Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Unlike the era of war, when conscription was mandatory, you now have to take a “test” to enlist.

Of course, the test isn’t much—just ensuring you’re in good health and have the minimum physical endurance to withstand military life.

Upon arriving in the capital, Damian first used some of his money to rent a small room on the outskirts.

“Whew... I suppose I should prepare a bit first?”

Although Damian was slightly larger than other boys his age, he was still far from an adult’s build.

Moreover, Damian had never engaged in proper physical training before.

He wasn’t particularly strong or fit.

But there was something more important than that.

‘The Magic Cultivation Method...’

Unlike in the past, Damian was now in the best possible condition to cultivate magic.

He was young, and his magic hole was intact.

Moreover, he had memorized the “Delft Magic Cultivation Method,” known for its extreme efficiency, which would be developed 15 years from now.

‘Life really is full of surprises.’

Damian had been somewhat obsessed with the magic cultivation method since he hadn’t been able to master it in the past.

His subordinates had often teased him for memorizing a method he couldn’t even use...

“This is where it comes in handy.”

The Delft Magic Cultivation Method was created by a genius from the Delft family.

Though it had some strict conditions, it was renowned as the most efficient magic cultivation method, aside from the secret techniques of certain prestigious noble families.

‘I love you, Delft.’

The Delft Magic Cultivation Method had nine stages, and even reaching the first stage could dramatically enhance physical abilities.

For Damian, this was the most efficient and quickest path.

“Well, I guess it’s time to go.”

Damian left his room and headed straight for the magic training center.

It was one of the main reasons he had come to the capital.

“There are only a few magic training centers in the entire kingdom, and most of them are in the capital or large cities.”

Even throughout the entire kingdom, there were fewer than five magic training centers.

Among them, the Zarqa Magic Training Center in the capital had the best facilities.

Damian made his way to the Zarqa Magic Training Center.

“Hmm? What’s your business here?”

“I’d like to use the training center.”

“...You?”

It was obvious that Damian was a commoner.

The guard at the entrance of the Zarqa Magic Training Center sneered as he spoke to Damian.

“Do you even know how much it costs to use this facility? It would be hard for a commoner like you to even stand here for long.”

“It’s 2 gold per week, isn’t it?”

“Hahaha, you know the cost, yet you still came?”

Using the magic training center for a week would cost a commoner’s entire monthly living expenses.

And yet he had come?

Jingle.

Without a word, Damian took 2 gold out of his pocket.

“Is there a problem?”

“Oh? Ah, no. No problem at all. Please, come inside.”

What’s with this kid?

He casually pulled out 2 gold like he was buying candy at the corner store...

“Are you a noble?”

“I have no family name.”

“Ah, well, please enjoy your time here!”

He must be the son of a wealthy man.

Damian chuckled as he entered, seeing the guard scrambling to be polite.

In high-end shops, you often find people who think they’re high-end themselves.

‘But that’s nothing to complain about.’

Damian entered the magic training center.

Whoosh!

Just stepping inside, he felt a fullness as if something was filling up his body.

‘So this is the Zarqa Magic Training Center?’

He had only heard of it before, but this was his first visit.

As Damian looked around, a woman approached him.

“Is this your first time here?”

“Yes.”

When Damian nodded, she quickly assessed his appearance.

Nothing particularly special.

In fact, he didn’t look like most of the people who usually visited the magic training center.

But she gave him a warm smile and said,

“Let me give you a brief overview of our magic training center. Would you like to follow me?”

Thanks to the staff’s explanation, Damian received a brief introduction to the Zarqa Magic Training Center.

Most people who came to the magic training center were nobles’ children who were learning magic.

To quickly get the feel of magic when they first start learning, a magic training center with “activated” magic was ideal.

‘Of course, there are wealthy individuals who have personal training centers...’

But that was something only royalty could afford, so most nobles used public magic training centers.

The only issue was that the cost was exorbitant.

“At Zarqa Magic Training Center, we have instructors who are former members of the Royal Magic Division and the Magic Tower. You can schedule lessons with them if you wish.”

“Oh, I’m just here to use the facilities. I’d like the smallest private room.”

“I see. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask. The smallest training room costs 40 silver per day or 2 gold for a week.”

“I’ll take a week, please.”

Damian handed the staff member 2 gold and received a key labeled C-41.

‘...So there are at least 41 small rooms?’

That number suggested the center was massive.

How much money do they make here?

But Damian quickly pushed aside his curiosity as he reached the training room labeled C-41 and opened the door.

“So this is what it looks like.”

The room was modest.

About the size of a small 5-pyeong (approximately 16.5 square meters) room.

This space wouldn’t be suitable for training explosive fire magic or large-scale spells.

But...

‘It doesn’t matter to me.’

After all, Damian was here to practice the magic cultivation method.

All he needed was a place to sit.

Damian looked at the magic circle drawn on the floor.

‘So this is the magic amplification circle.’

Most of the cost of this training room went into the magic stones that powered this magic circle.

As soon as Damian entered the training room, he could feel it—the concentration of mana inside was at least three to four times higher than outside.

‘They say the mana concentration here is eight times that of the capital’s main square...’

Damian wasn’t sure about that, but there was no doubt that the efficiency of this place was exceptional.

“...Whew.”

One week.

He had the money and time to extend beyond that, but...

‘Dragging things out doesn’t suit my style.’

Just because he had the luxury didn’t mean he intended to waste it.

“In one week...”

He would reach the first star.

Damian sat down, closed his eyes, and began practicing the Delft Magic Cultivation Method.

* * *

“...Hmm.”

Raymon was the head instructor of the Third Training Center. And as usual, the Third Training Center was fairly quiet.

At least, it was until that boy showed up.

Thud! Thud! Thwack!

The dull sound of a wooden dummy being struck hard drew the attention of the other trainees nearby.

“Who is that kid?”

“He looks young... Where did he learn that?”

“Could he be a noble? ...No, right?”

The trainees murmured among themselves.

They didn’t know who the boy was, but it was clear at a glance that his spear skills were exceptional.

But...

‘That technique...?’

Raymon’s eyes widened in surprise.

And it was only natural.

That young boy was using the Kingdom’s spear technique.

The name “Kingdom’s Greatest Spear Technique” might sound like a joke, but it was the standard technique used by the kingdom’s soldiers.

‘How does that boy know and use the Kingdom’s Greatest Spear Technique?’

Curious, Raymon stood up and walked over to the boy.

Thud!

Damian frowned slightly as he swung his spear.

“...Damn it.”

The Kingdom’s Greatest Spear Technique was built on a solid foundation of basic skills.

But Damian had a problem—his spear skills were top-notch, but his body was too frail.

After just thirty minutes of swinging the spear...

“Should I wrap my hands?”

His palms were already torn and bleeding.

It would take some time before his hands developed the calluses they once had.

“Ahem!”

“...?”

Damian turned his head at the sound coming from beside him.

‘Is he a training center instructor?’

It was easy to tell at a glance.

In the past, Damian might have frozen in fear and struggled to speak, but things were different now.

“Hmm, are you here to enlist?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Your spear skills seem quite good. Where did you learn them?”

It was clear that Raymon had recognized the Kingdom’s Greatest Spear Technique.

Damian nodded and replied,

“My late father taught me.”

“Ah, I asked something I shouldn’t have. My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine. My father took great pride in his military service, and that influenced my decision to enlist.”

“...Accepted.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, nothing! Forget I said that!”

Raymon, realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud, quickly waved his hands in dismissal.

Then he asked,

“Well, I wish you the best of luck. By the way, what’s your name?”

Asking for his name in this context was a clear advantage.

Damian stood at attention and answered with precision,

“Damian.”

“That’s a good name.”

Raymon patted Damian lightly on the shoulder.

His body wasn’t as muscular as Raymon had expected.

‘...Surprising.’

Damian’s spear skills were impressive, yet his body didn’t seem particularly developed.

It was a bit puzzling, but...

‘I’ll find out later.’

What was certain, however, was that a promising candidate had entered the training center.

“Warming up is fine, but don’t exhaust yourself before the test.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

“Haha, you’ve got a way with words. I’ll be rooting for your success.”

With a slight smile, Damian turned away.

As Raymon said, the test was about to begin.

Damian stood still and closed his eyes. Then...

Wooooong.

He felt a faint tingling sensation in his lower abdomen, and his whole body began to fill with strength.

It was a sensation he hadn’t fully recognized before.

‘This feeling...’

It was only the size of a fingernail, but...

‘I’ve done it.’

He had reached the first star of the Delft Magic Cultivation Method.

Striking the wooden dummy before the test was practice for using his newly acquired magic more efficiently.

‘I can finally use magic...’

He remembered how overwhelming it felt when he first completed the first star.

Now that he could fully utilize it, his confidence grew even stronger.

‘If I can continue with structured training... I’ll improve even more.’

He already had a plan in mind.

For now, his only goal was to pass the test at the Third Training Center.

A smirk formed on his lips.

And there was another reason he had come to the Third Training Center. Specifically...

“That guy... he’s from the Third Training Center, right?”

The person who had been closest to him, the one who had been both a rival and a comrade.

The one who had sacrificed his life to save Damian in the end... that damned guy.

‘I wonder what he’s like now.’

Calming his pounding heart, Damian began to walk toward the testing area.