Chapter 31

"Excellent, Ray," Barnes commended. "You're beginning to understand the essence of mana and how it permeates everything around us. Keep practicing and soon you'll be able to harness its power more effectively in your hunts."

"I could feel mana within me" Ray said to Barnes.

Barnes smiled, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and satisfaction. He had witnessed Ray's progress first-hand and could sense the flourishing connection the young hunter now had with mana.

"You're beginning to tap into the wellspring of power that resides within you, Ray," Barnes responded, his voice filled with encouragement. "Mana flows through all living beings, and as a hunter, it's crucial for you to harness and channel that energy to its fullest potential."

Ray nodded, a newfound sense of confidence emanating from him. "I never realized the depth of this power before. It's like a dormant force within me, waiting to be awakened."

Barnes placed a reassuring hand on Ray's shoulder. "Indeed, Ray. The journey of a hunter is not only about honing your physical skills but also about delving into the depths of your own being. As you continue to train and grow, you'll learn to unlock the true potential of your mana and use it to overcome any obstacle that stands in your way. True power is in mana not your physical abilities."

Ray's eyes sparkled with determination as he absorbed Barnes' words. "I'm ready to delve deeper into this power, to explore its limits and push beyond them."

Barnes nodded, his expression serious yet filled with a sense of unwavering belief. "That's the spirit, Ray. Remember, the journey won't always be easy. There will be challenges that test your resolve, moments of doubt and uncertainty. But with dedication, perseverance, and a deep understanding of mana, you'll emerge stronger and more capable than ever before."

Ray took a deep breath, feeling the surge of determination coursing through his veins. "I'm ready to face those challenges head-on. I won't let anything hold me back."

Barnes smiled warmly, his eyes shining with a sense of shared purpose. "I have no doubt, Ray. You have the potential to become one of the greatest hunters the Silver Fangs have ever known. Embrace your connection to mana, trust in your abilities, and never stop pushing the boundaries of what you think is possible."

With those words echoing in his mind, Ray stood tall, ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. He knew that the road ahead would be filled with trials and tribulations but armed with his newfound connection to mana and the guidance of Barnes and his fellow Silver Fangs, he was ready to face whatever awaited him.

Ray felt a renewed sense of determination welling up within him. He was ready to embark on this journey of self-improvement and tap into his untapped potential.

"Thank you, Barnes. I'll dedicate myself to these practices and strive to improve my mana sixth sense," Ray declared, his voice filled with determination. He was grateful for Barnes' guidance and mentorship.

What Barnes didn't tell him was that he saw more potential in him than just becoming the best hunter in a C rank hunter group.

Suddenly, Barnes face turned serious.

"Barnes. What happened?" Ray asked curiously.

"Ray, I sense a strong mana presence where it should be weak."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing good, I'm going to go to the hunters association, I want you to raid an E rank dungeon solo. Obviously, you can't get in by yourself being only at D rank so go with Jessica, she should be around the building somewhere, whilst you trained, she didn't leave."

Before Ray could ask anything else, Barnes quickly left Ray alone.

Ray stood there, his mind swirling with a mix of confusion and anticipation. The sudden shift in Barnes' demeanour and his urgent request left him with more questions than answers. However, he trusted Barnes's judgment and knew that there must be a valid reason behind his actions.

He quickly scanned the training facility, searching for Jessica, the B-rank hunter whom Barnes had mentioned. Spotting her training in an adjacent training hall. He waved his hand and called out her name. Jessica turned towards him, a curious expression on her face.

"Ray, what's going on? Where's Barnes?" she asked, walking towards him.

Ray quickly explained the situation, recounting Barnes' words about the strong mana presence and the task he had assigned them. Jessica listened intently, her eyes narrowing as she processed the information.

"I've never heard of such an occurrence before," she said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and intrigue. "But if Barnes thinks it's important enough to investigate, then we shouldn't take it lightly."

Ray nodded in agreement, a sense of determination resolute in his eyes. "This is why I need to get stronger."

Jessica smiled, her confidence in Ray evident. "Good, let's go to an E rank dungeon, I'll book one now, meanwhile, go and grab two spare sets of armour for us to use."

Minutes later, the two were suited in armour in Jessica's car heading to the dungeon.

As Jessica drove towards the E rank dungeon, Ray couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. He was eager to put his newfound mana manipulation skills to the test.

The car journey was filled with anticipation and small talk, with Jessica sharing stories of her past dungeon raids and offering advice to Ray. She spoke of the challenges they might encounter inside the dungeon, the types of monsters they could expect, and the strategies they could employ to overcome them.

Arriving at the dungeon entrance, they parked the car and stepped out onto the rugged terrain. The dungeon loomed before them, its entrance shrouded in an eerie darkness. Ray could feel the mana pulsating within its depths, calling out to him, beckoning him forward.

They approached the dungeon entrance cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Ray's heart raced, his grip tightening on his weapon. He glanced at Jessica, finding reassurance in her composed demeanour. She exuded confidence, a seasoned hunter ready to face any challenge that lay ahead.