Highstep Reserve came in two pale-green vials. When the attendant scanned their tokens, a brief spark passed between the bottles. Martin caught it this time. The formula had recognized the same two mana signatures before the attendant even removed the stoppers.
The liquid tasted of pine sap and cold mint. Coolness spread through Martin's chest, easing his breathing as he followed Rias onto the ramp.
Their stamina bars barely moved on the first incline. Farther up, the ramp grew steeper and the air thinner. Martin's bound chest armor made each step more expensive than the last, while Rias climbed with shorter, cleaner strides and used far less stamina.
The red line inside Martin's token brightened, and his stamina began falling more slowly. On his next step, Rias's bar dipped even though she had not changed her pace.
Martin stopped climbing. "I'm using your dose."
