Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Youngest Aura User
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Those who surpass human limits through extreme training share one common trait.
They wield a special power scattered throughout the great nature, known by various names.
Knights called it Aura, mages called it mana.
And far away in the mysterious Eastern lands, it was also referred to as qi.
In any case, once one transcends the realm of the physical body, humans naturally come to grasp the power of nature at a certain point.
However, there is a more efficient way to handle it: the so-called mana heart method.
The first appearance of mana heart methods dates back thousands of years, to an ancient time impossible to pinpoint exactly.
It is said to have been created by dragons, or there are theories that it began with a genius magic swordsman.
But the important point is that, over a long time, they evolved in various ways, giving rise to numerous types of mana heart methods.
The Artian Kingdom had quite a few mana heart methods.
Each family developed and guarded them like secret arts, and eventually, they were even graded by efficiency and stability.
But such mana heart methods were truly the secrets among secrets.
They were so precious that only successors carrying on family traditions could barely learn them.
‘But…….’
Seven years from now, at this very point in time, a mana heart method with absurdly top efficiency would emerge.
Created by a mere academy student, a genius no less.
“No one ever thought to mix two heart methods to create a single mana heart method.”
After finishing the supply distribution and returning, Rian unpacked his gear and headed to the training grounds.
He had mountains of things to do ahead.
“First, I need to do something about this pathetic body of mine.”
Rian began jogging lightly around the training grounds. He glanced at the soldiers there.
‘Busy bees.’
Most wouldn’t come to the training grounds after traveling such a long distance and returning.
In other words, the ones training here now were the ones with high potential for greatness ahead.
‘Come to think of it, I don’t know much about the Eagle Company.’
In his past life, the company had been disbanded after a crushing defeat in the Pellon Gorge battle.
The survivors among the soldiers and officers here had all been reassigned to other units.
“Huff…… huff…….”
While running laps around the training grounds, Rian let out a disbelieving chuckle.
He’d only done two laps, but his breathing was already ragged.
‘What the hell was I thinking enlisting in the army at this time?’
Looking back, it seemed like a reckless decision driven solely by the ambition to become a great general.
Of course, back then, enlistment was pretty much the only path available.
“Whew…… alright, time to get serious?”
He’d only run to warm up, but his stamina was already depleted.
Rian slapped his cheeks lightly to steel his resolve.
‘This kind of training is way too inefficient.’
Running laps all day to build stamina, or carrying heavy logs or rice sacks to build strength—sure, they worked, but there were better methods.
Rian eyed a flag ahead.
About twenty meters away?
He took position, eyeing the flags spaced at intervals.
“That should do it.”
To the first flag, as slowly as possible—but not walking, jogging was key.
The moment he passed the first flag,
“Hup!”
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Rian held his breath and sprinted at his top speed.
“Pah!”
He blew past the second flag in an instant, then slowed to his slowest jog again.
Repeating this over and over.
This built stamina efficiently, advantageous on battlefields requiring bursts of explosive power.
Plus, it yielded big results in short sessions—ten years later, it became standard training for all units.
But before reaching the tenth flag, Rian’s stomach twisted, and he bolted to a tree by the wall.
“Urk—!”
Was the intensity too high from the start? Or was this body just too weak to handle it?
Rian vomited up everything from breakfast, then finally came to his senses and collapsed onto the ground.
“Whoa…… this bad?”
His head spun.
He hadn’t realized his stamina was this poor.
No wonder he’d nearly passed out climbing that hill in Pellon Gorge multiple times.
“Ugh, back in the day, I’d have run straight up it.”
Rian wiped his mouth roughly with his sleeve and stood.
“Um…….”
But then, someone approached cautiously and spoke to him.
Rian turned.
“Who?”
“Sorry to interrupt your training. I’m Isaac.”
“Isaac?”
What’s this? A familiar name?
Rian tilted his head, lost in thought. Isaac, seeing this, asked,
“That training you were doing just now. What was it?”
‘Isaac…… Isaac…… he looks kinda familiar…….’
Rian narrowed his eyes at Isaac. Isaac looked a bit puzzled,
“Um……?”
“Isaac…… Isaac?”
Rian’s eyes shook.
“Isaac Pitt?”
“No, sorry, no family name. I’m a commoner.”
At his words, Rian froze and examined his face closely.
‘No way, my eyes aren’t rotten fish eyes…….’
He was certain.
This guy right in front of him.
The Artian Kingdom’s youngest Aura user.
Isaac Pitt, the count.
Rian swallowed hard and asked,
“Uh, may I ask…… how old are you…… right now?”
“13.”
‘A year younger than me.’
It all fit perfectly.
Rian felt goosebumps rise all over.
There was one reason Rian remembered Isaac so vividly.
When Rian’s unit faced a dire crisis from a failed operation, the relief force was led by Isaac.
The vivid blue Aura he’d seen then.
And the unbelievable feats straight out of a novel.
Though only a year apart in age, the gap in their skills was like heaven and earth.
Rian stared blankly at Isaac, then suddenly grabbed his hand.
“Thank you so much.”
“……Huh?”
From his past life—the man who saved his life, an object of awe. A thank you to him.
Rian smiled faintly and said,
“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, what did you want to ask?”
“The training you’re doing now. I was curious about it.”
“Oh, it doesn’t have a name, but you space out the distance like this…….”
Rian explained the training he’d been doing. Listening, Isaac looked surprised and said,
“Wow…… amazing. Did you come up with it?”
“Huh? Oh…… uh, my dad was a training instructor in the village. He taught me.”
“You’ve got an awesome father! Incredible!”
Sorry to my late father…… but it’s the best excuse.
At Isaac’s reaction, Rian said quietly,
“Wanna train together?”
“Can I?”
“It’s natural between comrades-in-arms.”
He emphasized ‘comrades-in-arms.’
At Rian’s words, Isaac nodded.
“I’m Isaac. 13 years old, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad.”
“I’m Rian. 14, 3rd Platoon, 4th Squad.”
“3rd Platoon, 4th Squad? Where Squad Leader Bark is?”
“Famous?”
“For his bad temper?”
“Heh, nice to meet you anyway.”
“You’re 14? A year older than me, big bro?”
“Bro? Nah, comrades-in-arms. Keep it casual.”
Rian rolled his shoulders lightly and bounced on his toes.
“Warmed up enough? It’s pretty intense. You saw me puking.”
“I’m good already. I’ll follow your lead.”
Isaac and Rian’s first meeting.
They were the last ones training on the grounds.
* * *
“Rian, the battalion commander summons you!”
“Yes!”
Rian replied loudly to Platoon Leader Derek’s words. He knew the meaning of this summons.
After waiting a bit at the place Derek led him to,
“The battalion commander is coming!”
At the soldier’s words, everyone turned to the entrance.
A man entered the room.
Ultron Dian, 3rd Battalion Commander of the 6th Legion’s Eagle Company.
With glimpses of white hair, Ultron swept his gaze over the officers and soldiers.
“Thank you for coming back alive.”
His first words.
Rather than congratulating merits, he praised his subordinates for surviving the war.
At that, Raymond and the others bit their lips, faces emotional.
Ultron smiled faintly and continued.
“The merits you achieved in this battle are tremendous. Avoiding heavy losses from the barbarian ambush meant to cut supplies was impressive enough, but annihilating them is beyond words.”
He glanced at a nearby soldier.
The aide unrolled a scroll and announced,
“Eagle Company, Company Commander Raymond. Forward!”
Snap!
“In the battle against the barbarians at Pellon Gorge, you annihilated over five hundred barbarians and perfectly executed the supply orders with outstanding leadership, setting an example for other commanders. For this, you are specially promoted one rank, awarded 30 gold, and a medal.”
“Thank you!”
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
Everyone applauded Raymond’s merits.
The commendations continued.
All platoon leaders received rewards, and those on their first scout mission got substantial ones.
Tauran, as leader of the scouting party that spotted the barbarians, received leave, promotion, and bonus pay.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
Tauran returned to his seat amid applause.
He smirked lightly at Rian on the way. Rian smiled back faintly.
“Finally, recruit Rian! Forward!”
“Yes!”
As Rian stepped forward, Ultron looked at him with an intrigued smile.
This little recruit racked up such huge merits?
“Rian! With your exceptional archery, you killed a barbarian officer in the rear and made a major contribution to slaying Karouldin, the barbarian force’s overall commander and Aura user! For this, you are specially promoted three ranks and appointed squad leader. Additionally, you receive 15 days and 16 nights of reward leave, 15 gold, and a bow crafted by artisan Paula!”
With that, a soldier holding a long rectangular box stepped forward and handed it to Rian.
“I expect even greater feats ahead.”
“Thank you!”
Rian shook Ultron’s outstretched hand and replied loudly.
With the commendations over, back at the barracks, Rian eyed the large box he’d brought.
Artisan Paula.
Not top-tier kingdom-wide, but well-known in the territory where Rian’s unit was stationed.
Rian carefully opened the box.
“……Wow.”
The deep reddish-brown wooden bow was clearly made from premium materials at a glance.
‘This is even better than the one I used before……?’
As Rian admired the bow, Derek, who had entered the barracks, said,
“Like it?”
“Oh, Platoon Leader. I love it!”
“The company commander put a lot of emphasis on your merits in his report. Probably why you got that special reward.”
“Oh…… the company commander.”
“Congrats anyway. Oh, and the whole Eagle Company gets 2 nights and 3 days leave, but if you want, you can tack on your reward leave and take it together.”
“I’d like that if possible!”
2 nights and 3 days felt too short anyway.
He had something crucial to do on this leave.
Derek nodded at Rian’s words.
“I’ll report it. By the way, you’ve been promoted to squad leader…… might get transfer orders to 6th Platoon. They’re short on men.”
“……I see.”
Rian looked a bit down.
The platoon leader was better than expected; it was a shame.
But suddenly,
“Platoon Leader, then can I pick my squad members myself?”
“Hmm…… probably not all, but a few, yeah. Their opinions matter too, of course.”
“Oh, really?”
“Someone you wanna bring along? You haven’t been here long.”
Derek asked. Rian replied,
“There’s someone I really want to bring.”
The guy who came to mind first.
The corner of Rian’s mouth twitched faintly.