Rana Heytald (3)
Next day arrived. Today's schedule was as simple as yesterday's. Attend morning lectures, have lunch with an apple. If there were afternoon lectures, attend those too, then head to the Contract Land once everything was done.
And so, I arrived at the Contract Land. I set up in a suitable spot. For the record, social service was on hold today.
"Alright, let's get started."
From now on, I'd start accumulating mana in my dantian. I'd originally planned to take it slow, but I pushed the schedule forward. Mornings were eaten up by commuting time and stamina drain, and lunch wasn't filling enough to keep my energy up. Today, I'd even sat through afternoon lectures and was already worn out. If I worked here and then dragged myself back to the dorm, I'd collapse just like yesterday. At this rate, there was no way I'd get any proper training in.
What, just cut sleep short? Don't I have enough grit? Shut up if you don't know shit. Talk about grit or willpower only after looking at the state of things. Telling this frail body with its pathetic muscles and stamina to push through was basically saying "drop dead."
Of course, humans aren't so fragile that they can't muster strength when they grit their teeth and commit. But this body would burn out and die from overwork in two weeks flat.
Anyway, enough rambling. Mornings were best for securing training time, so I needed to cut commute time. But before that could happen, certain conditions weren't met. Training required time, and securing time required training. So, I'd use a shortcut. Mana reinforcement—the cheat method.
Physical enhancement through mana. Buff magic's amplification effect. Combined, they could yield at least double the improvement. But for that, I needed more than a fingernail's worth of mana—a fistful at least.
"Hoo..."
Start slow. This gave my body, which had paused mana training for about three years, time to adjust. Breathe in, breathe out. Mana flowed in and out with my slow breaths. I let it settle without anchoring it in my dantian, expelling it outward to clean the pathways while adapting. After about ten minutes, preparations were complete.
Now, what to do.
I had two options. Stick with the Arden family mana cultivation method I'd already learned, or use the inner cultivation technique from my past life. The answer was obvious.
No need to cling to old ties.
I ditched the latter outright. No need to dredge up past life remnants when it wasn't that urgent. But using the family method as-is had its flaws.
It's a bit rough around the edges.
Not that it was poorly made. I wasn't so conscienceless as to disparage a Grand Swordmaster's creation. I just thought a little polish would do wonders. So, I decided to tweak it slightly while keeping the foundation intact. I'd already planned it out, so no extra time needed.
"Sip, whoo..."
Mana flowed in through my breathing. It circulated through my body following the modified method. But the moment I accepted it, control slipped, and an endless torrent rushed in.
This was due to the Contract Land's unique environment. A mana-saturated space from the World Tree. Mana lingered without dispersing beyond a certain area. With me as a new vessel, it flooded in massively.
I could release mana now to form a flow and resolve it. But I wouldn't, and there was no issue. That's what the prep time was for. Enduring vein-bursting pain, I adjusted the flow. Little by little, ever so slowly, I throttled the speed. A normal body would've hemorrhaged from every orifice, but mine had adapted.
Now for the main work. The drawn mana gathered in my lower abdomen and flowed into my dantian. Normally, it'd filter impurities, but here it was 100% pure, so unnecessary.
"Whoo, done..."
Mana quantity more than doubled from before. Satisfied with the result, I slowly opened my eyes. And there, right in front of me—a face. She stood less than an arm's length away.
"All done?"
"...Yeah, finished."
First, I pushed the face away. Wasn't startled, but it was overwhelming.
"Nngh, why do you keep pushing me away!"
"Don't be annoying and back off...!"
She shoved her face right back in relentlessly. I resisted fiercely.
Should I just smack her one?
I'd been seriously considering it lately. Sure, we'd only met less than two days ago, but she kept getting too close at every chance.
If she did this to everyone, fine. But it's just me she's fixated on...
I got it. I was the first sanctuary she'd found in her life. Probably never acted this way even with family. Still, she needed to learn boundaries. Moderation was key.
If she hadn't stood watch today...
This delicate work would've gone straight to hell if disturbed midway. So I'd asked her to keep anything from approaching. The land's creatures mostly obeyed her. With the favor she'd done, I couldn't complain more.
"Anyway, favor's repaid. Now scram."
"No way!"
A response that made me question if she'd even thought it through. I sighed.
"...You stuck to me for five hours yesterday."
"I did your favor, so let me stay as thanks!"
"Not bored?"
"Nah, watching's fun!"
"What about the kids?"
"They're playing without me since you don't like it!"
She lined up reasons to stay by her side. Short answers, but her way with words impressed me. It was suffocating, though.
"I won't bother you today either!"
Her final plea left no room to refuse.
"...Fine, whatever."
I reluctantly agreed and tuned her out. Then headed to the nearby rock. A rectangular stone probably shaped by land spirits for fun. Decent weight and balance—perfect for muscle training, so I'd brought it.
First, circulate mana through my body for vitality. Then deploy magic. Just a strength buff at best. Not enough mana to sustain long, so mild effect. Still, power surged beyond before.
With that, I hefted the rock onto my shoulders.
"Whoo, good."
Assumed position, bent knees, extended. Repeated several times. Truth be told, not the best training method. Muscles needed tearing strain, but reinforcement dulled the intensity. Increase weight? Enhanced body had limits, and blindly piling it on was bad.
About two hours passed.
"Huff, huff..."
Sweat drenched me. Mouth full of acrid ketone breath. Legs trembled at my limit.
Thud!
I tossed the rock aside carelessly and collapsed beside it. Could rest now, but I wasn't done. Moved the scant remaining mana. Time to tap talent.
Extras were ambiguous existences. They belonged to the cast but rarely appeared or got mentioned enough to feel substantial. Sometimes just name-dropped and forgotten. No real investment in them. So I'd assumed nothing special for this body.
But surprise—it had a talent even I, who prided myself on knowing all settings, didn't know.
No kidding.
A body that reacted to physical exertion by shifting to efficient, optimal states. I'd noticed while climbing trees. If named, maybe Growth-Type Rebirth. With this body, I'd have reached high realms in magic, martial arts, anything physical. Any labor job, I'd hit the top.
This body was that special, unique, and amazing.
Reason for it... bloodline, probably.
Arden blood granted Master-level talent. But I lacked it due to the absolute third-rate setting. Still, I inherited the blood. All its potential concentrated into the body, yielding this.
Not unreservedly great, though.
Unlike a perfect martial body excelling in mind and flesh, this wasn't. Needed matching talent to exploit. Innate physique sped to a point, but grasping martial truths for higher realms? Impossible. Swinging a sword all day wouldn't escape second-rate. Effort couldn't fill talent gaps—a freak body ideal for martial arts yet yielding zero rewards.
That's why Kyle was third-rate.
I'm the opposite.
I was confident I'd use this body well. Spectacularly. Swordmaster? Doable.
Work finished meanwhile. Stopped the mana raging internally. Growth would accelerate now.
"Ugh, finally..."
Liberated from pain. Mana depleted, strength gone.
I do all sorts of crazy shit.
Laughter escaped. Pouring time and effort for school? Past me would scoff. But I was satisfied.
Then shadow fell over me again. Someone entered view.
"Good work!"
Voice owner as expected—her. I quickly shoved the face away.
"Pushed again... Kyle's mean!"
"Then go away if you hate it."
"No!"
"Sigh..."
Sigh and simultaneous stomach growl. No wonder I lacked response energy. Hunger.
Realizing it sapped more strength. Only food option: apple.
"Don't wanna eat apple..."
Even without burnout, needed balanced nutrition. Carbs and protein desperately.
"Huh? Hungry? Want this?"
Rana offered mystery food from who-knows-where.
"...This is."
A sandwich. Just meat and veggies between bread. But the aroma—meat sauced up, mingling with bread's scent—irresistible. I lost reason, snatched and shoved it in.
Munch munch.
Delicious. So delicious. First carbs and meat in five days brought tears.
"Tasty?"
"...Yeah. Tasty."
Swallowed crumbled bits, voice softening with proper nutrition. Mental ease starts with food, clothing, shelter.
"Where'd the sandwich come from."
"Saw you eating apples daily, so brought it."
"...Who told you. FYI, stalking's a crime."
"No! The kids did!"
She yelled, but she had precedent. With protagonist. Now just familiars reporting, later direct surveillance.
Won't let it get that far.
Somehow sever ties before then.
Whatever I thought, she wagged her head side to side. Sign of extreme good mood.
"Kyle, Kyle."
"What."
"Bring sandwich tomorrow too?"
"That'd be great... no, pretend you didn't hear."
Even starving, nearly bit poisoned bait. Apple-only diet dulled judgment.
"I'll bring it for sure!"
"Don't. I'll toss it."
"You're too nice to."
"I'm not nice...!"
More talk and I'd go mad. Time to leave anyway.
Rana trailed behind as I went. Arrived at entrance.
"You're here."
"Yeah, here!"
"...Yes."
Ignored the one behind, handed bag to old man. He peeked inside.
"Not much less. Slacking?"
"Had other work, so took a break. Will work hard next time."
"Your loss. Here."
Pulled something from drawer, handed over.
"Two days' pay."
One silver coin in hand. Hid in inner pocket quick.
"Thank you."
Normally 30 coppers; extra given. Expressed thanks.
For reference, legit pay. Tianis Academy paid for any student labor, even punishment.
"Then."
"Take care."
"See ya tomorrow~!"
Received farewells, left Contract Land. Elraim asked with slight surprise.
"What did you do, young master?"
"What."
"N-never mind..."
"What is it."
Knew why, played dumb. Too sleepy for every reaction.
"Rana."
"Yes, Grandpa."
Rana looked up from door at call. Granddaughter's face bright as usual, but eyes drooped.
"Decent guy?"
"Yeah, decent."
"Worse than Second Prince. Still?"
"Kyle's kind. Kinder than anyone I've seen."
Rana answered with conviction. Smiling like nothing happened. Ratral was delighted by her look.
Granddaughter grew in constant pain. Cause obvious—nose. Ability to judge character great power, but curse to those with it. Now accustomed enough for normal life, but not improved. Staying bright to this age was her nature.
Yet a wastrel fixed what even 8th-circle mage couldn't. First bright smile from her in ages.
"If you say so."
Ratral slurped tea. Sweeter than ever today. Mind not fully at ease, though. Unpleasant watching beloved granddaughter drawn to outsider, peer boy. But as grandpa, wanted to give anything—even if it unsettled him.
"Keep assigning here?"
"No, Kyle'd hate it."
Rana refused firmly. He tolerated her bothersome company. If he learned, might hate her. Low chance from behavior so far, but...
And...
"I'll get close naturally."
Grateful for grandpa's thought, but friendship let her stick around without schemes. For him.
"What to make tomorrow."
Bento for Kyle. Reaction earlier said few days' effort would win him. But Rana didn't know—that worked on animals. Though maybe... just maybe it'd work. He was that starved. Outcome? Unpredictable.