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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 14: When a Genius Encounters a Prestigious Swordsman Family's Martial Arts
I sat down on the floor with my back straight and closed my eyes.
Feeling my heart's regular beating, I visualized the blood pumping from my heart flowing through the meridians to the extremities of my limbs.
This initial step was taught identically in every breathing technique.
'Feel the lungs expanding and contracting with each breath.'
Like soldiers sprawled carelessly in a barracks without a commander, the previously disordered mana began stirring in response to the changes occurring within my body.
'You've had it easy until now? Those good days are over, you bastards.'
I kicked the mana into gathering around my heart and lungs. However, perceiving the liver, kidneys, and spleen wasn't an easy task.
Drawing from my experience as an underworld swordsman, I recalled the vital points I had struck countless times. This became a map of the body's meridians and organs.
Wasn't it said that an excellent swordsman should know the human body as well as a doctor? In that sense, I'm no better than a quack doctor, having learned without proper foundation.
'But a quack doctor with decades of experience might be better than a novice doctor in some areas.'
The mana gathered in the five organs and began coiling. My heartbeat grew stronger and my breathing became more relaxed. While I couldn't tell exactly what was happening in my liver and kidneys, I could at least feel a surge of vigorous energy.
'Next are the meridians, then the muscles.'
Like clearing snow-covered village paths to reveal hidden routes, I created new channels while recalling the essence of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique.
I forced mana through each channel like a marching army, grabbing the stragglers by their necks. I was essentially acting like an ill-tempered sergeant at this moment.
'How about that?'
But something strange was happening. As the circulation continued, I felt increasing resistance blocking the mana flow throughout the meridians.
Like rocks or weeds blocking a waterway, the paths were suddenly becoming obstructed, causing the mana to stagnate.
'Is this related to that incurable disease?'
I had heard of an incurable disease that weakens the body with a cold energy. Perhaps my condition was similar in nature.
'This is troublesome.'
Large quantities of mana.
High-density concentration.
Smooth circulation.
The conditions for a good technique were this simple. What mattered was how efficiently each process performed and how well they harmonized.
'And some unknown force is interfering with all that.'
While I've successfully understood the technique's essence and smoothly connected the complex pathways,
These obstacles blocking the path need to be cleared.
'This isn't going smoothly. The only solution might be to consume proper spiritual medicine and use its power as momentum to break through.'
This was merely a temporary solution. If the illness could be resolved so easily, it wouldn't have been called terminal.
Nevertheless, I felt I could handle this one visible symptom on my own.
'Not now though.'
For now, completing the technique's foundation was far more important, even if somewhat less efficient.
'Damn, it's thoroughly blocked.'
I could clearly feel the meridians where mana had never flown before.
The one fortunate thing was that my perception and responsiveness to mana remained decent throughout this process.
'I suppose this proves that good bloodlines do exist.'
This was the blood of a family that had produced exceptional swordsmen for generations. It wasn't talent comparable to ordinary people.
If I were to compare this current process of observing Allenvert's body through the mana cultivation technique to a sword... It was like polishing, oiling, and sharpening a legendary blade that had been neglected for years.
Though troublesome, the effects were certain. I could already feel my body becoming more vigorous and my constitution changing.
'I am being reborn.'
With experience, superior mana cultivation techniques, and an excellent physical foundation combined, I could surpass others' years of achievement in an unbelievably short time.
Perhaps it was a side effect. A foul odor began emanating as waste products seeped through my pores.
'Wow, what is this rotting smell.'
Could this be like the stench of sewage flooding the slum alleys after heavy rain?
Though I wanted to open the windows immediately, this was actually welcome news. It meant my polluted body was cleansing itself.
'Come to think of it, I haven't bathed since waking up.'
How could one be this filthy?
But now, just one bath would surely leave my body perfectly clean.
"......"
I opened my eyes after completing the long circulation cycle.
The darkness had thinned. My improved vision now captured every detail of the dark scenery hidden in the dim light.
I stood up and threw off my clothes. Leaving behind the garments that looked unwashed for years, I headed to the window.
Swoosh!
I drew back the curtains. Like a mirror coated with mercury, the window glass with darkness behind it perfectly reflected my image.
My hair gleamed with luster, and my face appeared sharper and more defined as if the swelling had subsided. Muscle definition had been added to my previously skinny frame.
Just one complete circulation cycle of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique suddenly elevated my physical condition.
Clench!
When I wrapped mana around my clenched fist, I felt enough grip strength to instantly crush a tough walnut shell.
Ever felt hand pain from too much grip strength? That's me right now.
"This is absurd."
Opening the window, the cool sea breeze began sweeping away the stench. My sensitized skin could detect subtle air currents while refusing to let in the cold.
"Wow, these stars..."
Though it was the same night sky, I could see several times more stars than before. Even stars previously hidden in darkness were now visible.
My vision seemed to have doubled in acuity. Good eyes are a warrior's weapon.
"This level of improvement just from mastering the most basic breathing technique?"
Ludan wasn't exaggerating when he said the Grunewald clan was among the kingdom's top martial families.
In fact, "incredible" barely described these results.
To put it simply-
In less than a night, I had advanced from a sickly boy's body to reach the level of 2nd-tier.
"This is insane, good lord."
One is considered to have reached 1st Tier when they can retain and utilize even a small amount of mana in their heart.
At this level alone, one could join a local gang in the underworld and cause trouble, or serve as a soldier in the military.
This was thanks to gaining a much more robust physique compared to humans without mana.
In short, 1st Tier was the starting point where one could make a living as a fighter anywhere. Of course, most die or retire with injuries before reaching 2nd-tier.
'Those who spend their days drinking and picking fights can't get stronger.'
Meanwhile, 2nd-tier represents the realm of adepts who skillfully utilize mana. Senior soldiers who've fought for years on battlefields or those walking the path of knighthood are at this level.
'At that level, you can strut around as a gang lieutenant commanding underlings in the back alleys.'
This was the realm that had blocked young Karzan, who had gathered orphans and plunged into the underworld, for several years.
Though I was a rare sword genius, I didn't possess the kind of talent that naturally accumulated mana just by breathing.
'But how unfair this world is, damn it.'
Blood and status don't determine a man's qualities.
However, it was undeniable that knights born of good lineage showed superior growth while raised in excellent environments.
How could a street-born swordsman and one from a prestigious clan achieve the same results, even with the same qualities?
With an exceptional mentor, excellent guidance, solid support, and a seemingly endless supply of elixirs, powerful martial techniques that maximize efficiency and minimize trial and error... A difference in origin truly creates an enormous gap at the starting line.
But.
'When others had these advantages, it was annoying. Now that I'm in that position, I feel like wiping away my old bitterness.'
That's how simple humans are.
'In any case, I’ve reached around the third level of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique.'
There are still profound insights I haven't fully grasped. If I could reach the sixth level, I might even ascend to a higher stage.
Above all, I haven’t even begun to attempt the deep mysteries within the martial arts passed down by my distant ancestor, Duke Vitenfeld.
“This is satisfying enough.”
With just the mana of a 2nd-tier, I had already regained martial prowess that made it hard for others my age to match me.
Of course, compared to the heirs of noble clans who’ve feasted on elixirs and spent years refining their techniques, my mana reserves are considerably lacking.
However, what mattered now was that I had gathered enough mana within myself to make it "usable."
‘A battle between a warrior who can wield mana and one who can’t is often one-sided.’
To the point that even a fledgling could overpower a seasoned underworld swordsman with sheer strength and speed.
This is why it's so important to build up your mana by learning the right techniques.
‘And I'm not just some pathetic neighborhood bully who can't handle a strong kid.’
Even with my untrained body, if I could just envelop it with a small amount of mana, I had confidence that I could take down an average knight.
Swordsman Karzan was a man who survived against the odds, constantly fighting disadvantaged battles. …In other words, I had more than made up for the wasted years of Allenvert’s absence.
‘How much stronger can I become?’
In my previous life, in a desperate moment facing death, I had achieved a fleeting flash of enlightenment, a glimpse of the 8th-tier realm.
I was a late 6th-tier swordsman who had only briefly invaded the 8th-tier realm in a very small area.
The 8th-tier is an unimaginable level, where only the top ten masters could hope to belong.
But with my talent from my past life and the opportunities of this one, I might someday attain that realm.
“If I can reach that, I’ll achieve both Karzan’s revenge and Allenvert’s lifelong goals.”
The words I murmured were laced with an unexpected chill that even surprised me.
‘Allenvert.’
Did you wish to be the head of the clan?
Did you long to live freely?
Did you want to have the dignity no one could ignore?
Did you wish to escape your fate as a terminally ill man?
…Or did you simply want to make Mother happy?
Whatever it was you wanted, I’ll make it come true.
I’ll reunite with Mother, crush the schemes of our scheming siblings, and extend your fleeting life as long as I can.
If your spirit is cowering somewhere to escape from Karzan, then watch from there.
“Anyway.”
I pushed my foul-smelling clothes into a corner and wiped my body with a dry towel.
“This won’t do; it still feels disgusting.”
Quietly, like a righteous thief, I slipped out of the room and made my way to the guest house’s bath, where everyone was already asleep.
‘I’ll get Peter to wash those tomorrow.’
I take my work distribution seriously.
"Heh heh heh."
Even while washing up, I chuckled like a village fool. To gain the strength of the 2nd-tier overnight – if that isn’t genius, what is?
'Someone, go ahead and pick a fight with me.'
That way, the whole world would know of tonight’s great miracle.
This is how much I crave attention.
* * *
The previous day, word of Allenvert’s unusual activities upon recovering from a fever quickly spread to his siblings.
"The butler met with Father late at night?"
"Apparently, it was right after Lord Allenvert came out of the library."
"Well, isn’t that a coincidence?"
The hand of a man playing chess in the sea breeze paused mid-air. The hand was fair and beautiful, but marked with calluses.
“Why make a fuss over the actions of a timid child?”
A sneer appeared on his lips, full of disdain for his pathetic younger brother.
"…Why would the butler make such a commotion? He’s the most cautious man I know, isn’t he?"
"Indeed."
"There must be something hidden. The butler doesn’t act over trivial matters."
The young lord placed a chess piece down.
He was a man who wouldn’t dismiss even the smallest issue. …So meticulous and unrelenting in his scrutiny that everyone feared his nature.
"What could that whelp have gained overnight? We’d better look into it."
"I’ll assign someone."
"No."
The young lord spoke.
"Summon the youngest."
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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