The morning sun filtered through the cracked window of Leo's cramped apartment, casting a weak glow over the peeling walls. It was 7:00 AM on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and the Low District outside buzzed with the early hum of mana-trams and street vendors. Leo stretched his sore muscles, wincing as he rubbed his bruised knuckles from yesterday's fight. The ring sat on his bedside table, its dull surface a quiet reminder of the power that had saved him. After jotting down his notes last night, he'd decided—today was for training. The voice in his head had been clear: strengthen his mana, or the ring's three-times-daily use would stay out of reach. For now, it was limited to every three days, and that wasn't enough. He needed to change that.
He grabbed his renewed E-Rank hunter card and headed to Hunter Academy, the walk brisk despite his aching knee. The school's training grounds loomed ahead, a sprawling field of dirt and steel surrounded by mana-charged barriers. Students milled about, their laughter and shouts filling the air. "Ryn, let's see that fire orb again!" a boy called. "Tala, shield me—I'm testing my new blade!" another yelled. Leo ignored them, heading straight for the basic training area, a section reserved for low-rank students like him.
Master Korran stood near the edge, overseeing a group with a mana-dummy. His scarred face turned as Leo approached. "You again?" Korran grunted. "Thought I told you hunting's not your path." "I'm here to train, sir," Leo said, holding up his card. "Gotta get stronger." Korran raised an eyebrow. "Stronger? You're a blank, kid. No mana to work with." "I can try," Leo insisted. "Please, just show me the basics." Korran sighed, scratching his jaw. "Fine. But don't expect miracles. Start with the dummy—punch it, see what sticks."
Leo stepped up to the mana-dummy, a hulking figure that glowed faintly, designed to absorb and measure strikes. He threw a punch, his fist connecting with a dull thud. The dummy's screen flickered—0.2 mana output. "Pathetic," Korran muttered. "Even blanks get a 0.5 sometimes." "Again," Leo said, clenching his teeth. He swung harder, sweat beading on his forehead. 0.3. "Keep going," Korran ordered. For an hour, Leo pounded the dummy, his arms aching, the numbers creeping up—0.4, 0.5, 0.6. "Not bad for a start," Korran admitted, crossing his arms. "But mana's built through focus, not just muscle. Try breathing deep, channel what you've got."
Leo nodded, slowing his pace. He inhaled deeply, imagining the energy from his fights—the dungeon, the thugs—flowing into him. Another punch—0.7. "That's it!" Korran barked. "Feel it, don't force it." The other students glanced over, whispering. "He's still at it?" Ryn scoffed. "Waste of time," Tala added. Leo ignored them, focusing on the rhythm—breath, punch, breath, punch. By noon, he hit 1.0, a tiny spark of mana registering. "One whole point," Korran said, surprised. "Never seen a blank do that. Keep it up, but don't push too hard."
After a break, Leo moved to the endurance course—obstacles and weighted bags. "Lift that, run that," Korran instructed. "Build your body, mana follows." Leo struggled, the 20-pound bag nearly dropping him. "Come on, you can do better!" Korran shouted. "Ugh, this is heavy!" Leo groaned, heaving it up. "Quit whining—move!" Korran snapped. He managed three laps, collapsing breathless. "Good effort," Korran said. "Mana's tied to stamina. Rest, then repeat."
In the afternoon, they worked on basic combat drills. "Block this," Korran said, swinging a padded stick. Leo raised his arms, taking the hit. "Ouch! Warn me!" he yelped. "No warnings in a fight," Korran retorted. "Try again." Leo blocked the next swing, then countered with a weak jab. "Better," Korran grunted. "Keep your guard up." They sparred for hours, Leo's movements growing steadier, his mana output hovering around 1.2. "You're learning," Korran admitted. "But it's a long road."
As the sun dipped low, Leo sat on the grass, panting. "Sir, how do I get more mana?" he asked. Korran sat beside him. "Practice, kid. Fight low-rank monsters, meditate, eat mana-rich food if you can afford it. Blanks like you start small—build it slow." "Every three days, my ring works now," Leo said cautiously. "Needs mana to be daily." Korran frowned. "Ring? What ring?" "Just… something I found," Leo lied, touching it in his pocket. "Sounds like a relic," Korran warned. "Dangerous if it drains you. Train smart, or it'll kill you." "I will," Leo promised, determined.
He spent the evening on meditation, sitting cross-legged as Korran had shown. "Breathe deep, focus inward," Korran coached. Leo tried, his mind drifting to the ring. After an hour, he felt a faint tingle—maybe 1.5 mana. "That's progress," Korran said. "Do this daily. Mana grows with discipline." Leo nodded, exhausted but hopeful. The ring's limit gnawed at him, but today's effort felt like a step forward. He'd strengthen his mana, no matter how long it took.