Chapter 305: Back to Training [1] "Don’t diminish your own efforts," Lola said firmly, her voice carrying the conviction of someone who had witnessed countless practitioners struggle with advancement. "You worked really hard for your strength." "Thank you," Noah nodded, appreciating her validation before asking a question he was curious about. "What exactly does reaching adept rank mean in practical terms?" The milestone seemed significant based on her previous comments, but he wanted to understand the concrete differences between his current capabilities and what awaited him at the next level. "Adept rank represents the threshold where magic becomes truly dangerous," Lola explained, settling into the role of instructor with obvious enthusiasm. "Novice and apprentice ranks can perform useful spells, but adept mages can start to deal some serious damage. For example, when you reach the adept rank and your wind manipulation is at a high level, you would be able to create wind barriers strong enough to deflect most physical attacks, or even create many wind blades simultaneously and control them independently." The implications were staggering. These capabilities were incredibly more powerful compared to his current limitations. Currently, he could only perform basic speed enhancements and generate one or two wind blades at most. He had tried to control more than two simultaneously, but whenever he attempted it, he lost control and all of the wind blades failed and dissipated into useless air currents. "Can you show me what you can currently do with the wind element?" Lola asked, wanting to gauge his current understanding and assess how close he truly was to the next breakthrough. Noah nodded eagerly, excited for the opportunity to demonstrate his progress to someone who could provide expert feedback. He moved to a more open area of the shop where he would have sufficient space to showcase his techniques without accidentally damaging any items or equipment. He began with the fundamental applications, creating controlled air currents that flowed smoothly around his body like invisible rivers. The wind responded to his will with remarkable precision, forming patterns that would have been impossible just weeks ago. Each movement of his hands guided the air with increasing sophistication, demonstrating the deep connection he had developed with the element through countless hours of dedicated practice. Next, he generated focused wind blades that could cut through wood and stone with devastating effectiveness. The compressed air formed razor-sharp edges that maintained their cohesion for extended periods, proving his ability to weaponise the element beyond simple utility applications. Finally, Noah demonstrated his ability to combine wind manipulation with his physical capabilities, using air currents to augment his movement speed and change direction mid-motion with grace. After observing and analysing the techniques that Noah had showcased, Lola nodded her head in genuine approval. Her expression carried the satisfaction of a master watching a promising student exceed expectations through dedicated effort and natural talent. "Your wind manipulation is already touching on adept-level techniques," she assessed with obvious pride. "The control you have over the wind element and the complexity of your applications demonstrate understanding that most practitioners require years to develop." "What about your fire element? How have you been progressing with that?" Lola asked curiously. Noah had learned fire manipulation only a few days ago, and she wondered how far he had progressed with the notoriously difficult secondary element. "I just reached the novice rank today, so it’s nothing major yet," Noah replied modestly, though he was eager to test his new capabilities. "Show me," Lola encouraged, her interest clearly piqued by his rapid advancement in a second elemental discipline. Noah extended his hand and concentrated, feeling the familiar warmth building in his magical pathways. Small flames danced across his fingertips with remarkable control, forming complex patterns that responded to his mental commands. The fire felt different from wind manipulation—more aggressive, but also incredibly responsive once he established proper control. He created a sustained flame that burned without fuel, demonstrating his ability to maintain fire magic through pure mana manipulation rather than requiring external combustible materials. "Your fire manipulation at the novice rank is also progressing excellently," Lola added thoughtfully, her mind already recognising the potential for his dual elements. "The combination of wind and fire elements at higher levels creates possibilities that few dual-element practitioners ever achieve. Fire-enhanced wind can create devastating offensive techniques that are nearly impossible to defend against." Leo watched the demonstration with obvious pride in his father’s advancement, his intelligent eyes reflecting understanding of the significance behind Lola’s assessment. The lion seemed to sense that another major transformation was approaching for their little group. After they hung out for a while, Lola decided that it was time to get back to training. The comfortable atmosphere between them had been enjoyable, but the reality of their situation demanded continued preparation. They didn’t have much time left until the auction began, and they would need to make their way to the World Tree before that event commenced. Furthermore, the more time they took in preparation, the greater the risk of being caught. There was nothing stopping Seraphina or Darian from figuring out what Adrian had been able to. The expedition represented far more than a simple business venture—it was potentially the most dangerous undertaking either of them had ever attempted. Noah nodded, understanding her priorities completely. "Train well and don’t over-exert yourself," he advised with genuine concern. "Remember, we can always delay the auction if anything goes wrong with your advancement or if you need more time to reach your target level." Unlike the elven factions, which were operating under external pressures and expectations, Noah could adjust their schedule to ensure optimal preparation rather than rushing into danger unprepared. "Yes, boss," she smiled warmly before moving toward her preferred training area within the shop. Lola retrieved the instant coffee and mystical herbal tea from her storage location, both premium items that would provide substantial benefits during her intensive training session. Noah watched Lola start her training with a soft gaze, this succubus was really something. When he was first allocated to the demon kingdom, he had never expected to find someone like her.