For a long time, the Enlight Unified Empire ruled over the Lament Continent.
However, that is a tale of decades past.
The Empire, unified by the Swordmaster, crumbled, and the continent was divided into 15 administrative districts.
A new governance system emerged under the influence of the Swordmaster.
Each administrative district was a new system, akin to a kingdom, encompassing dozens of territories known as Shins within it.
The Croton Administrative District, where Irons Territory was located, sat in the northern part of the continent, surrounded on three sides by the sea.
Naturally, trade routes flourishing towards the south were a matter of course.
Among them, Chrome, a city boasting its reputation, was the largest port city in the Croton Administrative District, where dozens of merchant ships set sail daily.
The medium-sized passenger ship that Yuri and Johan boarded was one of them.
Swoosh!
As the passenger ship left the port of Chrome, it caught a favorable wind, and its sails swelled.
Swish!
Cutting through the currents, the passenger ship rapidly advanced, embarking on a four-week journey toward the Nijer Administrative District.
Inside a modest two-person cabin.
Johan gazed down at the unconscious Yuri.
"Groan...."
Yuri, who moaned as if on the verge of breaking, was still unconscious.
The expression in Johan's eyes as he looked at him was filled with surprise.
"Poor kid, enduring such agony."
It was a genuine admiration.
'He really pulled it off.'
On the day Johan shared knowledge about mana and magical power with Yuri.
He had promised to introduce Yuri to mana, cutting the four-day journey to Chrome down to two days.
At the time, Johan did set a condition for two days, but realistically, he considered it nearly impossible.
Reducing a four-day journey to two days required relentless travel day and night.
Even though Yuri had recently gained some stamina, it was still an impossible task for someone who hadn't accumulated mana yet.
Yet, Yuri accomplished the seemingly impossible.
Entirely with his mental strength.
'He's quite determined, having thrown away his pride.'
Yuri, who managed to cover a four-day distance in two days, fainted spectacularly the moment he set foot on the outskirts of Chrome.
Yohan's face had a faint smile as he recalled this.
However, that heartwarming smile quickly distorted.
"Puhaha, innocent fool."
Perhaps that young one is unaware.
Even if he hadn't forced himself and come to Chrome, he would have finished his stamina training and gradually moved on to the next stage.
If Yuri, who fainted, knew this fact, he would probably be deeply resentful.
The image of Yuri imagining this made Yohan's face light up with a slightly malicious smile.
"It's amusing to poke at him and get reactions every time."
Initially, it was just a little teasing to stimulate enthusiasm.
But now, Johan found it amusing to torment Yuri, who bristled at every touch.
Could this be Johan's only source of joy lately?
"Is this why old folks enjoy mentoring? Certainly, if it's this amusing, one wouldn't be bored in their later years."
Yohan said this nonchalantly, knowing that if Yuri heard it, he would be furious.
This entertaining thought brought a warmth to Johan's face.
"If Yuri knew about this, he'd probably be upset. That's the fun of tormenting him, making him react at every poke."
With these thoughts, Johan erased his smile and reached out toward Yuri.
Soon, Johan's hand began to massage Yuri's entire body.
Face, body, arms, and legs.
Johan's hands exploring Yuri's body showed no hesitation, and each touch was filled with caution.
Along with that, steam began to rise from Yuri's body.
Sizzle!
An oppressive and foul odor emitted by the rising smoke soon dispersed into the air.
Simultaneously, Johan's touch became even more cautious.
Zap! Squelch!
Soon, strange sounds echoed from various parts of Yuri's body.
The process where torn muscles reconnected and twisted bones and joints gradually corrected themselves, which would have normally taken a long time, was rapidly shortened by Johan's powerful mana.
Moreover, it wasn't merely a time-saving operation.
Zap! Squelch!
The newly formed muscles and bones were settling into a suitable position for Yuri to familiarize himself with martial arts in the future.
This was a task that consumed an enormous amount of mana, requiring a deep understanding of the human body and a hazardous technique.
A highly advanced technique that distinguished itself by being unfolded only to the heirs continuing their lineage with each having their own vision, even within renowned families.
Johan, nonchalant and even playful, was employing this perilous technique every time Yuri fainted.
The Yuri who benefited from Johan's relentless efforts experienced not only recovery each time he fainted but also a progressive improvement in his health.
As time passed, the sound emanating from Yuri's body gradually diminished, and it eventually disappeared, and Johan, finally, withdrew his hands from Yuri.
"Whew..."
Yohan, with a slightly tired face, let out a sigh. Despite the exhaustion from the recent procedure that consumed a significant amount of mental energy, his eyes sparkled brightly.
"...An innate marvel," he muttered.
There were many conditions to be termed remarkable—such as a physique naturally strong, resilient muscles, keen eyes, and more. However, Yohan found Yoo Ri's innate conditions to be rather unique.
'This body is quite peculiar.'
Initially disappointed by Yoo Ri's seemingly ordinary physique, Yohan later felt a sense of discomfort. As time passed, he realized the true nature of this discomfort.
'How can a human body be so symmetric?!'
People have different left and right faces, handedness, and even dominance in using certain limbs. Yet Yoo Ri was different. He used both hands and both feet almost equally, displaying similar levels of development. What's even more amusing was that Yoo Ri unconsciously performed these actions without realizing it.
Moreover, as Yohan performed successive procedures, Yoo Ri's body became even more symmetrical.
'The symmetry indicates balance.'
This was a significant advantage in mastering Mana Arts. Although Yoo Ri's body hadn't achieved perfect symmetry yet, it was a promising sign.
'If this kid can achieve complete symmetry and handle it skillfully...'
If that happened, it would become a powerful asset for Yoo Ri.
However, not everything was as optimistic.
'Even more of a mess than I thought.'
When Yohan first met Yoo Ri, he vaguely sensed that Yoo Ri's body was in worse condition than he initially realized. Now, upon closer inspection, the situation was much more critical.
'How has this kid managed to survive with a body in such a state?'
If Yoo Ri's body had reached this point, it wouldn't have been surprising if he had collapsed on the street long ago. The fact that he was alive and breathing was astonishing.
'Although I've temporarily stabilized the damaged lifeline...'
Yet, unless the fundamental issues of imbalance were addressed, the precarious equilibrium would crumble again.
'His physical deficiencies have been somewhat filled by the recent procedures; now it's time to replenish his energy.'
Energy—meaning infusing Mana into his body. If that were accomplished, they could overcome a significant hurdle.
This was Yohan's thought when he looked down at Yoo Ri.
"...Why are you staring at me with such piercing eyes?"
Suddenly, Yoo Ri, who had awakened, was staring back at him.
"When did I ever stare at you that way?"
"Just now."
"Don't worry; I don't have such tastes."
"What tastes are you talking about?"
"Whatever you imagined."
"I didn't imagine anything."
"...If you didn't, then why are you sneakily moving away?"
"Because of the inspiration you imagined?"
As Yohan's forehead twitched, Yoo Ri shifted his position, playfully getting further away from Yohan.
"Damn brat..."
Yohan's brow furrowed slightly. Yoo Ri, sensing the tension, stood up and observed their surroundings.
"Where are we?"
"Quite eager to ask that so soon."
Yohan, with a slight sigh, revealed that they were on a passenger ship heading to Nijer.
Upon hearing this, Yoo Ri's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right! The promise!"
"Yeah?"
"You said you'd tell me when we arrive in two days! About Mana!"
"Don't worry; I haven't forgotten. Sit down."
"Okay?"
"Tell me now."
There was no need to delay the information, and Yohan wasn't one to unnecessarily prolong the conversation.
"Whoa!"
Excited, Yoo Ri rushed towards Yohan, kneeling in front of him.
"Quickly, quickly!"
Having never seen Yoo Ri with such sparkling eyes, Yohan felt somewhat awkward. He cleared his throat and began.
"Cough! Mana is the origin of everything and a force present everywhere in the world."
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Moreover, ordinary martial arts should contain Mana to be called true Martial Arts. Therefore, the fundamental aspect of Martial Arts is Mana."
"Yeah, yeah!"
"...Do you understand what I'm saying, or are you just nodding your head?"
"Yep!"
Diligently nodding, Yoori listened intently, catching even more of Yohan's curiosity than ever before.
"How much Mana talent does this guy really possess?" Yohan wondered.
An ethereal presence summoned by his soul.
A flawless, symmetrical physique.
Yohan found Yoori's spiritual and physical talents beyond his imagination.
If he excelled in Mana as well?
No, even if his Mana talent was just above average...
"His growth speed might be faster than I thought," Yohan mused, swallowing a slight dryness in his throat.
"Alright, let's start now. Sit comfortably in a relaxed posture," Yohan instructed.
"Here?"
"Yes. Stand up straight and breathe comfortably."
"Should I close my eyes?"
"If it's more comfortable."
As Yohan finished speaking, Yoori closed his eyes and settled into the posture.
Color... Color...
Yoori's subtle breath continued, accompanied by the gentle flow of Yohan's voice.
"To embark on Mana is to begin by acknowledging its presence. I will now release Mana around you. Feel it."
Some incredibly rare geniuses are born with an exceptional sensitivity to Mana, naturally accumulating it within their bodies from a young age.
Regrettably, Yoori wasn't one of them. Currently, there was no Mana within his body.
If Yoori harbored Mana, Yohan would have been the first to know. Hence, Yohan planned to use the common method of sensing Mana for someone assumed to have ordinary talent.
It involved a spellcaster increasing the density of Mana around the psychic subject. The lower the density one could sense, the higher their Mana talent.
"Now, show me what you've got," Yohan said as he illuminated Yoori's surroundings with Mana.
In an instant, the density of Mana increased.
At that moment, something unexpected happened, even for Yohan.
"…?!"
The Mana Yohan spread...
Tsutsutsu...
It was being absorbed by Yoori.
And at an astonishing speed.
Fantasy.
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