"Don't diminish your own efforts," Lola said firmly, her voice carrying the conviction of someone who had witnessed countless practitioners struggle with advancement. "You worked really hard for your strength."
"Thank you," Noah nodded, appreciating her validation before asking a question he was curious about. "What exactly does reaching adept rank mean in practical terms?"
The milestone seemed significant based on her previous comments, but he wanted to understand the concrete differences between his current capabilities and what awaited him at the next level.
