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Flash!

​​

The energies rushing through Frank's body intensified, as they crossed through his veins, muscles, organs, and bones.

They began to flow like colorful golden and blue rivers of ethereal beauty towards Frank's Mana Core, nourishing it beautifully.

His Mana Core or Arcana Core began to glow faintly at first, as Frank furrowed his eyebrows and began to pour more and more energy into his Mana Core.

He gritted his teeth, as he felt a few discomforts.

He was being way too intense.

However, this was finally the time.

He knew, deep down, that he had to be intense if he wanted results.

His flesh began to tremble, as the flow of divine energy and mana intensified more and more…

It hurts.

Frank began to feel as all of his internal body was burning slowly yet steadily, the burning sensation intensified…

He had worked so hard already, and received the help of everyone to get to this point… he did not want to disappoint them, this was the day he was breaking through this Stage.

Although he knew that there were three more stages before he could break through into Rank 6, this was the first of the four steps, and he needed to pour everything on it.

By using his enhanced regeneration abilities within his Supernatural Body Skill, Frank had already considered that it was possible to put himself into some pain as long as he could heal it afterward.

He knew and had heard that if he were to be too intense, he would most likely ruin his entire Mana Core Cultivation.

If he were to ruin it by shattering his Mana Core, it was possible that he would not be able to form a new one, and that he… would most likely die too.

If the Mana Core shatters, all the divine power he was pouring in would detonate, and his body would be blasted away, his soul, without a fitting vessel, would explode too and form a black hole… and everything would end.

That's why… he needed to be careful…

Slowly…

Steadily…

Frank's eyebrows furrowed even more as he gritted his teeth with even more intensity.

His muscles began to feel pained, as the cells were burning a regenerating constantly.

If it were not because of Supernatural Body and Elemental Ward, this wouldn't be possible.

Frank continued and continued…

This was it.

He felt it.

The flows of divine energy and mana became thinner, as he decided to pour faster while not using as much, and it seemed that such a risky move actually worked.

His Mana Core began to glow faintly once more.

However, it quickly began to glow more intensely.

A bit more…

Just a little bit more…

And…

FLASH!

Finally, Frank got into the part of the cultivation where he needed to pour as much power as he could!

When a Mana Core glowed this brightly, it meant that it was about to ascend on its stage!

However, this was not automatic.

Not even with the System!

It was only automatic if he used Mana Cores, but Rank 4 Mana Cores did not give him anything at this point, absolutely nothing compared to what he needed.

So, Frank relied completely on his own vast Mana quantities and his Divine Soul!

Combining them into a flow of ethereal power, Frank began to pour it all into his Mana Core!

Frank felt a feeling of exhilaration, of intense pain, and power!

The stronger a Magus Became in Ranks, the biggest would be the difference in power in between the Stages of the Mana Core Rank…

Initial Stage, Middle Stage, Upper Stage, and Peak Stage, were the four stages, and Frank was now going from Initial Stage to Middle Stage, the difference between these two was big.

The difference was already big in-between Initial and Middle Stages of Rank 1, now imagining Rank 5 differences, everything became more and more overwhelming…

FLASH!

"Nnngh…!"

Frank gritted his teeth as he bears with the pain, his Mana Core was glowing the brightest he had ever seen it before!

This was… the power of the Rank 5 Mana Core!

Now, he was breaking through the initial limits, and reaching the middle stage!

"(Come on… Come on…!)" thought Frank, putting all of his intent into it!

FLASH!

His Mana Core glowed once more, feeling all the power within!

It was changing, slowly yet steadily… soon enough!

Soon enough…!

SPARK!

However, a strange sound emerged, as Frank noticed that his Mana Core was releasing sparks?

Suddenly, a tremendous pain took hold of his entire being!

CRASH!

"Unnghhh…!"

Something went bad!

Frank had done it too intensively, and as if it were trying to punish his rashness, the Mana Core itself released a powerful Divinity-charged spark of pure mana into his entire body!

Frank felt as his flesh was burned and regenerate quickly… but it was incredibly painful.

However, the Mana Core continued to glow anyways!

"(There is still a chance…!)" thought Frank, battling against his own Mana Core!

FLASH!

He poured more energy into it, but this time slowly and steadily…

Like filling a glass of water…

Serenity…

Calmness…

Concentration…

Balance…

Until finally…

Frank finally felt it.

His Mana Core finally advanced to the Middle Stage, as it glowed with new light!

New Mana was produced as well, and all of his magic power seemed to have been enhanced!

"Finally…" sighed Frank.

Ding!

[Congratulations, you have broken through Rank 5 Initial Stage, ascending into Rank 5 Middle Stage!]

[All of your stats have increased]

[Skill Proficiency Bonus Earned]

[Experience Points Bonus Earned]

[App Points Bous Earned]

"Haahh…"

Frank was incredibly tired, sitting over his bed while extending his arms and stretching his aching body…

Although most of the damage was healed already, he began to use Lifeblood Bestowal to heal himself a bit faster, his muscles and everything ached terribly, and he felt like he had become an old man all out of a sudden.

Frank was sitting on his bed within Gwendolyn's house, or Yurei, as it is called now, inside of his own Divine Realm.

Almost a month ago Acacia Town was officially reconstructed inside of his Divine Realm, alongside that, it was steadily expanding around.

Unlike his Mind Realm, the Divine Realm had solid earth, atmosphere, and even an artificial sun made of light and fire magic, and even a moon at night, which was somewhat synchronized to the outside world.

The landmass of his Divine Realm was incredibly big, having the size of whole Texas, and surrounded by a beautiful and vast blue sea, where even fish and other creatures lived, even monsters would sometimes emerge, although they were peaceful unlike the ones found in dungeons and would not attack unless provoked.

The land area was made of vast green plains, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountain areas, with a middle-sized desert and dune area and a volcano to the south, which made that area a volcanic and hot place.

To the north of this small continent/island, there were an icy sea and snow forests alongside a few mountains covered in snow as well.

People made their home into the west, where there was the fresh sea bringing fish and other seafood, alongside a large and bountiful forest to their right where they were able to hunt animals and monsters there as well.

With his help, people had already begun to plant all types of Monster Plants, which could grow incredibly fast and give fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains to the people to sustain themselves.

After this little intervene and help at the start, Frank saw how the people became self-sustainable rather quickly, and as they were hard worker farmers, they were able to do a lot of things by themselves.

Alongside this, this Divine Realm felt beautiful and peaceful, and incredibly big as well, the people felt like they migrated into another world or area of Terra where they were able to finally prosper.

A lot of people in poverty such as orphans were helped by him after Zero had asked him if he had some mercy left for the young children she once took care of when she was alive.

Frank, who now had the means to protect people for real, had accepted and had been teaching them how to hunt and prosper, he had even built a giant house for them, with many rooms, bathrooms, and more.

Alongside this, Frank was preparing and making his people stronger.

He had shared the System with them and had taught them about levels, Skills, and more, and everyone was now improving themselves, growing stronger, to one day perhaps be useful to him.

There were already some talented young men and women that could become powerful allies or lead armies for him in the future, as long as they could keep advancing and progressing.

Vheslia had opened an Alchemy School where she taught alchemy to those interested in it, and if she were to manage to get enough competent alchemists in some time, the production of cultivation resources would become faster.

Frank planned to temporarily make a guild in the capital and make connections with the Eastgrande Family, which knew about the artifacts that could revive his parents.

Due to this, he needed at least 20 members, so he would have to use the most talented people around Acacia to fill up the slots left after his friends and family were added to it.

Frank sighed in relief as he quickly stood up and disappeared.

He opened his eyes once more as he found himself inside a very refined carriage, surrounded by his friends and family.

"Ah, you finally woke up," said Vheslia.

"It seems that you already got into Middle Stage, well done, I couldn't expect less from you," said Gwendolyn, snuggling Frank with her arms and tail.

"It was rough, but I somewhat managed…" he sighed.

"Good thing you're back because we already are here!" said Annabelle, pointing at the window of the carriage, as Frank saw an immense city… this was Westwind's Capital.

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