[A few days after the Ghoul Incident.]

Remia had been solely focused on the gardens. The central garden was the priority, though. She had spread all her offensive and defensive techniques around that garden, turning it into a mighty but hidden fortress.

The first glance, no one would think of such a garden as a fortress. Those who knew forest fairies would think twice, then probably realize the truth behind such beautiful scenery.

In her free time, Remia spent time mostly with Alex and Stella. Since Alex was busy with his studies and training within the game, he didn't have enough time for the winged girl.

Of course, by spending time with Alex, Remia also bonded with Olivia.

"Looks like everyone is working hard," Remia whispered to herself as she stared at Alex and Olivia sparring against each other.

Since it was risky to leave the castle because of the soul grave-keeper's warning, Sara had organized a mini-tournament within their grounds.

The victor of that tournament was Sara herself.

The mini-tournament had severe rules to ensure that no one suffered life-threatening losses. Because of that, Sara won. Using her years of experience with spearmanship, Sara won all her spars.

That victory motivated the two young players to genuinely work on their basics. But while Olivia had Sara as the demon teacher, Alex could only rely on his gusts. Therefore, they fought regularly.

Sara heard Remia, so she smiled and approached her with a mana potion in her hand, "Thank you for your hard work."

Remia accepted the gesture, then replied, "No matter how many times I tell you to not thank me, you still keep doing that."

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She gulped down the potion, then let out her tongue, "That taste is so empty."

The two girls engaged in a talk about potions and their tastes. Remia decided to try a new subclass from that short conversation that would help her add some flavor to the potions.

It wasn't like all potions were used in a battle. Right now, she just gulped down one to regenerate her mana points faster, didn't she?

Sara liked Remia's new goal and cheered her on.

In the meantime, Alex and Olivia's spar ended.

He glanced at his sword, which was laced in invisible energy.

[Sword Mana(S) - Add the sword intent to your mana.]

It was once again a simple concept. But as the principle behind it sounded simple, the usage of that skill heavily relied on Alex's talent.

It was a skill that had both passive and active effects. However, the former was utterly impossible for the current Alex. Thus, he could only rely on the active effect, which added the sword's intent to his mana.

All living beings had mana. Some had it less, and some had it more. There were people born with so much mana they had an ocean of it within their bodies.

In the beginning, everyone had the same mana. The progenitors of humans and other first races were pretty much the same in that department.

But as time went on, the races' mana changed, except for humans. They still had the same adaptable mana that could conjure all kinds of techniques. It was both a good and bad trait.

It was good because humans could adapt to all environments. It was bad because humans couldn't reach their peak.

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No human had their own mana But that weakness had been changing over recent years.

Elias Deathwill once again shocked people with his talent, creating the Sword Mana. It allowed him to utilize his swordsmanship better and soak his sword with genuine sword intent.

That was an achievement that allowed Elias Deathwill break the world's rules. And he was pretty good at using his sword mana, even though he was still in baby steps in this area.

For example, Elias Deathwill could make thousands of flying slashes without a technique. He didn't need to rely on concepts or skills that, in retrospection, relied on other races' comprehensions.

He simply slashed his sword a thousand times in less than ten seconds, then sent those terrifying slashes forward. It was as simple as that.

Alex could only enhance his already known techniques through it. By activating the skill for one minute, his sword skills would get stronger.

For example, his [Chilling Slash] would have an easier time piercing through enemies and freezing them.

"As long as it's sword skill, other effects also get stronger," Alex uttered beneath his nose.

His cold abilities had significantly risen when he saw Sara's headless body. That black energy around her neck without head was so cold as if she was the undead creature.

Of course, the dullahans were just a race, not undead monsters.

And from what Sara had told him, all dullahans had cold bodies. Their souls were even colder, and that black energy in their headless state was particularly freezing as it exposed their vulnerable side.

It was a defense mechanism to protect them. It was also a power that they could tame and use offensively.

"If I can combine Sword Mana, Battle Spirit, and experiences from the world, I will become stronger," Alex smiled unconsciously.

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People naturally grew stronger by experiencing the world. But in his case, he had it much easier with his skills and companions.

Battle Spirit and Sword Mana already urged Alex to fight more enemies so that he could utilize them to the fullest.

Alex inferred that the battle spirit's peak would be when he gets to summon the spirit with the hungry demon's concept. As for the Sword Mana, it would be when his body would produce sword mana passively.

He had a long way to go.

"You are smiling so much," Olivia peeked at his face from the side.

She looked from below, her hands behind her back as she leaned forward.

Alex smiled widely, "It's because my path is freaking exciting."

Olivia chuckled, "If you didn't leave me behind for a long time, my path would be as cool as yours."

She had also absorbed a lot of skills from Sara. Olivia planned to fuse these two and get herself a cool class or skill set using her lightning element!

Alex ruffled her hair, "I will apologize properly in due time."

"That's not what I mean, stupid," Olivia giggled, "I know you couldn't have invited me earlier, so what's there to apologize for?

Let's fight for more!" Olivia laughed out loud!

Alex squinted his eyes, "You don't want to study, do you?"

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"Um," Olivia scratched her cheek, "Hehe!"

"Don't 'Hehe me'!" Alex chopped her head gently.