"In this state, you don't use mana or aura only to activate skills or techniques," Hale continued. "Instead, you let it flow continuously through your body, perfectly integrating it with your physical movements."

He tapped his chest.

"Your mana circulates with your body, moving naturally as you move. Every action is supported by mana, not forced by it."

He shook his head slightly.

"Of course, this is very difficult. That's why in the first year, we won't expect full mastery," Hale said. "We will first teach you how to make mana flow properly into your hands, so your strikes become stronger and more efficient."

"Is this why you said we aren't using 100 percent of our power?" a student asked.

Hale nodded. "Yes. We are all awakened, not mortals. So why rely only on your physical body? You must use your mana as well."

He continued, "Our bodies are naturally strengthened by mana, but that still isn't our true limit. When you can make mana flow and resonate with your bones, muscles, and nerves—that is the real stage of power."

He looked around the room. "For now, all of you greenhorns are still far from achieving that."

Hale crossed his arms. "You need strong mana control and a strong body. The Mana Fusion state cannot be used for long. Beginners can only maintain it for a short time before their bodies start breaking down."

"So we will begin with basic practice," he said, and the students nodded.

Mike smiled quietly.

I should find more story-type dungeons if I can, he thought. If I meet masters like this, my combat power will rise fast. I'm pretty sure mana fusion isn't common knowledge yet. Maybe a few people in the academy know about it, but it's not public.

That gives me an even bigger advantage.

Still smiling, Mike joined the group training along with the others.

Training continued after that.

And apart from combat classes there were also theory classes and magic practice classes all covering the knowledge aspect also.

The next few weeks were brutal.

The mornings were for physical conditioning. Running, lifting weighted equipment, balance drills, and endurance training. Hale pushed them hard. No mana at first—just raw physical effort. Many students complained, but Hale ignored them.

"Your body must be able to handle mana before you force it inside," he said. "Otherwise, you'll break."

Afternoons were for controlled mana flow. Students practiced guiding mana only into their hands and arms. Most struggled. Mana leaked, movements became stiff, and fatigue came fast.

Mike followed the instructions carefully.

He limited himself on purpose. No Sword Saint. No Beast Overlord. He trained like everyone else, but his control improved faster. His mana flow became smoother, more stable.

Weeks turned into months.

By the third month, many students could strengthen their strikes with mana, but only for short bursts. Their hands shook afterward. Some even injured themselves.

Mike never overdid it.

By the sixth month, Hale finally nodded in approval.

"Today," Hale announced, "you will attempt Mana Fusion Stage One."

The room went quiet.

"This stage is called Manasteel," Hale said. "Your mana will reinforce your muscles, bones, and skin. Not fully. Not permanently. Just enough to harden your body."

He looked around sharply. "If you force it, you will injure yourself. If you lose control, I will stop you."

Students took their positions.

Mike closed his eyes.

He slowed his breathing and let mana flow naturally—not pushing it, not pulling it. He remembered Hale's words: let it move with the body.

Mike closed his eyes as he entered into focused state.

Mana gathered only in his hand.

Not his arms. Not his body.

Just his hand.

Mike shut everything else out and focused completely. Unlike using skills or casting magic—where mana flowed automatically through established magic veins—this was different. Much harder.

He had to coat every part of his hand manually.

Mana wrapped around his bones, seeped into his muscles, threaded through his nerves, and settled beneath the skin. Nothing was allowed to overflow. Nothing could be uneven.

His fingers felt heavy.

Dense.

As if they were being dipped into molten metal and pulled back out, reshaped from the inside.

Sweat rolled down Mike's forehead.

His body straining.

Even with full concentration, keeping the mana stable was exhausting. One mistake and the mana would either leak out or damage his hand.

This is Manasteel… Stage One, he thought, steadying his breathing.

His hand now carried a faint metallic like sheen. It was not perfect like Hale whose hands looked like normal despite using Manasteel.

Still it was progress.

Mike opened his eyes.

Hale was watching him closely, saying nothing.

Mike stepped forward and threw a single, controlled punch at the reinforced training dummy.

Thud.

A sharp crack spread across the dummy's surface.

Just a small one.

Mike immediately relaxed his hand and pulled the mana back.

The metallic sensation faded, replaced by a dull ache and heat in his palm.

His hand trembled slightly.

Hale nodded once.

"Good," he said. "That is beginner stage Manasteel—short burst of power"

Mike exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers as sweat dripped from his chin.

This really is hard, he thought. And this is only the first stage.

Hale looked at Mike for a few seconds longer, his sharp eyes examining Mike's hand as if he could see the strain left inside the muscles and bones.

Then he spoke.

"Don't use it again for at least a week," Hale said calmly.

A few students nearby stiffened when they heard that.

Mike looked up. "A week?"

Hale nodded. "Yes. Manasteel stresses your body from the inside. Bones, nerves, muscles—everything is forced to handle mana at a level it isn't used to yet."

He tapped his own hand lightly. "If you keep using it now, you'll cause micro-fractures, nerve damage, or mana backlash. Those injuries don't heal easily."

" Of course if any of you have regeneration type skill then it's okay to use it before the one week limit" Hale added as Mike bitterly smiled.

" I guess you don't have it" he said as Mike nodded.

" Then I recommend the Abandoned cave dungeon of academy there you can get the Regeneration skill among the monster drops" Hale said as he looked at all of them.

" All of you who don't have the Regeneration skill should also go there" he said as everyone nodded.

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