Chapter 147: Body Tempering "What kind of controlled stress are we talking about?" "Several methods exist," Lola replied, counting on her fingers. "Extreme temperature exposure, sustained physical exertion beyond normal limits, controlled magical energy circulation through your meridians, and certain activities that naturally stress the cardiovascular system." I’m not going to ask about that last one. "The magical energy circulation sounds most appealing," Noah said quickly. "How does that work?" Lola’s laugh carried genuine amusement rather than her usual seductive undertones. "Practical choice. Magical tempering involves channelling your mana through pathways that normally wouldn’t handle such energy flow. It’s safer than the physical methods but requires precise control." She stood and moved closer, her presence radiating the confident authority of someone explaining their area of expertise. "With your current mana control level, you should be able to attempt basic tempering exercises without risking serious injury." Level 7 mana control should provide sufficient precision for safe practice. "The process is simple in concept but requires discipline in execution," Lola continued. "You circulate mana through places that mana doesn’t usually flow through your body, but at intensity levels that stress your constitution without overwhelming it." Noah nodded with growing interest. "How long does it typically take to see results?" "That depends on your natural resilience, how consistently you practice, and your talent," she replied. "However, given your talent in everything. You will probably learn it within a few hours and see results within a few days. " "However, improper technique can cause internal damage that’s difficult to heal. You’ll need guidance until you develop proper instincts." Lola’s tone carried an appropriate warning. Noah’s eyes brightened with realisation of what she was offering. "You’re volunteering to supervise my training?" "Consider it part of my employee duties," she replied with a smile. "Besides, I have years of experience with magical body tempering. I’d rather keep my boss alive and healthy~" "When can we start?" Noah asked, his eagerness to address his vitality weakness overriding any concerns. Lola’s ruby eyes sparkled with approval at his immediate commitment to improvement. "Right now, if you’re ready. The first lesson involves understanding your current energy pathways." She gestured toward the shop’s back area, where they could practice without interruption from potential customers. "We need to close the shop for a while. Otherwise, if you were interpreted randomly, it might give you a backlash. It’s not worth the risk." Noah nodded in understanding, immediately heading to the door, before turning the open sign to closed. He decided to delay selling for an hour, based on his knowledge of his talent, it wouldn’t take him more than an hour to learn the skill, maybe even less. "We’ll start with basic circulation exercises, nothing dangerous, just mapping your natural mana flow patterns." Noah stood, following her toward the designated training space. "What should I expect to feel during the process?" "Initially, just warmth as mana moves through unfamiliar channels," Lola explained, settling into a meditation pose. "As we increase intensity, you’ll experience something like internal stretching, not painful, but definitely noticeable." Internal stretching. That doesn’t sound too intimidating. "The key is maintaining steady circulation without forcing the process," she continued. "Think of it like learning to swim—you work with natural currents rather than fighting against them." Noah settled into his own meditation position, focusing on the familiar sensation of mana responding to his will. "Ready when you are." Lola’s voice took on the authoritative tone of an experienced instructor. "Close your eyes and begin normal mana circulation. I’ll guide you through the modifications that will start tempering your constitution." ... Noah settled into his meditation position, legs crossed and spine straight, following Lola’s instructions. The feeling of mana cultivation felt surprisingly comfortable; he sensed that it would be different from his usual practice sessions. "Begin with your standard mana circulation," Lola instructed, her voice soothing to his ears to avoid disturbing him. "Feel the energy flowing through your established pathways—the routes you’ve used for wind manipulation and spell casting." Noah closed his eyes and reached inward, sensing the gentle current of magical energy that had become second nature. His mana moved in its predestined pathway through his body, following the channels he’d developed to use through countless hours of training. The circulation of mana through those pathways felt warm, controlled and steady to Noah. "Good," Lola observed, her senses allowing her to perceive his energy flow with X-ray-like clarity. "Now I want you to imagine expanding those pathways. Not forcing new channels, but gently widening the existing ones." Expand the pathways. Like opening a valve slightly wider. Noah focused on the sensation of mana movement, visualising his internal energy channels as rivers that could accommodate greater flow. The adjustment required delicate control; too little change would produce no effect, while too much could cause dangerous internal pressure and might rupture those channels, injuring him severely. Whilst he wasn’t worried since he had the beef jerky and the bread, he still didn’t want to experience such an injury. Because he knew not only would it hurt his body, but also his potential, as he might need to use the beef jerky too early on. "Do you feel that resistance?" Lola asked as Noah encountered the first obstacle that made him frown. Noah gave a soft, almost imperceptible nod. "You don’t have to respond to me, it’s more of a rhetorical question. Just focus on what you are doing," She immediately reprimanded him. "Back to what I was saying, the resistance is your body’s natural protection against energy overload. We’re going to work with that resistance, not against it. This is one of the rules that are almost universal. Always work with your body, never against it. Once you go against your body, you are going against your nature. You will progress much slower, or any progress at all." The moment Noah began expanding his mana circulation, a subtle tingling sensation spread through his torso. It felt like gentle electricity dancing beneath his skin, neither painful nor pleasant, just distinctly noticeable to him.