Chapter 44: Inborn Talent
A fair amount of time has passed since they arrived in the Imperial Capital.
Could it be because of the change in location? Some aspects of their lifestyle subtly shifted.
The most significant change was that Shiron began to manage the main and secondary events of the annex. Unlike in Dawn Castle, where maids would bring food to individual rooms, Shiron suggested eating together with Lucia, citing reduced manpower.
Hows todays menu? It isnt too bland, is it?
Mmm. Its delicious.
Lucia replied while swallowing a bite of her red pasta. Unlike the tough and salty chunks of meat they had at Dawn Castle, the groceries supplied to the annex were consistently of high quality.
Anything made tasted great.
However, seemingly unsatisfied with her reaction, Shiron brought out a metal plate and a white mass.
Just wait a moment.
Shiron started to produce white powder with adept hand movements.
Hows this?
It tastes even better than before.
I see.
Shiron jotted down Lucias feedback in a notebook he took from his pocket. Only after confirming Lucia was fully satisfied did Shiron take his seat at the table.
Even though I made it, it does taste good.
Of course, Shiron didnt personally prepare every meal. He merely planned the menu for the day, tailoring the dishes to Lucias taste.
Once the menu was finalized, it was passed on to the demon maids. Without Shirons direct touch, Lucia could taste it whenever she wanted.
Lately, the dishes served at the table have all gone through this custom process. Despite the hassle, Shiron took charge without any complaints.
Is this really okay?
Lucia pondered as she took a bite with her fork. Delegating everything to a young child made her feel guilty over time.
Though she also looked like a young child, wasnt Lucia a reincarnated person with memories of her previous life?
Despite Shirons superior sociability, intellect, and culinary skills, Lucia didnt want to become a woman who seemed spoon-fed by others, especially not by an eleven-year-old boy.
Once, she offered to help, not wanting to be solely on the receiving end. Still, she was only told to stay put since he was doing it of his own accord.
In the end, Lucia decided to humbly accept Shirons goodwill.
She respectfully declined Eldrinas offer to hire as many servants as needed. Shiron handled matters within what Lucia could accept. It would be ungrateful to ask for more.
About today.
Hm?
Lucia stopped mid-bite into a piece of bread, sauce dripping from it. Shiron gestured for her to continue eating.
Siriel mentioned practicing martial arts.
Lucia made a lukewarm expression at this.
She had always known of Shirons interest in martial arts, but regrettably, she couldnt guide him herself.
Until recently, she believed that simply swinging a sword would naturally accumulate internal energy.
While Lucia could instinctively handle martial arts and gather energy, she realized others might not have the same aptitude.
I mentioned it in passing before, but it seems youre still concerned about my inability to handle internal energy.
Shiron said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
The central mechanic of Reincarnation of the Sword Saint was its adaptability and proficiency, which was quite intuitive. The more you sustained a combat state while wielding a weapon, the more your proficiency increased. Prolonged exposure to states like being frozen or poisoned gradually increased resistance, aiding in easier game clearance.
However,
Aspects like internal energy, mana, qi, and martial arts were unfamiliar elements.
Even if you had extra arms without knowing how to sense and use them, itd be useless, right? Thus, the opportunity had come after continuously postponing due to such reasons.
Good morning!
Why did you come all the way here? If you had waited at the training field, we would have come to you.
Whats the difference? I wanted to see you sooner.
Siriels cheerful greeting filled the air. There were still 20 minutes left to their promised time, but Siriel was already on the lower floor with Johan.
The house she lived in was located across from the training field.
But perhaps she wanted to see her friends even a minute earlier. Siriel did not hesitate to retrace her steps.
Good morning, Sir Shiron and Miss Lucia.
Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule, Sir.
Hello.
Shiron and Lucia greeted Johan with a slight nod.
Please dont mention it. Miss Siriel was nagging so much for you to come earlier.
Ha, old man, I told you not to say that!
Siriel blushed as if embarrassed, and Johan chuckled as he teased her. In front of her peers, it seemed the young ladys expressions had become richer lately.
Anyway, it looks like we are all set, so lets start moving.
Johan began leading the way, showcasing an exquisite box.
Three children and one elderly man. Their destination was a stone building located in a corner of the Training Grounds.
Whats that?
Shiron was curious about the identity of the box Johan held. Johan, sensing his gaze, explained.
This contains elixirs to assist in your heart method training.
What kind of elixir?
Lucia blinked and asked. In her previous life, elixirs were precious items coveted by those skilled in the sword. Even then, during such a harsh era, even Kyrie, who held the title of hero, had only tasted it a few times.
There are some brewed from a unicorns heart and some finely ground from a fire dragons horn. Their effects generally help in accumulating mana efficiently.
It looks expensive.
Lord Hugo said not to spare any support for the young master and the young lady.
Clank-
Johan took out a bunch of keys and unlocked the stone buildings padlock. Given the unique appearance of the lock, Shiron speculated that this building was quite special.
Whoosh-
A refreshing but dense air began to escape as the firmly closed door swung open.
Could it be, Teracite?
You recognize it.
Johan looked at Lucia with a kind smile.
Yes, the inner walls of this building are entirely finished with Teracite. Its a mana cultivation room, specially ordered by Lord Hugo.
Teracite, a mysterious stone that continuously emitted dense mana, was a rare mineral due to its unique property of mana emission and its not-so-great yield.
Ive never seen such pure Teracite before
Five hundred years ago, this mysterious mineral drew the attention of many wizards and alchemists. But
I couldnt even dream of refining it with the technology back then as Seira had said.
Lucia recalled her past memories. Not only airships but items like these made her feel how much time had passed.
It feels strange. Like being underwater, yet I can breathe easily.
Thats because of the high mana concentration. People who cant handle the inner energy often experience a light intoxication.
Johan responded to the series of questions as he walked down the corridor. However, he didnt seem annoyed. Instead, he looked delighted, like a grandfather watching his grandchilds playfulness.
At the end of the narrow passage, a spacious cavity appeared.
The floor of the cavity was filled with black sand, similar to the buildings inner walls. Shiron recalled the Teracite that Johan had just explained.
We need to decide the order then
Johan opened the box and took out a bottle containing a blue liquid. The shimmering liquid emitted a faint blue light.
How about starting with Young Master Shiron?
Thats fine with me.
Please sit down in the center.
Shiron carefully sat where Johan pointed. Johan touched Shirons shoulder and spoke.
Ill guide the mana through your veins now. You might feel a strange sensation flowing inside you.
Understood.
Is this something like the energy circulation from martial arts novels?
Sss Haa
Shiron recalled the Danjeon breathing he had once seen on TV.
I can definitely feel something.
Johans touch seemed to guide a certain energy into Shirons heart.
However,
For some reason, that energy seemed to linger and circle in his heart rather than spread throughout his body. It felt as though something was obstructing it.
Hmm
Johan, sensing the anomaly, withdrew his hand from Shirons back.
Would you like to try this? Its a potion that temporarily increases the mana concentration within the body.
Johan offered Shiron a bottle filled with a blue liquid. Without uttering a word, Shiron nodded and opened the bottle.
Plop-
Shiron gulped down the shimmering blue liquid in one go. Surprisingly, it had no taste.
Lets start again.
Yes.
Johan began channeling mana through Shirons seated form.
He tried to channel.
But,
No matter how much time passed, there was no sign of the mana spreading.
Could you lie down for a moment?
Shiron turned and lay down. Looking up at Johan, the older mans face was drenched in sweat. It was evident how much Johan had exerted himself, given how exhausted he appeared.
Johan began to press various points on Shirons body as if checking his pulse.
After a brief moment, Johan closed his eyes with a heavy sigh.
Your energy pathways are tangled.
The pathways in the upper and middle regions are so intertwined that it seems difficult to progress any further.
The upper and middle regions refer to the head and heart.
What do you mean by that?
Lucia, sensing the gravity of the situation, interjected.
Shiron cannot handle mana in his current state. Forcing the pathways open can have severe repercussions It could even be fatal.
Johan struggled with this news.
In other words, not only could Shiron not become a mage, but even thriving as a warrior would be challenging.
Im sorry.
Johan spoke with the heaviness of sentencing someone to their doom, a shadow cast over his face.
Hey, theres no need for you to apologize. Im okay.
Shiron smiled as if it wasnt a big deal.
He had always known something like this would be the case. The lack of talent was something Shiron understood better than anyone. The only difference was now he knew the reason.
However,
Lucia, who got up to check on him, did not seem okay.