Chapter 207: Training II

Unwilling to give up just like that, Killian quickly thought of suggestions.

"H-How about sharing gifts through the contract?"

Regis did not even look back at him, "I’ve tried that. But every time I put that as one of the terms, the contract dissipates."

He was not lying.

His understanding of his gifts was only due to his extensive studying of them whenever he had some free time.

Regis did not know why, but the soul contract seemed to be unable to directly interfere with humans’ gifts.

’I don’t know if it’s because of the nature of gifts... since gifts themselves are pretty mysterious, after all.’

"Anyway, I believe in you. You’re the most talented of House Gladius, right?"

Seeing them training in their own ways, Killian clicked his tongue.

He then walked over to a tree, sat down in front of it, and leaned back against the trunk, his mind racing as he searched for ways to grow stronger.

’Argh, I don’t know what to do...’

Killian felt the pressure of being at a party where all members are talented.

In the past, he had viewed himself as someone who was above others in terms of talent.

Thus, it was the first time in his life when he felt that he was too weak.

His piercing blue eyes looked over to Aurelia, who had several weapons floating around her.

Afterwards, he glanced at Regis, who was in the middle of teaching Pandora something.

’This is bad...’

Killian heaved a deep sigh, ’If this goes on, I’ll be left behind.’

The pressure in his heart grew heavier at the thought of dragging down the whole party.

’What am I missing...’

He almost pulled out his blonde hair as he continued racking his brain.

’If only I had awakened a gift...’

As soon as he thought of this, Killian shook his head.

’No, I can’t let these thoughts poison my mind.’

He then began muttering to himself as his eyes became filled with determination.

"Right now, I have three aura arts."

"If I include what I derived from Lightning God’s Descent, then it will be five."

Although he also had other aura arts, they were only for support and would not increase his power.

"Lightning Thrust, Lightning Rush, and Lightning God’s Descent..."

Killian focused intently, unwilling to let the gap between them widen.

Meanwhile, Aurelia’s frown deepened as her concentration reached its peak.

The task that Eldrin gave her was to analyze the structure of various weapons so she could create them later using mana.

Mana Formation was a basic magic that did not require any kind of complex magic formulae.

It was just like Mana Missile and Mana Shield, where the caster only needed to mold the mana into the shape of what they wanted to create.

But even though it was basic magic, there were still some levels to it.

’To shape them flawlessly with Mana Formation, I need to internalize the very pattern of their atomic structure, which is the essence that grants them strength and form.’

That was right.

Over the past week, Eldrin had told her about atoms— particles that make up things in the world.

Fundamentally, mana related to magic the same way atoms related to physical objects, both served as the core components of creation.

And for her first task, it was to analyze the atomic structure of various objects using Mana Sense.

Mana Sense was another basic magic that forms an interconnection between one’s mana and mental power.

This would allow its user to "see" things through their mana.

’After this, I still need to practice controlling my gift...’

Aurelia thought with a slight smile on her lips.

Since Regis had demonstrated his ability to dispel the power of her gift, she had pleaded with him to teach her as well.

However, she could not replicate his method, as it relied on his unique Corruption Manipulation.

From that point on, she always kept a golden leaf with her, which she used to practice dispelling her gift whenever she found the time.

As she kept up with her training, Regis began guiding Pandora with his palm on her back.

"Just relax and concentrate, I’ll be here for you."

"Okay, Brother."

"Now, start circulating your mana through your mana vessels."

Two Mana Stars began shining on Pandora’s chest as she closed her eyes.

Regis also followed suit, using mana sense to see the route of mana circulation in her body.

Thanks to their soul contract, Pandora did not need to worry about mana contamination or any injuries as they underwent this procedure.

’I hope this works...’

Regis sighed inwardly before he began speaking.

"For mages, mana vessels extend from the heart upward through the body toward the head, whereas for warriors, aura vessels extend from the heart downward throughout the body. This is because a warrior’s physical fitness is closely tied to aura, just as a mage’s mental power is closely tied to their mana."

"Right now, what I want for you to do is to extend your mana both upward and downward from your heart, make sure that your mana vessels will be extended through your entire body."

At his words, Pandora began concentrating even more.

However, as the tiniest bit of mana began extending downward her heart, an excruciating pain assaulted her.

"Argh!!"

She tried to contain her scream into a groan of pain, but she still made sure to continue extending her mana throughout her body.

"If it gets too painful, I can share the pain with you."

Regis looked at her with a worried face and suggested in a gentle tone.

"No... I wanted to do this..."

Pandora responded between her gritted teeth.

"I understand, no need to say more. Just focus."

As humans, their affinity with mana was at rock bottom among all the intelligent races in the world.

The pain she was feeling at this moment was because of her life force fighting the mana that was trying to circulate throughout her body.

It was none other than mana contamination.

Although she did not have to worry about dying from it, the pain alone made her want to rip her heart out.

Regis could see the purplish blemishes that began appearing on Pandora’s skin.

’If only I can lend them my gift...’

Their soul contract only allowed him to take damage, pain, and injuries in their stead.

If Pandora wanted her own body to build tolerance and adapt to the circulation of mana in her body, then she would have to rely on herself.

"Grrrr..."

She gritted her teeth, only able to utter inhumane sounds.

This lasted for ten minutes before Regis removed his palm from her back, instantly making the pain disappear.

Pandora turned her head, "I-I can still do it. I won’t give up no matter how painful it is..."

Looking at her haggard face full of sweat and purplish blemishes, along with her gasping for breath and teary eyes, Regis felt something clench his heart.

"No, it’s not that. I just felt like I made a mistake in thinking that your body would be able to quickly take in the mana circulation."

"T-Then, do I still have a chance of using aura arts?"

"Of course. It’s just that, instead of forcibly circulating your mana in one session, we’ll gradually do it every night."

"T-Thank goodness, I can be more hel—"

Before Pandora could finish her words, she fell asleep.

Fortunately, Regis was able to catch her before she hit the ground.

He then carried her and proceeded towards the carriage, ’Come to think of it, she doesn’t seem like the type to be overly ambitious... I wonder why she wanted to use aura art so much...’

On the other hand, Killian, who had had his eyes closed since earlier, opened them with a smile.

"I finally got it! Since I have too few aura arts and nowhere to get them from, I’ll just make my own!!"

***

In an unknown place...

A large figure, towering over five meters tall, sat on a huge throne.

Their black scales were complemented by the various golden jewelry that adorned their humanoid body.

Their red robe, trimmed with gold accents, further amplified the air of lavishness and luxury.

The area was lit only by the limited glow of gilded lamps and flickering torches.

Through the illumination, one could see the sparkling mountain of gold pieces of jewelry, artifacts, weapons, armors, and other treasures around the throne.

At this moment, three figures entered the hall.

"Your Excellency, you called for us?"

The three figures knelt just a meter away from the littered treasures, not daring to raise their heads or look upon even the tiniest gold coin.

The towering figure on the thrown snorted, mist coming out of their reptilian snout in the process.

"Hmph, Marzak has perished."

The three figures felt shocked, but refrained from making sounds.

The towering figure spoke once again, "I want the three of you to keep preparing for an invasion of the human territory."

"But Your Excellency, the other demon lords will be furious if we act on our own right now."