Chapter 12
Most people breathe in similar ways, but breathing mana is different.
The way a person accepts mana varies from individual to individual, and a mana cultivation method is a system that organizes these methods into the most efficient and structured form.
In other words, a mana cultivation method is the way to handle mana. It includes the entire process of taking in the mana floating in the air, storing it, and using it.
What I was doing now was no different.
I gathered the mana rising from the ley line and absorbed it into my body. Then I guided the mana flowing through my entire body to my lower abdomen, forming a “pouch.”
That pouch was the mana core.
The mana core was the foundation of all power. The amount and purity of mana stored in it determined one’s strength.
In the end, the mana core created through a mana cultivation method was like a second heart for both mages and knights.
“—Hoo.”
The mana that entered my body clashed around my lower abdomen, showing its presence.
Pain surged through me, but I focused and endured it. Then I gathered the mana inside my body and released it through my breath.
The breath I exhaled carried dense mana.
“This is unbelievable.”
As expected of a magic family’s secret technique.
Benheim’s mana cultivation method was excellent. No—more than excellent. Even thinking back to my previous life, I couldn’t recall a more efficient method.
But what I wanted was something beyond even this.
An ultimate mana cultivation method that could surpass even the level of the Archmage King.
Creating a new mana method was like leaving a well-paved road and carving out your own path. Those who achieved such a feat were called grandmasters.
Considering how few grandmasters existed in history, what I was trying to do was nearly impossible.
Even if I had talent comparable to a great mage, even with all the experience I gained in my previous life, creating a new mana method wasn’t easy.
And it definitely wasn’t something that could be done overnight.
“It’s still not enough.”
I picked up a nearby branch and gathered mana into it. Thanks to the ley line and my past experience, it wasn’t difficult. A faint layer formed around the branch.
That was aura.
Now came magic.
I raised my left hand and formed the rune Kenaz, then engraved it onto the branch.
Flash.
As expected, aura and magic couldn’t mix and scattered apart.
“Tch.”
I clicked my tongue.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t made progress.
I had already improved Benheim’s method to suit my body and combined it with my past experience. But I still couldn’t find a way to contain both magic and aura in a single core.
Aura and magic both came from mana, but their nature was different.
Trying to put two opposing types of mana into one core was dangerous. If they clashed, the core could collapse and leave me crippled.
To hold both types, I needed perfect balance.
Like balancing weight on the tip of a needle.
This was why most so-called magic swordsmen in the continent never rose above mediocrity.
“…In the end, practice is the only answer.”
It might take days.
It might even be impossible.
But I had to succeed.
Because I made a promise.
“Ha…”
I sat down again and reviewed the mana method.
That was when—
“Hi.”
A familiar voice.
I turned my head and saw the person responsible for all this trouble, smiling brightly.
Renia.
She was holding a basket filled with food.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I came to see you. I heard you’ve been here all day without eating.”
Renia walked over and handed me the basket.
“Here.”
I took it without thinking.
“I asked the chef to make it. I told him to add as much meat as possible. I heard from Cheryl that you’re a picky eater.”
“….”
Renia hadn’t changed at all.
“Won’t you thank me?”
“I don’t remember asking for this.”
“Your reaction is so boring.”
She puffed her cheeks in annoyance. I smirked and took out some jerky from the basket.
Even before my regression, she used to bring me food like this.
Lost in nostalgia, I heard her ask,
“You’re learning the mana method right now, right?”
“How did you know?”
“I have my ways. I secretly saw Uncle Allet going into the treasury. But still, it’s strange. You’re not even part of the family, yet you’re learning our method.”
She looked at me with curiosity. Her violet eyes widened.
“Wait… did you already absorb mana?”
“More or less.”
“That’s impossible. Already?”
She looked shocked.
Even talented people needed days to properly absorb mana for the first time. I had done it in half a day.
“You’re a genius.”
“I don’t know about that.”
In my previous life, I had already seen someone more talented than me.
In fact, she was right in front of me.
Renia Erahan von Benheim.
The golden rune mage who stood at the 8th circle.
A genius who would one day surpass even Stern.
“So, what did you come here for?”
“Do I need a reason to come?”
“Not really.”
“Well, I do have something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“How did you do that before?”
Her gaze moved to the branch still in my hand.
“When we were attacked at the cemetery, how did you cut their magic? You used that to beat my brother too, right? I can tell.”
She seemed very interested in it.
Just like before.
I smiled and pointed to my eyes.
“My eyes are just good. I can see the weak points in magic. I know where to strike.”
Magic was just a flow of mana.
And within that flow, there were always gaps.
If you struck those points, even a small interference could break the entire structure.
“That’s amazing. I’ve never heard of anything like that. I think I understand why Father accepted you.”
Renia stepped closer and leaned in to look at my eyes.
“Hmm… no matter how I look at it, they just look like dead fish eyes.”
“….”
She was as blunt as ever.
Seeing my expression, she suddenly said,
“Want me to help you?”
“With what?”
“With learning the mana method. You’re making a mana core, right? I’ve been praised for having better sensitivity than my brother.”
She said proudly.
And it was true.
In my previous life, her control over mana was unmatched.
But that was the future.
Right now, she was still just a bud that hadn’t bloomed.
“A kid like you won’t be much help.”
“Who are you calling a kid?! We’re not even that far apart in age!”
I ignored her and closed my eyes again.
The mana I absorbed was still inside me, but I still couldn’t split it into aura and magic and store both in one core.
Creating a new method wasn’t something effort alone could solve.
I sighed.
At this rate, I’d be stuck here for a while.
When I opened my eyes again, Renia was still there.
“Seriously, you’re annoying.”
She pouted.
As I looked at her small face, something suddenly came to mind.
A memory.
“Your body is really strange, Mr. Reagan.”
It was something Renia had said in the past—my future.
“Strange?”
“Yes. Your body accepts all kinds of mana. It’s amazing. I don’t understand how you became so strong with such a terrible mana method.”
“That’s a bit harsh to say to my face.”
“But it’s true. That method is garbage.”
She wasn’t wrong.
My mana core had been made by combining several low-quality methods.
“Anyway, the point is—your mana core has flaws. So I was thinking… maybe I could fix it.”
It hadn’t worked.
Even with her help, my body had already been twisted.
But she kept trying.
Again and again.
At that time, I didn’t understand why.
But now I did.
The mana she had poured into me—
It was based on Benheim’s method.
But improved.
A version she created just for me.
A guide for someone walking between sword and magic.
If my regression… and even this…
were all part of her plan—
‘What a clever woman.’
I muttered and called out to her.
“…Hey.”
Not the Renia from my memories.
But the young girl in front of me.
“What? Finally asking for help?”
“Something like that. Can you help me?”
“Of course. What should I do?”
She nodded immediately.
I took off my shirt.
Renia looked startled, but I spoke calmly.
“Put your mana into my body. As much as you can.”
I planned to recreate what future Renia had left behind—
through the Renia of the present.
Benheim’s heir, Arno von Benheim, spent his days feeling like he was walking in a dream.
Nothing had changed.
He studied in the morning and trained in magic in the afternoon.
—Thud!
The rune magic spear he cast struck the target perfectly.
Applause followed.
“Amazing, Lord Arno!”
“You’ll reach the fourth circle soon at this rate!”
The ones praising him were all from branch families.
They stayed close to him, hoping for benefits.
Before, Arno enjoyed their admiration.
But not anymore.
“Tch.”
He turned away.
The memory of his duel with Reagan kept coming back.
He had lost.
‘There’s no excuse. I lost.’
Reagan was an outsider.
Arno had every advantage.
Yet he still lost.
And he couldn’t forget it.
“I’m still lacking.”
So he trained harder.
Then Stern called him.
“Arno, how is your jaw?”
“…I’m fine.”
Instead of scolding him, Stern smiled.
“I heard you’ve been training all day.”
“Yes.”
“Are you upset?”
“Yes. But it’s my own fault.”
“I know.”
Stern spoke gently.
“This defeat is valuable. In real battle, you won’t get another chance. Use it to grow.”
Arno remembered Reagan’s calm eyes.
He had no hesitation.
No fear.
Even in danger, he moved forward with certainty.
Arno knew—
Even if they fought again, he might still lose.
“Father, I wagered an elixir. Please give it to Reagan.”
Stern smiled.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already given him something else.”
“…Something else?”
“Yes. And try to get along with him.”
“…Yes.”
“He’s part of the family now.”
Arno left the room, confused.
“Get along…”
He had never approached someone first.
Still, he went to the annex.
“Cheryl.”
“Y-yes, young master?”
“Is Reagan here?”
“…Actually, he’s at the ley line.”
“The ley line?”
That place was only for family.
Confused, Arno went to training.
Later, he realized Renia was also missing.
“She went to the ley line.”
“…What?”
Something felt wrong.
He rushed there—
and saw something shocking.
“Like this?”
“No, a bit higher.”
“Like this?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Renia was placing both hands on Reagan’s bare back—
while laughing.
“No—what are you doing?!”
Arno charged forward.
It took some time to clear up the misunderstanding.
