"That's right." Lysandra nodded with a smile.
"As you can guess, there is a hidden breakthrough other than the usual minor or major Rank breakthroughs of Mana Wielders. This breakthrough point arrives only when one reaches the 'peak' of Training Stats, and after 'this' Training breakthrough, one can still continue to improve their Training Stats, but the difficulty increases further. No one has ever reached the end of this, and that is why no one knows the true end or the true peak of Training Stats."
Elara was amazed. All this almost sounded like top-secret knowledge to truly become strong and capable Mana Wielders, compared to normal Mana Wielders who only focus on raising Ranks.
"Let me first clear your last question," Lysandra answered. "If one doesn't push to that 'peak' of these Training Stats and moves to the next Rank, then it can be considered they have reset to the beginning of the next Rank. To reach the Training Stats Breakthrough point again, they need to work hard for it. Of course, the previous Training Stats from the previous Rank remain."
After some thought, Elara nodded to herself. "So, to summarize, there are two different stat groups. One is natural, received after becoming a Mana Wielder, and the other is this 'Training Stats.' And in these Training Stats, if one works hard to increase them through training, they would reach a bottleneck. Breaking through this bottleneck allows the Mana Wielder to continue improving on the same Rank. But if they give up and Rank up immediately, although the previous improved stats would remain, they must work hard again to reach that Rank's bottleneck?"
Lysandra smiled and nodded in agreement.
"You are also now fairly strong, Elara, compared to other early stage Rank 1, as your previous Mortal stats have carried over. Due to this, you are much closer to this Training Stats 'bottleneck,' as you mentioned. This is only possible during the Mortal-to-Mana Wielder evolution."
Elara nodded with a smile. She not only felt extremely strong but also completely rejuvenated.
She didn't have a mirror with her, but she was certain she had become much more beautiful, as she had followed the suggestion that she had learned from her maid Lilaethril, who was almost like a second mother to her.
Lysandra's smile widened as she began to reveal the true secret. "Now, here's the thing. This 'secret' breakthrough is more priceless than you think because if you successfully break through, a tremendous benefit awaits you!"
Elara's expression turned strange. Being able to continue developing stats within the same Rank was already a great benefit—what else could there be?
Lysandra grinned and revealed, "Among the four basic stats, the one you reached the bottleneck of and successfully broke through—then the entire Training Stats of that specific stat will immediately double!"
Elara was so shocked she almost stood up.
'Isn't that too overpowered? So that's why mother is stopping me from Ranking up?'
Lysandra smiled brightly at Elara's shocked expression.
Yes, it was that shocking! But very few ever reach that 'peak' in even a single stat, and successfully breaking through was even rarer.
She coughed and addressed the painful truth. "This Training Stats 'bottleneck' is considered an 'illusory' breakthrough, as you will have no idea when you've truly reached it. It will always be uncertain, unlike Mana Wielder breakthrough bottlenecks, where you clearly know you're ready to break through."
"And the more painful fact is that one will have no idea how to break through this Training Stats 'bottleneck.' Each breakthrough requirement is different—it's almost like a trial. Nothing like Mana Wielder breakthroughs, which are mostly the same for everyone."
"Due to this unpredictable situation of Training Stats' 'bottleneck' and the unknown trial requirements, most people who even managed to reach this far through training or by some other method would always get stuck. Thus, they either focus on improving other stats as much as possible or break through to the next major Rank to increase their lifespan. But doing that means they have reset, and although past Training Stats remain, to reach this 'peak' or 'bottleneck,' they again have to train so far."
Elara was speechless. Indeed, there was no free meal. These Training Stats were truly like navigating wilderness without a map.
She hesitated before asking, "Is there no way to know what trial I must face or any information on those who've succeeded?"
Lysandra shook her head. "These 'trials' are extremely weird and unpredictable. Some have even broken through during minor or major breakthroughs. There are many recorded references—you can check them later in our library."
Elara nodded, then stared at Lysandra suspiciously. "So, the reason you're so strong compared to other Grandmasters is this?"
Lysandra smiled and agreed. "Not just me—most Mana Wielders focus on this, and it's largely possible during the Apprentice Rank. With each higher Rank, especially after reaching Master Rank, training these Stats becomes so ridiculously difficult that only those who are truly consistent would attempt such audacious training. Also, the benefits from those tiny improvements after working so hard are so minuscule compared to just Ranking up that most don't go all the way... Let's not discuss that now—you'll understand as you train."
"Currently, since you've already trained extensively during the Mortal stage, you can reach Rank 1's Training Stats 'bottleneck' much quicker, as you've already covered considerable ground. As I mentioned, this is only possible during the Mortal-to-Rank 1 transition. It's not miraculous, but far more helpful than you think."
Elara nodded—she understood.
"So, you mean for me to not break through to the next major Rank and instead focus on reaching this 'peak' of Training Stats? How to reach it—only through training? And is there any way I'll know when I reach the peak?"
Lysandra shook her head. "This is where past studies matter greatly. There are indeed many ways to increase Training Stats. They're also called 'supplemental stats' for this reason, as Elixirs, rare fruits, and other such resources can help increase them."
"However, studies show that using these methods makes Training Stats far harder to increase—especially if the Elixirs or resources are of higher Tier than one's Rank. Not only does it become harder to increase Training Stats, but the 'illusory breakthrough requirements' or 'trial' become even more absurd and difficult."
Elara understood. "So, you mean—stick to training and avoid Elixirs for now?"
"For now, yes," Lysandra agreed. "Later, when your Rank increases and reaching this 'bottleneck' becomes impossible or impractical, you can seek shortcuts like fortune encounters or resources."
"As for how you'll know when you reach this 'peak'... As I said—it's confusing and hard to pinpoint. You'll 'feel' it, but here's the problem: when you're 'near' it—still not there—you'll already feel like you've reached the end. For this reason, it's hard to judge if you've truly reached it or hallucinating. Worse, increasing Training Stats beyond that point becomes even more absurdly difficult..."
"In short, focus on training even when you feel you've reached the 'peak,' while also trying ways to break through this illusory trial."
"Alright, I understand." Elara nodded and asked, "Then, what other ways are there to train? Are there ways to make breakthrough requirements easier or more visible to guess?"
Elara was engrossed and excited—as a young adult, her blood boiled hearing all this. She planned to challenge the world, surpass her mother, and become the strongest—protecting and staying with Eric forever.
"Well... Studies suggest fighting, adventuring, or facing extreme life situations helps make trial requirements easier. But since this is abstract and never fixed, it's hard to judge. Similarly, such experiences also help increase Training Stats."
Elara nodded thoughtfully. "So, this is why many join Guilds? Should I consider joining one?"
Lysandra waved her hand. "Don't worry about Guilds now. When you join Celestia Academy, you'll eventually join the Adventurers Guild as part of their education process—all Academies do this. For now, focus on professions and physical training."
"Professions?" Elara was bewildered. Where did that come from?
Lysandra nodded. "Professions are one of the finest ways to train Intelligence—the hardest stat to increase, even more so than Constitution. Professions help greatly in training it and also the other three stats too. You'll understand how vital Intelligence stat is later, especially at Master Rank. Don't neglect it during the Apprentice Rank—it pays off later."
Hearing all this, Elara was eager to begin training.
In her excitement, she slapped her fair thighs and declared, "One day, I'll defeat you, old cougar!"
"Good luck, little girl," Lysandra laughed. "I don't think a sweet, naive girl like you could ever defeat me—I and other Grandmasters constantly improve ourselves, not sitting idle."
Lysandra was confident in her strength. The time it would take Elara to reach Grandmaster—if ever—would likely be a thousand years. Progressing past Master Rank required far more than hard work.
Lysandra grew depressed again thinking of 'time.' Her gloom wasn't feigned; as if her guess wasn't wrong, Celestia might only have a decade or less.
Elara didn't notice Lysandra's loneliness or depression. She growled challengingly. "I'll prove it one day! And in this world, only Eric will be stronger than me!" She clenched her fist, picturing their future.
Lysandra stared at Elara with pity and decided to disclose the truth. The sooner Elara learned this harsh reality, the better for her heart.
She coughed. "Elara, my sweetest daughter, you may have other sisters who also plan to be the best—together with Eric. So, focus on not losing to 'them' first."
Elara stared blankly.
'Sisters? From this cougar? Why does it sound like 'sisters' already beside Eric?'
Slowly, her eyes widened in realization.
She sprang up, grabbing Lysandra's arms. "Quick! Let's go! I want to meet my sisters—I should befriend them as soon as possible!"
Lysandra stared more strangely at Elara, who had given up on meeting Eric but wished to meet up with her 'sisters.'
'Shouldn't you be jealous or something first? Why are you so excited? Ah, is it because they are considered Eric's? That's right! Pure High Elf's love—they are all indeed born stupid!'
Lysandra chuckled, shaking her head. "They're currently in a life-and-death trial—a treacherous journey to find their beloved 'Brother Eric,' whom they haven't seen in a week."
"They're searching for Eric in the forest we were in earlier—and guess what? They got ambushed by an early-stage Rank 1 Warrior's sneak attack! And guess what else? They fended him off alone!"
Lysandra grew excited—at her level, the struggles of ants had become intriguing.
"Not only that, as just being Mortals, both of them even managed to cripple that Warrior's one eye while staying completely uninjured! Although they managed to escape him, the pursuit is still on, so their trials are not yet over. We shouldn't poke ourselves in between them."
Lysandra was, in fact, very impressed by both Lyria and Livy, especially because she could see that both girls are fighting such a life-and-death battle for their first time.
Elara's face was pale.
Although she had killed so many Rank 1s earlier as a Mortal, she still currently wouldn't necessarily be able to survive a sneak attack from a Warrior—and to do that while just being a Mortal was a clear death sentence.
Although Elara's fear against powerful foes had gone down considerably, that doesn't mean she had lost the sense of reality—and now, both her sisters are in danger, and she was completely ignorant of it!
That was the same as betraying her consciousness—also Eric and her sisters all together. She cannot take this!
"Mother, let's go! You don't need to do anything—just let me. I am confident I will win!" Elara immediately pleaded while tightening her grasp over Lysandra's hands.
Lysandra looked at Elara weirdly; she was acting as if she would lose Eric if both Lyria and Livy died.
In a sense, that was also true. If Eric truly loses both the little girls of the Orphanage in this incident, then his heart might indeed change to become much colder and distant. So, Elara was not entirely wrong in her ways of worrying, though Elara herself isn't aware of that consequence.
But...
"No, Elara, we are not going or interfering with this. It's their fate and trial; they must cross it by themselves. Currently, after surviving the Warrior's sneak attack, their previous fear and panic against an impossible foe had diminished considerably. If we save them, then we will take away their opportunity for growth—so we shouldn't interfere. It would do them more harm than good in the long term."
Lysandra was truly impressed by how Lyria and Livy had handled the situation by themselves during the ambush of the Warrior, but what truly startled her was that both Lyria's and Livy's 'Will' was as polished as Eric's.
Just because one has 'Will in their heart' doesn't mean they are on the same level. They can improve, and they can also deteriorate.
Leaving Will aside, this event also shows just how terrifyingly Lyria and Livy had trained and pushed themselves. It was not just about stats—both girls were too skilled, enough to shame most Mana Wielders worldwide with just their combat capabilities.
As a Grandmaster, Lysandra could discern far more from mere movements, and so she saw how all three orphans had trained themselves to an abnormal degree while still Mortals.
What was even more startling to Lysandra was that they are all in such an isolated place at the southernmost location of this Humancrown Continent.
It would make much more sense if she had found such people in some more crowded and developed places in the world, like an Academy or so on—at least not all huddled together under one roof and being so close to each other.
Lysandra still finds the entire situation amazing, ridiculous, and also impossible.
This also made Lysandra recheck on the old lady of the Orphanage.
This dying lady had not only found such diamonds but had also polished them to such an extent that even she—a Grandmaster—probably cannot or would bother investing that much time, energy, and patience toward her own children.
In Lysandra's long life, there weren't many people she had genuinely felt admiration and respect toward—especially toward someone who was in such a low Rank.
But currently, she genuinely felt utter respect toward Bella Noll. This lady was not only extremely observant, skilled, and capable as a fighter but had also poured her heart and soul into training some children who had nothing to do with her. She also didn't have any expectations of returns from Eric, Lyria, or Livy.
Anyone would feel deep respect toward such an individual.
Lysandra had even bothered to remember Bella Noll's name out of respect; otherwise, she would never do such silly things.
Overall, this incident made her realize that neither the girls from the same orphanage were 'normal,' nor were their fates.
Well, not a single person who has 'Will in their heart' is normal in any way.
Such people are best left alone during their life-and-death trials. If she saved them before they themselves gave up, it wouldn't truly do them any good.
The only way Lysandra would be willing to help Lyria and Livy was like how Eric floated toward the island—unconscious.
Elara glared at Lysandra with hatred.
To her, Lysandra was so strong but also so useless; she said such cryptic and abstruse things!
What was the point of being so strong if one had to restrict themselves when others truly needed their help!?
Glancing at Elara's grudging and hateful expression, Lysandra laughed and stood up.
"Don't worry—they will be fine. And if you're still worried, then if things truly go bad, I will shoot an arrow."
"Alright, enough talking. Let's return! I'm sure many of our people are cursing me behind my back for running off mid-task and leaving them to do all the work. Hahaha!"
With the strange, perverted laughter hanging beneath the twinkling night sky, a bizarre circular wind-bubble shot northeast across the Humancrown Continent—moving too fast for outsiders to even glimpse its tail.