Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Return
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The [Base Aura Training Manual] was a somewhat worn book.
The [Grand Magus Lilliana's Revised Base Aura Manual] was a pristine, luxurious tome with an ornate, thick cover.
"One is the original text, and the other is my simplified and annotated version of it."
"Base Aura Training Manual?"
"It's quite an old book. No one knows who created it. Whether 'Base' refers to a person's name or some other meaning is lost to time as well."
"And what's [Grand Magus Lilliana's Revised Base Aura Manual]? You know how to handle aura too?"
"I'm no expert in martial arts, but I've delved deeply into the study of aura. I know how to utilize it through aura operation techniques. I've even successfully manifested an Aura Blade."
Reading the skepticism in my eyes, Lilliana continued.
"Aura and magic operate differently, but they ultimately manifest as one force. The power of mana—that is, magical power. If you understand the principles, manifesting it isn't hard. Of course, it's not as refined as a Sword Master's, but pure manifestation is possible."
"A mage's aura training manual..."
"My knowledge of aura operation theory is on par with any master—perhaps even superior. Knights tend to acquire it through brute force and body rather than intellect."
Lilliana spoke with a confident expression.
"Each knight's aura training method is unique. Every family has its secret aura cultivation techniques. But the [Base Aura Training Manual] covers the most fundamental concepts. Its contents are close to the origin of aura cultivation."
"This [Base Aura Training Manual] is the origin?"
"Yes. It's no exaggeration to say nearly all existing aura training methods derive from this book."
"How do you know that?"
"It's the result of long years of research and investigation. There might be an even older origin, but from what I've uncovered, this is the closest."
"Impressive that you found it."
"Uncovering that truth was difficult, but acquiring the book itself wasn't."
"It wasn't?"
"No. You might find it rummaging through a big bookstore in the city. It's been widely circulated for so long."
Seeing the dubious look on my face, Lilliana spoke with even more confidence.
"But people don't recognize its value. They see it as just another cheap aura training manual. Distinguishing gems from junk among all those aura tomes isn't easy. I'm the one handing it to you. In this era, I'm probably the only one who truly appreciates its worth."
So, a single book meticulously selected by Lilliana herself?
Not particularly rare.
Yet rare in its own way.
"As for the revised manual I created, it's the [Base Aura Training Manual] supplemented with the best aura training methods I've encountered, simplified and organized for clarity."
Lilliana beamed with pride.
But I couldn't just take her word for it and close the deal.
I opened the Dimensional Shop to check the value of the books she'd given me.
The Base Aura Training Manual was available in the Dimensional Shop.
Its price was substantial.
Overwhelmingly higher than other basic aura training manuals.
It matched the total value of all the magic books I'd bought from the magic shop.
The Dimensional Shop's pricing confirmed her words were close to the truth.
Her revised manual, however, wasn't listed.
I had a rough idea of how the Dimensional Shop worked now.
It seemed to stock items widely recognized and known by many.
"Deal."
"1 liter."
"Hey, no lowballing. 0.2 liters."
I calculated roughly 0.1 liters per book.
"0.2 liters?! What nonsense is that?! Isn't that too low!"
Lilliana flew into a rage.
But it didn't faze me.
"You're the one trying to gouge me over basic training manuals that aren't even advanced."
"These aren't just any basic manuals! They're personally authored by the great Lilliana herself! Their value is incalculable!"
"That's your opinion... If not 0.2, then leave."
"Argh!!"
Lilliana was thoroughly pissed.
The outcome of this deal was predetermined anyway.
The books were nice-to-haves for me, but my blood was something she desperately wanted.
The desperate one loses.
"F-Fine, you petty jerk!! 0.2 liters it is..."
"Got any good basic intro magic books? I'll throw in another 0.1 liter if you do."
It occurred to me that I wanted to give my women something better than mass-produced magic books.
Lilliana tossed me a magic book.
[Grand Magus Lilliana's Magic Primer.]
A Grand Magus's magic book—verified quality for sure.
"You're really sucking me dry to the bone. Now keep your promise."
"Bone over a basic book...? Hmm? You seem a bit bolder than last time..."
"N-No. Y-You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
About 0.1 liters' difference, maybe.
Obvious ploy, but I let it slide.
Lilliana took my blood and vanished with a sly grin.
(Heehee. Foolish guy. Doesn't even notice I've grown bolder...)
Her faint mutter reached my ears.
'That little...'
I almost grabbed her by the hair as she stormed off in a huff, but I held back.
The soft-hearted one has to endure.
Suni returned.
With an incredible upgrade.
Testing Suni's performance, I knew giving her the spirit seed was the right call.
All the puzzle pieces had fallen into place.
Exceeded the original goal.
Time to return to the original world.
I sought out Ignis first.
Ignis sat cross-legged in a quiet corner of the back yard, like a martial arts master.
"Ignis."
"Combat?"
Ignis slowly opened her closed eyes.
Her beautiful red irises gazed at me calmly.
"Not that. We have somewhere to go together."
"Understood."
The loyal Ignis rose without question. After escorting her to the Heroes' Haven, I headed to the giant tree with the save point.
A small cabin was visible in the distance.
Albert's place.
I resisted the urge to drop Mjolnir the giant hammer on it.
The guy was still wheezing from the aftermath of Ignis's blow.
"Tch. Acting like such a wimp over a hit."
Clicking my tongue, I entered the cave in the massive tree trunk.
The save point was already activated.
I stepped into the rectangular passage shimmering with a transparent haze.
The first thing I noticed was the briny sea air.
Then the blue sky filling my view.
And the blue ocean.
Jeju Island.
I stood on the terrace of the residence provided by Flame Lord Kwak Sang-hyun.
A welcome sight after so long.
Time here hadn't passed much...
The party list in the system window turned gray, as if powered off.
Only Ignis in the Heroes' Haven remained active among the party members.
Curious how the party would handle it—turns out like this.
"Suni, handle it."
[Translating the magic books and aura manuals?]
"Yeah."
[Got it, Master. Please wait a moment.]
Suni appeared faintly, pecked my cheek, and vanished.
'Overflowing with charm.'
She used to feel a bit stiff, but now she was completely soft and endearing.
The charming Suni was adorable.
Suni finished translating all the books into files in less than half a day.
[Un-ho's Aura Training Manual.]
[Un-ho's Revised Aura Training Manual.]
[Un-ho's Magic Primer.]
Lilliana's name had been shamelessly replaced with mine. Not just that—she'd slapped my name on every magic book too.
Lilliana might rage if she saw, but...
Different worlds anyway.
She'd never witness my audacity.
The reason for adding my name was simple.
Good deeds should be known to all.
If no one knows...
Then no one knows.
I planned to give the revised aura manual and magic books to my women, and distribute the rest.
But how to distribute them?
Can't give them away for free, obviously.
Sell at a fair price.
Not too expensive.
Affordable enough for ordinary people to buy without starving.
Still, it'd be like giving away these treasures...
Physical books seemed inefficient.
[How about creating a website to sell viewing rights for the files?]
Sounded good.
Paper books would just complicate things.
Putting it online would be easier in every way, especially leveraging Suni.
File viewing rights.
Locked files.
Only accessible by the purchasing account on smartphones or computers.
Copying was an issue...
Online spread? No problem with Suni around. Offline was unavoidable, though.
I gathered my women on Jeju Island.