Farway continued. "To be more specific...It isn't the mana itself that changes."
A faint smile appeared on his face. "As for the realm where mana itself undergoes a qualitative transformation..." He chuckled as he looked around the lecture hall. "...all of you are still far, far too weak to learn about that."
The students laughed awkwardly.
"But let us return to the Legendary Realm."
He raised a finger. "When a skill reaches Level Twenty-Four, it reaches a bottleneck. To advance into Level Twenty-Five—to become a True Sage—your body must first become capable of refining mana into a higher layer."
He paused. "So...How do you suppose one accomplishes that? Silence, not a single hand rose.
Dante frowned as he thought. 'A higher layer of mana, no...The mana itself doesn't change. The world still provides the same mana. Which means...'
His eyes narrowed. 'The body changes it. Like a filter.'
A sudden realization struck him. Dante didn't bother raising his hand. He simply spoke. "Could it be...that there exists some kind of treasure? An artifact. Or a natural resource. Something that changes the body itself...So that it filters mana into the higher layer you're talking about?"
Farway's eyes lit up. A pleased smile spread across his face.
'Remarkable...' No wonder this child possesses so many skills. His way of thinking is completely different from everyone else's. He nodded. "Correct. There is such an object. It is known as...The World Essence."
The room immediately became quiet. "The World Essence is among many naturally occurring treasures born from the very essence of the world itself. It cannot be forged. It cannot be artificially created. It can only be discovered. Or purchased from someone fortunate enough to possess one."
He smiled. "Fortunately for all of you...This academy has them." Several students released relieved sighs. "The simplest way to describe a World Essence...is condensed mana. But mana condensed to such an absurd degree that your body cannot simply absorb it. It must adapt. As you meditate with a World Essence..."
"The dense mana circulates through every mana pathway within your body. It reconstructs them. It strengthens them. It transforms them. It prepares your body to refine mana rather than merely absorb it."
He paused before continuing. "Only then...does your body become capable of producing the higher layer of mana required by Level Twenty-Five." He folded his arms. "That is why everyone eventually reaches the same wall. No matter how talented they are."
"No matter how profound their comprehension. No matter how much experience they possess. Without a World Essence...They will never become a True Sage."
The lecture hall fell silent. Farway smiled again. "As I mentioned earlier...Every title exists for a reason. Ascended Saint. Sage. True Sage. and Legendary Being."
"They are not simply names. They signify a qualitative transformation. So then...What do you suppose happens after reaching True Sage?"
Before anyone else could answer, the System quietly spoke.
[Master.]
Dante responded internally. 'hmm'.
[If my calculations are correct... then every major realm likely requires additional World Essence.]
[Not merely to level the skill... but to continuously strengthen the body's mana pathways.]
[Each transformation would allow the body to refine increasingly denser and higher-quality mana.]
Dante's nodded, a slight annoyance resurfacing in his mind. 'So...The higher the realm...The stronger your body's internal refinement becomes. It's not the mana changing...It's the person.
The System immediately agreed.
[Correct, Master.]
[The World Essence does not directly strengthen the skill.]
[It strengthens the vessel that uses the skill.]
For the first time since entering the academy...
Dante finally felt like he understood why so many people regarded the academy with such prestige. Knowledge like this can only be acquired by luck or by coming to the academy. Moreover the opportunities to obtain the 'World Essence'