Chapter 13 - Adept Grade

Arc and Sakaguchi began their search for an inn to stay in, wandering through the village streets for several minutes before finally stumbling upon one that caught their eye. As they stepped inside, the innkeeper greeted them warmly. Without hesitation, they booked two rooms and went off to settle in.

Inside his room, Arc took a moment to survey his surroundings. The space was modest but comfortable, with a single bed, a wooden chair and table, and a small wardrobe. The room felt cozy, the simplicity of it appealing in its own way.

Curious about the view, Arc approached the window and gazed out at the lively streets below. Shops lined the cobblestone roads, and villagers bustled about, buying and selling goods with smiles and chatter filling the air. "Damn, never thought a town could be this beautiful," Arc muttered to himself, enchanted by the vibrant scene.

After spending a few moments soaking in the sight, he turned back to his bed and sat cross-legged in a lotus position. Closing his eyes, he steadied his breath and began to focus. Arc felt the gentle hum of mana in the air around him, pulling it inward with precision and care, working to expand his mana pool. 

"You're doing it wrong, kid," Sakaguchi said as he appeared behind Arc near the window, his voice breaking the silence. Arc startled slightly, turning to see his master watching him with his usual calm but critical demeanor.

"Your mana pool is currently on the 10th tier of the beginner grade—" Sakaguchi began, but Arc cut him off. "Beginner grade? Tiers? You haven't told me about this before," Arc said, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar terms.

Sakaguchi sighed, folding his arms. "It wasn't important to tell you earlier because you were far from reaching a breakthrough. I didn't expect you to progress so quickly," he admitted. "But now that you're at the threshold, it's time you understand. The beginner grade is the first stage of mana cultivation, divided into ten tiers. Once you reach the peak—where you are now—your mana pool needs a breakthrough to expand further. Without it, your mana pool remains at its current size, and the energy you're absorbing right now is essentially wasted. It's just circulating through your body without entering your mana pool."

Arc nodded slowly, absorbing the explanation. "Alright, I get it. So, how do I break through to the next grade?" he asked, eager to push past his current limits.

Sakaguchi reached into his kimono and pulled out a vibrant purple crystal, about the size of a baseball. It pulsed faintly with an inner glow. "This," Sakaguchi said, holding it up, "is a Monster Mana Core. It's saturated with Spirit Energy, which is key to breaking through. Spirit Energy allows your mana core to expand beyond its current limitations. You'll use this to push yourself into the Adept grade."

He tossed the core to Arc, who caught it carefully, feeling the faint hum of energy radiating from it. "Hold it in your hand, focus, and try to absorb the energy," Sakaguchi instructed. "Guide it to your mana core. Let it flow and merge with you. It'll feel intense, but that's how breakthroughs work."

Arc stared at the glowing crystal for a moment before nodding determinedly. "Got it," he said, positioning himself cross-legged again. With the core cradled in his palms, he closed his eyes, focusing his mind and energy. 

The Spirit Energy from the Mana Core surged through Arc, sending waves of searing pain through his body. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before, as if his very essence was being torn apart and rebuilt. He gritted his teeth, his breathing ragged, sweat pouring down his face.

"Endure it," Sakaguchi said coldly, his commanding tone cutting through Arc's haze of agony. His piercing gaze watched over Arc like a sentinel, unwavering.

Arc clenched his fists tighter around the Mana Core, forcing himself to focus despite the unbearable pain. He visualized the energy flowing into his mana pool, shattering its current limits and expanding its capacity. The room was quiet except for the sound of Arc's strained breaths, the process dragging on as hour after hour passed.

Finally, the Mana Core in his hands dimmed, its once-vibrant purple glow fading to black. All the Spirit Energy had been extracted and absorbed. Arc sat there, trembling and on the verge of collapse, his body feeling like it had been through a storm. His mind was foggy, and his vision blurred, but he could sense the transformation within him—his mana pool had grown. He had pushed past the barrier.

Sakaguchi, still standing by the window, tossed a small vial toward Arc. "Drink this," he said curtly. The Healing Potion arced through the air, heading straight for Arc's head. Though he was exhausted and barely coherent, Arc's instincts kicked in, and his hand shot up to catch it without so much as looking. He stared at the vial in his hand for a moment before uncorking it and gulping it down in one go.

Warmth spread through his body as the potion began to mend his battered state, easing some of the strain. Sakaguchi gave a faint nod of approval. "Congratulations," he said. "You've reached the Adept grade."

Arc managed a weak smile, but the effort was too much. The potion's effects lulled his aching body into relaxation, and he collapsed backward onto the bed, unconscious. Sakaguchi watched for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning to gaze out the window. "You've taken your first real step, kid," he muttered under his breath.

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Evening had fallen over Ravenrock Village, its streets still alive with the hum of commerce and chatter as villagers went about their business. But the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly shattered by the sound of shouting and crashing outside Arc's window. A brawl had broken out, and it was anything but quiet.

Arc stirred, groaning as the noise disrupted his much-needed rest. "What the hell is the commotion all about?" he muttered, still half-asleep, as he pushed himself up from the bed. His body ached from the earlier ordeal with the Mana Core, but curiosity—or perhaps irritation—compelled him to shuffle toward the window.

He pulled back the curtain and leaned against the windowsill. Below, two groups of men were engaged in a full-blown brawl. Fists flew, wooden crates and barrels were smashed, and insults were hurled back and forth with as much force as the punches. It was chaos. Some bystanders watched with a mix of fascination and wariness, while others tried to back away from the scene entirely.

Arc squinted, trying to make sense of the scene. "Looks like some kind of turf war," he muttered to himself, noting the distinct styles of clothing each group wore—perhaps they were rival guilds or factions. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. "Guess I should check if this is going to be a problem…"