The Overlooked Hero Breaks the System

The morning air was crisp, carrying the distant clang of weapons from the training fields. The summoned students moved through the palace grounds, still sore from yesterday's drills.

Rei walked with Squad Nine toward their assigned training area. His muscles ached, but he paid little attention to it. His mind was on something else—mana regeneration.

Yesterday, he had confirmed that Limit Breaker worked on mana. But no matter how much mana he had, if his regeneration rate was too low, he wouldn't be able to sustain prolonged enhancement.

That was a problem.

And today, he intended to fix it.

Mana Endurance Training

Instructor Garrick was waiting for them in the training yard, arms crossed. Unlike the physical combat drills from the previous day, today's session involved mana control exercises.

"For those of you who rely on magic," Garrick began, his sharp gaze moving across the group, "raw power means nothing if you don't have the stamina to sustain it. A mage who runs out of mana is as useless as a swordsman with a broken blade."

Kai swallowed hard. "That doesn't sound good."

Ethan nudged him. "You're the only mage here. Better start preparing yourself."

Rei said nothing. He wasn't a combat mage, but enhancement magic still consumed mana. If he wanted to stay ahead, he needed to increase his mana recovery.

Garrick turned to a robed woman standing beside him. "This is Instructor Lynelle. She specializes in mana endurance training."

The woman—Lynelle—had long silver hair tied in a loose braid. Her eyes glowed faintly with mana as she addressed the squad.

"We will begin with basic mana flow exercises," she said. "This will determine how efficiently you can circulate your mana and how fast it regenerates."

She raised a hand, and thin blue strands of energy appeared around her fingers. "Your goal is simple. Channel mana in a continuous flow for as long as possible. The longer you maintain it, the better your mana recovery will become over time."

She gestured toward a series of circular stone platforms. "Step onto one and begin."

Each student stepped onto a platform. As soon as Rei set foot on his, he felt a subtle pull—an invisible force designed to drain mana.

Lynelle's voice echoed across the field. "This formation will absorb a portion of your mana over time. The goal is to resist the drain and maintain your flow."

Kai took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he raised his hand. A faint glow of blue mana surrounded his fingertips.

Ethan's brows furrowed as he tried the same, though his mana control was weaker. Dante struggled, his warrior class not suited for mana-intensive techniques.

Rei focused inward, letting his mana circulate. The moment he activated Minor Reinforcement, he felt the mana drain accelerate.

His energy was leaking faster than he could recover it.

It was subtle, but it confirmed what he had suspected—his regeneration was too slow.

Minutes passed, and one by one, students ran out of mana and had to stop.

Kai lasted the longest, keeping his flow active for almost fifteen minutes before his mana pool emptied.

Lynelle observed them carefully. "Mana endurance is not just about how much you have—it is about how efficiently you use it. The more you refine your control, the longer you will last."

Rei clenched his fingers. If he wanted to sustain Limit Breaker's effects for extended periods, he needed to improve.

And fast.

After training, Lynelle gathered the students and provided individual feedback.

"You," she said, stopping in front of Rei. "Your mana circulation is stable, but your regeneration is too slow."

Rei nodded. "How do I improve it?"

She studied him for a moment before answering. "There are three ways. First, increasing your total mana pool—but that won't fix the regeneration issue directly. Second, developing better mana efficiency—using less mana for the same effect."

She paused before continuing. "And third—gaining a skill that actively enhances mana recovery."

Rei processed her words carefully. If he wanted to fix his weakness immediately, a skill was the fastest option.

Lynelle raised a hand. "Sit and meditate. Focus on the mana in your body. If your control is strong enough, your body may naturally awaken a skill."

Rei sat cross-legged on the training platform.

He closed his eyes, focusing inward.

He visualized his mana—a steady stream, flowing like water. But every time he used it, the stream weakened.

Instead of just letting it flow, he tried something different.

He imagined pulling mana back, resisting the natural drain.

The moment he did, something clicked.

[New Skill Acquired: Mana Breathing]

Effect: Passively increases mana regeneration over time. The effect strengthens when in a meditative state.

Rei exhaled slowly.

It wasn't a huge increase—but he could already feel his mana recovering at a slightly faster rate than before.

Lynelle smiled faintly. "Good. You've unlocked an entry-level recovery skill. Train it, and your endurance will improve."

Rei stood, flexing his fingers. This was what he needed.

But he wasn't done yet.

Permanent Boost: Mana Regeneration

That night, back in his dormitory, Rei sat on his bed. His roommates were already asleep, their breathing slow and steady.

He opened his System Panel.

[System Panel Open]

[Name]: Rei Kain

[Class]: Enhancement Specialist (B)

[Level]: 1

[Experience]: 0 / 100

[Attributes]:

Strength: 12

Agility: 14

Endurance: 15

Mana: 18

Perception: 13

Stamina: 16

[Abilities]:

Minor Reinforcement

Basic Heal

[New Skill Acquired: Mana Breathing]

Passively increases mana regeneration over time. The effect strengthens when in a meditative state.

[Hidden Ability Detected: Limit Breaker]

Permanent Boost Available

Rei didn't hesitate.

[Applying Permanent Boost: Mana Breathing]

A wave of energy surged through him.

His breathing steadied. His body felt lighter, as if an invisible pressure had lifted. Mana pulsed through his veins, stronger and more consistent.

The difference was immediate. His regeneration had increased tenfold.

If before it took minutes to recover, now it would take mere seconds.

Rei closed his panel and exhaled slowly.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he had a real foundation to build upon.

Training would continue tomorrow. But now, he was one step ahead.