—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As the seventh period began.
An opportunity to resolve my questions came sooner than expected.
The clue appeared in an unexpected place.
“Before explaining the theory of Stage 4, I will first explain the mana skills that will be provided to the students and how to acquire them.”
It was about how to acquire mana skills.
I thought it would be the same method as the footwork technique, but it was slightly different.
“There are two skills provided by the Academy. The ‘Three Elements Qigong’ from Mana Mental Techniques, and the ‘Achilrun Lower Mana Training Method’ from Mana Training Methods.”
Mana Mental Techniques and Mana Training Methods.
Following this, the instructor took out a textbook he had prepared in advance.
“Students aspiring to the magic path should choose the Achilrun Lower Mana Training Method, while other students should select the Three Elements Qigong.”
The instructor added further explanation.
“However, students who already possess mana skills don’t need to learn these. I’ll provide them to those who want them, but they’re not mandatory.”
He added that learning multiple skills was harmless.
And that these skills were exceptionally stable to begin with.
After finishing the necessary explanations, he began distributing the textbooks.
‘I might as well take one.’
With that thought, I accepted the Three Elements Qigong textbook.
In terms of volume, it felt closer to a booklet.
The first page was filled with illustrations reminiscent of human anatomy diagrams and footnotes about internal mana pathways.
The remaining three pages were filled with what appeared to be koans or riddles.
‘It seems that mana skills generally involve a lot of cryptic phrases.’
Looking around, I noticed several others having similar reactions.
They looked troubled by the unexpected volume of content.
Just then, the instructor spoke up.
“Don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize everything. For Stage 4 mana pathway formation, refer to the first page, and for Stage 5 skill acquisition, you can proceed while directly referencing the verses.”
The fact that we could acquire skills while directly referencing the text made it simpler than expected.
And that seemed to be precisely the blind spot.
The instructor explained why this was possible.
“Students have already learned how to circulate mana during dynamic movements. Reading from the textbook while circulating is even easier, so there should be no reason you can’t do it.”
It was certainly true.
‘So that’s why we did practical mana operation exercises before the theory lessons?’
I couldn’t help but admire how the curriculum fit together so perfectly.
Meanwhile, the instructor directed us to practice Stage 4 during the remaining seventh period.
At this, I took out the notebook I had brought.
‘I brought it by chance, but I’m glad I did.’
It was none other than the notebook containing the verses of the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique.
I had brought it in a hurry, pushed by Lim Gangcheol, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“Where is it…”
Taking a comfortable position, I opened the page with the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique verses.
Before reciting it, a sudden question crossed my mind.
‘There doesn’t seem to be any content about mana pathways.’
Unlike the Three Elements Qigong textbook, my notebook only contained verses.
After thinking about it briefly.
‘Let’s just try it.’
It didn’t seem to matter.
Above all, the fact that the shadow guy had focused on mana breathing methods for three weeks.
Moreover, the fact that mana quantity, circulation speed, and output had improved dramatically compared to before.
It was highly likely that Stage 4 was already ingrained in my body.
As soon as I made up my mind, I infused my mana with will.
Kugugugung-!
I felt the now somewhat familiar torrent of mana.
As I freely released it, the massive flow began to circulate through my body on its own.
In the midst of this mysterious sensation of mana that felt even more unfamiliar than before, I opened my mouth.
“What is the energy of Hyuncheon? It is…”
The moment I recited the first line of the verse.
Swaaaa-
I was engulfed by an indescribable sensation.
A feeling as if my body and mind had been separated.
Surrounded by emptiness. An unprecedented power crouching within filled my vision.
The moment I witnessed this, I realized.
‘…So this is the energy of Hyuncheon.’
The mysterious sensation I had been feeling from mana was the essence of Hyuncheon itself.
And so I freely wandered following the principles of Hyuncheon in a trance-like state.
In a sensation similar to a sleep I didn’t want to wake from.
“…dent.”
A familiar voice pierced my ear.
“Careless student!”
Only then did my eyes snap open.
For a moment, a bright light filled my vision, but gradually my sight returned to normal.
Only then could I identify the person right in front of me.
“Instructor?”
Somehow, this situation felt familiar.
But this time, not only the instructor but everyone else’s attention was focused on me.
‘…Don’t tell me this is…’
As I was considering a both absurd and pleasant possibility.
The instructor examined the notebook sprawled near my knees.
His gaze then fixed on four characters.
Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique, and the moment he confirmed this.
“…!”
The instructor’s eyes widened slightly.
Then he silently nodded at me.
And then.
“Hmm, I understand.”
He stepped back without lingering.
‘…What did he understand?’
While tilting my head, I checked the time.
Time had already passed the seventh period and was approaching the eighth.
After confirming that, I couldn’t help but know.
‘Did I learn the skill, the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique, in one go again?’
I fell into a trance-like state as soon as I recited the verse, and then suddenly regained consciousness.
It was exactly the same situation as when I had acquired the Shadow Step.
As evidence, the instructor quietly said to me.
“Check your status window, the skills.”
Additionally, the instructor added a comment.
“Stay behind after class for a moment.”
As I stared blankly at the retreating instructor.
‘I should check my skills.’
As he said, I immediately brought up my status window.
In the skills section.
[Skills]
-Shadow Step (C)
-Recovery (D)
-Growth (D)
-Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique (B)
The Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique was clearly engraved there.
Upon seeing this, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.
‘…B rank, that’s insane.’
I thought the name itself was extraordinary, and the rank was equally so.
A B rank, the same level as the ‘Seven Flash Steps’ that the instructor had demonstrated before.
‘Of course, they’re different types.’
Just the fact that it was the same rank as the instructor’s skill was shocking.
With excitement, I tried using the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique.
At that moment.
Kugugugung-
The mana of Hyuncheon, its majestic flow, was clearly felt.
Freely traversing my body, leaving a surging power in its wake.
That wasn’t the only change.
‘My mana breathing seems to have changed too.’
Not only the scale of mana supplied through mana breathing.
As soon as it entered my body, it transformed into Hyuncheon mana.
It then flowed down below my navel, adding to the focal point that had formed a complete sphere.
In other words, everything from mana intake to effectiveness felt like it had reached a different dimension.
‘At this point, I’m curious about its power.’
The only way I could verify it immediately was through body strengthening via internal circulation.
Nevertheless, as I was burning with desire to test its power.
“I will now begin the eighth period class. Continue practicing based on the distributed textbooks, and if any student has questions…”
The eighth period began.
Additionally, I recalled the message the instructor had left for me.
‘He told me to stay behind after class, right?’
It seemed to be because of the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique.
‘That’s perfect timing.’
I still had a few questions, including the issue of exhaustion.
If I asked the instructor directly, they would be clearly resolved.
‘What should I ask first?’
While organizing my questions in my head.
I focused on mana breathing, utilizing the remaining class time.
*
“That concludes today’s lesson. Tomorrow’s seventh and eighth periods will be the same as today, and from the ninth period, specialized weapon instruction will be conducted under the guidance of dedicated weapon instructors, so keep that in mind.”
With that announcement about the next day’s classes, the ninth period ended.
As students began leaving the mana training room one by one.
“Ilhan, let’s go get dinner!”
“Go ahead, I have something to do today.”
“Oh? Alright!”
I sent Lim Gangcheol and my friends ahead and stayed in the training room.
And then.
“Let’s head to the main hall.”
“Yes.”
I followed the instructor.
The moment I entered the main hall without any particular questions, the instructor went behind the platform and brought something out.
It was none other than.
‘A punch machine? I believe it was a destructive power meter?’
A destructive power meter.
It was the same device used to measure strength during the entrance exam.
‘Why did he bring that out?’
While I was pondering this question, the instructor asked me.
“Have you experienced any problems with mana operation?”
“…!”
“For instance, issues with control, or sudden feelings of exhaustion.”
Both symptoms were exactly what I had experienced.
As goosebumps raised on my skin, I answered hesitantly.
“…Yes, that’s right.”
“I thought so. Let me change the question. How much do you know about mana mental techniques?”
The instructor’s unexpected question made me tilt my head.
‘I thought he would ask about the Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique. Or is this related to mana skills?’
Though puzzled, I answered his question.
“…I know that it’s a skill derived from martial arts, and it’s suitable for superhumans who have chosen close combat weapons.”
“You’ve been paying attention in class.”
The instructor nodded once.
He then quickly continued.
“Mana mental techniques are largely divided into two categories: the soft type and the hard type.”
“Two categories…”
“Of these, the soft type specializes in maintainability and efficiency in the utilization of the mana stat. The Three Elements Qigong provided in the textbook belongs to this category.”
As I was bewildered by this sudden theory lesson.
The instructor moved on without concern.
“Next is the hard type. Your Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique would belong to this category. Usually, mental techniques with the name ‘strengthening technique’ typically do. As for an explanation, hmm. It might be better to show you directly.”
From the sudden mention of ‘Hyuncheon Strengthening Technique’ to saying he would show me directly instead of explaining.
As I was tilting my head, the instructor took a simple stance and said.
“First, this is when I strike normally.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than he immediately swung his fist at the destructive power meter.
Kwa-ang!
The result showed 75 points.
‘Still an incredible number.’
While I was simply amazed.
“This time, it’s when I use mana with a hard-type mental technique.”
The instructor took a stance again.
Then, a bluish energy began to gather in his hand.
Pajik-
With an intense spark, his fist was enveloped in a clear light.
‘…Could that be mana?’
As I was unconsciously pondering its identity, the instructor swung his fist.
Jjeong!
Along with a sound of a different dimension, the result appeared.
When I saw it, my mouth fell open.
“162 points…”
The number was more than double.
The instructor continued as if it was nothing remarkable.
“As you can see, hard-type mental techniques specialize in power and self-defense. Additionally, this is why you experience problems with mana control and exhaustion.”
“…!”
“The circulation speed of mana is ferocious, making control difficult, and the powerful output consumes mana excessively. These tendencies become more pronounced the higher the rank of the mental technique.”
Now I understood.
But the instructor’s explanation didn’t end there.
“Having a hard-type mana mental technique means you’ve essentially acquired a weapon that can exert tremendous power beyond simple body strengthening, extending to practical duels and raids. However.”
He continued.
“To utilize the mental technique smoothly without restrictions, your mana stat would need to reach at least a D-rank level.”
As my lingering questions were resolved, my mind became complicated.
‘It’s certainly a skill with enormous potential, but…’
There were restrictions.
And they were restrictions that I couldn’t overcome immediately.
But.
‘From my perspective, it’s a skill I absolutely can’t miss.’
The instructor had said.
If I could utilize it properly, it would exert tremendous power in future duels and even raids.
As I naturally began to ponder solutions.
“Do you understand why this instructor deliberately explained both advantages and limitations?”
Reassuring words flowed from the instructor.
He wanted me to find the answer myself.
‘If there’s a hint in the explanation…’
Immediately, I carefully traced my memories from today’s lessons to the recent explanation.
I cautiously voiced the conclusion I had reached.
Upon hearing this, the instructor.
“That’s the answer.”
Slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
