Chapter 4
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Magic and Spear
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Unlike the wartime era of forced conscription, one now had to pass a ‘test’ to enlist.
Of course, the test wasn’t anything special.
It simply required one to be in good health and possess the minimum physical stamina to endure military life.
Upon arriving in the capital, Demian first used the money he had to rent a small room on the outskirts.
“Whew… I should probably prepare a little first, right?”
Though slightly larger than his peers, he was still a far cry from a full-grown adult.
Besides, Demian had never properly exercised before.
His strength was lacking, and his stamina was nothing to write home about.
But there was something more important than that.
‘The mana cultivation method…’
Unlike his past self, the current Demian was in the absolute best condition to train his mana.
He was young, and his mana hall was intact.
What’s more, didn’t he have the ‘Delft Mana Cultivation Method’—a technique boasting supreme efficiency that would only be developed 15 years from now—memorized down to the last detail?
‘Well… you just never know how things will turn out.’
Because he could never properly master any mana cultivation method, Demian had developed a bit of an obsession with them.
His subordinates had teased him several times, asking why he was so diligently memorizing methods he couldn't even use…
“So this is when it comes in handy.”
The Delft Mana Cultivation Method was created by a genius from the Delft family.
While its conditions were a bit demanding, it was renowned at the time for being the most efficient method available, aside from the secret techniques of certain prestigious noble families.
‘I love you, Delft.’
The Delft Mana Cultivation Method consisted of nine stages in total, and reaching just the first stage could explosively increase one's physical abilities.
For the current Demian, this was the most efficient and fastest path forward.
“Shall we get started, then?”
Demian went outside and headed straight for the magic training center.
This was ‘one’ of the reasons he had come directly to the capital.
“Magic training centers only exist in the capital or other major cities.”
There were fewer than five such centers in the entire kingdom.
Among them, the Zarka Magic Training Center in the capital boasted the best facilities.
Demian made his way there.
“Hm? What is it?”
“I’m here to use the training center.”
“…You?”
It was obvious from his attire that he was a commoner.
The guard at the entrance of the Zarka Magic Training Center scoffed and spoke to Demian.
“Forget it, kid. Do you have any idea how much it costs to use the facilities here? A commoner like you wouldn’t even last a moment.”
“Isn’t it two gold a week?”
“Hahaha, and you still came?”
A week’s use of the magic training center cost as much as a typical commoner’s monthly living expenses.
And he still came here?
*Clink.*
Without a word, Demian took two gold coins from his pocket.
“Is there a problem?”
“Huh? Oh, no. Not at all. I mean, no sir. Please, go right in.”
*What’s with this kid?*
*The casual way he pulls out two gold coins, as if he’s buying candy from a corner store…?*
“A-Are you perhaps a nobleman?”
“I have no family name.”
“Ah, please enjoy your time!”
*He must be the son of some tycoon.*
Demian smirked at the flustered guard and walked inside.
*People who work in a fancy place and start acting like they own it are a dime a dozen.*
‘Still, he’s one of the tamer ones.’
Demian entered the magic training center.
*Fwoooosh!*
The moment he stepped inside the building, a sense of fullness washed over him, as if something was filling his body.
‘So this is… the Zarka Magic Training Center?’
He had only ever heard of it; this was his first time visiting.
As Demian looked around, a woman approached him.
“Is this your first time here?”
“Ah, yes.”
When Demian nodded, she quickly sized him up.
He was unremarkable, plain.
In truth, his appearance didn't quite fit in with the usual clientele of the magic training center.
But she offered a friendly smile and said to Demian.
“I can give you a brief explanation of our magic training center. Would you like to follow me?”
The staff member gave Demian a quick rundown of the Zarka Magic Training Center.
Most of the people who came here were the children of noble families learning magic.
To quickly grasp the feeling of magic for the first time, a training center with ‘activated’ mana was the perfect environment.
‘Of course, there are rich people who have their own private training centers…’
That was something only royalty could afford; most nobles used public magic training centers.
The only problem was the exorbitant cost.
“Here at Zarka Magic Training Center, we have instructors who formerly served in the Royal Magic Corps and others from the Magic Tower. You can book lessons with them if you wish.”
“Ah, I think I’ll just be using the facilities. The smallest private room, please.”
“Hmm, I see. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask. The smallest training room is 40 silver a day. If you book for a week, it’s two gold.”
“A week, please.”
Demian handed the employee two gold coins and received a key marked C-41.
‘…Does this mean there are at least 41 of the smallest rooms?’
The number seemed to hint at an incredible scale.
*How much does this place make in a day?*
But the thought was fleeting. Soon, Demian arrived in front of the training room labeled C-41, opened the door, and stepped inside.
“So this is what it looks like.”
The size was ordinary.
About the size of a small room, maybe 170 square feet?
Honestly, a room this size seemed ill-suited for training explosive fire-type magic or spells with a large area of effect.
But…
‘It doesn’t matter to me.’
All Demian intended to do was practice his mana cultivation method.
As long as there was space to sit, it was enough.
Demian looked at the magic circle drawn on the floor.
‘So this is a mana amplification circle.’
The mana stones required to operate this circle accounted for most of the room's cost.
And the moment he entered the training room, Demian could tell.
The mana density inside was at least three to four times higher than outside.
‘The training center brochure said it’s eight times the mana density of the capital’s main square, but…’
He couldn't be sure about that, but it was clear that this place was highly efficient.
“…Hoo.”
One week.
Of course, he had the money and time to extend his stay. However.
‘Dragging things out isn’t my style.’
Just because he had time to spare didn’t mean he was going to take it easy.
“Within a week…”
*I’ll reach the first stage.*
Demian sat down, closed his eyes, and began to circulate the Delft Mana Cultivation Method.
* * *
“…Hmm.”
Raymond was the head instructor of the 3rd Training Center. And, as usual, his training ground was rather quiet.
That is, until that boy showed up.
*Thwack! Thud! Crack!*
The dull thuds and the violently shaking wooden dummy drew the eyes of the other applicants.
“Who is that guy?”
“He still looks like a kid… Where did he learn that?”
“He’s not… a noble’s son, is he…?”
The surrounding applicants muttered amongst themselves.
They didn’t know who he was, but it was clear at a glance that his spearmanship was quite formidable.
But…
‘Is that…?’
Raymond’s eyes wavered.
It was only natural.
The technique that young boy was using was none other than the kingdom’s official spearmanship.
It had a rather ridiculous name, the Kingdom’s First Spearmanship, but it was the most common style used by the kingdom’s soldiers.
‘But how does that kid know… and how can he use the Kingdom’s First Spearmanship?’
Curious, Raymond stood up and casually approached the boy.
*Thump!*
Demian swung his spear, then furrowed his brow slightly.
“…Dammit.”
The Kingdom’s First Spearmanship was a style built on a solid foundation.
But the current Demian had a problem: while his skill with the spear was top-tier, his body was too frail.
He had only been swinging the spear for about thirty minutes…
“Do I… need to wrap my hands?”
His palms were raw and bleeding.
It seemed it would take quite a while to develop the hard calluses he once had.
“Ahem!”
“…?”
Hearing a cough beside him, Demian turned his head.
‘A training center instructor?’
He could tell at a glance.
In his past life, he would have frozen up, unable to even speak properly, but things were very different now.
“Ahem, are you an applicant?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Your spearmanship seems quite impressive. Where did you learn it?”
He had recognized it as the Kingdom’s First Spearmanship at a glance.
Demian nodded and replied.
“It’s a style my late father taught me.”
“Ah, I asked something I shouldn’t have. My apologies.”
“Not at all. When I was young, my father held great pride in the military. It’s because of his influence that I decided to apply to become a soldier myself.”
“…You pass.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, no! It’s nothing!”
Raymond, who had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud, quickly waved his hands.
He then looked at Demian and said.
“Well, I wish you the best of luck. Ah, what’s your name?”
Asking for a name in this situation was always a favorable sign.
At Raymond’s question, Demian stood at attention and answered sharply.
“It’s Demian.”
“A fine name.”
Raymond lightly patted Demian’s shoulder.
His body wasn’t as muscular as he had expected.
‘…That’s surprising.’
His spearmanship was clearly outstanding, but his body didn’t seem very developed in comparison.
It was a bit of a confusing situation, but…
‘I’ll find out eventually.’
One thing was certain, though: a rather capable recruit had arrived.
“Warming up is good, but don’t exhaust yourself before the test.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Heh, you have a way with words. I’ll be rooting for you to pass.”
Having received Raymond's open encouragement, Demian turned away with a faint smile.
Just as the instructor said, the test would begin soon.
With that, Demian stood straight and closed his eyes. And then…
*Wooooong.*
Demian felt a faint tingling in his lower abdomen as strength filled his entire body.
It was a sensation he had never been able to properly feel before.
‘This feeling…’
It was only about the size of a pinky nail, but…
‘I did it.’
He had reached the first stage of the Delft Mana Cultivation Method.
The reason he had been striking the wooden dummy before the test was to practice using his newly completed mana more efficiently.
‘I can use mana now, too…’
What overwhelming emotion he had felt when he first completed the first stage.
Now that he could fully utilize it, his confidence soared even higher.
‘If I can just continue with some systematic training from now on… I’ll get much better.’
He had already finished planning what he needed to do in his head.
All that was left for now was to pass the test at this 3rd Training Center.
*Grin.*
And there was another reason Demian had come to the 3rd Training Center. Namely…
“That guy… he was from this 3rd Training Center, wasn’t he?”
That bastard he was closest to, the one he’d been through thick and thin with.
The one who, even in his final moments, had thrown his own life away to save him… that damn bastard.
‘I wonder what he looks like now.’
Calming his racing heart, Demian began to walk toward the examination grounds.