Chapter 120: Mana Reading (2) (2/2)

Oliver had them stand three meters apart in pairs and alternate roles as he explained before. He instructed the attackers to show no mercy, while giving them only one rule -- to avoid seriously injuring their partner.

At the start of their practice Agni immediately thought back to the 'hidden wall' of this particular training. Oliver had explained a great deal, but he had not explained how to overcome the obstacle that everyone was now encountering.

Agni chose to use a basic sphere shape for her Mana Reading field. She expanded it outwards to create a radius of one meter in nearly all directions. She then closed her eyes as instructed and signaled for Dealla to begin.

Of all of the trainees, Agni and Gates seemed to be closest to mastering the ability. There was just one problem which Agni could not create a solution for.

The sting of Dealla's magic bursting against Agni's chest and forehead was annoying. The training wore on for nearly an hour and every single time Agni would get hung up after the two minute mark due to one issue. A lack of mana.

Creating the sphere was no problem. But each time Dealla would fire off some mana it would collide with Agni's, destroying her mana particles in the process. Eventually, after a certain amount of time, Agni would simply have no particles left to utilize the ability properly. Furthermore, since she was in the middle of training , Dealla didn't give her any time to perform the steps needed to recreate another Mana Reading field.

Everyone struggled with the same issue, but not all of the trainees understood why. Gigi's aptitude for the technique was horrible. So terrible in fact that she gave up on evading blows just to re-activate her ability most times.

Agni was 100% sure that this wasn't Oliver's intent -- to train them in a way that might place their lives in danger. Yet, the elf said nothing. He observed for nearly two hours before calling the class to an end.

”That's enough, for today. You all made pretty good progress. Tomorrow, we'll meet in sparring room one. Ten A.M.. Don't be late.”

Oliver's appraisal of the training session left everyone bewildered. They felt like fish out of water flopping wildly in the mud.

*Pretty good progress? What?* Agni thought even as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. She nodded in Dealla's direction and turned to Katrin.

”That was...different. Not what I expected at all.” Katrin said. It was unusual to see Katrin displeased, about anything. Yet the training session had clearly left her in a tizzy. She was pouting, though Agni doubted that she herself realized it.

”See you tomorrow Shula.” Gigi said as she blew a kiss in Shula's direction. Gigi then latched onto Gates and had him escort her out of the courtyard.

”Looks like you and Gigi had fun today…” Agni remarked as Shula floated over towards them.

”Do you want to die?” Shula growled. Apparently she was also in a bad mood, though Agni felt that maybe the Shula's discontent was different from Katrin's.

”Let's go take a bath!” Agni said suddenly. She had no clue where the idea came from, frankly. The chapel had showers but Agni really felt a soak would be ideal for shifting the mood for everyone.

Almost immediately Katrin's eyes lit up. Shula liked the idea, but naturally refused to let it show.

”Excuse me.” The voice came from behind Agni.

”Oh, Dealla.” Agni replied as she turned to face the Draken Knight.

”Do you mind if I join you?”

Dealla's request was unexpected, but Agni saw no reason to decline.

”Sure. Why not? Although, I have to warn you… The person we're going to visit has a serious problem with keeping her hands to herself.” Agni said, accompanied by a slightly nervous chuckle.