"It's pretty simple, I basically used my Magic to strengthen my body...healing manipulates the body, usually it just accelerates the body's natural healing, but I figured out how to break through that restriction and use it to modify my body.

Well, it has its limits, if I overdo it, my body falls apart, it's really hard to repair that kind of damage. And it's super tricky too, if I don't do it right, parts of me end up mutating or at least looking uneven or lopsided.

I realized that Potential is a restriction, a limitation that can't be exceeded...at least, not permanently. If I push my body past my Potential, it doesn't take long before my skin tears apart, my organs rupture, my bones break...it's pretty rough.

I also realized that it's pretty much impossible to fully max out Potential...after endlessly experimenting on myself, my current state is my body optimized to its peak, but there's still a slight disparity between my Power Level and Potential," He explained, before holding up his left arm.

His forearm suddenly beefed up, growing more muscular, before his skin suddenly ruptured, blood spraying out and splattering across the floor, before his arm returned to normal.

The wounds closed up rapidly as he healed himself, letting out a quiet sigh.

I've never seen Healing Magic used like this, I don't anyone's ever even considered such an unusual application of it. Impressive...

"That explains your Power Level being so high, relative to your Potential, but your level of mastery over your Magic is insane," I responded in bemusement.

"Yeah, after I Awakened and found out that I was a Healer, I didn't want to be relegated to a support role, so I began experimenting to try and figure out a way that I'd be able to fight too," He replied with a grin, before adding sheepishly, "Also, uh, sorry about getting blood on the floor, my bad."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. Tell me, what you did to your arm, can you do that to others? Like, could you forcibly mutate their bodies?" I asked him.

"Sadly, no, I can only do it to myself. I did try that on some Monsters when we were sent on raids for our Practical Training Exams, but it didn't work, it had no effect on them," He shook his head with a sigh.

"From the look of it, you decided to go for a strength-build over a more agile one. Mind if I ask why?" I inquired, as I gave him a glance-over.

"Uh...I don't know, I didn't really think about it. I was just focused on modifying my body to be stronger, like making my bones and muscles more durable.

Though, I can temporarily boost my agility by modifying my body's flexibility, particularly around the joints, but I have to simultaneously heal myself constantly to maintain that-...otherwise my body falls apart...-which is a pretty heavy drain on my Mana."

"I see. Gotta say, this is really encouraging...since both of you are already pretty much set as far as power goes, we can just focus on honing and sharpening your skills and technique.

Well, since you're both Support Mages, I suppose we'll mainly be working on stuff like casting speed, staying calm and maintaining a clear head during battle, stuff like th-...," I began.

"Wait! I know it's pretty unorthodox, but I'd really like to fight on the front line instead of just hanging back!" Protested Brid, staring at me hopefully.

"Well, you are pretty strong, but still...without resistances, you're vulnerable against Monsters with Elemental attacks or those that inflict Status Effects.

And compromising by putting you in the middle line would be pointless since you don't have ranged attacks," I mused, as I mulled over the options.

"I know, but-...!"

"While you may be an Ace, as a Support Mage, you're physically on the level of a K-Ranked Combatant. Which is good enough for High Level Dungeons or lower, but it'll be out of the question in Critical Level Dungeons, to say nothing of Calamity Levels. So, I'm sorry, but I can't fulfill your request," I stated firmly.

"He's right, you know. I get how you feel, but we can't just let you recklessly expose yourself to avoidable risk," Chimed in Aria.

Hm, she's been mostly hanging back this whole time, wonder why she's being so quiet?

"Okay, then...I guess I'll just have to change your mind. Take a good look at my Aura...now, [Limit Breaker] and [Unlimited Regeneration]!" He exclaimed, my eyes widening as his Aura erupted in scale.

Holy...

Let's see...woah, all his stats, except MP, have effectively tripled. Temporary or not, he's crossed the threshold into X-Ace territory.

"Woah," Muttered Aria in surprise.

"I see, you've pushed past your limits, and you're maintaining it by constantly healing yourself. Based on the rate at which your Mana is depleting, I'd estimate you can maintain this state for about...ten minutes with a full tank of Mana," I surmised, as I stared in fascination.

"Yeah, that's exactly right! But this is just the most extreme way to use my original Spells. The more practical way I use them is in short bursts...like, I'll briefly strengthen my arms when I'm about to strike with my weapon-...I use a warhammer, by the way...-or give myself a sudden boost in speed by strengthening my legs for an instant.

But that's hard to demonstrate in an enclosed space like this, so I figured this'd be a better way to show you," He replied, before reverting back to his normal state as he deactivated his Spells.

"Alright, then...we'll have you go through a few sparring matches to assess your combat ability before I make my decision," I replied with a nod, his face lighting up before I glanced at Iqra, "So, what about you? Are you alright with a standard support role?"

"Y-Yes, I-I can only evade, I-I can't attack or fight," She responded.

"Got it. Have you two been on a raid together before? Have you seen each other in action?" I asked them.

"No, we were in different classes," Answered Brid with a shake of his head.

"I see. Well, alright, then...once again, welcome to the Sinners Guild, you two," I remarked with a smile.

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