Chapter 10: Until Turning Ten (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: Until Turning Ten (2)
In this world, aside from aura and mana, there were rare individuals who wielded other special powers. Among these, spirit energy was the rarest of all.
Only two types of beings could manipulate it.
There were those born from Solderet, like Murakan, and those who had formed a contract, like Jin.
In his prime, thanks to his spirit energy, Murakan had never needed to retreat, even when facing five 9-star mages at once—a level of power Jin couldn't begin to fathom.
Naturally, Murakan was the perfect teacher for Jin, especially since Jin was currently unable to communicate directly with Solderet.
"Spirit Energy Release is the beginning and the end for those of us who wield spirit energy."
"The beginning and the end?"
"It means it’s both a fundamental technique and an ultimate move. The principle is simple, almost identical to how a mage releases mana."
Mages gained the ability to release mana once they reached the 3-star rank. In other words, being able to release mana was the mark of a 3-star mage. Since Jin had reached the 5-star rank in his previous life, releasing mana was a trivial task for him.
However, while Murakan knew Jin possessed mana, he didn't know the boy also possessed the magical knowledge of a 5-star mage.
This was because Jin had not revealed that he was a regressor. He had no intention of ever disclosing that fact to anyone.
"But isn't Mana Release just a basic skill for mages, not an ultimate move? From what I know…"
"Just because they both have 'Release' in the name doesn't mean they're on the same level. Only the method is similar."
"I see."
"So, before you learn Spirit Energy Release, you must first master Mana Release."
"Why?"
When Jin asked, Murakan simply shrugged.
"We start with the easy stuff. You can't expect to swing a real sword when you can't even handle a wooden one, can you?"
"Aha."
Jin nodded as if he understood, but he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. He felt like a university graduate being told to go back to primary school.
Well, I suppose I can treat it as a review. Besides, I haven't actually performed a Mana Release since my regression.
Murakan watched Jin sit cross-legged, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Heh heh heh… This is hilarious. To think I’d end up teaching magic to a child of Runcandel. If your father ever found out, neither of us would keep our heads for long."
In the Runcandel Clan, learning magic was synonymous with treason.
While most martial families disliked magic, few rejected it as vehemently as the Runcandels. Ever since the death of the First Patriarch, the family had treated magic as a taboo.
It was a taboo born from the belief that one could never reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship if they practiced magic. Indeed, magic swordsmen had appeared occasionally throughout history, but they all vanished after achieving only mediocre results.
The reverse was also true.
Magic families didn't necessarily reject the martial arts, but they were extremely reluctant to use aura. Their reasoning was that mixing aura would pollute one's mana.
However, this was not the truth.
The real reason the Runcandels treated magic as a taboo was because of a humiliating covenant the family had made with the Zipple Clan a thousand years ago.
Up until the era when Temar was alive, the Runcandels were originally a family of magic swordsmen.
Back then, Runcandel wasn't as famous as it was now, and most of that history had been lost or distorted over time.
Currently, the only ones who knew this truth were Jin—the regressor and contractor of Solderet—Murakan, and a few key figures within Runcandel and Zipple.
"The fact that I'm even sneaking in and out of this basement would be the end of me if I'm caught."
"Yeah, based on what I've heard about your father's personality, that sounds about right. Since we're accomplices, I'll tell you a secret before we start. Most people believe that even if magic swordsmen are rare, they can never become truly strong, right?"
"That seems to be the general consensus."
When Jin feigned ignorance, Murakan let out a satisfied cackle.
"That's all bullshit! It's a load of crap made up by those morons at Zipple, who are even worse than the Runcandels. While it requires some incredible prerequisites, the magic swordsman is the ultimate path. You lot were originally a blessed lineage of magic swordsmen."
"Really? I've never heard that before."
"…You're not even surprised?"
Murakan asked, his voice sounding a bit deflated. Jin belatedly let out a "Wow," trying to act impressed, but Murakan just shook his head.
"Haha, what could be more surprising than meeting you? More importantly, what are those prerequisites?"
"You really aren't a very charming brat. You need a natural-born body with insane mana affinity and aura sensitivity. And a contract with a god."
"I have all of those."
"Now that you know, you don't ever need to fear learning magic. However, let's make one promise, kid. Until you are strong enough, never expose your magic to the family."
"I know that much without you having to say it. I'm only eight; I have no desire to die yet."
"Good, good. Your goal is to one day stand at the peak and let this Murakan live in luxury. Let's begin. First, try to manifest your mana. Hmm, the feeling of manifesting mana is like…"
Wuuuung.
As Jin floated a sphere of mana the size of a walnut above his palm, Murakan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"You crazy… What the hell? How did you do that in a single second? I haven't even explained it yet!"
Jin was also surprised.
He had intended to adjust his level appropriately, but he had manifested the mana sphere instinctively. An eight-year-old body lacked the precise control of a twenty-eight-year-old one. This was especially true since he had rarely used magic lately.
As Jin scrambled to think of an excuse, Murakan stood up, clenching his fists.
"Yes, Solderet! Now I see why you chose this brat as the contractor of the millennium! Khaha, he's the real deal. A real piece of work! Kid, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
The mistake had actually worked in his favor.
Scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile, Jin asked, "Is it really that impressive?"
"Impressive? It's incredible! In my entire life, I've only seen three humans who could float a mana sphere on their palm while they were still runts! The first was the First Patriarch of Zipple. The second was the 4th Patriarch of Zipple. And the third is you!"
Murakan added that the 1st and 4th Patriarchs of Zipple had manifested mana spheres at ages five and seven respectively, but Jin wasn't particularly moved.
He knew the truth. He was certain that he was a "magic genius" no less talented than them.
Considering he had reached the 5-star rank in just three years before his regression and had contracted with Solderet, his talent might even surpass theirs.
If I had been born into the Zipple family in my previous life, I probably would have reached at least the 8-star rank by twenty-eight. Maybe even the 9-star rank.
Murakan wiped the grin off his face.
"Kid. Honestly, I thought it would take a few years just to get to Spirit Energy Release, but maybe we can start before you even leave Storm Castle. Let's move straight to the next step!"
The next step was Mana Movement. It was a basic training method: extinguishing the mana on one palm and moving it to the other without a single error.
This was as easy as using a fork for Jin, but he needed to pace himself.
He had already raised Murakan's expectations high enough; inflating them further would only become a burden.
Furthermore, while his mistake had turned out well, the fact that he had made a mistake at all was important. He clearly needed proper repetitive training and review to handle mana as skillfully as he had in his past life.
Following Murakan's explanation, Jin slowly moved the mana from his right palm to his left.
Hmm… Ten minutes for the first success should be about right.
Ten minutes later, when the mana from Jin's right hand moved precisely to his left, Murakan grinned.
Beads of sweat had formed on Jin's forehead. Intentionally doing something easy slowly was actually more difficult—much like how it's harder to lift a heavy object slowly on purpose.
"Well done. Excellent. Once you can do that within five seconds, you'll be ready for Mana Release. At that point, you'll essentially be a 3-star mage."
"How long do you think that will take?" Jin asked, wiping away his sweat.
"Two years."
Then I should aim to finish it in about a year.
Having finished his calculations, Jin nodded.
"Practice Mana Movement some more today and then head back. Don't you dare practice inside the castle when I'm not around."
"I got it."
After another hour of training, it was time to return to the castle. As Jin packed his notebook and basket, Murakan lay down and scratched his thigh.
"Oh, and kid. When you come tomorrow, make sure to bring a basket full of strawberry pies. I'm asking nicely."
Murakan called out to Jin as he was leaving.
"The strawberry pie you just ate was the last one. Do you have any idea how many strawberries you've devoured over the past six months?"
"Dammit, then just bring whatever other pies your nanny bakes!"
"How about a mouse pie?"
"Why, you little brat, I've been patient with you, but… Hey! Hey!"
Dash!
Jin bolted toward the hole leading out of the basement.
"Anything but mice! Please!"
The next day, what Jin presented to Murakan was a basket full of apple pies.
Murakan was extremely satisfied and patted Jin on the head.
* * *
A year passed, and the morning of September 9, 1789, dawned. Today was Jin's ninth birthday.
Spending a birthday in Storm Castle, which was gloomy all year round, wasn't exactly great for a child's emotional well-being.
While about ten servants, Gilly, and five Guardian Knights gathered to put candles on a cake, the wind and rain lashed violently against the castle windows.
"Happy birthday, Young Master Jin."
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you, everyone."
Fuuu—.
As the candles were blown out, everyone began to clap.
Clang, clang, clang, clang. Because of the knights' gauntlets, a harsh metallic friction rang out instead of soft applause. Even a commoner's birthday party wouldn't be this desolate.
Still, to Jin, it was a fairly cozy and luxurious scene. In his previous life, he hadn't received even this much of a celebration at age nine.
While Gilly was slicing the cake to share with everyone, the Guardian Knight who had been guarding the entrance of Storm Castle suddenly came running down the hallway.
"Young Master Jin!"
It was the Guardian Knight, Khan.
"Khan?"
There weren't many reasons for Khan to run through the hallways inside the castle.
Jin instinctively sensed that someone from the main family had come to Storm Castle.
"The First Lady has arrived!"
"Sister Luna…?"
Jin stood up abruptly as he answered.
Jin's eldest sister, Luna Runcandel.
The eldest of the thirteen children, she was widely regarded as the strongest among all of Runcandel's offspring. Having become a 9-star knight at the mere age of twenty-eight, that assessment was accurate.
Despite her strength, she was a woman who always acted alone, refusing to participate in the ugly struggle for the "throne" within the Runcandel Clan.
She's not the type of person to visit just to celebrate a young sibling's birthday. What's going on…?
Jin pressed himself against the window to look outside. He saw Luna, with her signature massive axe-sword, "Krantel," strapped to her back, striding up the steps of Storm Castle.