A completely unexpected sight greeted Erik when he pulled open the door. Vanessa was visible there, standing in the dappled light from outside.
She stood with her back against the door frame, the moonlight shining on her face. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders and beautifully framed her face.
Erik was taken aback and stood there, dumbfounded, briefly. Then the dawning of comprehension occurred: Vanessa would not have shown up at his house at such an ungodly hour without having a compelling reason to do so.
His annoyance faded, and an increasing sense of dread gradually replaced it. His eyes met hers in a silent question, and then he moved aside to make room for her to enter, his weariness forgotten for the time being.
After all, it appeared the night would continue for a while longer. "Vanessa, what are you doing here at this hour? Is everything okay?"
"Hello, Erik," Vanessa said in a steady voice. Her usual fiery demeanor was replaced with a subtle calmness, starkly contrasting Erik's exhausted but curious look.
"Amos sent me," she added, her gaze fixed on Erik. "He said it's time for you to learn our village's secret technique." Erik stared at her, momentarily taken aback by her unexpected revelation. He knew Amos would send her during these days, but he didn't expect at this ungodly hour.
The secret technique of the village, the one that had been so closely guarded and was a matter of pride for them all, was now to be taught to him.
He was aware of the gravity of the situation, but he didn't care. He could barely suppress a smile once he learned the woman's purpose.
Leaning against the door frame, Erik folded his arms and raised an eyebrow in a surprised but non-confrontational manner.
He asked, with a voice that betrayed the lingering traces of sleep and fatigue, "Did Amos really send you at this hour?"
Vanessa nodded, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of her task. The soft moonlight highlighted the grim set of her mouth and the determined glint in her gaze.
"Right now?" Erik asked as he rubbed the nape of his neck, his tired eyes trying to determine whether or not the circumstance was absolutely necessary.
Vanessa met his gaze with one of her own, which she held steady the entire time. She affirmed, "Yes, right now. Amos wants you to learn our neural links-establishing technique as soon as possible." Erik grew silent as his mind raced with various ideas, questions, and concerns. Despite everything, there was one thing that was crystal clear.
This was a defining moment for him, as the technique could be used to improve his current one. The two of them shared a look of understanding before he nodded.
Erik heaved a sigh. Even though it was an odd hour, the impending dangerous mission he would face justified taking such extreme actions. It took him a few moments to take in all of the information.
His brain, foggy from lack of sleep, was doing its best to keep up with the unexpected events.
A revitalized sense of determination washed over him as he nodded in acknowledgment. Even though he was far away from the cozy confines of his bed, he was determined to complete the task at hand because of how important it was.
Erik gave Vanessa a definite nod and motioned for her to come inside.
He uttered, "Alright, let's get started," with an air of newly discovered resolve in his voice.
As Vanessa stepped inside, the door closed behind them, shutting out the soft glow of the moonlight.
Even though it was a late hour, it was evident that the night had not yet ended. The real work had just begun.
"Sorry about the mess," Erik apologized, looking around the room, slightly embarrassed. His earlier concentration on neural link training had left the room in disarray.
Vanessa shook her head, dismissing his concerns. "I don't mind, Erik," she said, showing an understanding smile. "We're not here for a formal meeting."
Her casual words partially alleviated the tension in the room. Erik made space on the floor by rearranging his belongings and moving some of them to the side.
They eventually found a comfortable position, sitting cross-legged opposite one another.
The atmosphere in the room was one of expectation and silence. The glow of the embers from the stove cast long shadows on the wooden walls of the cabin, painting their faces in a soft and warm light.
When it came to acquiring new skills, Erik was not used to being in an environment like this one, but he ignored any apprehensions he might have had about the situation. Vanessa was present, and he was eager to absorb new information.
<System, can you analyze the technique now that she will explain it? Maybe we can use it to improve the one we already have,> Erik said in his mind to the biological supercomputer.
[ANSWER: YES. IT WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU PRACTICED IT, SO I COULD ANALYZE THE MANA FLOW BETTER.]
<Will do…>
Then, Vanessa started speaking, her tone remaining even and authoritative throughout.
"The technique we use in the village is unique; it's based on our understanding of mana and its relationship with our bodies and minds. Essentially, it's a method to create more neural links. However, the process is not as simple as it sounds."
She glanced at Erik to see if he was following along, and she continued when she saw that he was.
"As you are well aware, mana is considered an internal power source, something you draw in and manipulate from the brain crystal. As much as we know, the technique you use in the city is like building a bridge from the brain to the brain crystal, but this is not our technique works."
Erik paid close attention to her and followed her every word as she spoke. The explanation that Vanessa provided was comprehensive and patient, walking him through each stage of the process step by step. She talked about concentrating and how mana must be channeled carefully and deliberately through the neural links to be effective.
"The neural links are like bridges, connecting the two organs, yes, but depending on how you build the bridge, things maybe be different," Vanessa illustrated, "They allow your brain to handle amounts of mana and control it more efficiently. However, creating these links is a delicate process. If done incorrectly, it can lead to mental exhaustion or even damage."
Erik acknowledged the significance of her words with a nod, taking them all in. He had learned the hard way in the past that mishandling mana could have disastrous effects, and he was aware of this.
Despite the effectiveness of this strategy, it was not without its share of potential drawbacks. On the other hand, he was aware of its significance. If he had more neural links, he would be able to process mana in a more effective manner, which would boost his abilities and overall power.
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