Chapter 306: Back to Training [2] Leo curled up nearby, having learned to appreciate these quiet periods of advancement. The intelligent lion seemed to understand that these sessions were crucial for their collective survival, even if they temporarily reduced the social interaction he enjoyed. Noah settled back into his own practice, deciding to work on his mana control. Once his mana control levelled up to level 15, Noah’s attributes would skyrocket, his mana control would improve, and his mana reserves and overall strength would increase massively. The milestone represented more than a simple numerical advancement—it was the threshold that would transform him from a talented practitioner into someone truly formidable. The first hour was spent on strengthening his foundation. Noah began with the familiar routine of circulating mana through his established pathways, the process that had become second nature through his countless hours of repetition. The magical energy flowed through his body like blood flowed through his veins, following the channels he had painstakingly developed over the past weeks. This part feels almost effortless now, he thought with satisfaction as the mana moved smoothly through his primary channels. Noah still remembered the time when he struggled with even sensing mana. He pushed the circulation faster, forcing more mana through each pathway while maintaining perfect control over the flow. The stronger circulation created a pleasant warmth throughout his body, but he could feel the limits of his current system approaching. His existing pathways could only handle so much energy before reaching saturation. The foundation is solid, but I need to expand if I want to reach the next level. More pathways mean more mana capacity, which means exponentially greater power output. The first hour passed smoothly as Noah reinforced his existing magical infrastructure, ensuring every channel was optimised for maximum efficiency. The practice felt comfortable, almost meditative, as he prepared his system for the more challenging work ahead. Noah shifted his focus from reinforcing existing channels to exploring the unmapped regions of his magical anatomy. Using his enhanced mana control, he began sending tendrils of energy into areas where he had never successfully established permanent pathways. This is where it gets interesting, he mused as he carefully probed the spaces between his established channels. I can feel potential pathways here, but they’re like unopened doors. The mana wants to flow, but something is blocking it. The exploration required delicate touch and precise control. Too much force could damage his magical system, while too little wouldn’t reveal the hidden possibilities within his body. Noah had to find the perfect balance between persistence and caution. He discovered several promising locations where natural mana flow seemed possible—areas where his magical anatomy showed potential for expansion. Some felt more accessible than others, suggesting varying degrees of difficulty for pathway creation. There’s definitely something here, Noah realised as he encountered resistance in certain areas. It’s like there are natural channels that need to be awakened. But some of these feel... blocked. This is why most people struggle to advance their mana control beyond certain levels. The second hour proved more challenging than the first, requiring constant concentration as he mapped the unexplored territories of his magical potential. By the end, he had identified three promising locations for developing new pathways. The third hour represented Noah’s first serious attempt at creating entirely new mana pathways, a process that pushed his abilities to their absolute limits. He focused on the most promising location he had discovered—a space near his core where the magical resistance felt lowest. Okay, this is completely different from anything I’ve done before, Noah thought as he began the delicate process of forcing mana into virgin territory. It’s like trying to carve a tunnel through solid rock using nothing but weak water pressure. The resistance was strong. His magical system seemed to actively resist the intrusion, creating painful feedback that made his entire body ache. Noah gritted his teeth and persevered, knowing that a breakthrough required pushing through discomfort. The pain is incredible, but I can feel something starting to give way. It’s like there’s a membrane or barrier that needs to be dissolved rather than broken through. No pain...No gain. He adjusted his technique, using sustained gentle pressure rather than forceful attacks. The approach proved more effective, allowing him to gradually weaken the resistance without triggering his body’s defensive responses. After an hour of intense effort, Noah managed to create the beginnings of a new pathway—just a tiny channel that could barely accommodate a trickle of mana. The achievement felt monumental despite its modest scope. This is exhausting, but it’s working! I can actually feel the new channel forming. It’s going to take time, but this is definitely possible. The final hour focused on slowly expanding the nascent pathway he had created, a process that required even more patience and precision than the initial breakthrough. Noah carefully guided increasing amounts of mana through the new channel, gradually widening it without causing damage. One wrong move could undo all this progress or even cause permanent damage to my magical system. Luckily, I have the beef jerky and other items that could save me in case anything went wrong...other practitioners don’t have such insurance. The work demanded absolute concentration. Every adjustment to the pathway’s size or direction required careful consideration of how it would interact with his existing magical infrastructure. Noah had to ensure the new channel complemented rather than interfered with his established circulation patterns. The resistance remained significant, though it gradually decreased as the pathway became more established. Noah could feel his mana reserves being severely taxed by the constant effort required to maintain the creation process. I’m running close to my limits here. My mana is almost depleted, and the mental fatigue is becoming overwhelming. But I can feel something building—like I’m on the verge of a major breakthrough. As the fourth hour neared its end, Noah sensed a new change in his magical system. The new pathway suddenly stabilised, integrating seamlessly with his existing channels and creating a more efficient overall circulation pattern.