The machinery within this location is falling firmly within my expectations given what has been observed within the site so far. Nor is the state unexpected, given the fact that this area has been dealing with an extended mana leak. The corrosion is exactly what I would anticipate from the kind of leak that we've already seen taking place. With that being said, that is certainly not a reason for disappointment. Rather, it affirms the conclusions that I had reached to begin with.

Still, I want to see far more exciting things then this. Why else would I be here?

In any case---

"Reactivating an ancient machine? Well, I can't deny that should be intriguing."

The obvious solution is a simple one. Not something that takes a genius intellect, but alas.

"Leave it to me."

I raise my staff once more.

Directly compressing the damage won't do. While I can certainly use such methods offensively, all that would do is result in even greater damage to the leaking tube when the duration of my command included.

Rather, as with many things, simple thoughtless brute force isn't sufficient.

The threads of myself reach out once again. This time, they're not pushing anything away, but rather wrapping around it. An invisible cube around the damaged tube, not the entire tube but rather the spot where the damage is specifically. But I'm not grasping the tube with the threads of me.

I'm clutching the space around it. It is, I suppose, still somewhat akin to brute force, but still a far more refined way of utilizing it.

"Compress."

The threads of myself become like fingers, a squeezing vice the instant the word leaves my lips. From all angles, they push, collapsing the space where the damage located. And, with a grinding, grating sound, the leak is beginning to be squeezed shut, the pressure being exerted upon it causing the gash to become tighter and tighter, with less and less space for the gaseous mana to escape.