Broken Tower Saga: The First Swordsman

"How does the room work, actually?" Jacob couldn't help but ask. "And how will this be helpful in our training?"

"The entire room was actually scribed with runes that detect any types of Maha Mana Manipulation, and make it harder to get a hold of your ability," Sophia continued. "More importantly, its artificial intelligence-driven, so it's difficult for everyone even if you're well-adapted in Mahasaying. Meaning, the harder it gets, the higher you go."

"But how will it help us?" Jacob frowned. "Other than making it harder for us to control?"

"It will help you in adapting to difficult situations. Not everywhere you would find such an atmosphere to manipulate mana like the trial. Besides, who said your enemy would give you time to adapt to the environment?" Sophia said, "Alright, no more small talk; get busy."

They all started the meditation again, closing their eyes. And the mana fled again when it came in contact with their consciousness.

A frown appeared on the brows of Wrik, but he didn't open his eyes. He got why Sophia asked them to rent this room and how this room would help them in Mahasaying. It's not always they would come across calm Maha Mana in the surrounding, and there would never be a calm atmosphere everywhere they go. So it's meaningful to train in an atmosphere with fleeting mana.

But the problem was that he could not even get a hold on the berserk mana in the chamber. The faster he gets the harder it gets to keep up with it. The frown on his brows deepened, as sweats started to form on his forehead and back.

"Be calm," a serene voice came in his ears. "There is no need to hurry. Mahasaying is deeply interlinked with your emotions, so calm your mind and try again."

Wrik inhaled a few deep breaths of air and exhaled slowly to calm his mind and body. And started sensing again, reminding himself to forget everything. Everything about how well he's with Maha Mana manipulation. He only focused on sensing the nearest particle close around him.

He got hold of some amount of it and circulated it within his system slowly and quietly, as if he never tried it before. The soft, warm Maha mana soothed his body and mind as he continued the process.

Not everyone was like Wrik though. The prime example would be Kevin. His clothes were already soaked with sweat, and yet he continued trying his best. Beside him, Davin was doing well, though there's sweat on his face. Anton was the same as well.

While Tanya executed her best as she was the best in their group regarding Mahasaying, though she could not help herself from some sweat.

On the second row, the one in the best form was unmistakably Michelle. The red-haired lady was almost as adept as Tanya in mahasaying. While Evan was in a decent state and surprising the kid—Lan was doing well. Well, Lan was only a beginner, so he had it easy. Besides, kids adapt better in foreign regions than adults. It's their natural instinct.

And the last two, Jacob and Lillian, were almost as terrible as Kevin. The archer had his teeth gritted as he tried while the curly-haired lady didn't give in either.

•••

The mediation stopped after about a couple of hours. When Wrik popped his eyes open, there were only three people left in a meditative state. Beside Tanya, Michelle and Evan, everyone else was up.

Wrik brought a handkerchief and wiped out all the sweat from his face. He had spent most of his mental strength in this couple of hours of meditation. If he keeps up more, his head might hurt later, so he made a wise decision to give up for now.

Sophia was still sitting on the stool, crossing her legs one above another. While Davin and Anton started practising with their weapons in one corner of the chamber. And Jacob and Lan watched them go. Lillian, in this regard, was pondering over something; she was clearly unsatisfied with her result.

"Alright," Sophia clapped her palms to awake the three that were still meditating. She continued when saw that three stood up. "Let's continue with meditation in the evening.

"Everyone who is not training to be a Mage or non-melee class would have to cover fifty laps in the main ground while the rest only have ten laps." Then the blonde woman stood up from the stool and instructed further. "Ooh, there are some heavy clothing in the corner. Wear them while running."

Wrik gazed at where Sophia was pointing and noticed there really were a few wearable clothes. The shape of those clothes was weird. Apart from training, they were of no use.

"They may appear unimposing from afar, but know that they were made of Tungsten. It could make your running living hell."

Fifty laps—didn't sound hard to Wrik. But after hearing what Sophia said, he felt a bit uncomfortable. Running, or heavy lifting, was never his forte, and his face only darkened after he wore the Tungsten clothes. The small thing over his clothing was weighed about fifty pounds.

Even though he didn't feel much standing, it would be another story while running.

They left the exclusive training chambers as Sophia guided them towards the track where they would sprint.

It was not that far from the main building where they were staying, only a couple of minutes away. The fields were actually in the centre of the sanctuary, encircling more than a square mile area. They were few folks there already running in the tracks, while a few were resting. The tracks were made of rubbery substance, while there were barracks surrounding it. And beside the barracks were a few keeps where you could get water and other drinks.

The only downside the tracks have was the glaring sun above. Even though it was only morning, the scorching sun made most of them uncomfortable. And it would only get worse from here.

After concluding everything, Wrik understood how hard these fifty laps would be. It would be a mad run for him. And for most others.

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End of Chapter: The First Lesson.

Next Chapter: Omega Store.