With a total of ninety mana cores already distributed symmetrically across his body, Alex realised the need to create ten additional mana cores to enhance his strength and reach the pinnacle of tier 3. Determined to progress, he wasted no time and initiated the process.
He took out the mana stones he found in the elder's spatial ring and placed them near him. After that, he took out a mana-dense herb and consumed it.
The mana stones, akin to naturally occurring crystal or jadeite formations, could be seen all around the world. And as their name suggests, they had a large amount of mana stored inside them. These valuable stones were sought after worldwide, primarily by mages who utilised them for constructing intricate mana formations.
However, Alex employed a different approach. He combined the power of both the mana stones and the mana-dense herb to heighten the density of mana in his immediate surroundings as well as within his own body. With the ninety cores he already possessed, he set them to energy recovery mode, preparing himself for meditation.
As he delved into a deep meditative state, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded. Mana surged and surged, drawn irresistibly toward Alex. He transformed into an insatiable black hole, voraciously absorbing the mana present in his surroundings. In a matter of seconds, the mana was replenished within his cores, reaching the peak state of restoration and empowerment.
To create the ten additional mana cores required for his advancement, Alex embarked on the challenging task of compressing the mana within him.
Each core was intended to hold one per cent of his tier 3 warrior energy. Hence, to generate a new core, he needed to meticulously isolate and separate precisely one per cent of his energy, subsequently compressing it until it assumed the distinctive form of a mana core.
However, this endeavour proved to be far from simple. The process demanded immense mental effort, as accurately measuring and separating the mana proved to be an exceedingly taxing endeavour. It required a deep focus and unwavering concentration to navigate the intricate intricacies of mana manipulation and ensure the precise allocation of energy into each newly formed core.
Alex took about half an hour to just form a basic shape of a mana core with the compressed mana.
A tiny spec of floating light appeared near the left side of his heart. If a person could view it with mana vision, they would see tens of mana cores all across his body light up in response to the creation of the new core.
As the newly created mana cores took shape within Alex's body, they resembled dazzling miniature stars, emanating a radiant brilliance that intensified with each passing second. Their luminosity grew in harmony with the existing mana cores that resided within him.
In a harmonious symphony of energy, the mana cores within Alex synchronised, vibrating at the exact frequency as the newly formed mana cores. This synchronisation served as a welcoming embrace, as the established cores acknowledged and integrated the presence of their newly forged counterparts.
The mana synchronisation process played a crucial role in enabling Alex to exert control over the newly formed core in unison with the rest of his mana cores. It ensured a seamless integration of the additional core into his existing network of mana.
He now possesses 91 cores distributed throughout his body. However, the slight imbalance of cores on one side caused discomfort for Alex, prompting him to create additional cores.
One by one, they permeated his body until the quota of one hundred cores was met.
Exhausted, Alex could finally find solace as he witnessed all the cores within his body spinning harmoniously.
Finally, after enduring five gruelling hours of meditation, he achieved his initial aspiration of reaching the pinnacle of a journeyman mage.
Now, he could be hailed as a formidable warrior mage, combining the abilities of both a mage and a warrior.
However, for Alex. It was not enough. He was not ready to rest yet. He was motivated to go even further.
All along, he decided to try other ways of increasing his energy/mana because he knew that he couldn't improve as a warrior.
There were physical limitations on his body that simply didn't allow his to break through to become a tier 4 warrior.
Now that he had reached the peak of tier 3 in energy level, Alex was determined to push himself even further and enhance the energy within his body, aiming to break through to the next level.
Alex was uncertain about how to surpass his mental limits and achieve a breakthrough. He lacked a clear, predefined path to follow.
However, he understood that he could manipulate the mana within a single core, and his body could sustain the activation of up to 100 cores simultaneously.
Therefore, in his quest to improve his mana level, Alex resolved to employ the simplest method he could think of.
Just make more cores.
Similar to the cores he had built, he planned to make more cores. Hundred, thousand or even ten thousand. Until he found it difficult to create cores, Alex decided to make more cores.
Even if he could only use a hundred cores at a time, he could use the other as a spare. He was looking at the mana cores like batteries inside his body. And he found no reason not to view it like that.
With that thought in his mind, Alex began creating another core.
But this time, something extraordinary occurred. Alex sensed a remarkable enhancement in his capacity to gather and process mana. Astonishingly, within a mere minute, he manifested a brand new mana core.
'Creating mana core is becoming easier!' Alex exclaimed.
He didn't know why it was, but the synchronised effect of the hundred cores in his body was making it easier to control mana.
"Does that imply that the greater the number of cores I possess, the swifter I can generate new ones? Wouldn't it also suggest that there is no ceiling to the number of mana cores I can produce?" The exhilarating possibility of fashioning thousands of cores within his body ignited Alex's enthusiasm.
'With enough time, wouldn't I be the strongest person in the entire world?' Alex thought with a smile.
However, his excitement was quickly extinguished when he realised the newly created mana quickly turned dormant.
Alex tried to use a spell with the cores. But it was incapable of releasing the spell. It was just simply existing inside his body without doing anything.
'What's wrong? Let me try using the active cores.'
Alex tried to release a spell with his active core. A simple ice spell materialised before him as he shot it towards the outside through the window. He easily emptied the mana inside one of his cores.
'It worked. Fortunately, nothing is wrong with my body.'
This thought calmed Alex.
When he looked into his body, the emptied core dimmed showing it had no more mana. However to his surprise, the previous dormant core, the new core he just created became active and began shining.
'Uh! It seems like I have to ground my expectations in reality. I can only use 100 cores simultaneously. But, when I exhaust a core, the extra cores would act as a substitute.'
'I have a hard limit of spells which require 100 cores of mana. But the more cores I have, the better it would be for me.'
'The number of spells I could release which might require 100 cores of mana would depend on the extra cores I am going to make. This is close to the best-case scenario I had. Thankfully I have nothing to worry about.'
After regaining composure, Alex embarked on a fervent core creation spree. Within a single hour, he managed to generate an additional 60 cores.
Persisting for another hour, he fashioned another 60 cores before mental fatigue overwhelmed him, compelling him to surrender to sleep.
Now, a staggering total of 220 cores shimmered within Alex's body, resembling a constellation of miniature stars. His mana surged rapidly, surpassing the threshold of tier 3. Consequently, his prowess in battle experienced a remarkable surge, escalating to unprecedented heights.
For example, Alex could teleport 220 times currently. It meant that he could travel 220 kilometres with just short-distance teleportation.
It also meant that he could carry enormous objects with him while he was teleporting. Maybe, he could even forcefully teleport living beings that have much less mana than him.
If all that doesn't speak volumes about his battle capabilities. Imagine 220 spells raining down on his enemy.
With a blissful smile, Alex slept peacefully. Maybe he was dreaming about his possible future.
_____
A week later.
Alex returned to Blue gem city. He was notified that Kalina was looking for him. So, after making sure that his prisoners were alive and kicking. He returned to Bluegem City.
Alex had a feeling he knew why Kalina was looking for him. After all, his abilities were similar to the white-robed man. She might want to question him.
He was thrilled to know that his alibi was useful all while not realising that Kalina already know of his secret identity.
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