Lucia's Mana Road (1)
A fierce sparring session unfolded in the mansion.
Yulian and Lucia swung their swords until their clothes were drenched in sweat.
Unlike the matches in the underground arena, this was no mana-less bout. It was a real sword fight where their mana blades clashed fiercely.
"Hah... hah..."
"Hoo... Looks like you're both out of mana now. We'll call it here."
They sheathed their swords in unison. Lucia's swordsmanship had improved dramatically over the past few days.
She had learned mercenary sword techniques from back alleys and the Imperial Swordsmanship of the Pantheon. Nothing else.
Yet her talent blossomed anew with every session. It was remarkable.
The Orhain swordsmanship I saw in the Imperial Library. Hers is developing in a nearly identical way.
She lunged instinctively, then countered in reverse. Her timing to seize the advantage was exquisite.
No brilliant manual or master could teach that timing easily.
It could only be grasped through the swordsman's innate gift. Against Yulian, Lucia had landed nearly half her strikes effectively with that timing.
No better sparring partner exists.
Facing her had honed his own skills as well.
He praised Lucia.
"You've progressed even further since our last bout. If this had been real combat like against that witch a few days ago, I couldn't have guaranteed victory."
"Absolutely not! I've barely reached half your level, Count. Most of your strikes landed on me."
"Just a difference in style. Yours targeted more vital points anyway. Impressive regardless. Let's call it a draw."
Lucia's cheeks flushed at his praise.
"No, you're too kind."
"I'm serious. With skills like this, your midterm scores should be promising."
And right now, Lucia was more focused on training than ever.
The midterms. Excelling in combat-related subjects would qualify her for the newly assigned golden wings.
Her gaze drifted to the insignia on his combat uniform. The squad leader's wings gleamed gold.
"The midterms... If I could earn gold instead of silver... I'd get more chances to join you on missions."
She had let her true feelings slip.
She joined most combat division trainings anyway, so their encounters weren't rare.
Plus, they sparred separately once a week like this.
Still greedy for more, it seems.
Lucia seemed embarrassed by her own words, avoiding his eyes.
Then she noticed her sweat-soaked clothes from the long session.
"I... um...! Sorry! In your mansion's training hall... with my sweat like this... the smell..."
There was no sweat odor. And from a beauty like Lucia, it was a reward.
But to spare her feelings, he called for Eirin.
"Eirin! Could you guide Lucia to the bath? And assist with her bath."
"Yes, Young Master. Right away."
Eirin, who had been in the training hall, bowed politely.
The two already knew each other from Cecilia's workshop.
Though Lucia was a baron's daughter, she treated commoner Eirin with respect.
It wasn't surprising, given her lack of prejudice even toward demonkin.
Thus, Eirin was kind to Lucia—unlike with Lilia or Chloe.
She doesn't flash that terrifyingly radiant smile.
It was Eirin's usual demeanor. Lucia headed to the guest bath; he went to his own.
Sorry, Lucia, but dinner's off tonight.
It was already past late afternoon into evening. But his work wasn't done. In fact, it was just beginning.
Fasting would help.
So much to fill. Better empty first. That's why I drained my mana too.
Today's task: refining a new mana cultivation method. Finalizing it.
Progress had been smooth so far.
Combining the strengths of the Reinhardt and Orhain original cultivation methods. A new one was nearly complete.
Last step: optimizing the mana roads.
Each was tailored to their lineage's bloodline and unique mana roads.
He had already optimized the Reinhardt original through his body. For Orhain's...
Naturally, using Lucia's body.
Sabastard or not, she's closer to pure Orhain blood than anyone.
With the Medica Order's divine spell Lilia taught him, he could scan her body too.
He organized the plan in his mind while washing off the sweat.
***
He finished showering quickly and changed into comfortable, loose clothes.
Lucia's taking her time.
A simple shower, but as a woman, it took her longer.
With meticulous Eirin helping, she wouldn't rush a guest.
And Eirin's bathing assistance had improved daily.
She swapped regular service for baths. Nearly every day now...
That sleepless night crafting the emperor's ice crystal statue. Her bath service afterward hooked her.
It let her fulfill her maid duties while substituting skipped morning and night services.
She even used baths for more skinship than before.
Would be trouble if she did that for Lucia.
Baths always ended in intense intimacy.
As he reminisced about Eirin, Lucia knocked and entered his room cautiously, approaching him.
"Um... I changed into comfortable clothes as you said."
Unlike usual, she wore a light cotton tee and shorts. Slightly small-sized.
Borrowed from Eirin.
Eirin was a bit shorter than average; Lucia a tad taller.
Even the loosest fit looked tight on her, accentuating her curves.
Fresh from the bath, her aura was oddly alluring.
Her pink long hair still damp. Her round eyes trembled slightly, seeming more mature.
"Is it okay for me to intrude in your private space like this...?"
"No worries. As you know, mana cultivation needs a quiet, comfortable spot. I chose here on purpose—relax."
"Y-yes! Got it!"
She replied energetically, like to Instructor Darren.
True to a combat division cadet. Firm responses.
Yet her feminine allure shone through. The contrast was charming.
Full-figured in all the right ways.
Not overly muscular for a combat cadet. Soft, pliant flesh matching her pink vibe.
He knew well, having shared her body.
Her cautious glances around the room evoked a cute little rabbit.
But admiration ended there. Time to explain the mana cultivation again.
He'd briefed her briefly before, but repeated it.
"I learned a useful mana cultivation method through Reinhardt connections. As I said, I'm blending the strengths of two types into a new one."
He omitted it being Orhain's original. Her bastard status with Duke Pedro was her secret.
She'll learn eventually. No need to mention Orhain now.
Instead, he explained their conflicting subtleties.
One slow-accumulating but pure and stable.
The other fast-accumulating with superior body response.
But unstable, with side effects harming temperament.
Reinhardt-style versus Orhain-style.
Lucia understood.
"Your mana heart and sword handling lean toward the former. Mine's speed-focused, so the latter fits me."
"Exactly. Everyone's body—their mana heart and road distribution—suits specific methods."
Mixing opposing ones risked danger.
Reduced effects aside, mana road backlash could wreck the body.
"But a special Medica divine spell changes that. It maps even the finest mana roads."
The one Lilia used to scan his body fully.
She'd detailed it after hearing his plan at the library.
'You can apply that perfect mana road map to cultivation!'
Mana roads densely lined the body like vessels. But not all were used in operation.
'Key are shortest paths from the mana heart. And roads best for the cultivation type.'
Focus mana flow there. Selective concentration boosted efficiency, cut side effects.
His task: map Lucia's mana roads.
Compare both maps, craft a compatible method for shared use.
His was already perfected by Lilia—no extra work.
He told her:
"Lie face-down on my bed, then."
"Y-yes? Understood!"
"Right. As explained, for mana road projection, this method is unavoidable..."
Her face turned beet red upon hearing the rest.
***
Lucia's mind went blank.
She knew the task beforehand.
But not that it'd be in Count Yulian's room!
Now topless, face-down on the bed.
Yulian's scent filled it.
The mansion staff kept it immaculate and fresh-scented.
Yet a faint masculine note lingered. Unmistakably the same from their secret salon tryst.
Count's scent... everywhere...
Her head spun.
Face-down, nose close to the sheets intensified it.
As she drowned in it, Yulian spoke. She snapped back.
"Now, I'll project your mana roads. As said, my divine power will traverse your body to find them all. Open yourself completely to me. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Trust me fully with body and mind—no risks or side effects."
"Understood."
"I must do the same. For maximum accuracy."
She nodded.
"Turn over and lie on your back. Upper body first."
Meaning bare her breasts. She flushed fiercely.
But for Count Yulian, she'd bare anything he wanted. She rolled over obediently.
Oh no!
She panicked.
Not huge, but nicely shaped teardrops even lying down. Pretty pink nipples matching her hair.
She was confident showing them without shame.
But those pink nipples had stiffened unwittingly.