The terrifying reality of the Black Zone loomed. "Then how do we proceed, Lyra?" Adam asked, desperation creeping into his voice. "How do I survive for even a minute?"
"It becomes a matter of precision and time management," Lyra replied. "How long can your body endure the mana density before being overwhelmed?"
"What about the tent?" Adam questioned, grasping at straws. "Can it withstand the Black Zone's density?"
"Yes, the Mana-Repelling Tent can withstand significant mana pressure," Lyra confirmed. "However, its absolute limit against the Black Zone's crushing density is unknown. We need a baseline. We should enter the Purple Zone first to assess the environmental stress on the tent's properties and your body's tolerance."
Adam agreed. He packed the tent into his dimension and, with Lyra's guidance, began to move towards the Purple Zone.
Embracing the Purple Zone
As he stepped into the Purple Zone, Adam braced himself. The initial change wasn't as jarring as he'd feared, but as he ventured deeper, the true density began to assert itself. The air itself felt thick, almost viscous, shimmering with palpable mana. The vegetation here was even more intensely crystallized, glowing with an internal, vibrant light.
Adam focused on his breathing, trying to disperse the overwhelming influx of mana. His output felt inadequate against the torrent. He pressed on, determined, Lyra's silence a constant presence in his mind, alerting him only to danger. The Purple Zone was eerily quiet, the only sounds the soft hum of mana and his own strained breathing.
Then, a cough. A painful, wet cough. Adam looked down and saw flecks of blood on his palm. His body was protesting.
"Adam! Set up the tent now!" Lyra commanded, her voice urgent.
He scrambled, his movements stiffening, pain lancing through his chest. He managed to erect the tent, crawling inside as fast as he could. The moment he crossed the barrier, the oppressive weight lifted. The mana was instantly repelled, allowing him to breathe freely, to regulate his internal mana flow. He could feel his body beginning to recover.
Adaptation Through Exposure
"At this rate," Adam panted, leaning against the tent wall, "I can barely stay out for a minute, let alone fight. And I'm coughing blood. The Black Zone will be impossible."
"Correct," Lyra stated. "Your body, while resilient, is unaccustomed to such sustained, high-density mana exposure. However, there is a method of adaptation. By repeatedly exposing yourself to the environment for controlled periods and then retreating into the tent to recover, your body can gradually expand its mana output capacity to better disperse the excess inflow."
Adam looked at the tent, then at the shimmering, dangerous world outside. It was a tedious, agonizing process, but it was their only way forward.
"I understand," Adam said, his voice firm.
"Let's begin. Step out, focus on dispelling, step back in. Repeat." lyra stated.
He spent hours in this grueling cycle. He would step out, the mana immediately pressing in, forcing him to concentrate fiercely on pushing it away. He would cough, his muscles would ache, and his head would throb. Then, he'd scramble back into the tent, gasping for air, letting his mana flow stabilize. Each time he stepped out, he pushed for a few more seconds, a few more breaths.
Slowly, painstakingly, it became easier. His mana output expanded, able to handle the Purple Zone's density for longer periods. The coughing subsided. His body, through sheer force of will and Lyra's precise guidance, was adapting. He felt a quiet triumph with each small victory.
"With this consistent training and the lack of high-tier predators in this region, we can effectively build your body's tolerance to the Purple Zone's mana," Lyra confirmed. "This will be crucial for even momentary survival within the Black Zone."