Chapter 165
Chapter 165: Entering Physical Rehabilitation (4)
Seeing the gazes of the apprentice knights, Ghislaine felt a sense of satisfaction.
There was a resolute will and passion in their eyes. It was evident they all didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
‘Now we are ready.’
This was exactly what Ghislaine had been waiting for. This training was incredibly dangerous.
As if pouring oil on a fire, Ghislaine opened her mouth again in the heated atmosphere.
“They say it takes several years of proper mana circulation practice before one can use mana. But don’t worry. I’ll explain it in a way that’s very easy to understand. In two months, everyone will be able to use mana.”
Unlike her close associates, Ghislaine intended to oversee each of them personally.
If left on their own, they would likely not understand and could take years.
Only Ghislaine knew the method to drastically shorten that time.
“Woooaah!”
Once again, enthusiastic cheers erupted.
The Mana Convergence Circle merely helps gather mana a little faster.
Learning and utilizing the Mana Circulation Method was an entirely different story.
At least a few years were expected for that, but now it was just two months!
Hearing such unbelievable words made them doubt whether this was really a dream.
Ghislaine confidently crossed her arms and said,
“It’s entirely achievable. This is a special mana circulation method I’ve personally refined!”
“…….”
The previously heated atmosphere cooled down in an instant.
They had some common sense, after all.
The mana circulation method had been discovered after years of reducing side effects.
But a young lord just casually claiming to have modified it?
No matter how skilled the lord was, it was hard not to be suspicious. One wrong move could lead to death.
The apprentice knights glanced at each other nervously, but Ghislaine pretended not to notice and said,
“Alright, let’s get started. Since it’s been a while, I want a sturdy one to go first… Right, Gordon, you come on out.”
Gordon, aka ‘Muscle Gordon’, shook his head in alarm.
“M-me? Can’t someone else go first?”
“Weren’t you just complaining that the grain went in before you in the Mana Convergence Circle? This time, you’ll go in first. Hurry up.”
Reluctantly, Gordon stepped forward as Ghislaine inspected him thoroughly with a satisfied look.
‘If he’s built muscles like that, he must have some level of patience.’
Ghislaine placed her palm on Gordon’s back.
“Alright, I’m starting. I’ll forcibly draw mana into your body and engrave it, so remember well how the mana moves.”
“Ah, understood. I’m not going to die or become a vegetable, right?”
“If you can’t handle it, then maybe. What can I do about it?”
“Wait, you’re saying I might really die? Hold on!”
Guuuuuuuh!
Before Gordon could run away, mana began to be sucked into his body through Ghislaine’s hand.
“Guhhh!”
Searing pain felt like a sharp blade tearing through his insides, causing Gordon to scream.
Something gathered below his navel and soon began to spread throughout his body.
With every passing moment, he felt as though his body were being ripped apart.
“Ugh! Wait! Wait!”
“Don’t waste the mana! Close your mouth! Endure! Remember how it moves inside you! Vanessa managed fine; why are you whining so early?”
“Ugh! I can’t take it! I can’t do this! It hurts like hell!”
There’s a reason why ‘shortcuts’ are called shortcuts. With quick results come significant costs.
Forcing mana into one’s body to create mana conduits would inevitably lead to immense pain.
In unbearable agony, Gordon tried to spring to his feet and escape.
He was on the verge of losing consciousness along with his loyalty.
But Ghislaine wouldn’t simply let him escape.
Grab!
Ghislaine trapped one arm around Gordon’s neck and continued pouring mana into him with the other.
To the onlookers, it looked less like she was teaching mana circulation and more like she was trying to kill him.
“Cough! Let me go! Gagghh!”
“Oh, come on! Just hold on! Let’s at least get the mana conduits opened!”
I thought he’d be able to endure with all that muscle, but he was really just a big baby.
Ghislaine continued to shove mana into Gordon, forcibly creating mana conduits.
“Cough! Gag! Cough!”
With the relentless pain, Gordon’s eyes rolled back, and he began to vomit blood.
Still, Ghislaine didn’t stop. She had to make the mana conduits first to allow for training in the Mana Convergence Circle.
Eventually, Gordon couldn’t hold on any longer and lost consciousness.
After a little more time passed, Ghislaine wiped the sweat from her forehead and released him.
Thud.
Gordon collapsed, foaming at the mouth, trembling all over.
Seeing him, Ghislaine smiled brightly.
“Phew, maybe it’s been a while, but that took longer than I expected.”
“……”
They say nothing in life is easy; now was a perfect example.
The waiting apprentice knights, as if on cue, began to slyly back away.
Watching them, Ghislaine grinned wickedly.
“What’s this? Where did all that overflowing enthusiasm go? Who’s next?”
One of the apprentice knights cautiously asked,
“Um… Doesn’t this seem extremely dangerous? Do we really have to do it this way?”
“What’s your suggestion then?”
“Can’t we just learn it the standard way? If you could just give us the book or explain it verbally, we could train through it and ask questions when we’re confused…”
He’d racked his brain for a counterproposal, but it was pointless to Ghislaine.
“What are you talking about? When will you learn that way? How many years do you intend to practice? And most of you won’t even understand if I try to explain it. That’s why I’m teaching you in a way that’s easy to grasp physically.”
‘Ah, so that’s what you meant by ‘easy to understand.’’
The apprentice knights broke out in a cold sweat.
There was some validity to that. Pain definitely leaves an imprint on both body and mind.
Creating mana conduits was indeed quickest when it was forcibly opened like this.
They knew that, but seeing Gordon sprawled out, foaming at the mouth, made fear creep in.
Just as everyone was paralyzed with indecision, one quiet-looking man stepped forward.
“I’ll go first.”
“Hmm, who are you?”
“I’m Lucas, the new recruit.”
Ghislaine nodded. She pretended not to know, but she did have an idea of who he was.
Lucas, a former subordinate from her previous life.
He was an extraordinary talent who would later earn the title of ‘Master’ with a single spear.
He always had a nonchalant demeanor, preferring to wear a cool facade while brooding in solitude.
Now, he turned back to laugh at the others behind him.
“You all used to boast, but it seems like you’re nothing special. If this degree of pain is all it takes to learn mana circulation, this is a steal. You cowards.”
“That punk…!”
At Lucas’s provocation, the mercenaries who had been with Ghislaine for a long time snorted in irritation.
In such situations, who takes the initiative can sway the dynamics.
They had already been bickering between the veteran mercenaries and the new recruits every day.
But while they hesitated for just a moment, not only was their turn taken by a newcomer, but they were also provoked.
Seeing the irritated expressions of the veterans, Lucas laughed even harder as he plopped down in front of Ghislaine.
“I’m ready. Lord, do your worst.”
With an unwavering attitude, Ghislaine smiled.
‘As expected of Lucas. He’s the man I chose.’
Ghislaine grinned and placed her hand on Lucas’s back.
The moment she did, a bizarre scream echoed.
“Huuaaa! Aaaah! Guhhhh!”
“……I haven’t even started yet.”
Ghislaine sighed.
She had forgotten. There were hardly any normal folks in her mercenary squad.
Come to think of it, this guy had been a drama queen back in her past life too; one scratch and he’d scream like the world was ending.
And it was even funnier that he loved to act tough.
He probably thought he should step up since he had to do it anyway.
Lucas scratched his head with an awkward smile.
“Ah, haven’t we started yet?”
“We’re just starting now, Mr. Dramatic.”
Smack!
“Aaaargh!”
As the incoming pain hit, Lucas shouted. He forgot to keep his mouth shut and endure.
He, like Gordon, tried to jump up and flee, but with Ghislaine holding him, there was no way to escape.
Ghislaine grabbed Lucas by the neck and whispered in his ear.
“Stay still. With so many people watching, are you really going to indulge in drama and run away? You don’t want to be embarrassed, do you?”
“Ugh, ugh!”
At that, Lucas gritted his teeth.
He didn’t want to be embarrassed. He always wanted to look cool.
‘I want to live a cool and respectable life!’
With that single thought, he endured, but the pain was something he couldn’t easily overcome.
“Gak…”
Eventually, Lucas lost consciousness.
The servants quickly carried him away as he lay there, frothing at the mouth.
Ghislaine shook her head a few times, sighed, and said,
“Next?”
Gordon had fallen, and so had Lucas. But the atmosphere was slightly different from the start.
Leaving the hesitant ones to their devices, a few people stepped forward courageously.
“I’ll go next.”
“I was first!”
Most were new recruits.
Having left everything behind in their hometowns, they now had nowhere to return to.
Thirsting for a chance to become stronger, they were prepared to risk their lives.
Seeing that, the prideful veteran mercenaries hurriedly stepped up too.
“No, I’ll go first!”
“Hey! Everyone step aside! How dare a newbie go first? I’ll do it!”
Their motivation stemmed from not wanting to be overshadowed by the newcomers.
‘Well, I was going to do it anyway! I was just hesitating because I was afraid it would hurt a bit.’
Seeing those who boldly stepped forward, Ghislaine finally wore a look of satisfaction.
“Great, this is much better than before.”
The foes they would face ahead were far from easy opponents. It would be insufficient even to fight for their lives. If they were scared and bent out of shape at this level, it would be disastrous.
Only those willing to risk their lives alongside her had the right to gain everything.
“Let’s go quickly. Just endure somehow.”
“Ugggh!”
“Kyyaah!”
The apprentice knights, receiving Ghislaine’s touch, writhed in pain. They’d rushed forward courageously, but this wasn’t a type of pain they could endure just with bravado.
Yet not everyone was rolling on the ground, foaming at the mouth and fainting.
Some bit their teeth and kept their eyes wide open, trying to hold on till the end.
‘Hmm, I figured he’d be like that. This one’s a surprise though.’
Ghislaine narrowed her eyes.
She had thought some of her former subordinates would be able to endure, and they did as expected. However, she hadn’t anticipated any of the veteran mercenaries would hold their ground.
It was a good start. Sure, most were passing out and foaming, but there were more who were staying conscious than she had expected.
Some followed Ghislaine’s instructions and held on, while others clung to their pride, barely managing to keep their minds intact.
What was clear was that all of them had shed their shells and taken a step forward.
“Ugh…”
“I feel like I’m going to die… Is this the end?”
Moans resonated from all sides. Rushed in, the servants carried the fallen away for treatment.
Fortunately, no one had died.
As one of the apprentice knights was being carried away, he wore a proud and relieved smile mixed with confidence, asking Ghislaine,
“Is it… all done now? Can I use mana now?”
In response, Ghislaine wiped her nose and answered.
“What are you talking about? Just doing this once doesn’t mean you can use mana. Today was just a warm-up. To properly learn it, you need to do this a few more times. You’ll have to train in the Convergence Circle and also how to unleash it.”
While she definitely said that endurance would lead to using mana, she hadn’t said it would only take once.
But for the apprentice knight, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck him.
You mean to say they had to do this painful, near-death experience all over again? No, multiple times?
It felt like the sky was falling.
“Just let me die…”
The apprentice knight, with tears welling up, fainted right there.
