Chapter 88: Strengthened Trait

Chapter 88: Strengthened Trait

Behold! My strengthened Mana Circuit!

Congratulations, your trait has been strengthened.

Mana Circuit (Passive)

This integrates a network of mana channels throughout the user's body, optimizing the distribution of mana and amplifying the power of their mana-based abilities without additional mana consumption. This enhancement allows the user to draw upon their mana more efficiently, resulting in more potent spells and abilities while reducing overall mana expenditure.

Increased Mana Density: The Mana Circuit can now hold a greater density of mana, effectively increasing the user's mana capacity and the power of their mana-based abilities.

There were no options, and it just straightforwardly strengthened my Mana Circuit. The effect seems nice, so I don’t complain.

What made me change my mind and use it?

Perhaps it was Ruby’s lonely figure as she sat in front of the fireplace. Or maybe it was the realization that things never go the way I want them to. I just want to be as prepared as possible, even if it means making a mistake or two in the process. As of now, everything seems fine. My body feels more composed and my mana puts less strain on me as my enhanced circuit alleviates some of the effects.

But as I lay in bed, barely holding back screams of pain as my trait continued to strengthen, I think. What are the limits of the system and how far can it change my body? As many times before, it all feels just like a start. A small step towards a bigger goal.

And the journey to that point is mine to make.

I wave a piece of meat in front of Biscuit while he continues to try to grab it with his four mana arms. Every time he is close to grabbing it, I use [Disruption] to cancel his maa arms.

The corgi doesn't seem happy with that and barks a few times while trying to jump and grab it.

I am teaching him, right?

Yup, totally teaching.

I'm not being petty and taking revenge for last night when he continued to create mana arms to make fun of me while I tried to practice creating my own.

Totally teaching him.

I don't know what kind of system he got, but he better learn to put some stats into physical attributes!

After a few more minutes, I just throw it at him and he grabs it, instantly running behind the couch to hide and eat it.

You little twerp, I won’t steal it from you now.

As for things he did to survive?

Who am I to judge? I still remember the weight of pieces of Emeric's body. I still remember the sight of Ethan, who I had thrown, flying through the air towards the Cinderbear.

People are difficult to deal with. Emotions are difficult to deal with.

So, as the newest member of our small group, it's up to Hadwin to cook. I decided it, and the man just looks at me, and I am sure he sighs somewhere deep inside, but then he just cooks.

Ruby sometimes disappears for a day or two and eats outside, but we have some food here. And that's good because we are once again in the middle of nowhere. The cottage we are staying at is nice and well-equipped, but on every side, there is nothing, just plains of grass that sway in the wind.

No monsters, no humans. I blame Ruby's master. Her behavior became all weird after the last time we talked and when she destroyed an entire mountain range.

So I do what I can when I can't level up. I try and try to improve my skills.

My mana arm is coming along nicely, and I can move it in the elbow pretty well and the fingers are getting there as well. I can already grab some things. Yes, I do not have any feeling in the arm and have to continue to watch it, but I am getting used to it quickly.

Now that I strengthened my trait, controlling my mana becomes easier and I don’t have to put my entire [Focus] into handling it. Currently, I am using one [Focus] to handle my mana and control the arm made thanks to [Armament] and [Mana Manipulation] while the remaining part of [Focus] is free to do anything I want.

So I observe my Construct but I do not dare to make any changes to it. Now, that I am out of the tunnels, I have a feeling that I was a little bit too reckless or brave to do it, and as I observe the result, I come to realize how a little mistake could have killed me.

But hey, it worked out pretty well. Yup, the construct is kind of wasteful and not that efficient when it comes to turning my mana into some kind of effect, but my mana pool is big enough to handle it without me even realizing it. Plus, it's a passive effect that boosts my body in a similar way to boosting my stats.

And if I ever need more mana I can turn off the construct.

I like it. I like it a lot.

Already I am coming up with ways to improve my current construct and increase efficiency and can't help but feel some excitement while imagining what I can do in the future.

The goal for the future is to have multiple constructs I can turn on and off and have them run in the background. I can prepare a construct for many different situations or types of opponents and then use the ones that will be needed and have them run passively.

Finally, I found one of the uses for my ever-increasing mana!

I also come to realize that my construct bears a little bit of similarity to my [Focus]. Just instead of part of my mind taking care of it, it's the circuit I etched into my body.

This is something I have to think about.

But now I need to practice a bit more. I'm really close to finishing the side quest, and the reward - a new passive skill - is within reach.