Chapter 48

As Maria and I ventured deeper into the vast training grounds, the artificial world continued to amaze me.

"So you mean all this is just artificial?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Of course!" Maria replied with a smirk. "From the lake over there to the dirt and grass you see around us. Even the lights above are engineered to rival the sun's intensity on Earth's surface."

I marveled at the absurd lengths humans had gone to replicate nature, their drive for perfection both fascinating and baffling.

"This is just... too much," I muttered.

"You sound like an old hag," Maria teased, laughing.

I chuckled awkwardly. Little did she know, I was practically an ancient ancestor compared to her.

"Anyway, look over there," Maria said, pointing toward a group of heroes sparring.

I turned to see a few individuals exchanging punches, kicks, and blows with swords. Nearby, a pair of archers darted between cover, perfectly timing their movements and avoiding traps.

"They seem fairly weak," I observed.

"Of course," she replied, shrugging. "We're the only ones above S-rank here."

"That's not what I mean," I said, narrowing my eyes. "They look... bored. Don't you think?"

"Bored?" Maria repeated, puzzled. "They're free to train in open spaces if they want, so I don't get what you're talking about."

"You still don't get it," I muttered, noticing something off in their movements. "They're holding back—or something is holding them back."

Without waiting for a reply, I rushed toward the sparring heroes.

"Huh? Wait!" Maria called, chasing after me.

As I approached the group, a thought crossed my mind. If humans grow stronger, it will aid their survival. Helping them won't disobey my liege's orders.

I stopped in the center and shouted, "Everyone! Gather around!"

Some heroes paused their sparring to approach, while others ignored me—until Maria joined me.

"This is our new SS+ Ranker, Mister Zoth!" she announced with pride. "From now on, he'll be working with us."

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

"An SS+ Ranker in the Association?!"

"He's not from the Titans?"

"How did Miss Woods manage to recruit him? Did she seduce him?"

Maria's face turned crimson. "Don't joke around!" she snapped.

But soon, the tone shifted.

"If he's here, he'll just handle everything himself."

"Yeah. What's the point of us being heroes? We'll just be a burden."

I raised my voice to calm the growing discontent. "Everyone, settle down! I know some of you are questioning the point of being here, but I have a plan to make you all stronger!"

The crowd's skepticism was palpable. They muttered among themselves, clearly uninterested.

I sighed, turning to Maria, who was suppressing a grin at my helplessness. Her expression quickly shifted as she barked, "Everyone! Do you understand?"

The heroes immediately stood at attention, shouting in unison, "Yes, Miss Woods!"

Maria turned back to me, smiling. "There you go."

I smiled back and addressed the crowd again. "Alright, everyone, follow my instructions!"

I began explaining a technique: the inner workings of their mana cores.

"Normally, mana cores have valves that regulate mana flow, preventing you from drawing mana from your surroundings to regenerate it. It fills naturally, but that's a slow process. By opening those valves, you can draw mana directly from the environment. However," I warned, "it's risky. Without proper control, all your mana could leak out, leaving you unable to use magic. But for experienced heroes like you, it's achievable."

I continued explaining. "The process is simple: exhaust all your mana at once. This overexertion will slowly force the valves open. It's tedious and may take days, but the results are guaranteed."

The crowd listened intently, their skepticism replaced by curiosity.

"In short," I concluded, "you'll become significantly stronger in just a matter of days!"

Maria, still processing my words, finally spoke. "If this works, it'll be incredible. Growing beyond one's limits is usually considered nearly impossible, but... I'm in."

I watched the heroes begin their practice, determination lighting their eyes. "Just wait," I said to Maria. "This battalion will become an unstoppable army in no time."

She smiled, but her curiosity lingered. "And that whole 'secret family art' you mentioned earlier?"

I chuckled. "Oh, that was just some random nonsense. My goddess taught me these techniques."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Your lie was more believable than the truth you just spoke."

"But a truth is still a truth," I replied, grinning.

Maria chuckled softly. "Fair enough."

As we watched the heroes train, I felt a sense of satisfaction. For the first time in a long while, I wasn't just following orders—I was helping others carve their own paths to strength.