibly flustered. "It’s a ring." "It’s not that kind of ring," he said with a smirk. "But hey, if it embarrasses you, I can just—" "No!" she said, a bit too fast. Then quickly softened her tone. "I mean... I’ll take it. Thanks." She accepted the ring and turned away, pretending to examine the display shelves. Inigo swore he saw her ears turn pink. They paid for the rings—ten silver each, enchanted and ward-sealed for safe mana containment—and stepped back outside as the sky dimmed into a quiet twilight. "You know, I’m seriously considering buying a house at this point. Paying a day in the Inn was convenient but nothing would beat the feeling of you having a home," Inigo spoke and continued. "Maybe after the rift mission. You think it’s going to land us a copious amount of money." "Well it is a rift so yeah, it has high reward. But don’t get too cocky, I see a lot of people dying inside and never returning," Lyra said seriously. "Hmm...I am sure we will get partied with some strong individuals in this kingdom, we’ll be okay. I can’t wait to see them." .