Ch.96Chapter 96: Help from Friends

The week of waiting wasn’t long.

Balt never stopped studying aura to better learn the aura techniques Riman would teach him.

In particular, what Balt was most curious about was not the main method of circulating aura throughout the entire body, but rather how to use aura in specific parts of the body.

Of course, he frequently visited the library.

As expected of the continent’s finest academy, Grovint Academy’s library was filled with countless books related to aura and magic.

But books have their limitations.

With the expectation that he might be able to use aura, Balt asked the aura users in his group about aura usage techniques.

Balt’s group included various aura users.

Among humans, there were Irene, Seirun, Victor, Robin, and Lisa, while Sol-fin and Yuria represented other races.

At Balt’s request, his friends eagerly tried to help him as if it were their own concern, with Sol-fin showing particular interest.

This was understandable since, among all races on the continent, the dragon-kin were the only ones besides true dragons who could use both aura and magic.

While the Valentine family existed among humans, their specialty was swordsmanship, and they only used enchantment magic.

Considering that true dragons rarely learn aura thanks to their dragon language magic, dragon-kin were the only ones who properly handled both powers.

“Is that possible?”

Balt nodded at Sol-fin’s question.

“Yes, Professor Riman was certain, so there’s a high probability it will work.”

Balt’s answer gave everyone something to think deeply about.

Seirun, who had the most interest in aura and scholarly passion, offered his opinion.

“Partial aura manipulation… there are several methods, but their effectiveness… Partial aura techniques are primarily improvised measures used in special situations when you can’t move your body.”

From Balt’s research, partial aura manipulation techniques did indeed exist.

However, there was no reason to use them. Compared to circulating aura throughout the entire body, partial aura techniques were, simply put, “not worth doing.”

For example, if strengthening the right arm by circulating aura through the entire body’s aura roads had a power of 10, strengthening the right arm using only the aura contained within it would have a power of only 1-2.

Moreover, partial aura manipulation was difficult. Aura techniques involved processing the aura within the body, and even manipulating the entire body’s aura was incredibly challenging, let alone trying to execute techniques by manipulating aura partially.

The difficulty level increased dramatically.

And there was the biggest problem.

“The power will be weak. For humans, the amount of aura contained in a single arm is limited.”

Typically, aura users who store aura in their dantian send the necessary amount to whatever part of the body needs it.

But Balt’s method would require relying solely on the amount of aura existing in the arm.

“I think that can be resolved.”

However, the amount of mana contained in Balt’s cells was enormous. That’s why he wasn’t worried about power.

Sol-fin, who had been listening quietly, spoke to Balt with an interested look.

“So Geruntu are strong because they naturally have more aura in their bodies! Then this might actually work!? What? Does this mean there are now two races that can use both aura and magic!? I knew it!! Geruntu and dragon-kin are destined for each other!”

Leaving the excited Sol-fin behind, Balt and his friends began teaching him partial aura manipulation techniques.

After all, family secret techniques typically derived from complete aura manipulation methods, and since partial aura techniques had low effectiveness, there was no real need to keep them secret.

Victor was the first to pass on a partial aura technique to Balt.

“This is the only partial aura technique in my master’s methods worth mentioning. Hup!”

As Victor exerted force, veins began to bulge on his arm.

The Fist King, clearly a reinforcement-type martial artist, had a method of strengthening the body using partial aura manipulation.

“Oh, reinforcement type?”

When Balt showed interest, Victor scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed.

“Haha, that’s right. Though it would still be weaker than your arm without any reinforcement.”

Reinforcement techniques had good compatibility with Balt.

They made Balt’s already sturdy body even sturdier.

Moreover, what Kwan wanted was for Balt to learn magic for defensive purposes, to avoid being helpless against enemy attacks.

Rather than offensive aura techniques, this would be more helpful for a Geruntu.

“I definitely want to learn this.”

When Balt showed his curiosity, Victor enthusiastically began teaching him the aura manipulation technique.

“First, you take the aura in your arm and do this, then this…”

After hearing the explanation and trying it, the mana in Balt’s arm didn’t budge, suggesting he would only be able to try it once Riman’s aura technique was completed.

Nevertheless, Balt remembered every detail of Victor’s explanation without missing anything.

Balt felt like his memory had improved since increasing his intelligence.

Next was Robin’s turn.

“We have two techniques. One we actually use regularly.”

At Robin’s words, Victor and Seirun’s eyes widened enormously. Mixing aura techniques was incredibly difficult.

Feeling the pressure of everyone’s gaze, Robin waved his hands dismissively.

“Haha, it’s nothing special. It’s just finger reinforcement for drawing a bowstring, very simple.”

Finger reinforcement for repeatedly drawing a bow. While it could be replaced with whole-body aura techniques, the Bow God family had developed a method to strengthen the fingers using partial aura manipulation because they found it more efficient.

“Well, I’m not sure if Balt, who doesn’t use a bow, will ever need it, but anyway, there’s finger reinforcement and also leg reinforcement. Archers need to be fast on their feet. Though this too is more of a temporary measure.”

Thus, Balt received partial aura techniques from each of his friends.

Arm reinforcement from Victor.

Finger and leg reinforcement from Robin.

From Irene, a technique to make the hand sharp like a blade when without a sword.

Lisa’s aura technique was interesting—a partial aura method that prevented conflict between enchantment magic on a sword and aura.

The Valentine family, who used both aura and magic, had developed partial aura techniques for stability.

Thinking it might be a secret technique, Balt asked Lisa:

“Isn’t this a Valentine family secret? Is it okay to teach me this?”

Lisa seemed unconcerned about Balt’s question.

“It’s fine! Since we have whole-body aura techniques, partial techniques aren’t a big deal. Besides, probably only my father and I have mastered this in the family. No one cares about it because it’s so inefficient. And our family secrets are about swordsmanship anyway.”

Relieved that it wasn’t a Valentine family secret, Balt learned Lisa’s aura technique as well.

Sol-fin and Yuria also had partial aura techniques—the dragon-kin had a method to strengthen their tail in dragon transformation state, while the beast-kin’s secret was a technique to strengthen claws, but these weren’t suitable for Balt who lacked such appendages.

Still, there was no harm in learning them, so Balt learned all his friends’ partial aura techniques.

“Thank you all. I’m grateful that you’ve shared your techniques so willingly. I wish I could teach you something in return, but since I don’t know how to use aura yet, it’s difficult.”

But since everyone was already training their bodies with Balt, his friends assured him it was fine.

“Don’t worry about it. Without you, none of us would have realized how important physical training is.”

In truth, physical training had become quite popular at Grovint Academy, which had previously focused primarily on aura and magic training, largely thanks to Balt.

The professors viewed this development very positively, as those from the older generation knew very well that in crisis situations, one could only rely on a well-trained body.

“Still, I’m grateful. If I learn something from Professor Riman, I’ll share it with you.”

Though he would need Riman’s permission, Balt wasn’t reluctant to share aura techniques with his friends.

Surprisingly, however, his friends’ reactions were negative.

“I barely have enough time to develop what I already have. I appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure if that method would benefit me.”

Seirun’s partial aura technique was uniquely focused on the head—specifically, the brain.

The Caldrian family, constantly engaged in battles with monsters, believed that the most important thing for survival in war was sensory perception.

Seirun’s partial aura technique focused on stimulating the brain to escape danger when facing a crisis without being able to use aura.

According to Seirun, while he had never used it himself and couldn’t vouch for its effectiveness, his second older brother had actually survived a situation of aura exhaustion using this method, confirming its efficacy.

After learning everyone’s aura techniques, Balt spent his time memorizing and rehearsing them, and finally, after the promised week had passed, he received a message from Riman.

Beep-

Balt’s armlet rang, and Riman’s message appeared:

<Research complete. Prepare to pass out.>