Chapter 290: Training [2] For the next three hours, Noah committed himself fully to training, cycling through several disciplines to sharpen his foundation. Swordsmanship remained off the schedule. The cramped space on the second floor made wide swings and footwork drills impossible, and he refused to waste time on half-measures. Instead, he began with mana control, knowing it would yield the greatest return on effort. Improving his grasp over mana would strengthen the intelligence attribute itself, raising not only his raw magical power but also his capacity for refined spellwork. A stronger core of control would allow every other magical skill to grow more efficiently. He broke the session into three equal segments: one hour for mana control, one for wind manipulation, and one for body tempering. The order was planned for efficiency, each practice complementing the others. He wanted to practise everything without leaving one behind; even if his one-hour training didn’t yield immediate results, it would soon enough. Settling into a meditative stance, Noah let his breathing fall into rhythm until every thought stilled. The world around him receded, leaving only the steady pulse of mana inside his body. He traced its flow through his pathways, moving it in slow cycles. With careful intent, he pressed against sections not yet fully opened, coaxing them to expand. It was a slow and delicate process, like persuading a locked door to give way rather than forcing it with brute strength. Minutes blurred together as he guided the current through him. The first hour passed in silence, his concentration unbroken. When he opened his eyes at last, a brief flicker of reality returned. He checked for a change, but no notification about Mana Control had arrived; rather, one about his Photographic Memory had. [Your skill Photographic Memory has reached level 3!] Noah wasn’t disheartened, it was expected. Once a skill reached level 10, the demands for reaching the next level required four hours of focused work at a minimum, sometimes a little less depending on the environment. What he had just completed counted as progress, but not enough to push the threshold to level 12. Sensing his awareness, Leo stirred. The young lion blinked drowsily before letting out a low, rumbling roar, the sound more affectionate than fierce. He shifted closer and pressed his broad head against Noah’s side. A smile softened Noah’s face. He ran his fingers through Leo’s mane, the golden strands thicker and longer than they had been only weeks ago. The lion’s growth was astonishing, though it came as no surprise. Between the rich environment and the flow of magic nourishing him daily, Leo thrived as if every moment pulled him toward maturity. "You’re getting bigger every day," Noah murmured, voice low and steady. The words carried not just observation but pride. Leo’s eyes narrowed in contentment as he purred, the vibration resonating faintly through Noah’s arm. After a few moments, the beast lowered his head again and stretched out, his presence steady and reassuring. The second stage of his training was about to begin. Noah transitioned from mana control to wind manipulation, retrieving one of the numerous wind orbs from his storage ring. The Tier 5 artefact pulsed with contained elemental essence as he settled back into his meditative position. He closed his eyes and allowed his consciousness to merge with the orb’s swirling energies. The familiar sensation of wind essence flowing through his magical pathways brought immediate comfort, like reconnecting with an old friend. Wind manipulation at Level 11 required an increasingly sophisticated understanding of air current dynamics, pressure differentials, and elemental resonance patterns. Noah focused on expanding his control beyond simple directional movement toward more complex applications. He practised creating sustained air barriers, manipulating multiple wind streams simultaneously, and generating precise pressure changes that could affect both offence and defence in combat situations. The training demanded intense concentration as he pushed his elemental mastery toward new levels of sophistication. Each technique was built upon previous foundations while introducing increasingly challenging applications that would prove invaluable during their dangerous journey. Leo remained quietly supportive nearby, his presence providing reassurance without distraction as Noah delved deeper into more advanced wind magic theory and practical application. The hour passed with steady progress as Noah’s understanding of wind manipulation expanded incrementally, bringing him closer to the next skill level that would unlock even more powerful elemental techniques. Soon enough, a notification signalled his hour passing. [Your skill Photographic Memory has reached Level 4!] A smile erupted across Noah’s face at the successful advancement before he transitioned to his most dreaded training routine. Body tempering was undoubtedly his most exhausting practice, subjecting his physical form to intense stress as he used mana to push his body beyond normal limitations. The technique required him to channel magical energy through his muscles, bones, and organs in ways that created controlled strain designed to strengthen his constitution over time. Unlike the peaceful meditation of mana control or the flowing sensations of wind manipulation, body tempering felt like voluntary torture. Unfortunately, it was the only way he could currently improve his body in the fastest way possible. Noah gritted his teeth and began the process of circulating mana through his physical form, creating internal pressure that made every muscle fibre protest. His vitality helped him endure the discomfort, but the training remained genuinely unpleasant regardless of his improved constitution. Leo watched with concern as his father’s expression contorted with discomfort, recognising the signs of the training method that always seemed to cause Noah visible distress. The hour stretched ahead like an endurance trial, but Noah persevered with the knowledge that he could never have enough vitality in this world. Even if he had Lola to protect him, Noah wanted to have his own strength that he could rely on. He didn’t like to rely on others; it made him feel weak. Sure, accepting the help of those close to him every once in a while wasn’t a bad thing, but continuously asking for help made him feel hopeless just like before. He didn’t do so when he was at rock bottom, being chased by debt collectors, and he certainly won’t do so now. [Your skill Photographic Memory has reached level 5 (Max)]