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Chapter 82

“It’s my first time teaching someone with a Mana Heart.”

“It’s been over a month since I got it. Why only now?”

“If you just had a Mana Core, I could let my old aura flow in without worry, but with the heart involved, I’m anxious it might burst.”

“You really do say things that make me anxious. I wonder if it’s okay.”

“It should be fine. If it were going to burst, you would have been dead by now.”

Yeon-woo nodded in agreement with that. At the same time, a warm mana flowed into him through Yuri’s palm resting on his back.

“By the way, it’s amusing that after nearly two months of being your disciple, I’m only now learning the heart technique. Especially since this is supposedly special training for the academy tournament.”

“You’ve been stealing my words since earlier.”

Is this what they mean by taking the initiative? It seems that an expert who has reached the peak won’t give up the reins in conversation either.

“Focus, you fool.”

With a thunk, the hilt of Yuri’s sword smacked Yeon-woo on the head. Ironically, it was all his own distraction that was to blame. Truly absurd.

Yet, focusing was necessary. Gazing at the children frolicking in Yuri’s personal training gate filled with flowers, Yeon-woo turned his mind back to the aura within him.

Sword Heart Technique. The first thing Yuri said he would impart to Yeon-woo was the heart technique. After two months living on the Three Great Sword Techniques and Three Great Heart Techniques, perhaps he deemed Yeon-woo had finally obtained the basics. He planned to teach him sword techniques in the next lesson after learning this.

The finely honed feeling of aura coursed through Yeon-woo’s mana pathways, spreading through his body.

It felt quite different compared to when he had consumed the Mandrake earlier. It was a gradual, orderly movement, as if guiding him through the way.

Above all, the quality of Yeon-woo’s mana pathways was now different from that time. Just having the Dragon Heart alone couldn’t have cleared away all the waste; it was as if it had all disappeared afterward.

As the routes of the Mana Heart increased, the amount of usable mana grew as well, which meant the power of his magic surged, just like for aura users.

The wider the mana pathways became, the greater the quantity and speed of aura circulating through his body increased. Everything regarding the speed of physical enhancement through aura and the amount of aura he could apply at one time rose dramatically.

Naturally, Yuri finished leading the way quickly as well.

“Follow me.”

The three dimensions connected to the gate share many similarities in various aspects—approaches to martial arts, language, and so on.

Perhaps it hints at the possibility that the three dimensions were once connected in ancient times. But that’s a topic for smart people to research; the important point is that there are many commonalities as well as clear differences.

For example, the system of heart techniques Yeon-woo was now grasping was particularly so.

In martial arts, martial techniques are traditionally passed on with verbal formulas. Such formulas help explain the intent (意) and form (形) through the creator’s words for understanding and practicing martial arts. In other words, they serve as proverbs that assist in mastering martial arts.

In contrast, the heart techniques of Archeion have no such verbal formulas. Of course, they could leave some, but their heart techniques pursue individual interpretation.

It’s like a riddle to uncover the meaning hidden within the movement of the aura and the body. By interpreting and developing these, far superior heart techniques and masters sometimes emerge.

If martial arts aimed for overall standardization by leaving behind verbal formulas, then Archeion must be seen as planning for the natural occurrence of some exceptional geniuses. Neither method is clearly superior.

Naturally, such riddles applied to Yeon-woo without exception. He prohibited seeking answers from Shar. He never intended to, and had sternly warned Shar as well. After all, enlightenment is something one must come to on their own (自然悟道). Doing otherwise is akin to robbing oneself of opportunities for improvement.

Yeon-woo closely followed the warm mana pathway left by Yuri’s aura. Moving, then halting. Sometimes swirling fiercely, sometimes spinning.

Despite looking utterly chaotic, Yeon-woo quietly immersed his consciousness in the undulating aura…

“Remember, even in chaos, there are laws.”

Yuri watched that scene with a satisfied smile, stroking his chin.

*

Whether one realizes the meaning contained within heart techniques or not makes no difference. If there’s a difference, then it’s a problem. If the foundation of operation in increasing the amount of aura depends highly on talent, who would want to learn it?

Sword Heart Technique is clearly an outstanding heart technique deserving to be called a divine skill. It felt like a slightly simplified version based on Yuri’s heart technique, yet the very moment aura coursed through his body, there was a distinct and certain change.

Ultimately, understanding the meaning embedded in the Sword Heart Technique became the clearest marker for Yeon-woo.

Gaining comprehension wouldn’t dynamically increase his mana, but he instinctively felt that this realization would take him a step forward in his expertise.

However, unfortunately, he couldn’t invest a whole day into aura training like he did on the day of admission.

Two months since enrolling. Although slightly late compared to ordinary educational institutions, a big event was about to unfold around this time.

“How’s the preparation for midterms going?”

In the first period, Yoo Ha-yeon walked in with a casual demeanor. Simultaneously, a dark mood enveloped the whole class. Only Bai In-hwa and Je Gal Seong-ryong, who looked groggy and dozing off, remained unchanged.

“Oh, oh, we’re dying here, dying. It’s that time, isn’t it? But remember this.”

At Yoo Ha-yeon’s serious tone, the eyes of the almost lifeless students focused on him. Yeon-woo somehow felt he knew what Yoo Ha-yeon would say next.

“If the class average comes in last, you’re really done for. Those who fail will also be done for.”

The whole class fell silent for a moment. As expected. Yeon-woo merely shook his head. It was natural for frustration to erupt.

“Is this an attempt at reverse intimidation?”

“You’re not human! You devil!”

With jeers, the meaningless first period came to an end.

From now on, it was all about studying…!! Thinking so, Yeon-woo clenched his fists. Fortunately, due to various matters, he felt relieved about the tuition issue, but still, having more money was always better, so he didn’t neglect efforts for scholarships.

It was honestly tough to juggle intense training in the early mornings and evenings, attending classes, taking care of the kids, and thoroughly completing assignments, but he felt he was finally getting on track.

While attending classes, he had sent Shar and Tae-oh to the Department Head’s Office. They would just end up sleeping if they stayed, and he didn’t want to narrow their social circle too much.

Since there was an elementary department within the academy, he had suggested they go there and make friends. However, it ultimately depended on whether they wanted to do so.

‘If they say they want to go to school, then I’ll have to send them to the elementary department…’

One might wonder if he was worried, but no, it wasn’t that. Yet still, if he wanted the contract subjects to live like humans, providing education was the current approach.

The city library was unusually bustling in preparation for midterms. Thankfully, it wasn’t completely packed, allowing Yeon-woo to spread out his textbooks and notes in the reading room, studying quietly.

Yet, throughout, thoughts of Shar and Tae-oh, who were left behind, seemed to have seeped into him. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t had solitary time since his regression.

“You’re studying, I see.”

A voice came from behind Yeon-woo, who sighed deeply while resting his chin on his hand. Startled, he turned around to see a familiar face.

“Riley!”

“It’s been a while, Yeon-woo. I hope you’ve been well.”

With that, Riley slightly bent her knees and gave a stylish greeting; she was dressed casually today, not in her usual frilly maid outfit. Was this an outing attire?

“Yes, I’ve been well. It’s not a good place to chat here, shall we go outside?”

“That sounds good.”

The two moved to a quiet space and faced each other. Riley was the first to speak.

“I came to give you this.”

Riley said while revealing a ring—a plain gold ring. Yeon-woo already knew what it was.

“But nothing’s finished yet. We had agreed I would receive it after everything was done, remember?”

“Yes, that was the agreement. But it’s okay. Please accept it now.”

Should he accept it? No, but still…

The story regarding Relin’s Archive was nearing completion. If everything proceeded without a hitch, Relin’s Archive would be affiliated with the city library, remaining as Harmony City’s magical book repository without being burnt down like before.

At the end of that task, Riley would be freed. Strictly speaking, she would officially become a resident of Harmony City and take on advisory duties regarding the management of the magical book repository. Just that much. That was the maximum offer Yeon-woo could provide.

He had connected the academy’s chairman and the city library’s head through Yuri. Since key figures from the Magic Tower were pleased as well, the series of events would surely unfold as planned.

…Even so, a trace of hesitation lingered in Yeon-woo’s heart. Was this really enough? Before his regression, Riley yearned for freedom. She had grown weary of her managerial position.

Yet, what he could offer was merely this degree of freedom. Even though it was only that much, for some reason, he hesitated to receive the reward without a second thought.

Perhaps sensing that hesitation, Riley grabbed Yeon-woo’s left arm and forcibly slid the ring onto his finger.

Yeon-woo had no choice but to be flustered. He knew the significance of Relin’s Warehouse. A faint prick, like being stabbed with a needle, shot through his hand.

<Initiating User Recognition Process… Registering the wearer as the manager of the warehouse. Granting access to the warehouse.>

Before his regression, the inside of the gate leading to Relin’s Archive was already in ruins. Back then, he couldn’t even recognize the disembodied voice that had emerged. Yeon-woo found it strange, but there was no way to figure it out.

The item known as an artifact follows a different path from magical weapons, in terms of both performance and characteristics. In every aspect. Artifacts are exceptional. While there are items that are considered to surpass even artifacts, those are among the top-tier of the highest quality.

And among such artifacts exists this type of item.

Gate Authority Artifact, <Relin's Warehouse>. Supporting the spatial storage is merely an auxiliary function.

“It should be fine to give you that much.”

With that, Riley’s lips curled into a smile.

The instantaneous disappearance of a woman in mid-air. As the man observed the scene captured within the library’s cameras, he sensed something was present within that place.

He caught a whiff of a pungent odor of money from the screen. Immediately, he checked where the location displayed on the screen was.

(To be continued in the next episode.)

 

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