"Don't get too tired, Theo, we can also help you."
Theo stood dazed for a while, hand holding Madam Lyra's Journal. His eyes were somewhat scattered. His ultimate goal was ACP Points, and the shortest way now to achieve ACP points stably and effectively wasn't combat risk-taking, but developing more advanced medicine formulas.
Apothecary was the most favorable path for him to easily achieve ACP points, by providing rare magical medicines or new formulas for civilization development. And no one could help with this.
Theo slowly opened the cover page.
It wasn't a diary or formula book, but a collection of carefully handwritten notes. On the first page was a clear title:
"Optimization Principles of Apothecary and Mana: 50 Years Combat Experience"
Below was a smaller line, written in purple ink:
"The most Basic Knowledge to survive in this world isn't swordsmanship or magic, but the ability to Restructure and Absorb Information."
Theo turned to the first page.
The first thing an Apothecary needs to learn isn't how to mix herbs, but how to sense "Mana Filament" running through their own body.
This exercise, called Mana Absorption Exercise, has the supreme purpose of determining whether you have mana aptitude. If yes, it will be a great advantage; if not, the Apothecary path will be much more difficult, because magical medicine is precisely the balance and reaction of medicinal herbs and mana.
He read the process carefully.
The material was a low-grade Mana Crystal piece. The process required finding a quiet place, placing the crystal on palm, relaxing body, only focusing on breathing rhythm then sensing energy flow.
Each sensing session about 60 minutes/1 day and must stop immediately if feeling dizzy. Aptitude testing rules very strict: if within 3 days you sense Mana Filament, you're talented.
Fortunately G had scanned the entire Journal beforehand and reminded him to shop.
Theo took out two low-grade Mana Crystals—clear and slightly opaque, emitting faint dim light—from the leather bag.
He chose a flat rock hidden behind large bushes near the shack, a quiet place out of Liam's training sight.
Theo sat down, placed one crystal on his right palm, then closed eyes, trying to push away remaining mental fatigue.
He relaxed entire body, eliminated all thoughts about ACP Points or complex formulas, only focusing on steady breathing rhythm—deep and slow.
The purpose was to sense the invisible Mana energy flow radiating from the crystal.
Ten minutes. Twenty minutes. Thirty minutes.
Theo felt nothing beyond the stone's crude coldness. No air current, no vibration, no "Mana Filament" at all.
Absolute silence began being invaded by worry. What if I have no aptitude?
Theo recalled Madam Lyra's advice in the journal, trying to maintain silence and continue focusing on breathing rhythm.
Suddenly, G rang in his head:
"Report. Today's test completion time has reached 60 minutes."
Theo opened his eyes. The Mana Crystal still lay quietly in his palm, cold and inert.
He had failed.
A deep disappointment rose, his hand unconsciously clenched—nails digging into flesh. First day, he sensed nothing.
But Theo didn't lose heart. He still had two chances. Haste was optimization's greatest enemy.
Instead of continuing to worry, he decided to read all the books copied from afternoon to better understand mana.
Theo began reading all books G had condensed to main points. G functioned like an information filter, only displaying the most core content, helping him save time.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
The more he read, the more clearly he understood how Mana existed and operated in this world.
He realized:
Basically, all humanity has Mana, only differing in adaptability, perception, and absorption capability.
Combat professional occupations almost always use Mana.
There may be people who initially can't sense it, but long practice will develop this capability.
If after three days still can't sense it, they're classified as having no mana talent.
These people often choose other occupations like Warrior, Archer... and especially:
They're strong in their own way, compensating with extreme physical strength and transcendent combat techniques.
Theo had read about masters who could:
- Swing Claymores weighing dozens of Hammers (1 Hammer ~ 3 kg),
- Carry objects weighing hundreds of Hides (100 Hide ~ 3 tons).
Though possibly exaggerated, clearly they were all true superhuman beings.
This knowledge brought Theo clarity.
Even if unable to sense Mana early, that wasn't the end. He still had chances.
Regaining confidence, Theo realized it was already dark—time to prepare food for the whole group.
Liam was still focused on practicing body softening exercises for Hidden Shadow, so Theo didn't disturb, silently working alone.
He both prepared food and practiced Spike Stepping, moving lightly between campfire and food bags, trying to keep footsteps as light as possible.
Dried Beast meat was grilled over fire, along with roasted potatoes and a bit of fragrant grass mushroom soup.
After finishing, Theo laid out food. Liam rested and ate.
While eating, Theo inquired about Liam's training situation, then offered valuable opinions based on physics knowledge and body structure G had just analyzed and provided.
Liam nodded, eyes surprised at Theo's accurate and scientific advice.
"I didn't expect training to be this complex. Thanks, Theo."
After the meal, Theo used remaining time to finish reading remaining books and asked G to check for missing knowledge.
G was indeed an excellent learning tool, helping him systematize everything perfectly.
Though failing on the first attempt, reading books helped Theo understand:
Patience is the supreme factor in activating Mana—as well as in life.
As a hunter, Theo never lacked patience.
Theo stood up, patting Liam's shoulder.
"Rest. You have a heavy training session tomorrow morning."
He looked up at the star-filled night sky.
The second day of Mana Absorption Exercise would come soon.
One day remained until the final transaction with Vesper. The whole group continued busy with training plans and preparations. Theo alone had also completed the magical medicines needed for the transaction. He decided to prepare two more Smoke Bombs and one Sticky Glob to restore reserves to two of each type.
He also had an idea to craft arrowheads that functioned like Numbing Bombs. It would minimize risk when using compared to directly throwing bombs, but this would require much research and manufacturing time, couldn't be done overnight. He noted this idea in G's system.
Noon also arrived. Theo found a quiet place and began the second attempt at the Mana Absorption Exercise.
Sixty minutes passed, Theo still couldn't sense Mana. Time's up.
Theo sighed. Perhaps he truly had no talent for Mana. However, because of the knowledge read yesterday, Theo still didn't lose heart. Sensitivity for an Apothecary was very important, but if lacking it, Theo still believed he'd succeed with G's help and his own perseverance.
Suddenly G said:
"Host can continue using the Mana Absorption Exercise."
Theo startled, asking:
"But it's already been sixty minutes?"
G replied:
"Correct, but Host's body can still endure, evidenced by Host having no dizziness or nausea. The 60-minute limit is only the safe level according to theory."
Theo's eyes brightened.
"Perhaps can try a bit."
He instructed G:
"G, pay attention to body condition and continue the exercise."
Theo closed his eyes. He extended concentration another 30 minutes. During this time, he concentrated willpower more strongly, trying to search for Mana Filament in the darkness of consciousness.
Still couldn't sense Mana, but Theo felt he couldn't concentrate anymore. Nauseous feeling surged up throat, head spinning.
G immediately analyzed:
"Host's body has shown Mana rejection reaction due to attempting to maintain focus beyond threshold. Suggest stopping immediately."
Theo opened his eyes, face pale. He'd exceeded his own limits on the second day and still failed. Only one more chance remained for tomorrow.
Immediately, G provided detailed analysis based on data collected during the intense 90 minutes just past:
"Analysis: Host's body has quite good Mana adaptation capability... However, Mana absorption capability is quite poor, leading to significantly reduced perception capability. This explains why Host needs longer time than average level to sense Mana Filament."
G continued:
"To determine accurately and design effective exercises, we need more data as well as more practice. Knowledge in basic books isn't enough to solve this problem. Must collect more data and knowledge about Mana."
Theo nodded. This was precisely the motivation he needed. Failure was possible, but he'd think of ways to solve problems—not blame talent. He just needed a special method different from others to activate his Mana. And that method, he'd achieve with perseverance and G's help.
"Alright, G. We have so much to do."
Theo stood up and walked toward the clearing where Liam and Al were training.
Throughout the afternoon, he checked Al's progress, supported Liam with points to note in hidden shadow training.
Al had progressed greatly in both stamina and strength. Skill usage also more proficient. Exercises based on Theo's ideas were very effective—Al could now lift objects weighing 3-4 kg and fly short distances, displaying Pokémon's miraculous capability though it itself only weighed about 1.8-1.9 kg.
Liam was struggling with muscle flexibility exercises, balance keeping, and memorizing large knowledge amounts about exploiting light, sound, opponent's vision to conceal himself.
For his part, Theo also intensified Spike Stepping training and running with Remnant Wind Method, enduring pain from stretched muscle areas. According to G's analysis, his legs were already mutating. Soon, he'd complete this harsh training exercise, somewhat resolving his speed weakness.