Returner's Revenge

Hidden Benefits

The training for their bodies ended as Kris have told them. It is now to train their mana pool and spells. It is weekend and the group turned down various invitations for party and other important things that nobles should attend to.

“Parties are temporary, training is eternal.” James said to himself as they walk towards the training room. “Should you really be saying that?” Ophir rebutted but James disregard what he just said.

“Hurry, Kris said that he will show us something different so you both better not drag me down.” Flora said without hesitation. “What do you think he will show that will surprise us?” Ophir says without thinking too hard. He and almost all of them have already seen Kris’ tricks and thought that nothing could surprise them anymore.

Flora stops to look at the with a disappointed expression, James is confused as to why Flora would be excited about it but then Flora gave them a hint. “What if he teach us that? That thing?” Ophir could not process what really meant and just scoffs. James on the other hand took a second of delay before he finally realize what she meant.

“Oh shxt! You mean that?!” James exclaim and almost made Ophir jolt back in surprise. “What in the- you almost gave me a heart attack!” the two then smile nastily while rubbing their hands. Being the only one in the dark about what they have in mind, Ophir demanded explanation but the two are busy thinking about it that they did not notice that they have already arrived in the front door of the training area.

“You crooks. You both realize that you look nasty right? So if you feel guilty about it, share with me your plans so this gentleman can lift your from the weigh of your sins.” Ophir said proudly and his two friends are just staring at him, blankly.

“Don’t say those things again Ophir. It makes you look and sound intelligent. People will misunderstand.” James said without holding his words back but Ophir is already used to it so it doesn’t bother him. Continue to walk inside and saw Kris and the others already making preparations.

“Perfect timing, we are just about to start.” Kris then tells them to take the three vacant seats which they occupied immediately. “Now that everyone is here I would like to start with something basic. Mana pool, have any of you tried burning your mana pool until there is nothing left?” Everyone stares at Kris’ ridiculous question and as expected, nobody answered.

 “I have drained my mana pool not once, but twice. And I can tell you, that did not feel really good at all. I can feel my body adjusting to the mana residue left in my pool, it feel dry as a desert and my body ache terribly. All of you already know that exhausting your mana pool is bad new but what if I tell you that its actually beneficial for our growth as a mage?”

Everyone’s eyes shook after his remarks and wants to protest for his claim but he gestures them to let him finish first. “As proof of that. I will volunteer as the test subject. Johannes and I have already bought mana potions to help me regain my mana later. I start draining my mana right away with a spell that will drain my rapidly. Doppelganger.”  

They look at him with confused expressions after seeing another copy of Kris appearing behind him. They know that doppelganger use only a small amount of mana so it confuse them why he told that that it will drain his mana rapidly. “Don’t tell me he is going to have that doppelganger use some spell.” Flora says unsure of what Kris plans to do.

And surely enough, she is right. The doppelganger also used the doppelganger spell, and the new doppelganger used the same spell to conjure another image of Kris and it continues on until there are ten doppelgangers in total. “That’s insane. Having 10 doppelgangers is extremely hard even for him. That should not be possible? How is he able to concentrate and control the doppelganger to use the same spell over and over again?!” Jhonas mutters and disturbs the others who also felt the tension in the air just by looking at what is happening.

[That is indeed ridiculous. A student using his doppelgangers to use the same spell until there’s ten of them. It will take a huge amount of concentration maintaining the 10 doppelganger’s thoughts. Don’t tell me he successfully divided his brain into eleven equal parts?] James could relate to Jhonas since he have been reading all kinds of books since childhood and know how intolerably painful and mentally challenging it is for a person to maintain in full control of a single doppelganger’s thoughts and movements.

“A single simple spell will immediately burn my mana to zero, a fire bolt or a simple earth wall.” He turns to the doppelgangers who also turns to look at Kris nod their heads. [What in the world?! They move as if they have their own individuality!] James exclaim in his head. “Don’t tell me he will have them use earth wall as well-“

SHHUG!

And to his disappointment, Kris had his doppelgangers use the same spell and completely burn his mana to zero.

A doppelganger can use a spell that the original person  knows but the doppelganger does not have its own core and therefore, any spell that it cast or chant will be deducted from the original owner’s source or mana pool and the same thing happened to Kris’ case. The doppelgangers use a simple spell and burn his mana pool dry with a single earth wall. Something that everyone watching him would never have thought of doing in their entire lives.

[Thank goodness the system took care of using the doppelgangers, if it were left to me. My head would probably split in the amount of information that needed to successfully control the doppelgangers. You saved me system.] Kris falls to his knees and Johannes wants to help him up but he tells him to remain on his seat.

“I told you right? I got this, there is no need help me. I did this myself and I know I can fix this.” Kris said with utmost dedication to show his fellow students the benefits. The nerves on Kris’ body bulge as if they are bursting, Johannes hands Kris a mana potion to help him ease the pain but the latter place it on the table and concentrated his attention to his breathing, he started off with a painful breathing and soon his breathing relaxed as if he is at peace, thanks to the guidance of the system.

Kris was able to build a stable pathway for his mana to travel to his entire body. His mana draining is a success.

Notice: Sturdy mana foundation is a success. Usage of mana on spells will now require only 75% of the original mana needed for a spell. Status: Mana pathway. Stable. Report: Mana condensation is in progress. Mana condensation complete. Space within the mana pool has become 10% wider. Time for another safe process or mana draining is 100 days.

Kris smiles proudly as his demonstration is a success. The others worry for his condition when he tried to stand on his feet but failed. “What ridiculous demonstration. Do you want to die?” Jhonas said as Johannes help Kris out. Kris just smiles as Jhonas continues to criticize him.

“Is that so? Then why don’t you use sense so you can understand what happened? Look, James’ mouth is already open.” Jhonas turn to James only to find his horrified face. [What in the world just happened? His mans pool widened? Just like that? No! It can’t be! There is no method for expanding one’s mana pool.] He then turns to the others and realize that they all have the same and exact mana pool.  He then came to a butter realization that what Kris demonstrated and said is the truth.

[This is impossible, his mana pool did not expand, not an inch or a meter. His mana became so condensed that it gave more room for additional mana. This- this is crazy!] Whilst James is thinking of the probability of everyone being able to successfully do what Kris just did, Juonas used a sensory spell only to find the exact same thing as James did.

“This is impossible. How did you-!” Jhonas could not continue speaking as the words left his mouth after the realization hit him, badly. The others are no better than the two, they are also flabbergasted by what they found out when they use a sensory spell.

“That’s- no way. Its true?” Kris tries to recover his mana with the help of mana potion but the system reports that it knows a spell to help recover mana in an instant.

Notice: ‘Call for mana’ spell derived from ‘Heaven’s Blessing' is successful and can be used. Do you want to use it now?

[Wow, is there nothing you can’t do system? Why is this spell not known to humans? Well I guess even I can answer that question. Sorry for even asking.] Kris thinks to himself as he use the spell that the system have provided and immediately recover and fill his mana pool to the brim. Another instance that made everyone else around him shock.

Everyone inside the academy sensed something when the mana around them rushed to a specific place. The headmaster and Mephisto is alerted by this and the two immediately walk to follow the mana and met each other on the way. “Did you also sense that?” The headmaster asked. “Yes, the unusual behavior of mana. I can feel it. They are uniting for something.” The trail of mana disappears and the two could not longer trace where the mana around them are headed as it returns to its original path.

“It disappeared. The mana fluctuation of mana disappeared. It returned to normal.” Mephisto said as the stand near the training area. “Is it perhaps because of him?” Mephisto asked and he can already see the headmaster’s response to his question, he is uncertain. “He is not alone inside, let us not disturb the young ones from their training. As the foundation of this kingdom, we must do our best to support them even in little ways.” He and Mephisto then left without bothering Kris and the others.

Answer: It is a spell that divine beings use to control mana at their will and distribute it properly and equally to places around the world and beyond. Notice: 'Call for mana’ can be used in the next 3 hours.

[Well, it would be a cheat if I can use it infinitely, way to go system. Thanks for not letting me a***e the ability that you have given me.]

“How did that happen Kris? Is it true that you have condensed your mana?” Kris nod his head and smiles. “Yes, and soon you will all do the same.” The others are hesitant because of the effects that they have heard from the teachers as well as other people that experienced it.

I can tell that you are all hesitant and I understand but what I don’t understand is that Jhonas is among all of you? Jhonas, did you forget the effects of consuming the 300 year old plum?” Kris words strike him as lighting as he just realize that the intense training and the consuming of the 300 year old plum was in preparation for this the entire time. 

Kris saw that he had realized it a bit late and explains to everyone what they have been doing the entire time. “You all don’t need to worry. The pain is less, that’s why we have been training your bodies to withstand the pain and the 300 year old plum will further erase the pain but not entirely. Your bodies are ready for it, but you just don’t know it yet.” Kris explains and most of them already understood it.

“I want to go first.” Kris smiles as his friend, someone that will not leave his side volunteered. Then Flora comes next and then the others followed. With the will and determination to be strong, everyone agreed to do it.

“I can’t be the only one to be defeated in the competition.” Flora said with a smile. “Too bad for you, we will not also let ourselves be stomped by anyone.” Xia speak in her entire class’ stead. And the rivalry continues.