Scene – Same training field. Yatrans and Ruka are standing there.Ruka: You've finished your vein training, now it's time for blood training. In this, you must learn the flow of your blood. For example, my blood flows from my heart to my legs, from my legs to my brain, and from my brain back to my heart. This cycle repeats continuously.Yatrans: So… how do I figure that out?Ruka: First, let me explain. The speed of blood depends on our breathing. If you take in oxygen fast, the blood flows faster. If you breathe slowly, the blood slows down. And if you stop breathing altogether, the blood will stop after some time.Yatrans: I see.Ruka: So now you must use your breathing to sense the flow of your blood.Yatrans: What?! (shocked) You're telling me I can sense blood flow just by breathing?!Ruka: Why are you so shocked?Yatrans (thinking): Oh right! I completely forgot—this is a magical world. Anything is possible! Hehehe!Ruka (thinking): …He's laughing? What a strange guy.Ruka: Anyway, you'll lift this stone again and run around the village. But this time, while breathing, you'll also focus on your blood flow.Scene – The stone this time is three times bigger.Yatrans: This has to be a joke!Ruka: Not at all. Now start. Do this until you can sense your blood flow—because remember, the flow isn't always in the same direction. It constantly shifts.Yatrans: Ah… I see!Scene – Yatrans lifts the stone.Yatrans: Aaaghhh…! So heavy! Luckily, I've lifted two stones before, so it doesn't feel that impossible! Haaahhh…!Ruka: Now run. Don't forget to breathe.Yatrans: Yes, Master!Scene – Yatrans runs. Sometimes the stone slips, but he picks it up again. He keeps focusing on his breathing.Scene – One day later. Same training. One week later. Same training. One month later. Same training. Five months later…Scene – Yatrans finally runs around the entire village without dropping the stone and without breaking his breathing.Yatrans: Maa…! Master… Haaahh…! Huhhh…! I did it! I really did it!!Ruka: Very good.Scene – Yatrans smiles, then collapses onto the ground.Yatrans: I'm exhausted! Huff…!Ruka: So then, tell me about your blood flow.Yatrans: Huh? Blood flow?Ruka: …! You were doing all this breathing to sense your blood flow—and you forgot to actually sense it?!Yatrans: !! S-sorry, Master!Ruka: Tsk! Do it again! This time, you won't stop until you actually figure it out!Yatrans: Yes, Master!Scene – Yatrans suddenly stands up… then collapses again.Yatrans: But first, a little rest… (lazy tone)Ruka: Fine. Three days of rest.Yatrans: Thank you, Master… haaahhh…!Scene – Meanwhile, Zil thinks to himself: "Looks like everyone forgot about me. Let's see what he's been doing all this time. Day 1: sleep. Day 2: sleep. 3 months later: still sleeping. 8 months later: still sleeping. Hahaha, nothing much to see. Good thing they didn't show it!"Scene – Yatrans resumes training. He puts in effort, focuses on his breathing, and tries to sense his blood flow.Scene – One year later. Yatrans is running. He stops, throws the stone aside, and collapses to the ground.Scene – Ruka walks up to him.Ruka: Training done? Did you figure it out?Yatrans: Yes, Master. This time, I sensed it.Ruka: Then tell me.Yatrans: My blood flows from my brain to my hands, then to my legs, then to my heart, then back to my brain. The cycle repeats like that.Ruka: Very good.Yatrans: So finally, you'll teach me how to control mana, right?! (excited)Ruka: My child… you've already learned it.Yatrans: ? (confused face)Ruka: Hehe. By walking with stones, your muscles and veins became stronger. With breathing, your blood flow connected better to your veins. And if you look at it closely—mana is nothing but a spiritual protection, like a core or essence, which you've already awakened through this training.Yatrans: But I don't feel anything different in my body.Ruka: That's because mana is spiritual protection, not physical.Yatrans: I see.Ruka: Let's test it.Yatrans: A test?Scene – Yatrans and Ruka stand before a cave.Yatrans: Why are we here?Ruka: For the test. This cave has one entrance here and one exit on the other side. You need to reach the exit.Yatrans: That's simple.Ruka: But you can't use any of your powers.Yatrans: What?! Then how am I supposed to cross?!Ruka: With mana. Mana can't be released outside the body, but with it, small healing is possible. Like this.Scene – Ruka makes a small cut on Yatrans' hand.Yatrans: Shhh…! Wow, it really healed!Ruka: No, the blood flow simply stopped. That's the benefit of your training. Minor cuts won't bleed anymore.Yatrans: I see. But this still seems difficult.Ruka: Yes, that's why you can take as long as you want. No rush. I'll wait at the exit. Bye.Scene – Ruka pushes Yatrans into the cave, then closes the entrance and leaves.Scene – Inside the cave.Yatrans: Master!!! (angry)Scene – Yatrans slowly walks, staying quiet, hiding whenever monsters appear, sometimes waiting for hours until they pass.Scene – Many, many times later. Yatrans finally reaches the exit, where Ruka is waiting.Yatrans: Master! (happy) Haaahhh! The light! I don't even know how long I've been inside, but finally, fresh air!Ruka: Two years.Yatrans: Huh?Ruka: It took you two years to cross the cave.Yatrans: Two years!! (shocked) No way, it didn't feel that long inside!Ruka: Doesn't matter. Two years it is.Yatrans: Fine, whatever… I'm exhausted.Ruka: First, tell me the result.Yatrans: Done. I've learned to control my mana properly. I can now increase or decrease mana anywhere in my body.Ruka: Very good.Yatrans: Now I need rest and food. I had to eat monsters inside that cave. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up.Ruka: Hahaha, well at least you gained some experience. Now rest first, then we'll eat.Yatrans: Yeah…
Scene – Both of them leave together.