episode_0074

Naturally, following behind Duke Astrea led me to what seemed like a private training ground for the duke’s personal use.

The peculiar aspect was that the entire floor was covered in dirt, with swords stacked in one corner almost like a warehouse.

‘Considering Duke Astrea’s status, there shouldn’t be significant financial issues.’

My keen senses detected that the floor wasn’t just covered with dirt but rather with deep layers of fine sand, which was somewhat concerning.

Was it because he noticed my subtly puzzled expression, or had previous guests who visited this training ground raised similar thoughts or questions? The duke spoke first.

“This training ground is for my personal use. Many guests who found this place asked about the floor. There’s no point in laying it out nicely when it’s going to get ruined anyway. It would only incur unnecessary expenses. Besides, it’s better for the guests who visit here.”

Since decorating it to the duke’s standards would undoubtedly lead to its ruin, he had given up entirely.

Since not many guests seemed to visit this place, it probably wasn’t a significant issue.

‘However, it bothers me that I mentioned the dirt floor would be better for the guests.’

Somehow, maintaining the floor like this wasn’t just about cost or practicality; there seemed to be a deeper reason behind it.

“Enough with the unnecessary chatter. Let’s get started right away. Even though you’re aware of your rudeness due to lack of time, you’ve come seeking instruction from me, haven’t you? You’ll soon learn what you’re curious about anyway.”

Though it felt uncomfortable, mentioning Rachel’s life formally to start meant he wouldn’t do anything strange or teach me something unusual.

“Understood. How should I address you during training?”

“When it’s just us here, you can call me whatever you like. Just be cautious outside this training ground. I haven’t officially taken you as my disciple; it might cause some trouble if other members of the Astrea estate find out. Over time, they’ll realize I’m teaching you, but at least don’t give them direct evidence.”

Perhaps besides being a duke, Duke Astrea held power or had people who could pressure me.

“As you said, I’ll be careful outside. I’ll rely on you during the break, Mentor.”

Calling him a duke felt too formal, and using his name seemed disrespectful, so Mentor seemed appropriate.

“Good. Once you thought it was the end in front of the carriage, can you show me what you showed me then?”

‘He’s referring to using Aura and Body Strengthening simultaneously to forcibly increase output.’

If the mentor wanted, I could demonstrate it easily.

It might strain my body a bit, but since I hadn’t fully recovered yet, a gentle activation should suffice.

Thinking this, I attempted to lightly summon Aura while strengthening my body, but a warning from my keen senses and a sudden intense pain throughout my body made me stop abruptly.

“Cough!!”

‘What just happened?’

I had used both abilities simultaneously a few times before without major issues, just minor strain.

There had never been any trouble with using Aura or physical exertion.

But now, even a slight attempt at using both simultaneously seemed like it would shatter my body, as warned by my keen senses.

Simply activating Aura alone was excruciating internally.

“Isn’t it not working well? It seems like I haven’t dealt with Aura since then while coming to the Duke’s house.”

“What is happening to me right now? Dealing with Aura is quite painful, and I feel like I might get hurt if I keep dealing with it.”

Upon hearing my words, the master sighed.

“It seems understanding the behavior you showed me back then and now is a top priority. Yu-Kal, it seems like you don’t understand the exact meaning of what specific actions you are taking.”

Was there a problem with the power I coincidentally discovered while training Aura during my recovery?

“But if not for this, I couldn’t have saved Helena, and I had to deploy Aura Armor in the group test.”

I don’t want to give up this power if possible.

“You are trying to gain power by using both magic and Aura simultaneously. To put it accurately, you are utilizing the shock generated by forcibly colliding magic and Aura within your body to your advantage.”

I had a rough idea.

Since body reinforcement consumes magic, I have no choice but to use magic.

Knowing that circulating Aura within the body to enhance specs was possible only after arriving here, considering that such a thing did not happen in Sungyong, it would probably be a problem for those two.

“I have seen people attempting to use magic and Aura simultaneously before, but you are the first to endure the shock internally and convert it into strength.”

“Is this method really that unusual?”

Seeing the master speak like that, it seems like a unique case, but apart from this time, there haven’t been significant issues so far.

“The fact that your body has not been completely destroyed despite doing that is simply because your body is resilient enough. If you were an ordinary person, your whole body would have been destroyed in the first attempt, leaving you disabled for life without any surprise.”

Was it really that risky?

“But I can’t completely give up on this.”

It has been helpful, and as long as it doesn’t lead to death, I am willing to use it as much as needed.

“I have no intention of giving up this power-”

“If you are prepared for that, leave this training ground right now.”

I opened my mouth with determination, but all I received was the master’s cold response.

“You have received treatment, and even after two days have passed, if you still find it difficult to use Aura, haven’t you learned anything? There are very few humans who are sturdy inside out.”

“…”

“Of course, from your perspective, you may feel unjust. There probably weren’t any major issues until now, and in the process of pushing yourself to the limit this time, you have suffered greatly. However, it is inevitable that tiny cracks will appear throughout your body. If you want to learn from me, promise to refrain from using magic at least until I allow it.”

“…Understood.”

“At least while you are in this mansion, promise me that you will refrain from using magic, Master.”

I replied, swallowing the rest of my words silently.

The master must be coming at me so sternly because he doesn’t want me to get hurt.

Even if I get injured, as long as I can save someone by raising my strength, I am prepared to do so, even if it means apologizing to the master.

Since the master would know that my answer is nothing more than a feeble excuse, I quickly changed the subject to move on.

“Then, how should I become as strong as you, Master? Even when I raised my output with the determination of facing death last time, I still missed your movements. Honestly, if I continue like this, I think it will take a long time for me to reach your level.”

My immediate goal is Raymond Astraea, my Master.

The amount of magic I sense in myself is so weak compared to Iris, and even less than Cineria, but the power I’ve displayed is by no means inferior to theirs.

While all three can be classified as overwhelming powerhouses, their methods differ, making comparisons somewhat ambiguous. I wonder how they can wield such strength with relatively little magic.

“I have encountered formidable opponents who never fell behind you, Master, but most of them seemed to possess more magical power. How can one exhibit such formidable skills with minimal magic?”

In response to my question, my Master chuckled heartily and shared his answer with me.

“You may perceive it as conventional, but it’s not that simple. It’s just that I swing the sword better than you or any opponents you’ve faced before, handle aura more adeptly, and excel in combat.”

‘That sounds too much like a textbook answer.’

Continuously honing swordsmanship and aura manipulation, anyone could become a knight or even the Empire’s best swordsman.

“However, all these things form the foundation and create a crucial difference between you and me.”

“What is that difference?”

Upon hearing my question, my Master gestured for me to step back and placed his hand on the ground.

Soon, I felt energy gathering in his hand, followed by a tremendous roar.

-Boom!

The impact was strong enough to make my body tremble all the way to the entrance of the training grounds.

The scene before me, with dust settling, was nothing short of astonishing.

Apart from where my Master stood, a massive crater had formed as if an explosion had occurred.

‘If the ground weren’t made of sand to absorb the shock, the building might have been blown away.’

Looking bewildered, I turned to my Master, who calmly added,

“I can manipulate aura and magic in a more refined and skillful manner than you. That’s the difference.”