111 New Method (1/2)

Kyla wasn't that comfortable as she struggled to keep up with the phase. At first, using Forceful Manipulation would bring desired results but it rapidly exhausts the magician's mind and concentration. With her continuous attempt to 'capture' Mana and move it inside the Mana Stone, she had realized that the Mana that was floating around the stage was constantly changing its density and movement. It feels like it has its own behavior. It wasn't something she had never heard of but she learned this in the Academy. These types of Mana could normally be found near the edges of the Northern Continent. It was said that if a Magician tried to visit the center of the said continent, they will experience a struggle between life and death. The Mana wouldn't be as peaceful like this and it would attempt to attack Magicians. It would try to create havoc within their body as the mana pool of a Magician would be like a ticking time bomb. It was very dangerous for anyone.

As she learned the unusualness of the Mana, she realized that it would be better to attempt something new. They attended this competition not just to show off but also to learn, she thought that it may be the best time to explore something. She had been stagnant in her ability, her fighting skills had only improved due to Sheryl's Mana Artifact. Now that she's alone without any Mana artifact to assist her, she decided to do something that would benefit her as well in the long run.

'Anyway, this segment in the competition wasn't all. There's still four more events to rank all of us and identify the winner.' Kyla said in her mind as she calmed her mind and stopped controlling the surrounding Mana to forcefully inject them to the crystal.

”What is she doing there standing without doing anything?”

”She probably thought that it would be enough to fill one-sixteenth of the Mana Stone as she realized that she can't win anymore.”

”Maybe part of the strategy? They don't want to reveal all her skills?”

”Ha! This is just manipulating Mana. What's there to hide?”

As everyone observed the progress of each participant, someone had caught their attention not because she was leading in terms of progression but because she was just standing idly while others were trying to do their best to fill up the large crystal made of Mana Stone.

Even her teammates were curious about Kyla's action but they don't have any intention to stop her nor tell her what to do instead. They all qualified to be present here and they all have the same status in regard to this competition.

”That Mana fluctuation, is she trying to...”

Avery Marshall, the top student from Isolde Academy seems to have realized what was Kyla trying to accomplish. She glanced at Vanessa and Aria, the duo from Skywalker Academy who has acquired a full-day access in the Revitalization Mana Spring as a reward from being first place.

During the Twelve Magic Academies Competition, their Isolde Academy only received six hours pass in the said spring as second place in rank.

The two had noticed Avery's glance and nodded to her. Hector realized their silent gesture but didn't ask what was happening as he was a bit ashamed for asking what they had understood, it would be embarrassing for him if the three girls were referring to something different. The three already don't listen to him and it might get worse with that. Fortunately, Nyla Lawson had asked in his stead.

”I'm unsure what was Kyla attempting to do right now. Have you realized what's happening? Only five minutes left in this round and she had been standing there for almost 8 minutes.” Nyla asked her fellow participants. Kyla had only tried to manipulate mana about 2 minutes before giving up and closed her eyes.

”She was trying to find another method of attracting Mana.” It was answered by Vanessa. But she did not give another explanation she instead gestured to Aria to explain.

”Well, the thing is that when we went and dipped ourselves in the mana spring, we realized that there was a strange behavior of Mana depending on who the magician was. You can think of it as one of the keys to getting promoted as an Adept Mage.” Aria tried to tell them the gist of it.

”One of the keys? Are you referring to Arcane Link?” Nyla asked to clarify.

”So, are you telling me that she has that talent already?” It was Hector who followed up Nyla's remarks.

”No. Kyla was only trying to change her Mana fluctuation to incorporate with the dense Mana around her. You can say that she's trying to communicate to the Mana and request to get in the crystal instead of forcefully dragging those Mana inside.” Aria tried to clarify.

'But it isn't that easy. I had spent a full twenty-four hours within the spring but only learned a few tricks and this Kyla was trying to do it on the spot.' Aria added in her mind. Vanessa and Avery may be thinking the same thing as they knew how challenging it was to establish a certain connection with Mana.

”It is still far from being called an attempt to create an Arcane Link. She may be leaning towards establishing Inducement Control.” Vanessa said as a remark, establishing that method means that you were nearing in establishing Arcane Link. Although she acknowledged Kyla's ability, there was a limit in everyone's talent. The ability to establish an Inducement Control especially Arcane Link wasn't something that can be done easily but something that has to be accumulated from years of experience.

”Unless she'd consume Cryptic Link--” Avery muttered silently but she suddenly stopped. She realized that she was speaking what was in her mind instead of leaving it as a thought. She heaved a sigh of relief as no one seems to have heard her.

Only two minutes were left and she was still standing there without any action.

***