Chapter 166: Training for Mana Control (5)
The knights-in-training grew more and more haggard by the day as they endured the agony of forcibly breaking through their mana channels.
They came to a grim realization about why the Lord wasn’t worried in the least about the risk of leakage.
‘How could anyone teach this to someone else?’
‘I’ve never even heard of anyone being taught in this way.’
‘Even if you know how, it’d likely kill the other person.’
Since the mana channels had been created by force, they had no way of understanding the method behind it.
In other words, they were learning with their bodies, without a grasp of the theory.
As the knights-in-training grew worn out, Ghislain’s complexion also darkened. He was struggling just as much as they were.
‘As I thought, getting this done all at once isn’t easy.’
Even though he seemed to be pushing through roughly, Ghislain was carefully regulating his mana to ensure the knights-in-training didn’t die in the process.
Compared to his past life, his mana reserves were significantly reduced, so managing such a large number of people required careful attention to avoid any waste.
Since he was depleting his mana to its very limits every single day, there was no way his body could stay unaffected.
‘Should I extend the schedule? At this rate, I’ll be the first one to drop dead.’
It got so bad that Ghislain even considered giving up halfway.
But every time he felt that urge, he would recall his previous life, hardening his resolve.
‘There’s nothing to gain from dragging this out. I need to treat every single day as a borrowed life.’
He couldn’t allow himself to repeat the regrets of his past life. Gritting his teeth, Ghislain focused on breaking through the mana channels of the knights-in-training.
His intense determination was palpable, even without words.
The knights-in-training, sensing the Lord’s serious demeanor, clenched their own teeth and endured alongside him.
After a week of this, their eyes began to gleam like finely honed blades. Little by little, some of them even started to sense mana.
The most basic preparations were finally complete.
With a look of relief, Ghislain informed them that their ordeal was over.
“You’ve done well to endure up to now. The pain that felt like it would kill you is finally over. From here on, I’ll teach you how to gather and manipulate mana using the Mana Concentration Array.”
“Woohoo!”
The knights-in-training let out cheers.
No matter how many times they went through it, they could never get used to the pain that tore through their bodies.
They’d held on through sheer willpower, but truthfully, every day had felt like hell.
Now that the pain was over, they couldn’t help but rejoice.
The knights-in-training began their training in earnest, using the Mana Concentration Array.
“Wow, we’re finally stepping into the Mana Concentration Array.”
“Whoa, I can really feel the mana flowing in.”
Even though they now possessed mana channels, it was still difficult for complete beginners to absorb mana.
However, thanks to the immense power of the Mana Concentration Array, the knights-in-training could absorb mana just by breathing.
“Really, my body is actually absorbing mana!”
“All that hardship is over! Now, happiness begins!”
They all sat in the Mana Concentration Array, grinning ear to ear. Even if they tried, they couldn’t hold back their smiles.
“Ah, I’ve become a knight who can control mana. How could I hold my excitement?”
The knights-in-training continued learning from Ghislain, step by step, about how to control and release mana.
Though efficiently controlling their mana wasn’t easy yet, they tried to move it little by little, following the mana channels Ghislain had engraved into their bodies.
It was a bit monotonous, but compared to the suffering they had endured until the previous day, this felt like heaven.
“I knew I could trust the Lord. He must have had everything planned.”
“Hmph, my faith was lacking.”
As if they’d never cursed their Lord, they all busied themselves silently praising Ghislain.
That’s how memory works. No matter how painful the experience was, as long as the reward after the painful struggle is good, it will all turn into a cherished memory.
Everyone firmly believed this happiness would continue.
After a week, the knights-in-training finally entered the process of actually using mana.
“Alright, now is when it truly begins. Even if you feel and gather mana, it’s meaningless if you don’t know how to use it. Gordon! Step forward and use your mana as you’ve learned so far.”
At Ghislain’s command, Gordon stepped forward confidently.
Then, based on what he had learned and practiced so far, he began drawing up mana.
“Ah! So this is what it feels like!”
As mana spread through his entire body, Gordon fell into a trance.
Though it was only a minuscule amount of mana, he could definitely feel his body hardening as if it were made of steel.
He felt like he could break anything and block anything.
A whole new world he had never known!
“This is mana! Right now, I’m invincible! I bet I could even beat that bastard Kaor!”
Driven by excitement, Gordon drew up every bit of his mana.
He wanted to feel this power even more intensely.
Fwoooosh!
“Whoa! Gordon’s exuding such energy!”
As much as he wanted to storm into Fenris Territory immediately, more urgent matters were pressing down on Harold.
“What’s the situation on Count Raypold’s side?”
“...It’s clear they’re preparing for war.”
“So, they’re targeting us after all. Any idea what pretext they plan to use?”
“It looks like they’re going to use the justification of punishing us as Ferdium’s ally for the attack on Ferdium. They’ll probably argue that we secretly attacked them without following proper procedure, even though we don’t have any lawful grounds for it.”
“Crazy bastard.”
It disgusted me to see them suddenly invoking an alliance with Ferdium after pretending not to know them when the war actually broke out.
From the start, Harold never thought he could hide the fact that he had aided Digald forever.
Even though he divided the forces to infiltrate discreetly, a massive army had still been on the move. With a thorough investigation, it was bound to be exposed eventually.
He didn’t care at that time. Justice belonged to the victor, after all. If Viktor had won, the suspicions would have ended as mere suspicions.
But they’d lost the war, and Count Raypold revealed his fangs, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
Harold clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Of all times, he starts to make his move now.”
The lieutenant spoke cautiously.
“We must hurry up Amelia’s rebellion before war breaks out.”
“Grr...”
A groan escaped Harold unconsciously.
There was no flaw in the lieutenant’s reasoning. Harold had already poured significant funds and sent dozens of knights to support Amelia in initiating the rebellion.
If Count Raypold were to declare war on Desmond before the rebellion began, all of those vast resources would be lost in vain.
But Harold couldn’t bring himself to make a decisive move.
“There’s no one to face Yurgen. If only Viktor were here...”
Yurgen, the Knight Commander of Raypold known as the best sword of the North. Viktor, whom Harold had groomed to face him, had died in the recent war.
Without someone capable of directly confronting Yurgen, Harold couldn’t feel assured of the rebellion’s success.
If Amelia’s rebellion failed this time, it wouldn’t be Raypold, but the Duchy that would take Harold’s head.
Already cautious by nature, he couldn’t easily make a move, especially when his own life was at stake.
Knowing the reason for his hesitation, the lieutenant continued the report in as objective a tone as possible.
“It’s predicted that Raypold will be ready for war in two or three months.”
“I know we’re short on time. But if we fail, the risk is even greater. Tell Amelia to be thorough in her preparations.”
“She says everything is already set. She’s gathered all the subordinate factions scattered in the North, so once she gets the green light, she’s ready to move.”
At those words, Harold raised an eyebrow.
He knew Amelia was sharp, but he hadn’t expected her to move as though she’d read and anticipated every shift on the board.
“Hmph, still as quick-witted as ever, that woman.”
“Amelia has also sent a message.”
“What is it?”
“If it’s Yurgen that’s troubling you, she says not to worry, that her side will handle it. All she wants is for you to set the date quickly.”
Harold’s face twisted in irritation at the lieutenant’s words. How could she suggest ignoring the most critical matter?
The fact that Amelia dared presume to understand his dilemma also rubbed him the wrong way.
“Tch... She’s gotten too bold. She thinks she can act up just because she’s gained a bit of power? Arrogant woman.”
“It seems that things are urgent on Amelia’s side as well. If Count Raypold goes to war, he’ll be commanding a massive force.”
Once war broke out, even if Amelia managed to seize an empty fortress, it would be futile.
The moment Count Raypold returned with his army, she’d be swept away like fallen leaves.
Though Harold understood why Amelia was anxious, he couldn’t recklessly gamble on this alone.
He didn’t care if Amelia lived or died, but if she failed, his own neck would be on the line.
“Tell her to stay put and wait. I won’t tolerate any action without my approval.”
“...Understood.”
“And send spies among the next wave of migrants entering the Fenris Estate. We can’t just leave them unchecked. Tell them to seize any opportunity to interfere with the estate’s activities.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Fenris Estate had been so tightly locked down that it wasn’t easy for outsiders to get in.
Still, it would be impossible for them to weed out every spy hidden among thousands of migrants.
As the lieutenant bowed and withdrew, Harold pressed his fingers against his temples, his frown deepening.
His headaches had been growing more intense lately.
“Ghislain... Ghislain Ferdium.”
Because of that bastard, every plan had gone up in smoke.
He wanted nothing more than to storm in and crush him, but he couldn’t do that.
He and Amelia were shackled by Raypold, and even if he wanted to rally other lords, the Royal Faction made it difficult to make a hasty move.
In short, that wretch was born under a lucky star.
“Lucky fool. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts. Once Raypold is taken care of, you’re next.”
That man had merely bought himself a short reprieve. No matter how much he struggled, his fate of death wouldn’t change.
Even though Harold understood this rationally, his insides churned with rage that refused to subside.
“Just wait. I’ll make sure you regret every last one of your arrogant actions.”
As Harold lowered his gaze, his eyes glinted with a lethal intent, a burning resolve to see Ghislain dead.