Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 241: Western mountain range [1]

M-Master! I-I-It's freezing!" I stammered, my teeth chattering uncontrollably.

"Hmm? Nah, it's just a little bit chillier than usual," Yato casually remarked.

A little bit?! I can't even feel my fingers, you jerk!

The frigid winds mercilessly assaulted my body, causing my nose and fingers to go numb.

It was a struggle to keep my eyes open as I braved the relentless gusts of cold air. And on top of that, we were currently making our way up a snow-covered mountain!

I struggled to maintain my footing on the slippery snowy terrain, occasionally losing my balance and stumbling.

We had arrived in the Western Continent. Where mostly armed soldiers, Heros, and Hunters are placed in.

Why? From My current location, a Few ten thousand kilometres towered in the west are borders between the east and west continents.

There is also a powerful barrier placed so that demons can't come to this side.

In a sense, I can say that I'm very edge of the East Continent.

Anyway, the Teleportation Gate had transported us to the heart of Frost City, a bustling urban centre located near the edge of the Western mountain range.

After hopping on a train, we came to the mountain range and started our trekking, climbing up the mountains in this freezing weather.

"Alright," Yato nodded, a satisfied expression crossing his face for some reason.

He came to a halt and declared, "We'll start your training here."

We had reached a snowy meadow situated on a sloping mountainside.

Though not completely flat, the area provided enough space for movement, and the cliff was a considerable distance away.

So he is going to train me in this cold, huh? Guess I'm going to die.

"Come on, Lucas, cheer up," Yato said with a hint of amusement, pulling out a jacket from the dimensional storage of his smart bracelet.

A glimmer of hope sparked within me as I thought that he would offer the jacket to me, only to be met with disappointment as he casually slipped it on himself.

…What the hell?

"Now, attention!" Yato's voice boomed, causing me to let out a sigh as I snapped to attention, standing upright with my hands firmly clasped behind my back.

"Survival in harsh conditions is a fundamental aspect of heroism. You'll encounter various environments in your journey, and it's crucial to adapt. Today I will teach you about mana coating."

'Mana Coating? What is that?'

"Umm, Master what is a Mana Coating?" I couldn't help but ask. This was the first time I heard that name.

Yato chuckled at my question, the cold air carrying his amusement. "Mana coating is a technique that involves enveloping yourself or objects with your mana. In this case, it's about protecting yourself from the harsh cold. It serves as a layer of insulation."

What again?

Seeing my confusion Yato tries to understand me simply, "Have you ever fused your weapon with mana?"

I nodded my head as I remembered that I had coated my weapon my sword with Mana countless times before.

"It's the same process but instead of your weapon, you will be coating yourself with mana."

Understanding dawned upon me, causing me to furrow my eyebrows in a frown of contemplation. "I see."

So basically, in its natural form, mana resembles a liquid.

And when you channel mana into your weapon, it forms a liquid-like layer on the surface of that weapon, boosting its attack prowess.

This infusion alone can greatly enhance the weapon's power.

With a swift motion, Yato demonstrated by surrounding his body with a faint, shimmering layer of mana. The frosty wind seemed to deflect around him, leaving him unaffected.

"Now, give it a try," Yato encouraged, gesturing for me to attempt the mana coating.

Frowning, I closed my eyes and concentrated on forming a protective layer of mana. It felt like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands – elusive and tricky.

After several failed attempts, Yato intervened. "You are too impatient Lucas, Think of it as an extension of yourself. Your mana is part of you, and coating yourself is merely extending that essence. It's about control, not force."

Taking a deep breath, I attempted to embrace Yato's guidance.

The task of maintaining a constant flow of mana to cover a larger surface area than I was accustomed to when coating weapons was a drag.

But after numerous failed attempts and around thirty to forty minutes later, if not more, a breakthrough finally occurred.

The liquid-like azure mana gradually spread across my figure, creating a shimmering blue aura around my body.

As the layer of mana enveloped my body, I could feel its soothing presence against my skin.

It acted as a barrier, shielding me from the biting cold as if I were wearing a blanket. It was still cold, but nothing unbearable.

However, there was more to it than just warmth. A surge of strength coursed through my muscles.

Yato nodded in approval. "Good, you're getting the hang of it."

"Now, focus on maintaining the coating. This technique isn't just about protection; it enhances your physical abilities too," Yato explained, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement.

I concentrated on sustaining the mana coating, ensuring it enveloped me consistently. The cold, while still present, felt more manageable with the protective layer in place.

Yato gestured for me to move around and perform basic exercises. As I did, I noticed an improvement in my movements. The mana coating seemed to amplify my agility and strength, enhancing my overall physical performance.

"Remember, adaptability is a crucial trait for a hero. The ability to manipulate mana to suit various situations is a skill that will serve you well," Yato continued to provide guidance.

As the training session progressed, Yato introduced variations of mana coating, including offensive applications. Each lesson built upon the previous, expanding my understanding of how mana manipulation could be a versatile tool in different scenarios.

Hours passed, and the snowy meadow became a field of trials. I faced challenges designed to test my control over mana coating, pushing my limits under Yato's watchful eye.

Despite the biting cold, my determination fueled the efforts. Yato's unconventional methods, while demanding, yielded visible results.