His visit to Old Sword's home had been pleasant, with the news being as expected and surprising at the same time. Old Sword and Vivian had indeed joined the mission. Old Sword as a commander while Vivian had been chosen as a squad leader.

Shocked he had asked Diane why, and through this he learned that Vivian had managed to rank up, reaching Tier 4. Eldrian was astonished hearing this, knowing that this made Vivian much stronger and more important overall to the kingdom. She was not even 18 yet and had already managed to reach such a level.

He was actually surprised that the kingdom or at least the city did not place more importance on her.Then again, the strongest only grow in the thick of it. Eldrian sighed as he thought of this, wishing that she would use her status as a noble to be more safe.

Yet thinking of this Eldrian realized that she would never use her position as a noble to get an advantage. Meaning that she would have been acting like a normal soldier. I guess this actually will make her safer. In a strange and roundabout way. At least she will always be with her soldiers.

I wonder how strong they will be? Eldrian wanted to ask, but felt that Diane would not know either.

He also learned that Old Sword had asked Boran to form the best sword he could for her. As both a present for her success and to better ensure her survival in the war. So that sword is for her? Eldrian had questioned, glad for Vivian. That sword was certainly something.

There had been a slight problem with the present though. Boran had not managed to get all the materials in time to finish the sword before they departed. Luckily, Boran had ways to send the sword to them. The only problem with this was the travel, as the person sent could easily be killed if they ran into a group of monsters.

If I manage to reach Tier 1, then I can volunteer. I will talk with Boran tomorrow. Were Eldrian's final thought as he left Old Sword's home, having enjoyed a nice dinner Diane had made.

He knew that the sword would always be safe, as long as he kept it in his inventory. Most players had reported that they never lost anything from their inventory. Even if they lost all the equipment they had equipped.

...

Back in the game the next day, another school week finished, Eldrian excitedly logged into the game. Wishing that he did not have homework and putting it off to the next day.

Waking up in the game Eldrian spent his first hour simply casting Anthos and trying to follow the flow of his mana. Having this to do when he logged in felt great. Enabling him to not have to debate if he was going to wake Dave early or go to the training field. Now he could simply start as soon as he logged in.

As the time approached five in the morning Eldrian decided to head down, being before Dave, he leaned against the spacious walls of the ground floor and continued to cast Anthos. Continuing to try and follow the flow of mana. With each cast he managed to follow it for a few more milliseconds. Ultimately still failing.

As Eldrian was doing this he grew a bit upset that spells did not have proficiencies as weapons. It would have been nice to see his skyrocket. Giving him a confidence boost. He felt he understood more or less why they did not, seeing as it was more a mental task than a physical one.

While one became more accustomed to casting spells with increased time, it was not the same as a physical practice. Where one's muscles could learn and even act faster than the person himself. At least Eldrian found that spells required his attention each time.

Heck, I guess that isn't really the reason. Eldrian admitted to himself, believing that spells would be the same with enough time.

As his train of thought reached this point Dave arrived. After greeting each other, they both agreed to check out the Magic Crystal again. Eldrian wanting to learn more of mana and Dave more of Eldrian.

Mentally prepared Eldrian nodded to Dave, who then teleported them down.

Knowing what to expect this time Eldrian looked at the crystal while focusing his attention on his heart. Soon he felt the cool feeling of mana rush towards his heart, afterward it being pumped through him. He followed the mana as it flowed, trying to focus more on the transition of mana than the final feelings he was feeling.

As time passed he started feeling lightheaded, soon losing his concentration and finally passing out. Having managed to last almost twice as long as the day before.

'Either the experience allowed him to hold out more or being refreshed did. I wonder which?' Dave mumbled as he teleported them back to the ground floor. He felt that Eldrian needed to experience the Magic Crystal effect and then try and figure out what it did to him. Believing continuing to experience the effect without experimentation would not help.

After a few minutes, Eldrian woke up, looking around he was glad they were back on the ground floor. Near the end he had started feeling extremely dizzy while following his mana, he did not want to look at the Magic Crystal right now. Afraid that he might re-experience this and the throw-up.

"Do you know why you lasted longer?" Dave asked curiously.

Unsure, Eldrian looked at his stats and found Magic Fatigue to already be at level 2.

"Pretty sure it is due to something called Magic Fatigue."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I don't know if you guys also have it. It is similar to the fatigue people have after being resurrected. But we gain this from doing stuff."

"Interesting," Dave commented as he thought about what he just heard. He felt that this might be linked to the fact that most Chosen seem to feel less pain. Dave believed that this was the gods' attempt to inform them of their condition.

"In any case, that visit raised mine by two levels. And yesterday I was at level five when we tried it. So I think I was too tired, just... I can't feel this tiredness yet."

'So I was right?' Dave pondered, telling Eldrian to do what he wished for the rest of the day.

As Dave was leaving Eldrian called out, "Dave, I remember Old Sword having offered me to be his apprentice if I could learn to wield magic. I am wondering if you also want to be my mentor."

Turning around Dave shook his head, "I do, but combat mentors are not the same as craft professions. While you can have multiple mentors for non-combat professions, it is not allowed for combat skills."

"Why not?"

"Who does the credit for the student's talent go to if there is more than one mentor. With craft professions it is still clear where the student learned their skill, but not with combat. Sure there might still be overlap, but this is seen as acceptable."

Eldrian felt that this made sense in times of peace, but not in the desperate situation the world was currently in. Sadly he knew that he would not be able to change this custom.

"This does not mean I can't teach you. Just that you will have to decide who you want as a mentor. It is also possible to be a student, instead of an apprentice. But in such a case you generally have to pay. It is also how the academies work."

Knowing that Eldrian would not be able to decide immediately, Dave continued to leave.

So I have to choose. Is Old Sword the best choice? He is one of the strongest people I know, but... Eldrian pondered for while. As he did he leaned more and more to Old Sword.

Sure Old Sword might not be the best for magic, but he was one of the strongest people in the city, even the kingdom. It certainly was not a bad option. Eldrian also leaned more to weapons than plain magic, he felt that there was just something more to it.

Magic needed time to cast in most cases. Eldrian felt that this would be something he often would not really have. Certainly, he would try to learn magic too, but not having a party to do quests and stuff with, he felt that he would need melee skills more.

But even so, I will learn a few nice spells and bow skills. Never know when I might be able to use them.

Having made this decision Eldrian also knew that he would need to get these skills and or spells. After getting them he also needed to learn them, meaning he needed to really master the basics. Why is controlling mana so hard... He complained as he continued his practice.

Near the end of his practice, Eldrian started climbing the stair towards the top floor. Wanting to ask Dave for some guidance on what to look for at the academies. He also wanted to know how much cash he needed to prepare to part with. Having little over 80 silver at this time, Eldrian hoped he would be able to afford all the spells he was interested in.