While Su Mo was refining mana, continuously correcting and optimizing the technique Erica had provided through his newfound insights, the members of the chat group were discussing the matter of reaching Tier 1.
Rin Tohsaka: "Even though Kanae-neesan put it that way, reaching Tier 1 is still so hard!"
Rin Tohsaka: "You need the strength of a one-man army just to register on the chat group's evaluation system. I doubt even my father at his peak could have reached that level."
Rin Tohsaka: "Even with this lady's genius, it would take me at least ten years of growth before I could possibly be evaluated as Tier 1."
As far as she knew, even in the entire world of magi, beings who could be evaluated as Tier 1 were exceedingly rare.
Judging by the standard of Erica, a Great Knight, perhaps only a magus at the level of a Brand [T/N: In Type-Moon lore, a high-ranking designation for magi] would have a chance of being ranked.
Rin was confident in her own talent, but she didn't believe she could reach Tier 1 within a decade.
Kanae: "Compared to us, Little Rin, you're already very lucky."
Kanae: "At least you have the Tohsaka family's legacy and institutions like the Clock Tower that can provide instruction."
Seeing Rin lament how difficult her goal was, Kanae felt a pang of empathy, but even more so, envy. Compared to Rin, who was almost destined to become a Tier 1 powerhouse, her own hopes of growing stronger were far more uncertain.
After all, the Breathing Styles had a clear ceiling. Even if she wanted to advance further, she had few paths to reference.
If things continued like this, never mind achieving peace with the demons, even killing an Upper Moon would be no easy feat.
Hearing Kanae's envy, the young Rin shook her head.
Rin Tohsaka: "That might be true, but I can't wait that long!"
She wasn't just being greedy; she had a truly pressing crisis to resolve. If this crisis couldn't be solved now, it wouldn't matter if she became invincible in ten years.
Kanae: "I understand. Like me, you have things you must do."
As the two shared a moment of slightly worried contemplation, the chat group fell silent for a few seconds.
Then, Erica, the current strongest member, broke the silence.
Erica: "Don't look so down, you two. Didn't I tell you before? I'll help you!"
Erica: "Kanae's situation is a bit troublesome, but Rin's problem shouldn't be too big of a deal!"
Erica: "Once I save up enough points, I can travel to your worlds and lend you a hand."
After slightly reassuring her two friends from other worlds, the blonde girl's lips curled into a smirk, and she began to tease them.
Erica: "But my, Little Rin, you sure talk big!"
Erica: "Wanting to become a Tier 1 powerhouse in ten years? Are you trying to replicate my achievement? Do you admire your big sister that much?"
Erica: "A little heads-up: becoming a Great Knight at sixteen makes me a top-tier genius across the entire world, barring a few abnormal monsters."
Erica: "If you want to keep up with me, you'll have to work extra hard, you know!"
As one of the "Twin Jewels of Milan," Erica certainly had the confidence to make such a statement.
Sure enough, as soon as she said it, Rin, feeling underestimated, immediately bristled.
A flurry of phrases along the lines of "the wheel of fortune turns" and "don't you dare bully a poor loli" popped up, enlivening the atmosphere in the group once more.
As the chat livened up, Erica glanced at her point balance and suddenly noticed a notification.
Erica: "Alright! Another hundred points in the bank!"
Erica: "At this time, it must be the newcomer who bought the mana refinement technique."
Erica: "Thank you for your patronage, Su Mo."
Rin Tohsaka: "So jealous!"
Rin Tohsaka: "Damn it, I put a mana refinement method up for sale too! Why doesn't anyone buy mine?!"
Madoka: "Could it be that we can't use the skill you're selling, Rin-oneechan?"
Kanae: "Little Rin's method requires opening Magic Circuits, but we don't have any!"
Rin Tohsaka: "Guuh! I know, I'm just so frustrated!"
In terms of versatility, the mana refinement method from the world of Campione! was undoubtedly superior.
In the setting of the Type-Moon world, while magi and humans weren't reproductively isolated, there were still vast differences between them.
Many magi didn't even consider themselves the same species as ordinary people.
Although skills from the Group Store had an auto-learn feature, if the prerequisites weren't met, buying many of them would be useless.
Madoka: "It looks like the big brother is just like me, longing for a world of magic...!"
Madoka, who had almost said she longed to be a "magical girl," shyly covered her face.
Kanae: "Erica-san's mana refinement method is indeed useful, but it also depends on one's individual talent and constitution."
Kanae: "Even with the auto-learn assistance the first time, it's still uncertain whether one can successfully refine mana on the first try."
Madoka: "That's right! I almost failed my first time."
Madoka: "But once you succeed, you realize just how amazing mana is!"
Kanae: "Exactly. I've only refined a little bit, but even that small amount of mana, when used to strengthen my body, is more effective than Total Concentration Breathing."
Kanae: "Once I raise my mana to its limit, my strength will surely increase significantly."
Kanae: "At that point, I might even be able to defeat an Upper Moon!"
Rin Tohsaka: "You can do it! I believe in you, Kanae-neesan!"
Madoka: "Speaking of which, why hasn't the big brother said anything for so long? Does the first mana refinement take that much time?"
Kanae: "I don't think so. I finished pretty quickly."
Madoka: "Me too."
Rin Tohsaka: "Could it be... the newcomer failed?"
With her competitive personality, she could easily understand the mentality of not wanting to show one's face after a failure.
If Su Mo had succeeded, he should have reported the good news by now. Even if the time flow between worlds was chaotic, it shouldn't take this long for him to speak.
To finally touch the world of magic, only to fail on the first attempt... he must be questioning his life right now!
Thinking this, the group members all began to comfort the newcomer.
Madoka: "Su Mo, don't worry, big brother. Even if you fail the first time, you'll succeed if you try a few more times."
Kanae: "That's right. Mana refinement is only a matter of 'how much,' you don't typically fail. There's no need to be discouraged, Mr. Su Mo."
Erica: "And here I thought buying from the store guaranteed you'd learn it..."
Erica: "Su Mo, did you really not succeed?"
Amidst everyone's concern, Su Mo, who had been silent all this time, finally surfaced.
Su Mo: "Thank you all for your concern. My mana refinement did not fail."
Hearing this, the gentle and kind Kanae and Madoka let out a small sigh of relief, happy for their new companion.
Kanae: "That's good to hear."
Madoka: "Congratulations, big brother!"
Rin, with her somewhat mischievous personality, wasn't so quick to believe him.
"If he succeeded, why is he only saying so now? Could he just be putting on a brave face to save his pride?"
Based on her own experiences, she felt this possibility was more likely. However, she wasn't tactless enough to voice this speculation.
Just then, the newcomer spoke again in the group chat.
Su Mo: "Speaking of which, there's something I'd like to ask you all."
Kanae: "What is it?"
Erica: "Same question."
Madoka: "Curious."
Su Mo: "While I was refining mana, I had a little epiphany."
Su Mo: "I was wondering, if I want to post this epiphany as an item for sale, can I just sell it directly? Or do I need to write it down on paper first?"
As soon as he said this, the entire group fell silent.
Everyone was stunned.
Only Rin Tohsaka managed to type out a single question mark in time.
Rin Tohsaka: "Huh?"