Investing in My Harem in the Apocalypse Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 37: Mana Core — Cain’s Hidden Ability (1)

Chapter 37: Mana Core — Cain’s Hidden Ability (1)

Nathan turned the translucent panel so the others could read it clearly.

[Wind Mana Core]

[Rank: First Echelon]

[Stage: Newly Formed]

[Core Stages]

[Newly Formed → Stabilized → Solidified → Tempered → Flawless → Perfected]

Elara stepped closer and studied the information.

"What do those stages represent?"

Nathan focused on the newly formed Core inside his body.

Although it had already stabilized enough to circulate Mana, he could still feel faint fluctuations whenever it absorbed too much energy at once.

"My Mana Core has only just formed, so it’s currently at the Newly Formed stage."

He raised one hand.

Green Wind gathered around his palm, rotating in a steady current.

"The Core still needs to absorb more Mana and refine it before it can become completely stable. Once that happens, it should reach the Stabilized stage."

"And after Stabilized comes Solidified," Cain said.

Nathan nodded.

"The System says Solidified is the minimum stage required to advance to the Second Echelon."

He moved farther down the information.

"I’ll also need to reach the First-Echelon Level limit. Once both conditions are fulfilled, I should receive another Advancement Mission."

Cain stared at the list.

Solidified was only the third stage.

That meant Nathan could attempt to advance without reaching Tempered, Flawless, or Perfected.

Elara noticed the same thing.

"What happens if you continue improving the Core instead of advancing immediately?"

Nathan checked the additional information.

"The later the stage, the stronger the foundation."

Two more lines appeared beneath the Core stages.

[The quality of the Core determines the efficiency of Mana refinement, elemental amplification, and the physical reinforcement received during the next Echelon advancement.]

[Advancing with a higher-stage Core will produce a stronger transformation and provide greater potential for future evolution.]

Ron rubbed his chin.

"So a person with a Solidified Core and someone with a Perfected Core can both become Second-Echelon Awakeners."

Then looked at Nathan.

"But the one with the Perfected Core will receive a much greater increase?"

"That’s what the System is implying."

Ron frowned at the stage list.

"Then why would anyone advance at Solidified?"

"To become stronger sooner," Cain replied.

Someone who entered the Second Echelon early would immediately gain the advantages of a higher rank.

Their stats would increase, their Mana would become stronger, and the Core itself would undergo another transformation.

That advantage could be extremely important during the apocalypse.

However, rushing forward also meant sacrificing part of their future potential.

A person who advanced with a Solidified Core might dominate others at first, but someone who waited until their Core reached Flawless or Perfected would possess a much stronger foundation after reaching the same Echelon.

The difference might not remain limited to one advancement.

Every future transformation would be built upon the Core that came before it.

A weak foundation could become an increasingly serious problem later.

Cain folded his arms.

"Don’t rush your advancement."

Nathan looked toward him.

"Reaching the Perfected stage might take a long time."

"It doesn’t matter."

Cain glanced at the Core panel again.

"We don’t know how much stronger the later Echelons will become. Advancing early for a temporary advantage would only cripple your growth in the future."

Nathan had already reached the same conclusion.

"Alright, I’ll improve it as far as I can before advancing."

Ron released a helpless sigh.

"You two are already discussing the Second Echelon when I haven’t even reached Level 25."

Cain looked at him.

"That sounds like a you problem."

"It became my problem because you gave most of the kills to Nathan and Elara."

"You received a Rare-rank spear."

"That doesn’t give experience."

"It stops you from dying before gaining experience."

Ron opened his mouth, but Elara interrupted before another argument began.

"How do you improve the Mana Core’s stage?"

Nathan returned his attention to the information.

"There are several methods."

He closed his hand, causing the Wind around his fingers to disperse.

"The safest one is absorbing Mana naturally from the surroundings. My Core can draw it in, refine it, and slowly improve itself."

"That sounds easy," Ron said.

"It is... though, It’s also the slowest one."

Nathan could already feel small traces of Mana entering his body through the surrounding air. The Wind Mana Core refined that energy before adding it to his reserve, but the amount remained extremely small.

Depending on natural absorption alone could take a very long time.

"What else?" Cain asked.

"Absorbing energy from other Cores."

Nathan paused for a moment, then continued, "The energy needs to be safe and compatible. Absorbing something harmful could damage the Core instead of strengthening it."

Cain’s eyes shifted toward the Ironhide Tyrant’s corpse.

Nathan continued before Cain moved.

"Mana crystals and elemental resources can also help. Wind-attributed resources should be especially effective for me."

That method would likely become one of the fastest ways to strengthen a Core.

Unfortunately, they had not encountered a Mana crystal or any resource containing concentrated Wind energy yet.

"Core circulation and refinement also improve it," Nathan explained. "The more often Mana passes through the Core, the more stable and refined it becomes."

Jack glanced toward the bow in Nathan’s hand.

"So using Skills counts as training?"

"Yes."

Nathan rested his hand against his chest.

"Combat should be even more effective, especially after I consume a large portion of my Mana. Exhausting the Core and recovering afterward places it under pressure."

Ron’s expression became strange.

"You need to empty your Mana to strengthen the Core?"

"Not completely."

Nathan shook his head.

"Pushing it during battle should improve it faster, but doing that carelessly would be dangerous."

Cain understood the general process.

Natural absorption could steadily improve the Core without danger.

Resources would accelerate its growth, while circulation refined the energy already stored inside.

Combat placed the Core under enough pressure to force further development.

Using only one method would be inefficient and combining them would provide the best result.

Cain looked at Nathan.

"Then keep circulating your Mana while we travel."

Nathan nodded.

Cain added, "And don’t hold back too much during battle. Use enough Mana to pressure the Core without exhausting yourself completely."

Ron gave him an incredulous look.

"You’re speaking as though you’ve had a Core for years."

"I have common sense."

"You have a dragon living inside your body. Nothing about you is common."

Cain stared at him.