In the two months, the group had steadily progressed in their magic skills. Even though they were basically climbing the same ladder, there were using one hand to do it.
Their successes stacked up and soon enough, all of them were back to their old self.
The real challenge would begin from that moment. They had to break through their original limits and reach a new height.
"One month," Jason reminded. "In one month, all of us will have to give that test and hopefully, we will clear it."
"Even if we clear the test, we still have to break through the threshold specified for us." Amber added. "Without doing that, we won't be able to leave this place."
"We all know that." Mila sighed.
The owner of the orphanage had started treating them nicely ever since they had showed potential in getting better at magic.
Other kids had tried to earn her favor as well and had even approached the group to tell them some tricks.
At first, they were willing to part with the simple trick but they soon realized that things could be different in the current world.
"Try to feel the energy around you. If you can do that, we will help you ahead." In the end, Jason had given them something to work with.
Unfortunately, none of them were able to sense the mana particles and couldn't answer any questions that the group asked them.
"This world isn't fair to everyone. Its better that they learn that instead of being served with fake hope." Orion muttered thoughtfully.
"It would be better for you to practice magic instead of trying to sound philosophical." Zeke snickered.
The duo locked gazes and started berating. Neither Jason nor the two girls paid them any attention.
They were instead focused on improving their magic with the sole goal of creating tier three spells.
'Any news on Hestia?' Jason asked. He had been questioning the system about the same thing everyday.
[ Nope. She hasn't stirred in her sleep. ]
'I don't think that this has something to with the power-up I did inside the Trial of fear. Flamey got reunited with Amber one week after our arrival here!'
On point, Jason and the system looked at the magma salamander hanging around Amber's neck. Flamey didn't seem to mind the things happening around him and was simply sleeping.
Jason wondered if he could exchange positions with the salamander.
'Is there any way for us to contact Hestia?'
[ I don't think so… Lemme confirm it with the system customer service. ]
'There is a customer service for systems?!' Jason didn't know whether to be delighted or weirded out by the sudden revelation.
[ What do you think would happen if no one was there to answer the queries of a new system and host? Why do you think the customer service go is one of the strongest gods to ever exist? ]
'Uh… You go question the customer service while I try to create a lightning tier 3 skill.'
[ Don't. You can try using thunder to create skills now so its better if you improve your thunder control and make all of your skills related to thunder. ]
'When did this change happen?'
[ About two hours ago. I was observing your body to make sure I wasn't wrong. Though there is a small chance that something can go wrong, you can use thunder now. ]
With another revelation thrown at his face, Jason let his mind relax and started practicing thunder mana control just like the system had suggested.
Since his body had already gotten used to the new mana surroundings, his core was now producing mana like usual.
Jason willed upon the lightning mana to come forth but just before it could appear around his fingers, he summoned a second wave of it.
He slowly concentrated on the purity of the mana. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead but after three minutes of focus, dark purple as well as light purple sparks of lightning, or[under. He wanted to go find Hestia right at that moment but doing it in daylight would arise suspiciousness.
So instead, he decided to visit his guardian in the night.
'Let the grind begin.' Jason thought before summoning even more of his thunder mana.
A few strands of his hair stood straight as he tried circulating the thunder mana all around his body.
The children standing a few meters away from him looked at him with a gawking expression. They slowly moved away to prevent any kind of accident from happening.
Jason took a deep breath and concentrated on forming a thunderbolt. It took him three minutes just to form the two inches of a thunderbolt.
He didn't give up and continued to try. Hours passed by in this manner and at the end of day, Jason managed to create a normal sized thunderbolt in under a minute.
Upon looking at his thunder mage job class, he noticed a new change.
---
< Thunder Bolt (Tier 2) >
- Summon a bolt of thunder.
,m ---
The lightning bolt skill had changed into thunderbolt though it still remained at the same tier.
[ Though its not official, you can consider that every tier is subdivided into three other ranks, similar to what happens with power rankings. ]
'So I guess thunderbolt is at the peak of tier 2.' Jason replied while eating his dinner.
His advancement in being able to use thunder was definitely a good thing. If he worked a bit harder, he would be able to convert all of his lightning skills to thunder skills.
[ Well, you necessarily don't need to create skills. The same is true for all those in your class. Skills and Spells are basically just limiters that are placed on the way mana in used to do something. ]
'Wait, this means that those who have much more mana can abuse a tier 2 skill to their liking.'
[ Indeed. That is why the skills and spells are divided into tiers so that someone doesn't abuse and destroy their body. ]
'I see…'
Jason finished his food and made his way to a special room in the orphanage that was allotted to him and his friends.
They had received it after creating a few skills. It mainly served as their discussion room where no one else would be able to listen in on their conversations.
Jason was tired that day to discuss anything. He laid down on his bed, pulled on the covers and went to sleep.
It was about time he met Hestia