Medica Order and the Mana Road (1)

A new week had begun.

Right now, I was inside my private carriage. We'd just left the mansion and entered the grounds of the Pantheon. I briefly recalled the events of the past weekend.

In one corner of my mansion's courtyard stood a small training ground. There, Uriel and I had spent the entire weekend practicing swordsmanship.

"Lord Yulian! Perfect timing! Let's run through the fifth form one more time just like that!"

Uriel marveled at my noticeably improved skills, showering me with praise. In truth, it wasn't due to any special training—it was thanks to all the monsters and beasts I'd slain during the reserve platoon mission. That had boosted the proficiency of my swordsman traits.

But even with her praise, I wasn't satisfied. I swiftly unleashed the fifth form of the Lion Heart Sword toward Uriel.

A sincere strike infused with mana. And unlike the first chapter's fifth form from before, this one had clearly gained speed and power.

Clang—

The fierce clash of our blades echoed through the training ground. Uriel looked at me in surprise.

"You're already handling the fifth form this well. With this level of power, you could easily dispatch low-rank beasts below the fourth form."

Praise from the strict Uriel. And at her young age, she was an exceptional knight—an aura ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠user, no less. But even that wasn't enough for me.

"What about against a third-form beast?"

"No problem at all. If you keep this up for dozens of exchanges, you could take down a third-form beast on your own without issue."

Uriel was right. That berserk cyclops had been more ferocious than your average third-form beast, yet I'd felled it with the Lion Heart Sword without much trouble.

Of course, it had taken Chloe's deadly poison and dozens of strikes to get there. It wasn't a perfect victory by any means.

Yeah. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠That's not good enough.

Even if it was enough to astonish instructors like Mithers and Darren—two skilled veterans—it fell far short of my standards.

The nest raid is this fall, not next year. I need to hurry.

The imperial mobilization order had already gone out across the empire. Come autumn, the empire's elite forces would march on the Old Imperial Capital. My reserve platoon would join them, but only as rear-guard reserves.

They'd never assign overambitious roles to cadets—especially second-years.

But thanks to Demon King Slayer, I knew exactly how the nest raid would unfold.

The nest the Imperial Guard has scouted is just bait.

In Demon King Slayer, players had to form their own strike team under the user's lead. The finale of part one was always conquering that hidden nest.

The nest's difficulty scaled with playstyle, but it was never something a cadet could clear.

So I needed to get stronger. By now, I should be able to behead even third-form beasts in just a few exchanges.

I said to Uriel, "The next step is the secret art of the first chapter, right? Do you think I'm ready for it with my current skill?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Uriel replied, "Absolutely. Your understanding of the Lion Heart Sword first chapter—all its forms—is exceptional. Not only can you execute each one flawlessly, but your chaining is outstanding too. Activating the secret art that embodies its essence should be no challenge."

"I see. Then teach it to me right now."

The secret art of the first chapter: White Night. Mastering the technique that shared its name with the White Night Knights would let me sever a third-form beast's head—not in several exchanges, but in a single strike.

But at my words, Uriel shook her head with a regretful expression.

"As I said, your skill is more than sufficient. There's just one problem."

The issue was mana. Or more precisely, the application of mana.

"You've only awakened your mana recently, Lord Yulian. Your Mana Heart is somewhere between first and second tier right now. You can't yet draw out enough mana reserves to use the secret art, White Night."

I quickly realized she was right.

Simply channeling mana into the sword wouldn't activate the secret art. And pouring in more mana wouldn't solve it either.

The first chapter's secret art was the gateway to the world of aura. The mana it required had to be refined—passing through both the Mana Roads and Mana Heart.

"You're blessed with the Reinhardt bloodline. Awakening your mana let you channel it into your sword with ease—a remarkable feat in itself. But..."

Time was the problem. My body had delayed mana awakening for so long. Yet, paradoxically, the Reinhardt lineage had granted me an abnormally vast network of Mana Roads.

Those roads had clogged over time without mana flow. Awakening had cleared some paths, but most remained blocked.

Uriel continued her explanation. "That's why you can't accelerate your Mana Heart's mana rotation to third tier yet. The first chapter's secret art requires at least refined third-tier mana. White Night is impossible for now."

Uriel seemed more disappointed than I was. I nodded casually, as if it were no big deal.

"I understand. Thank you for explaining, Uriel."

"N-no, my lord! But your growth rate is already unbelievable. You'll reach third tier in no time."

Seeing my calm demeanor, Uriel panicked and tried to console me. But I truly was fine.

I already knew a way to blast through those blocked Mana Roads in short order.

With that brief recollection ended, my carriage came to a stop in front of one of the Pantheon's buildings. Hans called out.

"Young master Yulian! We've arrived at Medica Hall."

The headquarters of the healing arts order, Medica Hall. An important lecture awaited here for the time being.

***

Medica Hall.

The atmosphere here differed noticeably from the other orders' buildings. The scent of herbs wafted everywhere, and healers in priestly robes bustled through the corridors.

Yet the architecture evoked an ancient temple more than a medieval monastery.

I entered a professor's office. A professor in ornate priestly robes greeted me.

"Welcome, Count Yulian. Come in. No need to stand—take a seat over there and make yourself comfortable."

A high noble by birth with a lofty priestly rank, he spoke casually to me, a count. But he seemed considerate overall.

Probably because of my status.

Indeed, he'd sent a letter to my mansion in advance, saying this week's lecture would be immensely helpful.

"I heard from the order council that you can attend lectures in any of the six orders. Since you're here, you should definitely sit in on this one."

With that, he handed me a packet of papers. I glanced at the cover.

It was a thesis-like document with that title. Flipping through, the explanations were detailed.

True to its name as a "summary and interpretation," it was accessible even to those unfamiliar with healing arts.

"I prepared it for you. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It mainly discusses the Reinhardt house, after all. You're a swordsman, so truly grasping your Mana Road structure will surely boost your skills. Rare bloodlines like Reinhardt have exceptionally complex Mana Roads, you see."

The professor was spot on. That complexity was why Reinhardt heirs were so precious—and why so many died young.

That's why Margrave Wilhelm treasured me so.

With this summary, the lecture should be no issue.

"This should make the lecture easy for you. It might be a bit dry, but I hope it's helpful."

He was kind in every way.

His interest in the Reinhardt house probably played a part, but above all, the Medica Order bowed to the influence of my fiancée, the third princess Lilia.

For me, it was exactly what I'd hoped for.

"I'll make good use of it. Thank you, Professor Riat."

"Oh! You even know my name? That's surprising. And here I thought it odd you were using honorifics with me. Quite an honor, haha."

Truth be told, I hadn't known his name. I'd just glimpsed the nameplate on his desk. But since he was pleased, that was fine.

I left the office and headed to the lecture hall. Like the Alchemy Order building, it was tiered.

But every desk was carved from luxurious stone—an impressive touch.

And at the very top tier sat my fiancée, Lilia.

***

Lilia Ramir Asterik, third princess of the Holy Ramir Empire. Fitting her noble status, the hall had a special seat reserved just for her.

As I entered, eyes turned to me—but the cadets soon averted their gazes.

The female cadets here are well-behaved. The other orders went wild at the sight of me.

They all knew whose fiancée I was. In this lecture hall—or the entire Pantheon—they were minding the highest noble's feelings.

I took the seat beside Lilia and offered a formal greeting. She replied with her signature warm, affectionate smile.

"Lord Yulian! You've grown even more dashing since last we met! This is a lecture hall, so treat me casually. Sit, sit."

Her golden hair and blue eyes framed a cute, dog-like beauty, her face lighting up. Medica Hall was practically her domain.

Meeting me here, she seemed more excited than usual. She wore the black priestly habit with subtle allure from our last encounter—a nun's outfit.

The side-slit skirt revealed glimpses of her white band stockings and garter belt.

Noticing my gaze, Lilia blushed faintly.

"The reserve platoon's healers wear active priestly robes, as I mentioned. Does it look strange?"

"Not at all, Your Highness. It suits you perfectly—dignified and beautiful."

She beamed at the compliment, then said, "Glad you could make it. It's a lecture on the anatomical theory of Mana Roads. Especially relevant to your house, Reinhardt—it'll be a big help."

Leaning in cautiously, she added, "I even spoke to Professor Riat in advance. Asked him to prepare special materials just for you."

That explained the professor's excessive kindness.

Checking the summary via the system, it turned out to be better than expected. I thanked Lilia, and she smiled with pure bliss.

As we waited briefly, Professor Riat entered.

He bowed politely to Lilia and me before beginning the lecture. He started with a review of the previous session's material on Mana Roads.

I didn't need it, of course. Knowing that, Lilia kept chatting with me from the side.

"I've been so busy lately. My position means palace duties on top of cadet work at the Pantheon. But I haven't skipped our pre-sex practice prep even once."

Lilia spoke without lowering her voice. Some parts—like "pre-sex practice"—were awkward if overheard.

I gave her an odd look, and she explained.

"Oh dear. I'm speaking too loudly during the lecture, aren't I? But no need to worry. My seat has special accommodations."

It was true. She pointed to a "Mute" button on the stone desk.

"When I'm deep in a lecture, I sometimes mutter healing terms or divine spells to myself. Bad habit. It's not that loud, but the order accommodated me to spare my embarrassment. Royal privacy matters, after all."

Like the magic tools on salon tables. But while those blocked outside noise, this one silenced sounds around Lilia.

"So our conversation won't disturb the other cadets. And since this royal desk is taller, the professor can barely see our faces anyway."

With a playful grin, Lilia took my hand.

"That's how I can soothe missing you all this time. Nice, right?"

She began gently stroking my hand. Then, suddenly, her breathing grew heated.

"Haa... haa... Lord Yulian's hand... so... manly... beautiful..."

Indeed. Lilia had a particular fetish for my hands. Her caresses grew increasingly sensual.