The invitation to Rudelion's dorm had set a new precedent. It wasn't merely a polite exchange; it was a subtle opening, a crack in the carefully constructed wall between the protagonist's destined path and the Demon God vessel's defiant one. Lathel and Justia, true to their word, sought him out again within the week. This time, their visit was less formal, more akin to a shared intellectual pursuit, a testament to Rudelion's carefully cultivated image as a brilliant, if enigmatic, scholar of Arcana.
They found him in the common study lounge, surrounded by a stack of advanced Mana theory texts, his brow furrowed in feigned concentration. His Mana Cloaking was active, making his presence subtly less noticeable, drawing them in with an almost unconscious pull. His Charisma hummed, a silent invitation.
"Rudelion," Lathel greeted, his voice bright, a natural warmth radiating from him. "We were hoping you might have a moment. We've been trying some of your 'Internal Sculpting' techniques, and while I feel a difference, I'm struggling with the consistency."
'Good,' Rudelion thought, a flicker of satisfaction. 'The bait has been taken.' He closed his book with a soft thud, turning to them with a welcoming smile. "Lathel, Justia. Of course. Consistency is often the most challenging aspect of Mana mastery. It requires not just power, but an unwavering mental discipline. Come, let's find a quieter corner."
They moved to a secluded alcove, away from the chatter of other students. Rudelion observed them as they settled. Lathel's Mana signature, while still immense, showed subtle signs of being more contained, less prone to the wild surges Rudelion had initially detected. Justia's Mana, ever vigilant, seemed to relax slightly in his presence, a testament to the trust he was subtly building.
"Tell me, Lathel," Rudelion began, leaning forward slightly, his tone engaging. "When you attempt to sculpt your Mana internally, what does it feel like? Describe the sensation, the resistance." He wanted to understand Lathel's intuitive grasp of Mana, his natural talent.
Lathel frowned in thought. "It's like… trying to hold water in my hands, but the water itself is trying to burst outwards. I can feel the immense power, but shaping it, making it precise, feels like fighting against its very nature. My divine light just wants to expand, to illuminate everything." He gestured, a faint, uncontrolled shimmer of Mana briefly flaring around his fingertips.
'As expected,' Rudelion mused. 'Raw power, little control. A common hero archetype. Easy to exploit, easy to guide.' "That is a natural tendency for offensive affinities," Rudelion explained, his voice patient, instructive. "Your Mana is inherently expansive. The key is not to fight its nature, but to guide it. Think of it not as holding water, but as channeling a river through a narrow gorge. The river still flows, but its path is defined."
He paused, then continued, "Try this. Instead of focusing on the Mana itself, focus on the space you want it to occupy. Visualize the precise shape, the exact boundaries, before you even draw the Mana. Create a void, then fill it. Your Mana will instinctively conform to the path of least resistance, which you have just created." He was teaching Lathel a simplified version of his own Void affinity principles, adapted for a 'Divine Light' user.
Lathel's eyes widened, a spark of understanding igniting in their depths. "Create a void, then fill it… That's a completely different way of thinking about it!" He closed his eyes, his Mana signature subtly shifting, becoming less turbulent, more focused. He attempted the exercise, and while no visible Mana manifested, Rudelion's Arcane Insight detected a significant improvement in the internal containment of Lathel's Mana. It was still immense, but it was no longer trying to burst free.
Justia watched, her expression thoughtful. "That's… quite profound, Rudelion. I've always focused on building my Mana outward, like a wall. But creating a space first… that could apply to defensive barriers too, couldn't it?" Her Mana signature pulsed with intellectual curiosity.
'Sharp,' Rudelion acknowledged. 'She's not just a loyal shield, but a keen observer. A valuable asset, and a potential threat if misguided.' "Precisely, Justia," Rudelion affirmed, turning his attention to her. "A defensive barrier is not merely a wall of Mana; it is a sculpted space that repels or absorbs. If you can define that space with absolute clarity before manifesting the Mana, your barriers will be far more resilient, far less prone to dissipation." He was subtly teaching them both, deepening their reliance on his unique insights.
He then shifted the conversation, subtly probing for more information about their current activities. "Speaking of resilience, Lathel, Justia. Have your recent endeavors in the outer districts continued to test your combined strengths? I heard whispers of trouble near the Sunken Marshes." He needed to confirm if the 'Broken Fang' bandits or the cultists were still active, or if new threats had emerged.
Lathel sighed, a shadow passing over his earnest face. "Unfortunately, yes. The 'Broken Fang' is more entrenched than we initially thought. They're not just bandits; they seem to be working with someone, someone who can manipulate Mana in… unsettling ways. And the cultists… they've become bolder. We encountered a ritual site near the Whisperwind Ruins, not far from the marshes. They were attempting to summon… something. We managed to disrupt it, but it was a close call." His Mana pulsed with a mixture of frustration and a deep-seated resolve.
'Unsettling Mana manipulation… summoning rituals… Whisperwind Ruins,' Rudelion processed the new intel. 'This aligns with the early-game plot. The cultists are likely tied to the Demon God's awakening, or at least a lesser demonic entity. This means the narrative is progressing as expected, but also that the threats are escalating.' He needed to stay informed, to anticipate the death flags before they materialized.
"Summoning rituals are dangerous affairs," Rudelion stated, his voice grave, conveying a shared concern. "They often draw power from the very fabric of reality, leaving scars. Did you discern any specific Mana signature from their leader, or the entity they sought to summon?" He was fishing for details, trying to identify the specific antagonist.
Lathel shook his head. "No. The cultists themselves were weak, but their leader… he was cloaked in shadow, and his Mana was distorted, almost… corrupted. It felt ancient, but also fragmented. We couldn't get close enough to identify him before he retreated."
'Corrupted, ancient, fragmented Mana…' Rudelion considered. 'Likely a minor demon lord, or a powerful human warlock who has made a pact. Not the Demon God himself, not yet. But a clear sign of the encroaching darkness.' He had to keep track of these developments. His own Thaumiel Blood Imprint resonated faintly at the mention of corrupted Mana, a subtle pull towards its abyssal counterpart.
"Such encounters are precisely why precision is paramount," Rudelion emphasized, linking back to his earlier lesson. "A single, well-placed spell can disrupt an entire ritual. Raw power, while necessary, can be inefficient against a prepared enemy." He then offered a more practical piece of advice, tailored to their situation. "When facing multiple opponents, or those with fragmented Mana, consider not just direct attacks, but also disrupting their Mana conduits. Even a temporary severing of their connection to ambient Mana can render them vulnerable." He was subtly hinting at the capabilities of Thaumiel's Abyssal Chains without explicitly mentioning the skill.
Lathel's eyes widened again. "Disrupting Mana conduits? Is that even possible? I thought Mana flow was inherent."
"It is inherent, but it is also a flow," Rudelion explained, drawing on his vast knowledge of both Murim qi and Arcana. "And all flows can be disturbed. It requires a deep understanding of Mana's internal structure, and a precise application of force. Think of it as introducing a powerful, dissonant frequency into their Mana channels. It won't destroy them, but it will cause temporary chaos, leaving them open." He was deliberately vague, yet intriguing.
Justia, ever practical, interjected. "That would be incredibly useful against the 'Broken Fang's' Mana-users. They rely on overwhelming numbers and crude Mana blasts." Her Mana signature pulsed with renewed interest.
"Indeed," Rudelion agreed. "A single, precise strike can neutralize a dozen uncoordinated ones. It is about efficiency, not merely brute force." He then subtly shifted the conversation, probing another area of the game's mechanics. "Speaking of efficiency, how do you both manage your Mana reserves during extended engagements? The outer districts can be quite taxing." He wanted to know about their reliance on Mana potions or other recovery methods, which could be a strategic vulnerability.
Lathel sighed. "Mana potions, mostly. And resting when we can. My Mana regenerates quickly, but in a prolonged fight, it can still be depleted. Justia's defensive spells are quite Mana-intensive."
Justia nodded. "My Sacred Shield can absorb a lot of punishment, but it drains my reserves quickly. And healing spells are even worse." Her Mana signature showed a faint fatigue, confirming her struggles with Mana management.
'Predictable,' Rudelion thought. 'Mana economy is a constant struggle for most Arcana users. Another area where I have a distinct advantage.' His Greater Mana Recovery and Mana Conduit Optimization ensured his Mana reserves were almost always full, a luxury few others possessed.
"Mana economy is crucial," Rudelion stated, his voice thoughtful. "Relying solely on external potions can be dangerous in critical moments. Have you considered optimizing your internal Mana pathways for faster regeneration, even during activity?" He was subtly hinting at his own passive skills, making them seem like achievable goals through diligent training, rather than Gacha-granted boons.
Lathel looked intrigued. "Optimizing internal pathways? How would one even begin to do that?"
"It is a slow process, a form of internal cultivation," Rudelion explained, drawing on his Murim experience. "By consciously guiding ambient Mana through your conduits, even when not actively casting spells, you can gradually expand and refine them. It is akin to building new, more efficient channels for a river. Over time, your Mana will flow more freely, replenish faster, and dissipate less." He was describing a concept akin to his Mana Conduit Optimization, but framed as a general training method.
The conversation continued for another hour, Rudelion subtly feeding them insights, observing their reactions, and gathering more intel. He learned about specific monster types they had encountered, the political landscape of the academy's various factions, and the subtle tensions between different noble houses. He even managed to subtly probe Lathel about his adopted father, the warlock, without being too direct, discerning that Lathel harbored a deep, conflicted sorrow for his former guardian, alongside a burning desire for justice regarding his sister.
As the evening deepened, a comfortable camaraderie had settled between them, a testament to Rudelion's masterful manipulation of Charisma and intellectual exchange. Lathel, ever the earnest hero, was now clearly viewing Rudelion as a valuable mentor, a source of unique Arcana wisdom. Justia, while still cautious, had visibly relaxed, her Mana signature radiating a quiet respect.
"Rudelion, this has been incredibly insightful," Lathel said, rising from his seat, a genuine smile on his face. "I feel like I've learned more about Mana in these few hours than in months of lectures. The 'Internal Sculpting' and Mana pathway optimization… it's a game-changer."
"Indeed," Justia added, her voice soft but sincere. "Your perspective is truly unique. It gives us much to consider."
Rudelion rose, his movements fluid and graceful, a picture of refined power. "The pleasure was entirely mine. The pursuit of knowledge is a shared journey, and I find our discussions most stimulating. Do not hesitate to seek me out again if you encounter further challenges, or simply wish to continue our exchange of ideas." He offered a polite, charming bow.
Lathel nodded enthusiastically. "We certainly will! Thank you again, Rudelion."
As they departed, their Mana signatures receding into the quiet academy night, Rudelion remained in the study lounge, a faint, satisfied smile playing on his lips. He had deepened his connection with the protagonist and his first companion. He had confirmed their current plot trajectory, identified their immediate challenges, and subtly planted seeds of reliance on his unique insights. They saw him as an intriguing noble, a powerful intellectual, perhaps even a potential ally.
'The game is progressing exactly as planned,' he mused. 'Lathel is still in the early stages, clearing minor threats. His emotional core, his lost sister, is a powerful motivator, but also a predictable vulnerability. Justia is his anchor, his shield. Understanding their dynamic is key.'
He walked back to his dorm, the jasmine scent lingering in the air. His path to True Freedom was becoming clearer, less about direct confrontation and more about precise, strategic manipulation. He was not just surviving; he was thriving, influencing the narrative from within, ensuring his own ending would be precisely what he desired.