Burning the remaining Endurance Incense stick, Theo focused on his breathing and the crystal shard in his hand. In no time, 30 minutes passed. G spoke up with analysis:

  Analysis of second interval training session: Average absorption efficiency decreased 30% compared to morning session. 9% efficiency in first five minutes, then maintained at 77% for remaining 25 minutes. Overall average efficiency: 66%.

  Theo tiredly ate the remaining half of the Tranquil Mint Cake. The gentle sweetness and cool sensation helped him struggle to keep his mind clearer and restore his spirit, preparing for the final training session in the evening.

  Exhausted from preparing dinner, Theo ate while instructing Liam about Mana absorption training with the two items he'd just created. Though Liam wasn't very interested in Mana—compared to Shadow Step and Remnant Wind—he still concentrated on Theo's explanation. This was both habit and Liam's own awareness: he was belligerent, not stupid; Mana would make him stronger, an undeniable fact.

  Dinner passed quickly while Theo explained Mana's applications to give Liam some direction for the future path he'd chosen.

  Soon it was time to absorb Mana. Theo discovered something: using one incense stick simultaneously for two people would save more than half while not reducing its effectiveness. Both Theo and Liam entered the absorption state together.

  Completing the third time, G also announced:

  Analysis of third interval training session: Average absorption efficiency decreased 40% compared to morning session. 7% efficiency in first 7 minutes, then maintained at 56% for remaining 23 minutes. Overall average efficiency: 45%.

  Theo frowned; efficiency dropped significantly as expected due to accumulated fatigue.

  G continued: Total efficiency across all three sessions is 66%.

  Theo pondered G's figures. Compared to the 51% efficiency of the first absorption session—when he used no support items and was nearly mentally exhausted—the overall 66% efficiency of three interval training sessions was significant progress.

  Splitting the training time had succeeded in reducing the negative impact of mental fatigue on the body. However, this method also cost him more preparation time than concentrating on a single session. Theo recognized that both methods had their own advantages and disadvantages.

  After some consideration, Theo decided to combine both to create the most optimal schedule: mornings would use half a stick of incense for 30 minutes of practice, while evenings would be 60 minutes with Liam to conserve resources. He also ordered G to adjust the timing of using Tranquil Mint Cakes—from now on, he would eat it right before practice so the mind-stabilizing effect would activate from the start, allowing the cake to digest in time for training.

  Finally, to have an accurate unit of measurement, Theo told G: "Define 100% absorption of the first time as 10 Mana." From now on, all Mana energy he absorbed would be converted by G into this new unit, eliminating the ambiguity of percentage units.

  Theo glanced at Liam. 36 minutes had passed, but he was still immersed in the Mana absorption state, showing no signs of waking. This made Theo curious.

  "Could Liam's mental capacity be greater than mine?"—Theo thought quietly, feeling this was absurd. Physically, he might not match Liam, but mentally was different. His extremely high concentration and analytical abilities were a gift from his past life, while Liam was just average.

  Theo ordered: "G, analyze."

  G immediately quoted:

  "Those with high talent will have longer training periods"—excerpt from Half-Elf Eldrin Lyrevine, the legendary Wandering Bard—Collection of Stories Once Told. "Although this is folk information whose truth cannot be verified, analysis suggests: High magical perception ability allows mental force to use less effort to draw Mana, thus leading to higher absorption time and overall efficiency. Therefore, it can be concluded that because Liam's Mana perception ability is higher than yours, even though he has less mental force, he absorbs longer."

  Theo felt some admiration for Liam. Though this friend only loved his short spear, that innate talent was truly undeniable.

  Just as he finished admiring, Liam woke up. He grabbed the Tranquil Mint Cake, devouring it as if trying to use the sweet and cool taste to push back the headache.

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  Liam groaned, hands clutching his temples: "Damn it, Theo! This feeling is ten times worse than being slashed! My head feels like it's about to explode."

  Theo burst out laughing, shaking his head with a teasing voice: "Stop complaining. You think I'm having fun? Besides, with your talent, this is already excellent, you fool."

  He stood up to clean the camp: "Go to sleep early. Tomorrow is our last day of preparation. Tomorrow morning we'll buy more dry rations to prepare for any situation. The two Striders have gotten used to our scent too, we can practice riding them tomorrow. I figure that won't take too much time."

  Another day passed. One more day until Theo and Liam would give the most important answer they'd ever given. Though decided, invisible threads of pressure still weighed down on both of them. Well, a new journey, a new vision, a new life full of thorny challenges—no longer peaceful like on Oakhaven land. But of course, crown and golden throne always and only belong to those who pay in blood and tears—excerpt from legendary Mage Kaelus Veridius, also Aethelgard the Great I in Roger's Journey.

  Theo followed the planned schedule. Theo took a Tranquil Mint Cake and ate half. The sharp mint taste dissolved, immediately dispersing all fatigue and helping his spirit reach a state of absolute clarity.

  Only after that did he burn the remaining Endurance Incense. The pungent aroma, slightly fishy scent of the incense spread, forcing all his senses to concentrate intensely, bringing alertness to an almost uncomfortable level. Theo sat down, closed his eyes, focused his will on the C7 cervical vertebra, trying to stabilize the Mana flow for 30 minutes. This process required tremendous mental strain, but he seemed accustomed to it; everything proceeded neatly, orderly, smoothly. Finally cleaning up the camp, Theo once again compiled the list of items to buy today. The list wasn't too long but not too short either, suitable for them to practice riding Striders while completing dry ration preparations.

  Liam was fumbling to help the two Striders with their saddles.

  The Strider saddle was specially designed for birds. It wasn't an ordinary horse saddle but a light, minimalist cushioned frame, made from thin leather and thornwood fiber. The saddle frame hugged the wide, sturdy back of the Strider, right in front of the hind legs, with a large chest strap and two thin belly straps to secure it without affecting their wings and gliding. The seat was mainly a leaf-shaped leather pad, with a low backrest and two stirrups made of tightly woven rattan, ensuring riders could maintain balance without obstructing their long stride.

  Swift seemed uncomfortable with the saddle. It was spinning in circles, somewhat hyperactive, beak chirping softly as if expressing objection to the strange object on its back. In contrast, Shadow was calmer, much more serene. It only occasionally turned its head to look at the saddle then gazed pensively at the grass field beside the oak forest, seemingly considering whether this saddle would affect its comfortable freedom.

  Finally, the two empty travel bags were also neatly placed on the Striders' backs. Everything was ready.

  Theo gently mounted Shadow, while Liam mounted Swift. They patted the two creatures a bit, conveying reassurance, then slowly guided them to take their first steps.

  Controlling Striders was quite easy, not requiring complex reins like horses. They responded mainly to gentle knee pressure on both sides of their flanks and short, simple spoken commands or chirps. Under their masters' gentle control, the two Striders steadily stepped out of the camping area.

  Striders were known as ideal birds for obstacle-crossing travel. They were easy to raise, loyal, and had decent self-defense abilities. They were indispensable members for professions that frequently moved through complex terrain like jungles, hills, valleys—places where horses couldn't go or moved very poorly. Especially with their ability to glide lightly at low levels and sturdy legs, they could ensure maximum safety for their masters and themselves.

  They began testing from slow walks, then gradually increased to a trot and finally a full gallop. Thanks to the balance exercises Theo had designed and practiced with Liam since childhood, both adapted to Strider riding astonishingly. Those exercises had equipped them with high adaptability to inertia and all skills requiring center-of-gravity adjustment.

  Grasping the connection between human and creature, Theo and Liam began pushing Swift and Shadow to maximum speed. G immediately provided an estimate:

  Maximum sprint speed estimated at 75 km/h.

  The sensation of wind whistling past their ears, the violent but still controlled shaking, thrilled both of them immensely. They even tested the Striders' characteristic ability to glide lightly when descending from a low hill. Everything went smoothly and perfectly—as if the Striders' four legs and riders were a unified entity. Indeed, Swift and Shadow were two excellent warrior birds.

  By noon, they gradually moved to the market. Oakhaven town was much busier today, enough time to purchase adequate raw materials. Likely this was the final moment for traveling merchants to collect forest products, so this weekend would be the last bustling days, after which Oakhaven would return to its peaceful scene as before.

  Theo and Liam had to spend quite a lot of time selecting and buying enough types of dry rations, herbs, and necessary items for the long journey. While selecting, Theo and Liam even saw Vesper's mercenary team going in and out of the town's only tavern.

  Theo nodded in greeting to Ryel when they accidentally made eye contact. He was leaning against the door of the inn next to the tavern. Ryel maintained his cold demeanor; he only looked at Theo for a moment then closed his eyes, continuing to play with the sharp arrowhead in his hand. It was an implicit wordless greeting.

  Having the support of two Striders made shopping much easier. Their superior carrying capacity allowed Theo and Liam to save strength and time. They quickly completed shopping, returned to base, and spent the entire afternoon processing the pile of raw materials, ready to prepare into special dry rations for the long journey.