Chapter 10
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Chapter 10 - 10.
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Blade's Inspiration
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"The foundation of magic begins with sensing mana. It's common knowledge among mages—a well-known saying."
In the corner of the imperial training hall.
The Old Mage had two little girls sitting on the floor as he lectured them.
A brief theoretical explanation for basic understanding came first.
Practice would follow.
It made a huge difference in learning efficiency.
Ekyon and Antiope, whether they grasped that or not, simply listened with rapt attention.
"So, we'll start by sensing that mana. But I'll do it my way."
The old man regulated his breathing while seated on the floor.
He circulated the mana dwelling within him, sending it flowing through every corner of his body like blood.
Soon, a blue mist rose around the old man's body.
It was the glow of mana.
"Sensing mana from nature with your bare body takes a lot of time. It's the proper method, but inefficient. So I've added my own little trick."
"How exactly?"
A smile tugged at the old man's lips as Ekyon asked.
Children who showed curiosity were always welcome.
It meant they were actively engaging with the lesson.
Of course, that didn't mean quiet children were only half-interested.
Antiope said nothing, but she was devoting every nerve to absorbing the class.
"I'll have you sense mana that's dense enough to detect easily, then gradually thin it out. Before long, you'll naturally start sensing the mana in the environment around you."
The old man finished his explanation and wiped the smile from his face.
Now it was time to get serious.
"Alright, both of you, close your eyes. We're starting now."
As the children shut their eyes, the mist rising from the old man's body began to writhe.
It was like a living serpent.
The mist drifted slowly through the air, coiling around the two girls' bodies.
"If you can feel the mana, just nod. How is it?"
Both children nodded in response to the old man's question.
It had a soft, fluffy texture like cotton.
A refreshing coolness spread through their throats, clear as day.
"Good. We'll hold this state for a while, training you to sense it naturally without focusing. Then we'll start thinning the density bit by bit."
The old man's gaze shifted to Niu, who sat in the center of the training hall.
His breathing and mana flow were both stable.
'Still can't take that one step forward.'
The old man shot him a pitying glance.
He seemed serene at first glance, but the old man could read the impatience churning in Niu's heart.
Yet he was holding up well.
He was keeping his anxiety in check, so there was nothing to do but trust him and wait.
Unique Magic was born from inspiration—a sudden flash of insight.
There was no helping it like with basic spells; it had to be awakened from within.
All a teacher could do in that process was one thing.
Provide stimulating environments, like the frozen northern plains.
Or sweltering heat that choked the breath.
But even stimuli grew familiar with time.
It was most effective to leave him be most days, prodding only occasionally.
"Phew."
The old man let out a short sigh and looked away.
Right now, it was time to tend to the children who had just begun their magical journey.
Today, like always, he'd returned to his room after another fruitless meditation session.
His mana flow felt a bit smoother, at least—but that was it.
Talent for basic magic, but none for Unique Magic?
Soaking in the tub, every manner of stray thought bubbled up.
"...Phew."
He sighed deeply, sinking fully into the water.
Thankfully, Antiope and Ekyon were making good progress, which eased the frustration a little.
If they had stalled too, he'd have been completely choked up.
Stimulus. Inspiration.
It felt like the right path, but now even that was starting to seem doubtful.
Of course, compared to his master's decades-long stagnation, this hardly counted as stagnation.
It might just be the whining of someone too comfortable.
Still, months in the same rut meant it was time for a different approach.
Everyone found inspiration in their own way, after all.
"Ugh..."
He stretched languidly, lost in thought.
Time to seek another path—but where to even start?
In books?
Or ask someone else?
He was ready to chase new stimuli, but his mind drew a blank.
He just couldn't pin down a direction.
'No clue.'
Giving up on the thinking for now, he climbed out of the tub.
Time to dry off with a cool breeze, then wipe away the rest of the moisture.
'Ugh, cold!'
The moment he summoned the wind, a chill gale whipped through the entire bathroom.
On par with an AC blasting at 18 degrees.
His whole body shivered uncontrollably, but he couldn't bring himself to stop.
The thrill was just too good.
'This is what they mean by addiction.'
When he was mostly dry, he cut off the sharp gust.
He was still trembling from the cold.
'Huh?'
Shivering? Sharp?
As he dried himself amid the shivers, a balloon began inflating in his mind.
Even as he toweled off, it kept swelling.
His torso had long passed its limit, but it showed no sign of popping.
Would it deflate into a sad, limp sack?
Or burst in a grand, spectacular explosion, granting him inspiration?
He kept pondering the answer even after stepping out of the bathroom.
Pondering and pondering.
'That's it.'
Then, the moment his eyes landed on the letter opener knife on the corner desk.
The balloon, bloated like a super-obese pig, exploded.
Bang! Loud and dramatic.
"Your Highness. As ordered, I've finished my personal grooming and returned. Do you have any commands?"
Perfect timing—Antiope opened the door and stepped in.
No need to make her wait or issue separate orders; he could just drag her along.
"Nothing, but come with me. I need to see Mother."
"Pardon? Yes, understood."
Antiope nodded, her face dazed.
Sudden trip to the Emperor—confusing and frightening, no doubt.
But there was no time to consider her feelings.
The fresh spark of inspiration was too urgent; he hurried down the corridor in a daze.
Not even checking if she was keeping up.
"Greetings to Crown Prince Your Highness."
Arriving at the office, the guarding knight placed a fist over his heart.
A salute full of precision and courtesy.
"You've had a hard time of it? Is Mother inside?"
"Yes. Your Majesty is within. Shall I open the door right away?"
"Please do."
The knight opened the office door without waiting for the Emperor's permission.
Thanks to the special order allowing only him to enter freely.
"Oh my, my son? What's this at such an hour? Shouldn't it be naptime?"
Stepping inside, the Emperor looked up from her paperwork, her eyes sparkling with a smile.
She was so delighted she couldn't hide it.
"Sorry. Am I disturbing your work?"
"Not in the least. Seeing my son is the most important thing in the world. Don't worry about it—come whenever you like, comfortably."
"Thank you."
In gratitude, he approached Orpheus for a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Antiope stood waiting by the door.
"As expected, my son is the best."
Orpheus hugged him tight and wriggled her whole body.
His face buried between her breasts left him gasping, but oh so happy.
'No, that's not it.'
He nearly tossed aside the inspiration that had just flashed through his mind, barely clinging to his senses.
This was why big tits were dangerous.
"Mother. I have a favor to ask. Could you grant it?"
"Hm? Tell me anything. Want a title? I'll give it. Money? I'll empty the national budget for you."
This wasn't some corrupt end-of-days regime...
Handing it all out would bankrupt the country.
He finally pulled his face free from her breasts and shook his head.
The heavy, soft aftertaste left him a bit dazed.
"Thank you, but that's not it."
"What a shame. Then what do you want? Or what should I do for you?"
"It might put Mother in a tough spot, but it's something I really want to try."
"If my son wants it, I have to let him. Tell me freely."
Orpheus met his eyes, sparkling eagerly.
She looked ready to start a war if he asked.
He took a steadying breath, then spoke calmly.
"I want to be cut by a blade."
He'd felt a blade-like chill, but he'd rarely been actually cut by one.
Not never, so he knew the sensation.
Hot. Stinging. Smarting.
A memory of a slight nick from a utility knife had sparked inspiration before.
Pain was a stimulus, and a blade's cut was an especially sharp one.
Intensely so.
"Son! What are you saying?! Do you think I'd allow my son to be hurt?"
In an instant, Orpheus went pale.
She knew it wasn't a joke and panicked.
"I hate pain too, but it's for awakening my Unique Magic."
"Unique Magic? Looks like that senile old fool's been feeding you bad advice. Time to lop off his head."
A sharp glint flashed over Orpheus's eyes.
Viciously keen, far colder than ice.
He sensed the killing intent in that gaze but had no intention of backing down.
Nor could he afford to stoke her anger.
"Master has nothing to do with it. This is my own idea and judgment."
To that end, he buried his face between her massive breasts again and rubbed fiercely.
Intensely. Like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.
'Actually kinda nice?'
It was all calculated strategy, but damn, it felt good.
Should he just keep going like this?
"But son, that's far too dangerous."
After rubbing for a good long while, Orpheus's voice rumbled over his head.
Her anger had finally eased.
"Mother. I'm not asking for a deep gash or a fatal wound. Just a light cut should do."
He lifted his head slightly and pleaded pitifully.
Doing his utmost to look as pathetic as possible.
"Do you really have to go that far?"
It worked.
That kind of question meant a little more pressure would seal it.
"Yes. Meditation's getting me nowhere. It's like pacing the same spot."
"So you need the stimulus of a blade's cut?"
"I can't promise it'll give me Unique Magic, but I want to try."
It sounded insane, but he was convinced the feel of a blade meshed perfectly with meditation.
That conviction drove him to try it.
"Your eyes say you've made up your mind. I'll ask one more time: are you sure?"
Orpheus glanced at him sharply.
She looked so sad her eyes brimmed with tears.
Seeing her like that pricked at his heart and sapped his resolve.
For a moment, he considered calling it quits.
But in the end, he couldn't break his determination to test his own theory.
Anyone watching would think he was a total lunatic.
"I'm sorry. I'll do better, so please forgive me. Okay?"
"When my son begs like this, I can't say no. Forcing you to stop would hurt your heart more than your body."
In the end, Orpheus made the difficult choice for herself.
She valued his heart over his body.
"Thank you. And I'm sorry."
He kissed her cheek sincerely.
Hard enough to leave a soft imprint of his lips.
"Phew... It's good that my son has goals, but as your mother, I'm terribly worried."
Orpheus murmured in a sigh-laden voice.
That sight alone made him more determined than ever to master Unique Magic.
"I'll do my absolute best not to worry you."
"Please do. I'm granting this out of respect for your will, but I never want you doing it again."
"Once I learn Unique Magic, I won't."
At the mention of Unique Magic, Orpheus squeezed her eyes shut tight.
As if to say, do whatever you want.
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