“Take your time. Feel your energy move through your body with every swing,” Old Saber said.

Zane focused his mind inward and did his best to follow Old Saber’s advice. He was unsuccessful. Zane tried multiple times and failed multiple times to properly control the internal energy or stamina within his body.

By gaining basic mastery of his stamina, Zane would be able to unleash more powerful attacks while using less energy. Old Saber demonstrated his control over his stamina in his spars with Zane. The Messenger told everyone they had twenty-four hours to decide if they wanted to go home or go to the new world. Zane decided to use that time receiving training from Old Saber.

After some time passed Old Saber called for a break. “You’re doing very well. I can sense you’re making great progress.”

“That’s a surprise. Because I don’t feel like I’m making any progress.” Zane collapsed onto the ground with his arms and legs spread out.

“It took me more than a decade to achieve basic mastery of my internal energy. I’m confident you will be successful in less than a year.”

Zane let out a groan of complaint in his mind. Old Saber’s words weren’t as comforting as he thought they were. Zane was confident he could achieve basic mastery of his stamina in a year without Old Saber’s help. That meant Old Saber’s advice wasn’t helping him improve at all.

Of course, the only reason Zane felt upset about his progress was because he was comparing himself to others. Old Saber thought Zane was doing well because he was comparing Zane to himself. Zane thought he was doing bad because he was comparing himself to the talented people he read about in the library.

“We should get going it’s almost time to leave. You can recover while we walk.”

Standing up, Zane followed Old Saber to the center of the village. As he walked toward the village, Zane took a glance at the tree that was connected to the death of more than a thousand people. The tree still had its dark bark, but its branches were now covered with bright red leaves.

The tree completed the process it was going through, but it still had the dark red barrier around it. Anyone that tried to bypass the barrier was given a painful lesson on why that was a bad idea. It didn’t take long for people to stop focusing on the tree and start focusing on the rewards they received for the quest.

A few people obtained the opportunity to bring a person back to life. More than three hundred people came back to life, but both of the people involved in the revival had to pay a price. The price could be a loss of levels, stats, talents, or skills.

Most people only received items or knowledge that could help them on their path. Some people received skills or obtained new talents. Also, everyone received who accepted the quest to protect the new creation obtained a new title.

Title: Protector of Life

As you have protected life, the power of life shall protect you.

Vitality and Endurance increased by 100 stat points

Item Name: Tri Weapon Ring

Item Type: Accessory

Tier: 1

Level: 75

Durability: 250/250

Grade: Unique

Description: A well-crafted ring enhanced by a powerful enchanter. The ring provides a unique space to hold weapons and recover their durability. This ring increases the wearers vitality, endurance and strength.

Abilities: Weapon Slot 0/9, +100 End, +75 Vit, +25 Str, Durability recovers by 1 point an hour.

Requirements: Level 71, Martial Weapon Class

In addition to a title, Zane received a resource that was capable of upgrading one of his items. He thought about using it on his training gear, but the resource wouldn’t improve the entire set. Zane didn’t want to cause an imbalance and decided to use it on his ring instead.

Zane was more than satisfied with the results. The best part of the upgrade was his ring’s new ability to restore the durability of his weapons. Zane relied on the market and Shane to restore his weapons while he was in the starting village. When he went to the new world. Zane didn’t know if he would be able to find someone who knew how to restore weapons. Even if they did know how they may not be able to restore the weapons Zane used.

As Zane went over the recent events in his mind he quickly arrived at the center of the village with Old Saber. There were a crowd of people surrounding the hut at the center. Zane took a look around and quickly spotted Sophie standing with the other members of the group.

“Did everyone make their decision?” Zane asked.

“Yup, were all heading back home,” Brad said. “Although we won’t be able to quickly level up back home, we think it’s important that we go back to protect the people that will be vulnerable.”

“That’s why you want to go back,” Sam added. “Most of us are tired of the fighting and want a break.”

“Emphasis on most,” Britney said. “I would definitely go if my sister wouldn’t have a panic attack in my absence.” Whitney hugged Britney’s arm with a smile and Britney rolled her eyes in response.

The Messenger answered some questions to help people make their choice. She explained that mana creatures only existed in the world of the system. If people chose to return home, they, would have to rely on other avenues to obtain experience needed to gain levels. Also, she mentioned that not everyone came to the starting village.

Plenty of people were still at level one without a class. This detail motivated Brad to return to his home world so he can protect them. He was worried that people would use their new strength to harm others.

“I’m heading back home too. Someone has to look out for our little brothers and sister,” Sophie said. Zane wasn’t surprised by Sophie’s decision, and he gave her a nod of encouragement. The decision she made was the one that suited her path best.

“We’re heading back as well,” Lana said. “It would be better to head back together than to go to the new world and be separated.”

Everyone would be separated once they entered the new world. There were no tricks or skills that people could use to stay together. This fact made many people reject going to the new world.

“I decided to accept the call,” Jason said.

Zane was a bit surprised by Jason’s decision. Going to the new world wasn’t a bad idea for him, but Zane expected him to stay home and study magic. Exploring an unknown world should have been less appealing to Jason.

“I’ll be accepting the call too,” Shawn said.

“You’re going too?” Zane asked. He expected Shawn to head back and stay in the forest. Going on an adventure to a new world shouldn’t be something he was interested in.

“Yes, I want to see the type of trees that could be found in another world.”

“Same here,” Jason added. “I mean, I want to see what kind of magic that world has.”

The world began to make sense again. The tree fanatic and the magic fanatic were searching for their next fix. Zane had thought the two of them had developed a sudden taste for adventure.

Diana and Old Saber would be going as well. Both of them were interested in the adventures they could have in a new world. Shane had decided to stay back and work on his smithing skills.

Naturally, Zane decided to go to the new world as well. Teacher Isabelle told him to leave his hometown and explore the world. If he chose to go back, he wouldn’t be able to do that.

Currently the rest of the world was still experiencing the effects of the mana surge. The wilderness was filled with chaotic mana and there was no way for people to travel. At best, Zane would be able to explore the forest surrounding his hometown. The rest of his time would be spent training in his backyard and fighting in the Stadium. It wasn’t the worst way to spend his time, but Zane wanted to do more.

Suddenly, a Messenger appeared in midair while everyone was talking. Quickly the conversation began to die out and silence soon reigned over the area. The Messenger was a man with fair skin and brown hair.

“Greetings adventurers. All of you had ample time to make your decision. Those who wish to go to the new world. please step forward and enter the gate, now.”

The hut at the center of the village suddenly transformed into a multicolored vortex. Everyone hesitated for a few seconds but began to move forward after the Messenger spoke a few words of encouragement. Zane and the others said their final goodbyes before they separated. Zane and the four others confidently walked toward the gate. They were all eager to see what the new world would have to offer.