After Enchanter Arnis left with guards, we were free to do so as well. While the portal stone was technically ours, It was in our best interest that guards get to the bottom of this. Phoenix was a bit sad to part with it though. But this should be only temporary.

Arnis was a wizard, but most knew him only as an enchanter. He was Space Time Mage as well. From Captain, I learned that his main responsibility was to maintain portal gates of Enhara dungeon.

With high-level enchantment and Space Time Magic, he could create spatial bags. Those had only a few cubic meters of space, but they were still very valuable .. and expensive. Because of those spatial bags, Arnis, just like any other high-level enchanter with Space Time Magic, was very famous in every city of Lodelia.

With time, Phoenix should be able to make them as well. He just needs to reach level eight in enchantment magic.

All kind of enchantments are protecting manor of Arnis, so it's impossible for any assassins to slip undetected.

*

" .. No, this is not how you do it. Forget about your usual meditation. Try to feel every part of your body without the help of mana." I said in a strict voice.

When we returned to the Inn, we found Kilmor paralyzed from the gas that leaked from our room. Few guests were also affected, but basically were only a bit more sluggish. I should create something that dissolves the gas, so nothing like this happens.

After breakfast, (it was still a morning) I started training Phoenix 'body manipulation'. So far it was only to let him feel every part of his body, only later will follow the control over it.

Even with 'enhanced mind' and my coaching, it took him hours.

" .. Now, try to 'reach' every part of your body and 'read' what and how your body does it. Your first step will be to 'will' your body to do what's usually beyond your control." I said and when noticed that Phoenix is a bit confused, continued. "For example, your heart. When you are scared or excited, it will beat faster, but you can't control this on your own. 'Will' it to beat faster, but do it without the help of emotions."

After some time.

"I did it!" shouted happily Reveon.

"This is excellent, now let's try to .. " but Phoenix interrupted by embracing me.

"Kitty, I learned 'body manipulation'." he said and then kissed me.

"Oh, I am very happy to hear that." I said after he released me.

But I would like him to reach at least second level. Only then he could claim to have full control over the body.

"With the aid of body manipulation, you can further awaken your mind. Once your 'enhanced mind' reaches level 2, it will be possible to take full control of your body, and you will be able to alter it at will. Once you do, I will teach you how to increase your strength and speed only with nutrients from the food, we could also improve your reflexes .." I stopped talking when noticed the lack of enthusiasm.

Hmm, some motivation might do wonders, after all, when we hunted slimes with a kiss as prize, he learned 'quick cast' even without 'enhanced mind' ..

"You know what? If you reach the second level with 'enhanced mind' and 'body manipulation', this will be yours to do as you please .." I said with a seductive smile, while brushing my hand over the body. The clothes I touched would disappear for a spilt second, then appear again.

*Gulp* Eyes of Phoenix started sparkling.

Seems that the saying 'man is a big child' is a truth, he he.

We were busy for a while and I was very happy with results. When I level up 'enhanced mind', I get a lot of mind power as result, but it seems that Reveon gets even more than me. Is this because he is an elf? After his 'enhanced mind' reached level two, with mind power now over 200 he got skill 'enhanced mana regeneration'. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but for now, I should keep my word.

"Just as promised, my dear Phoenix, for working hard I will be your 'reward'." I started slowly undressing while heading closer to him.

"I like how you teach." he said with a grin and started to kiss me. But we both knew this won't end with just that.

*

After 'the reward' was 'claimed', we ate a bit late lunch. I then taught him how to raise stats with nutrients from food. Later, we left the city so I could train his reflexes. There is simply not enough space in our room for that.

For our training, I choose open fields not far from the city.

I started with pebbles.

"Gah!" grunted Phoenix when two pebbles hit him in the chest.

"Pay attention!" I shouted and launched three more. It was quickly followed by even more grunts.

Phoenix had to dodge the pebbles I launched at him. At the start, it didn't go well and you could see bruises all over his body. But that was good as well ..

"No healing magic." I stopped him when he summoned his grimoire. "You will heal yourself with body manipulation, it should be easy to learn regeneration."

"Uhh!" grunted Phoenix again and I giggled in response.

Phoenix was always a quick learner, and now that he had 'enhanced mind' even more. 'The reward' thing will quickly loose its charm, so I should get as much as I can, while it works.

Just after one hour of training, none of my pebbles managed to hit him anymore, even the ones I launched at the speed of arrow. I replaced pebbles with a wooden stick. Now he had to redirect my swing with a 'broad' side of the 'sword'. The number of bruises increased threefold.

This is where body manipulation shines. Normally, to improve, you would need to perform the same action hundreds or even thousands of times. But with body manipulation, it's enough to do it right just once, and you can 'write' correct move into the memory of your body. I don't hope to turn him into an invincible warrior just in one day, but he should have no problems dodging arrows or activate the barrier in time to block the attack.

There might be times when blocking attack would be a suicide. I doubt my phantom claws would be enough to defend against something like 'flamethrower' those elven twins used. I would never do so if there is an option to simply dodge, so It's very important that Phoenix can do so as well.

After that, it was shooting lessons. Just like Phoenix said, he never used guns like these. We should fix that. With the laser sight, all he has to do is take into consideration the gravity and direction of the wind. It might be not needed when the distance is small, but that's not an excuse to ignore them.

We stopped when it was getting late. Next, I should teach him poison or paralysis resistance. Poison resistance might be a bit harder, but if I let him drink every type of antidote, he should be able to create them as well. But let's do that when we are back at the Inn.

*

For all the bruises Reveon received, he got his revenge when it was time to bathe, and I had to pay with my body. Is it just me or we do 'it' more with each passing day? By no means, this is a bad thing.

All day was dedicated for training, and the evening was no exception. Only at the end, I spent some time in training myself as well, Phoenix helped me again by resisting 'devour mana' with his mana manipulation. I suspect that only mana manipulation at the maximum level should slow it down considerably. But then again, a mage without ability to use magic is useless.

Tomorrow should be a very busy day. For one, it was a time for our ranking test at the Guild. There was also a chance that the planned assault on the Assassins might happen.

Arnis promised that he will get coordinates from the orb in a day or two. With them, Magra will commence the assault on assassins by using the portal of the Temple.

I, of course, volunteered to help them and Magra happily agreed. The ability of dark elf to 'suggest' not being seen was unknown and my participation lessened the risk if there are more with such skill.

Before going to sleep I checked the progress of Phoenix.

> Name: Reveon Sile'dur Health: 173/173 Level: 19 Mana: 545/1407 Race: Elf Stamina: 165/177 Gender: Male Strength: 38 Age: 27 Agility: 42 Class: Wizard Endurance: 45 Subclass: Enchanter, Alchemist Mind Power: 201 State: Healthy Unallocated attribute points 0 > ACTIVE Mana Manipulation LVL 4 Meditation LVL 6 Body Manipulation(Unique)(NEW) LVL 3 Heat absorbtion LVL 1 Dragon Claws(NEW) LVL 1 Synthesis(NEW) LVL 5 Analyze(NEW) LVL 1 PASSIVE Eternal LVL MAX Nightvision LVL 3 Mana Perception LVL 7 Enhanced Sight LVL 4 Accuracy LVL 7 Enhanced Hearing LVL 3 Quick Cast LVL 1 Enhanced Mana Pool LVL 1 Bow Mastery LVL 2 Enhanced Mind(Special) LVL 2 Handguns Mastery(NEW) LVL 3 Enhanced Mana Regeneration(NEW) LVL 1 Unknown Martial Arts(NEW) LVL 2 Poison Resistance(NEW) LVL 8 Regeneration(NEW) LVL 1 Paralysis Resistance(NEW) LVL MAX Alchemy(NEW) LVL 6 > Space Time Magic(Special) LVL 4 Light Magic LVL 4 Enchantment Magic LVL 5 Fire Magic LVL 4

I am so proud of him. All of this just in one day. Without 'enhanced mind' and 'body manipulation' learning some would be impossible, while others would take forever, but this doesn't change the fact that all of this was his hard work. Too bad Phoenix reached his limits with stats and needs to level up a lot or have attribute points to get new method from the system.

*

The night was without any incident and soon the sun rose over the horizon once again. For the ranking test, we were told to enter the Guild from another side.

As we were walking through the doors, I watched people standing in line to enter the building as well. They were spectators for the coming test and none of them were adventurers. I could see them paying money as entrance fee.

Seems the Guild made our ranking test into an attraction. Once we entered, my suspicions were confirmed once again when I saw the Arena that reminded insides of Coliseum.

I will correct myself. Seems that the Guild is making every ranking test as an entertainment for people.

"You are participants for the ranking?" asked an orc. Judging from the emblem on his clothes, he should be a staff member of the Guild.

"Yes." answered Phoenix "I am Reveon Sile'dur and she is Melissa. We are both taking the test for rank E."

"Let's see .. yes, you are on the list. Your seats are over there. Once you hear your name, step into the Arena. If you fail to do so, the test will be considered a failure." said the orc while pointing at the seats separated from the rest, that area also had access to the Arena.

There were already around ten people sitting there. Only one human was a mage among them, while rest were beastkin, dwarf and orc warriors.

While we walked there I could hear and smell various monsters, they should be closed somewhere within the building, not far from the Arena. I already had a guess how this test will proceed.