Soul of the Warrior

Skill Leveled Up!

Tier 3:

Mana Manipulation (69 ->70)

Reivyn frowned at the Notification, letting the Mana in his control slip back into his body to nestle in his core once more.

The Notification was just more proof that he wasn’t quite grasping the concept necessary to combine his Mana Skills. He had been attempting it for several days since the painting incident with his sisters, but he had only succeeded in increasing his individual Skill Levels.

He had finally determined that he was suffering from an unusual deterrence to combining his Skills: He was too Skilled with each individual Skill.

There was no catalyst. He could accomplish any goal he could think of without having to figure out how to do it without any problems. There was no epiphany to be had. He could just do it, regardless of what he thought of.

He tried combining different practice exercises together. His first attempt was combining his Affinity Infusion exercise with Mana Manipulation while simultaneously viewing the whole process with both Sense Mana and Mana Sight.

While the exercises had been successful for their actual intended purposes, it had been a spectacular failure for his goal. His mind had simply partitioned each Skill and dutifully carried out the tasks with zero resistance. Not only that, but his Pain Resistance Skill being subsumed into his Protection Prodigy Skill had finally somehow enabled it to dull the pain from his Affinity training.

I guess that’s one silver lining, at least, Reivyn huffed.

He maintained his posture in the lotus position, sitting on his bed, as he rested his chin on his hand to think about the problem.

I need a challenge. An unusual challenge. Ironically, my talent with my Mana Skills actually makes it harder than simply a change in perspective could bring. But what sort of challenge?

That was the real conundrum.

Just sitting here thinking about it isn’t getting me anywhere, Reivyn concluded. I need outside stimuli. I’ve already attempted all the things I could think of on my own. I’ll take a break to clear my mind, and then I’ll go searching for inspiration.

Reivyn hopped off his bed and headed down the stairs to the living room. His parents and sisters were casually lounging in the living room. Each of them was immersed in their own little projects, but they maintained a smattering of conversation between them.

Reivyn felt a little sheepish at the realization that he had once again sequestered himself from his family once he had started earnestly training his Skills. He had already made the promise to spend more time with his family, but he had already forgotten it in his pursuit of refining his abilities.

He walked into the room with a smile on his face and determination to keep his promise. His mother looked up and noted his smiling face. She added one of her own.

“There he is!” Ameliyn proclaimed. Everyone else glanced up and gave their own little greeting as Reivyn waved to them. “So did you finally succeed?”

“Nope,” Reivyn shook his head and plopped down on one of the open seats perpendicular to his parents and sisters who sat facing each other.

“Really? And yet you grace us with your presence?” Ameliyn asked with mock surprise.

“I figured a little break wouldn’t hurt,” Reivyn admitted.

“A little rest and relaxation goes a long way toward breakthroughs,” Refix provided his own wisdom. “You can’t go 100% at all times and expect endless progress.”

“I haven’t really noticed a problem with it until now,” Reivyn countered.

“Yeah, but you also had other responsibilities that took up your time,” Refix said, looking up at Reivyn and holding eye contact. “When you were with the Conscripts, you had your military duty. When you were at the Academy, you had your classes and friends. When you were with the military in Drallo, you had the long bouts of Marching and looking after your subordinates. Same with the mercenary deployment.

“Except when you were a child training your Weapons Master Skill, you’ve had plenty of distractions to let your mind rest and digest your training and understanding of your Skills. And even then, the physical training and spread of different Skill training had a hand in it, as well.”

Reivyn seriously thought about the examples his father had given. He realized there was more to it than even the surface level his father mentioned. He had never bore down on his Skills in the same way with something so complex as combining an entire genre of Skills together before.

He had always trained hard, but like his father said, there was always that little bit of distraction or change of pace that let his subconscious incorporate what he had learned. He was also partly right with his own argument, too. He had never really encountered a bottleneck that he couldn’t quickly break through with concerted effort.

“So what’s the problem you're facing?” Ameliyn asked out of curiosity. “Maybe some outside perspective can help.”

“That’s actually exactly what I was thinking,” Reivyn answered. “Everything I’ve thought of on my own hasn’t worked. Well, it’s worked, just not the way I want it to.

“The problem is that I’m too good.”

Ameliyn and Refix watched Reivyn, waiting for him to elaborate. After a couple of seconds of just staring at each other, Ameliyn finally rolled her eyes.

“Well, don’t brag too much in front of us lowly mortals!”

“I’m not bragging,” Reivyn shook his head. “That’s really the issue. There’s no challenge for me to overcome. Everything I’ve thought of, I’m able to accomplish with how my Skills are set now. My foundations are also pretty deep when it comes to Magical Theory after the tutoring I’ve received from you and Kefira. My individual Skills can handle any task I can think of, even when I’m using four or more at a time.”

A flash of subtle Mana distracted Reivyn. He glanced over at his sisters as they clapped and laughed in glee. They had apparently finished a small personal project they had been working on. Ameliyn looked over with a smile and love in her eyes as the girls celebrated.

Reivyn frowned as something pulled at his consciousness, but it was gone before he could grasp what it was. He simply smiled at his sisters.

There was a little clay figure sitting on the coffee table in front of them. It was of a man and woman dancing. The figure was intricately carved, and the colors blended perfectly.

If Reivyn didn’t know better, he would assume it was a little statue crafter by a master, but the fading wisps of Mana dispersing into the Ambient Mana all around reminded him it was anything but ordinary.

“Watch,” Kailey and Riley said at the same time, gesturing together at their little figurine.

Without any noticeable activation from the twins, the pair of dancers started to dance around the table. The male dancer twirled the female, and her dress even flared out as if it was truly made of cloth.

The dancing couple only made one circuit around the table before coming to a stop in the same position they had started.

You have witnessed the Court Dance of the Loving Couple!

Your mind is refreshed and you’ll resist anxiety and mental stress for the next two hours.

“Girls!” Ameliyn exclaimed, sounding scandalized. “How could you create something with such an effect?”

Reivyn looked over at his mother in surprise. She had one hand held to her chest, and her face was slightly flushed. Refix sat next to her with a wide grin on his face. He looked back over at the twins.

“We didn’t make it with any specific effect in mind,” Kailey said.

“We just let the Mana do what it wanted,” Riley said.

“Why?”

“What did it do?”

“Ahem,” Ameliyn looked up as she thought about the right words to use.

“It just improved our mood,” Refix answered for her, still grinning. “That’s all.”

The twins looked back and forth between their parents suspiciously.

“Anyway, I think it’s time for you to take a break,” Ameliyn said, standing up. “Go out and play now. You too, Reivyn. Go find your little girlfriend.” She paused and gave Reivyn an appraising look. “On second thought, don’t go see her just yet.”

Reivyn gave his parents a smirk. Refix just winked back.

“All it did was refresh my mind and prevent mental stress,” Reivyn said.

“In that case, go see Kefira. Shoo, shoo.”

Ameliyn stepped around the coffee table and rushed the two girls who weren’t moving nearly as fast as she wanted them to. Refix slowly stood up and stretched his arms over his head. Reivyn got up and headed to the door ahead of the twins. He turned his head back on his way out.

“Have fun relaxing.”

“Oh, you know it!” Refix agreed. Ameliyn swatted him in the shoulder as she rounded the coffee table to stand next to her husband. Refix was undeterred and kept grinning. “It’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

Kailey and Riley followed Reivyn out the door. Reivyn saw Ameliyn grab Refix’s hand and lead him to the back of the house with his Divine Sense. He picked up his pace to get out of range with his Skill.

“Since when has relaxing been one of dad’s favorite things?” Kailey asked.

“I thought he only loved everything that didn’t involve relaxing,” Riley added.

“I’ve never seen him happy about something that wasn’t physical exercise.”

“Who said there wasn’t going to be any physical exercise?” Reivyn called back. “Let’s hurry and give them some privacy.”

“You’re acting weird, too,” Kailey accused.

“You’re hiding something,” Riley echoed.

Reivyn rolled his eyes.

“The two of you are almost adults now. No need to act like children.”

“We’re the babies of the family,” Kailey said.

“It’s our job to act like children.”

“Maybe for now,” Reivyn smirked. “That might change.”

“What do you mean?” Kailey asked.

“Has mom and dad seriously not told you about what married couples do and where babies come from?” Reivyn stopped and looked at the twin girls incredulously.

“Of course they have!” Kailey defended herself.

“We know all about it!” Riley said.

Reivyn gave them a meaningful look. Their eyes widened in comprehension.

“Ooohhh,” they said together. “Eww.”

Reivyn laughed and shook his head.

“Come on. Let’s give them some alone time.”

—

Reivyn watched the tea as it poured into his cup. The young maid who saw to the needs of the guests was familiar to Reivyn in so much as he could recall her face among those that had trained under his father. He didn’t know her name or anything else about her, though. She wasn’t his maid, so he didn’t feel the need to learn, either. An unusual interest, even one of pure curiosity, might send the wrong signals to another party.

Kefira’s never shown any inclinations towards jealousy, but that doesn’t mean I should give her a reason to, Reivyn internally chuckled.

After his tea was poured, the maid continued to pour two more cups. Reivyn stifled a sigh as he looked up at the other guests sitting with him in the room.

“And why did you two follow me here?” Reivyn inquired of his twin sisters.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Kailey asked back.

“It’s obvious,” Riley stated.

“And what’s obvious?” Reivyn asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Kailey and Riley shared a look where they rolled their eyes.

“You need a chaperone,” Kailey said.

“Mom was quite clear about what watching our little dancers did,” Riley added.

“We must protect Kefira from your beastly claws.”

“And didn’t I say that all it did was refresh my mind?” Reivyn also rolled his eyes.

“Who can trust the words of a beast?” Kailey shot back.

“You can’t be trusted,” Riley said.

“When have I ever lied to either of you?”

Kailey and Riley stopped and thought about the question before looking at each other again. They appeared to conduct some sort of silent communication that Reivyn couldn’t pick up, but they quickly turned back to him.

“That’s exactly what a deceitful beast would say,” Kailey claimed.

“There’s a first time for everything,” Riley continued.

“Wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity?”

“Building trust over years with petty truths only to spring the lie when it actually mattered.”

“You do know that Kefira and I are to be engaged, right?” Reivyn said.

“To be,” Kailey said.

“Hasn’t happened yet,” Riley said.

“And an engagement isn’t a marriage.”

“Double hasn’t happened yet.”

The door opened and Kefira strode into the room with a wide smile on her face. Serilla trailed in behind her with her usual stoic look.

“Sister-in-law!” Kailey and Riley exclaimed excitedly.

The twins leaped from their seats and practically lunged across the room to embrace Kefira in a hug from either side. Kefira was stunned for a second, her smile frozen on her face, before she hugged the two girls back.

“Wait a second,” Reivyn protested. “Didn’t you just say ‘hasn’t happened yet?’ And here you are calling her your sister-in-law.”

“Those rules don’t apply to us,” Kailey said, sticking her tongue out at her brother.

“We’re not the beasts trying to dig his dastardly claws into our pure, innocent sister-in-law,” Riley added.

Kefira was smiling at the banter between the siblings until a snort from behind her caused her expression to stiffen. She carefully turned her head to glare at Serilla. Serilla looked straight ahead as if she had never made a sound. If Reivyn hadn’t seen the woman snort at the statement, he would have sworn the sound obviously couldn’t have come from her.

Kefira turned her attention to the sisters and squeezed them each with an arm before extricating herself. She indicated for the two girls to sit back down, and she followed suit and sat in her own seat. Her tea had already been poured from her, and all four of those seated at the table took a sip.

“To what do I owe the honor of this rare visit?” Kefira asked, narrowing her eyes at Reivyn. She sounded suspiciously like Ameliyn.

Reivyn rolled his entire head around his neck. He lifted his arms up in a helpless shrug.

“It’s only been a couple of days!” He said.

“I’ve made time to visit your courtyard everyday,” Kefira said. “And your sisters visit me everyday, too.”

Reivyn glanced at the twins in surprise.

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

“It’s true.”

“Well…” Reivyn set his teacup down and sat back. “You’re right. I should make more time to visit everyday. I apologize.”

It was Kefira’s turn to be taken aback. She sat back and shared a look with the twins.

“That easy?” She asked. “I was only half joking.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Reivyn said. “I’ve already accepted fault and determined to do better. There’s no reason for me not to acknowledge when I’ve been wrong. I get too caught up in my training and experimentation with my Skills.”

“Don’t take it so seriously,” Kefira mollified. “I know this is important to you. I’m mature enough to recognize that you’re busy and focused on a goal.

“Besides, I’m going to make you help me achieve the same thing just like you did with your father.”

“Absolutely,” Reivyn nodded, smiling. “There was never any question. I’m just taking a break before I seek inspiration. The things I’ve been thinking up on my own haven’t been what I need.”

“So that’s why you’re here?” Kefira raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought you came to see me because you loved me.”

Reivyn snorted.

“I’m here right now because my parents…”

“La la la la la,” Kailey closed her eyes and covered her ears.

“I don’t want to think about it!” Riley covered her eyes with her hands.

Reivyn gestured to his sisters.

“You get the idea,” Reivyn smirked. Kefira observed the two girls and nodded sagely. “But that’s only the reason I’m here at this time. Neither is the reason I came to see you. I just wanted to see you.”

“I know. I was just teasing,” Kefira smiled. “I’m also not sure I’d be able to give you the inspiration you need. I’ve already taught you everything I know that you didn’t already. There’s not much more to dig out that could help you.”

“You should paint with us!” Kailey said, lowering her hands.

“I’m sure we could give you a challenge!” Riley said, opening her eyes.

Reivyn gave the two a weary look.

“Like last time? I’m not sure that’s the type of challenge I’m looking for.”

“Nope. Last time was a prank.”

“This time we’re being serious.”

The two girls nodded. Reivyn shared a look with Kefira. Kefira looked over her shoulder to the maid who had retreated to the back of the room.

“Would you go grab the supplies they left here?” Kefira inquired.

The maid bobbed a quick curtsey and left the room. In only a few moments, she returned with another couple of maids. They were all carrying various art supplies and paints. A couple of easels were set up and all the maids except the one who had originally stayed behind left.

“Perfect!” Kailey clapped excitedly.

“Let’s paint!” Riley jumped up from her seat and rushed to an open easel.

The two girls gathered their Mana together and began infusing the paint and tools. Reivyn just shook his head as he slowly got up from his seat.

That same feeling that had momentarily arrested his attention earlier came back in full force. It didn’t go away immediately this time, though, and he searched for the cause of the interference. He looked all around until his gaze settled on the Mana being manipulated by the girls.

He walked over and reached out to the Mana coursing along as a thick braid into the paint. He lifted it with his hand and observed it. He was able to Manipulate the weave in a non-intrusive manner by lifting it up. He could wrest control away from the girls if he wanted to with his superior Skills and Stats, but that’s not what he was trying to do.

He didn’t really need to bring it closer for his inspection with his ability to perceive it with his Divine Sense, but he wasn’t getting a clear picture of what he was looking at. He brought it up to inspect visually while digging into it with his Divine Sense.

He looked back up at the two girls with a confused expression on his face, still holding the weave in his outstretched hand.

“What is this?” Reivyn asked.

“What do you mean?” Kailey asked.

“It’s our Mana,” Riley replied.

“I’m talking about the Affinity,” Reivyn clarified. “One second it’s Air, then it’s Fire, then it’s some other higher-Tier Affinity I’m not familiar with, but then it’s none of them and all of them all at once.”

“Well, yeah,” Kailey said.

“We put our Affinities into the weave,” Riley added.

“All of your Affinities?” Reivyn continued to ask.

“Of course.”

“What else would we do?”

Kefira walked over with an equally confused expression. She peered down at the weave held in Reivyn’s hands and carefully inspected it.

“Fascinating,” she whispered.

“I don’t understand,” Kailey said.

“Isn’t infusing your Affinities into your weaves basic?” Riley asked.

“Not like this!” Reivyn exclaimed. “I infuse one Affinity into each thread. I weave multiple threads with their own individual Affinity together for the weaves.”

“You guys have managed to infuse each thread with all of your Affinities at once,” Kefira pointed out. “Not only that, but it can be any combination of them at any time, or none of them at all as pure Mana.”

“How do you do that?” Reivyn asked.

The two girls shared a look before looking back at Reivyn with smiles.

“Looks like you’ve found your challenge,” Kailey said.