Sensing Mana
Even a Warrior class could use magic skills. The problem was acquiring them. Most quests for magic skills required a magic-related class. Skill books from treasure chests had usage restrictions too, making it damn near impossible for a warrior to get magic skills. But once you had one, you could use it. The system didn't block it outright.
Hidden elements, boss clears with skill rewards—follow those paths, and even a warrior could wield magic. Hell, I already had some. Condensing Light Lv.1, rewarded from beating that crystal spider. The effect wasn't much, but it counted as magic. And Lightning Charge from Floor 3? That was magic too, though I'd ignored it for a while.
Plus, I knew skills didn't come only from quests or books. My passive skills proved it. Techniques learned through experience became skills. So maybe, as a warrior, I could learn shadow magic from Elenoir. Hell, maybe even job-change into a special shadow magic class.
Of course, I was too deep into warrior for a half-assed advanced class, even if it appeared. Anyway, lost in these thoughts, I went to find Elenoir. She was treated oddly among the dark elves, but still a princess. I didn't expect an instant meeting.
"You seeking me out first? Must be something big. Ready to accept my last proposal?"
"No."
"Hehe, no need to be shy. I know you get embarrassed easily. Just leave it to me."
Elenoir was free, apparently, and hit me with bullshit right away. For the record, her "last proposal" was her usual sleep-together crap. Appearance really mattered. If an ugly hag said that, I'd have drawn my sword already.
"Rizmel said she has nothing left to teach. If I want more, come to you."
"Rizmel said that? How long since you started swordsmanship, and she's already saying that?"
Elenoir's eyes widened. No surprise—I'd mastered what took half a year in one day.
-Scraaape.
Elenoir pushed back her chair and stood. She approached slowly, cupping my face with both hands.
"Hold still."
She closed her eyes, standing motionless for minutes. What the hell? Then she opened them.
"Damn, you've changed beyond recognition in no time. Even for a human, that's too fast."
Some scan magic, probably.
"You're endlessly fascinating. I love it. Makes me want to kiss you right now."
This bitch again. Get your hands off my face.
**
Elenoir said whatever she scanned told her she could teach me "something" soon. She was busy too, so not right away. We agreed to meet after sword practice, back at my lodging.
Sunset came. Elenoir showed up in her usual sheer negligee. I figured magic training as sword extension. Why the slutty outfit again? Eye candy better than community bests, but not teacher attire.
No way "teaching" meant bedroom skills?
"Ah, just comfy clothes. Don't tense up."
Easy for her to say, with a negligee dark elf princess in my face.
"You passed Rizmel's tests, right? So you've grasped sensory expansion."
"Yeah."
"Mastering it so quick—you must've trained similarly before?"
Never. But flattery.
"Then you know there's a realm beyond."
Nope. Just guessed from Rizmel's moves. I admitted it, and Elenoir's eyes widened again, launching into explanation. Way more complex and unhelpful than Rizmel's sword theory. Half flew over my head.
"So, using mana to sense surroundings—something like that?"
She nodded at my summary. Good. Matched the occasional community Mana Sensing skill. Mage-class skill consuming mana to perceive surroundings. Detect traps, ambushes. Vital back then; now obsolete with guides. But old challengers always had a sensing mage.
Perfect for me, tackling like first-gen.
"You're quick. Sensing and wielding mana is crucial for warriors too."
Then, unexpected bomb.
"It's the first step to Mana Reinforcement."
That high elf knight's warrior holy trinity skill. Prerequisite was this?
**
Shrinking Earth—solves melee mobility instantly, top movement skill.
Aura Mastery—transcends melee limits with attack skills, top mastery.
Mana Reinforcement—superior defense and stats for melee, top buff.
Why "trinity"? One alone guaranteed B-rank hunter spot. High performance, ultra-rare acquisition. Limited books, hidden quests. Natural level-up only for unique+ classes.
And Mana Reinforcement's precursor: Mana Sensing?
"What? For real?"
I blurted. Elenoir nodded calmly.
"Obviously. Can't awaken Mana Reinforcement without sensing or wielding mana."
Made total sense now. Others might guess. But most hunt quests/books, not train like me. Rare these days.
"Yeah, obvious."
I nodded, convinced. Dark elf side was right choice. Those psycho high elf bitches gave good quest rewards but no training help.
Learning Mana Sensing and Mana Reinforcement via training? Huge win.
"Alright, let's start. What first?"
"Kiss my cheek..."
"Cut the bullshit. Teach mana."
I cut her crap, practically grabbing her collar. She dropped it, giving simple training tips.
But her method? Way off my expectations. Just meditation. Prerequisite issue first.
"Fuck, how do I even feel mana?"
"Mmm, so meditate..."
"Meditate while feeling mana. I can't feel mana."
Long road to new realm.