Growth
‘What the hell?’
I snapped out of my trance-like meditation as a sudden change jolted me back to reality.
‘It’s hot.’
The elixir energy circulating through my body suddenly felt like molten lava. Sweat poured from every inch of my skin in an instant.
‘This is an insane amount of energy.’
Was the Jinuurhwan elixir supposed to be this potent? Absolutely not. Even a B-rank elixir made from top-grade materials couldn’t contain this much power.
‘But I can absorb it.’
My eyes flashed like stars as I quickly assessed the situation. I didn’t know what was happening, but this was an opportunity. I refocused, determined to fully absorb the surging energy.
Predation activated.
Predating the elixir's energy.
Acquired skill Elixir Absorption (A-rank).
‘……!’
The voice in my ear snapped me alert. Sudden Predation? I hadn’t even considered it. And then...
‘Elixir Absorption? Holy shit, I got this skill?!’
I was genuinely stunned. Elixir Absorption was a signature skill of the Shinseon Butterfly clan. Thanks to it, they had incredibly high elixir absorption rates across generations, allowing them to reach high realms just by consuming large quantities of elixirs.
And now I had it.
‘This is insane...’
I nearly cursed in shock. The Shinseon Butterflies had dominated the continent as sorcerers partly because of this skill’s boost to their total ether capacity. Now that path was open to me too. And the rank I got? A-rank. Even C-rank would’ve had me bowing in gratitude.
An unexpected windfall.
Elixir Absorption (A-rank) activated.
I activated Elixir Absorption without hesitation. The excess elixir energy that hadn’t been absorbed began flowing into me steadily.
Shaaaa...
Heat haze rose from my body. As the elixir fully integrated, my physical abilities surged.
All my physical stats jumped straight to F+ in an instant. From E-rank in the Juvenile Stage, I was now on the verge of molting. No one would believe I’d grown this much already. In mantis history, no trainee had eyed the next molt just a month after entering the training hall.
“Hoo.”
A quiet sigh of admiration escaped as my meditation ended. The Jinuurhwan elixir was fully absorbed into my body.
‘Normally, it would’ve taken at least three months to absorb gradually.’
With the usual 50% loss rate. But now? 100% efficiency.
‘Check the skill.’
I immediately inspected my new Elixir Absorption (A-rank).
Elixir Absorption (A-rank)
Maximizes the body's elixir absorption rate.
◈ Elixirs below skill rank: 100% absorption
◈ Elixirs matching skill rank: 70% absorption
◈ Elixirs above skill rank: 50% absorption
‘Damn.’
Another quiet exclamation as I reviewed it. 100% for anything below A-rank. From now on, any elixir under A-rank would be fully absorbed.
‘Even same-rank at 70%. Insane.’
That was pure skill efficiency—personal cultivation methods could push it higher.
‘With Wind Qi Gong, at least +10%. And if I regain Wind White Heart Method later...’
I might hit 100% even on A-rank elixirs. Ether totals had limits per realm, but more was always better. Higher realms yielded less from low-grade elixirs anyway. Now I could stockpile ether like a Shinseon Butterfly.
‘Wonder if I can upgrade this like High Jump?’
Tempting, but I shook it off. I hadn’t even mastered Wind Qi Gong yet, the foundation of Wind White Heart Method. Step by step to avoid backlash. I’d worry after getting the full method.
‘Anyway, I feel like I could fly.’
My body was literally lighter. Physical stats had skyrocketed. Sure, F+ for a lesser mantis might match F-rank for shield or king mantises due to racial limits. But I was stronger than yesterday. That’s what mattered.
‘Racial limits? Megaera Mantis power will shatter them.’
I stood and faced the full-body mirror. My muscles had developed dramatically overnight, matching my stat gains.
‘Finally, almost worth looking at.’
A satisfied smile curved my lips as I gazed at my reflection.
* * *
“Yawn.”
I woke to warm morning sunlight, feeling truly refreshed for the first time in ages. As I stretched...
Knock knock.
Someone was at the door early. ‘Who?’
I tilted my head and swung it open. Then...
“Kyaaak!”
A high-pitched scream and a flying lunch bag hurtled toward me.
* * *
“Aish, put some clothes on before you kill someone!”
Robed, who’d shown up early, glared at me while fanning herself with her hand.
“I thought I was gonna die of embarrassment.”
She avoided my eyes, fanning vigorously. ‘Yet she scanned me pretty thoroughly.’ I chuckled, recalling the moment. She’d walked in on me shirtless. Scream, lunch bag flung—caught effortlessly. She’d covered her face, but peeked through her fingers.
‘Better not mention it.’
She might avoid me from sheer mortification. ‘Can’t have that. She’s my future benefactor.’ Backing her halo later meant building rapport now. Connections ruled Earth and Abian Continent alike.
“But... you made this?”
I pointed to the lunch containers she’d brought.
“Yeah, check it out. Nourishing stuff.”
She perked up, nodding. Something about worrying for my body. Anyway, I unpacked the bags. Containers piled up fast.
“Whoa...”
I marveled at the feast. Bread, the Abian staple, plus dishes from various primal insects.
‘Dragonfly, locust, cricket, ladybug. Even spider?’
Shocked inwardly. Spider primal for vitality recovery? High-end.
“You made all this yourself?”
“Yup, hands-on. Hope it suits you.”
Her eyes sparkled expectantly.
‘Ugh, not great at white lies.’
I worried how to handle if it sucked, then sampled the dragonfly dish.
“......!”
Delicious. Genuinely. I stared at her in surprise.
“Amazing, seriously tasty.”
“Phew, glad it hits the spot.”
Relief washed over her face. ‘No need to worry.’ Thumbs up, I devoured everything. My near-molt body was starving anyway.
‘Perfect timing.’
Thanks again inwardly as I forked away. Then...
Predation activated.
Gained faint Vital Energy from the corpse of Taeguk Dragonfly.
Warmth spread inside me, followed by the alert. “......!” Nearly spat out my food.
‘What’s this?’
Vital Energy? New term. Instinct said accumulating it would bring positive changes.
‘Others too?’
I tried more primal dishes.
‘Wow.’
I couldn’t help but gasp. Tiny amounts per bite, but Vital Energy was accumulating. ‘Different per primal type.’ Dragonfly, ladybug, locust—distinct qualities. Each primal gave unique Vital Energy.
“You were starving, huh.”
Robed beamed proudly at my enthusiasm. Thumbs up again, then spider dish. ‘Hmm, no reaction?’ Tasty, but no Vital Energy.
As I puzzled over it, Robed spoke sheepishly.
“Uh... the spider’s kinda iffy, right? Sorry, got top-grade for everything else, but spider primals are hard to source fresh. Grabbed some from the hall restaurant in a pinch, so it’s lower quality.”
‘Ah...’
Mystery solved. I’d eaten hall food for a month—no Vital Energy. But her top-grade dishes yielded it. Top-grade meant fresh-killed primals with inner cores, heaven-sent flavor.
‘So, fresh primal corpses with inner cores give Vital Energy.’
Logical. And one more hunch: ‘Probably from Megaera Mantis power.’ Never happened pre-regression. Only change was awakening Megaera blood.
‘Interesting.’
Megaera potential peeled like endless onion layers. Fun discovering it. My lips curved. How deep did this hidden race’s power go?
“Ate like a king today. Robed, I’m falling for your cooking skills.”
“Really? That satisfied?”
Her eyes sparkled brighter than ever. ‘Proud of her cooking.’ New fact about her.
“Great, I’ll make this a regular thing.”
“Hell yeah, count me in.”
Jackpot. Upper-class perks. Top-grade ingredients cost dozens times more, yet she’d cook freely. More Vital Energy incoming thanks to her.
“You’re the best, Robed.”
Another thumbs up. She smiled shyly. ‘Definitely proud.’ Grinning, since enjoying her food fulfilled mutual interests.
* * *
Right after the internal ranking finals.
Norton had gone dark handling the Motenson issue, giving us days of self-training. I adapted to my upgraded body and healed internal injuries.
‘Hmm...’
Mid-cultivation, I frowned. ‘Ether circuits recovering slower than expected.’
Injuries from mixing ether and skills against Motenson lingered. Jinuurhwan boosted physique, not internal healing much.
‘Months of rest needed...’
Worsened by forcing ether in the finals before full recovery.
‘Focus on healing till then.’
But fate didn’t allow leisure.
“Good work on your first ranking. Next one’s in a month and a half.”
Norton announced the schedule upon return.
Baker raised her hand. “Why a month and a half, not one?”
Eager eyes. Her ranking had fired her up; she itched for the next.
Norton eyed her approvingly. “Because the Sama Grand Tournament is then. This ranking uses tournament placements, not internal brackets.”
“......!”
Faces shifted at Sama Grand Tournament. Mantis Hall’s annual event. Individual and team matches by stage, evaluating training progress.
“Lord Karimru attends the first league finals personally. Note it.”
‘Oh!’
My eyes lit. Four leagues: 1st for Infant/Juvenile, 2nd Growth, 3rd Maturity, 4th Complete Body. Lord usually skipped 1st/2nd. Special this time.
‘For Robed?’
Glanced her way—she looked surprised too.
‘Opportunity anyway.’
Impress the lord. He disliked Amar King Centipedes; familiarity helped. Crucial for protecting Robed later. But not too flashy—avoid Great Lord attention.
Plus, 1st league prizes built young mantis futures. Win: lord’s notice and primal feasts with inner cores.
‘Can’t pass this.’
Grinned. Must seize it. ‘But heal first.’ Normal methods wouldn’t suffice by tournament. Idea flashed.
‘Eleven-Day Market!’
Place to get the healing rune. Perfect.