13 What about the hard training? (2/2)

” The difference between what is called a Spell and a Skill is not very marked. Actually, Spells too are Skills, but they make use of unmolded natural forces, unlike the Skills that the members of the Congregation use. For example, I would use my spearand Meridians to activate a Lightning Attribute Skill. On the other hand, someone more focused on Spells, or as they are called, Elementals, would rather use a catalyst instead of a real weapon.

”Catalysts are objects without any special offensive attributes, which are able to increase the power of some elements, thus letting Mana better flow in some Meridians. This makes it possible to use long-range Skills that do not require direct combat.

”People are able to channel Mana Energy and exploit it to use Skills, the most basic of which have Energy as a direct source. For example, I could use my Mana to generate a shield of pure Energy, but it wouldn't be as effective as a Skill that is created by exploiting the different characteristics of Mana. For instance, Rock Shield Skill uses Mana to amplify the Energy present in the ground; through this Skill it is possible to generate a powerful rock barrier imbued with Mana, far more effective than a direct use of the Skill. Are you following?”

Helial was listening to Vidio with a look of deep concentration on his face. The Master was guiding him on the Dao of Mana and Helial didn't dare to miss one single word of it.

”So it's possible to apply Mana to objects and to everything that surrounds us at large?” asked Helial intrigued.

”Yes. But it's not as simple as you make it sound. Instill Mana in Elements is not easy. But it is thanks to these elements that it is possible to create Skills based on Affinity, way more powerful than the Skills made of unrefined Mana. The difference between these two uses of Mana is the same there is between a sword and an iron bar. The bar con harm you and has the same weight of the sword, but if you mold the iron and make it sharp then it will become ten times as lethal.

”Mana Energy can be used to increase one's own physical abilities, like Strength and Dexterity. By instilling muscles with Mana, one can reach exceptional results. In order to do this, you'll need Autobuff Skills.”

Helial began to understand the importance of mastering an Affinity… But Vidio still had to give him information on this matter.

***

In the present

Despite the fact that Vidio's specialty was Offensive Skills, he had never taught them to Helial.

Helial started pondering his situation. He desperately needed an Autobuff Skill to carry the Longsword, but how long was it going to take to develop one? First of all, he had no idea where to start. He wasn't an all-knowing creature; if he had to develop one by trial and error he could get seriously injured and he couldn't risk that, having to take care of Lumia.

If only Vidio ha taught me a useful Skill…

Helial put on a brave face and began to slowly drag the Longsword through the forest, ignoring the trail that he was leaving behind in the tall grass. It was hell at each step. The Longsword was definitely too heavy for him. It was as if a ten-year-old girl were trying to drag a one-hundred-pound rock from one side of the forest to the other.

A couple of hours had gone by and Helial still had a long way to go. At that rate, it would probably take him 8 to 9 hours.

His sore muscles were begging for mercy. He could barely muster enough strength to take tiny little steps. Sweat was covering his forehead, running down his temples right in his eyes, where it stung like hell.

Helial was tired, exhausted. At that rate he was not going to make it, unless he stopped to rest.

Skill Activated:

Mana Reflowing

Lv 6

Grade: Brown

The Mana power flows through your body and heals minor wounds.

The Mana power purifies the body.

Detox power 2%

Cost: 30 Mana/Sec

Exp: 67,3%

Helial felt regenerated by Mana, which was not only healing the minor wounds suffered while dragging the Longsword, it was also alleviating the soreness in his muscles. Helial wanted to slap himself, why did he think of that earlier? After all, tiredness is caused by weariness in the muscles. If he could use all his Mana to regenerate his muscles, he could have kept walking.

You gained 2 Strength Points!

You gained 2 Vigor Points!

What? Why…

Usually it took Helial a harsh physical training to get a few Stat Points; one or two meagre points could cost him a great effort. When he trained in the clearing with the rocks, in one night he could gain one or two points at most. During the last year, it even happen to him to not gain any points at all! But now he had gained two points in a matter of hours…