Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"First, we deal with this army and take their weapons and armor before letting them go," Rain explained. "After that, we invaded the nearby cities, towns, and villages and forced them to trade war supplies for food with us. We keep a decent rate that it will make them feel a bit satisfied, but not that much since they will feel suspicious."

"I suppose that could work…" Branden said while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "We won't be making allies per se, but they won't feel that inclined to join other campaigns against us."

"Naturally, we will have to lock down anyone who is working for the king and Joanis. We have to nip troublemakers in the bud before they cause problems," Rain added.

"That wasn't something that I wanted to hear… still, I suppose it can't be helped… those who have money would try to secure it by betting on the side of the king and Joanis," Roan said and then sighed. "They will lose everything sooner or later if we win, so it is better to make that move."

"How much time do we have before that army comes for us, a week?" Rain asked.

"At least that much since they probably split to visit all the cities and towns to assemble the army… they should regroup on the nearest largest city close to the waterway," Branden nodded.

"In that case, we have one week to prepare as well," Rain said while stretching his body. "Ah, I have to teach you guys something. It is a technique called… called… what should I call it? Super Saiyan transformation? Magic Armor? Magic Pulse?

I guess Magic Boost will do the trick."

Rain's technique for defeating the beast king was well-known among his comrades. Still, the intricacies of its workings remained a mystery to most. What they comprehended was that Rain's unique approach combined magical and physical skills, resulting in a potent combat strategy.

At its foundation was Magic Boost, a skill that magnified Rain's attributes in direct proportion to the amount of magic he infused into it. This meant that the more magic he employed, the greater his enhancement in strength, agility, endurance, and even his magical aspects.

It was a versatile technique that allowed individuals with less robust bodies to become surprisingly formidable when supported by a substantial reservoir of mana.

On the flip side, Limit Breaker was more advantageous for those who already possessed formidable physical constitutions. It pushed their physical capabilities to the extreme, providing a significant increase in power and speed. However, it came at the cost of severe strain on the user's body, often leading to fatigue and exhaustion with prolonged use.

Magic Boost, conversely, favored individuals deeply attuned to the magical arts. Its benefits came without the drawbacks of physical exhaustion or adverse side effects. As long as one could maintain a steady supply of mana, they could sustain peak performance. This made it an ideal choice for mages whose reliance on magical prowess surpassed all else.

"That is a useful technique… the girls will increase their survivability considerably," Roan said while nodding several times. "I suppose I am happy that we raised you well. Even though you keep looking for more power, you don't want to use it to take over the world or something."

"I am not that bothered to take over the world… for now," Rain said and then showed a devilish smile.

"Hahaha, that was a good one… please tell me that it was a joke," Roan said.

"You are getting too paranoid as you age…" Leiah said and then shrugged.

Rain proceeded to teach everyone how to use Magic Boost, and soon, he noticed that those who had a lot of mana were learning faster than others. Everyone was making some progress since the technique wasn't that simple. One just had to be able to clear their minds completely.

Magic Boost has a distinct effect on the user's body, setting the mana inside them into motion throughout their entire system. This unique phenomenon is closely tied to how mana is continually at work within individuals, even when their mana reserves are at their maximum.

Mana, the life force of magic, is in perpetual use within a person's body, albeit in subtle ways. It has a crucial role in maintaining their overall well-being. When someone's mana pool is full, the effects are often imperceptible but undeniably significant. It reinforces their health and vitality, making them less vulnerable to illness and fatigue. That was why Rain never got sick.

The constant circulation of mana within the body ensures that various bodily functions operate optimally. It acts as a subtle yet potent source of well-being, reinforcing their physical and mental resilience. While most people are unaware of these intricate inner workings, they usually experience a heightened sense of well-being when their mana is abundant.

"I guess that is it for today… you guys will have to improve by yourselves," Rain said when the sun was setting. "You can practice for five days, and then you should head to the waterway."

"You are still recovering. You should rest completely, too," Terra said while looking at Rain with reproachful eyes.

"I won't move my body; I will just use magic, so it is fine," Rain said and then shrugged before entering the house and then going to bed since he didn't know when he would have the chance to sleep on one again.

"Sorry for that, Terra," Leiah said. "He finally entered his rebellious phase, so it is hard to convince him of anything… It is even more troublesome since his reasoning is sound even when he is rebellious. I hope that you won't give up on him too soon. You have your blessings."

"... Ma'am, I think you are thinking too much into this," Terra said and then looked at the others of her group with eyes filled with suspicion, but they looked away from her. "But I am just worried as a friend and because I am the healer of the group. I will be to blame for eighty percent of the reason if any of us die, after all."