Chapter 371: The Fruits of Training (1)
“Whoa.”
“How do you feel?”
“W-whoa.”
“I asked about your condition.”
“W-whoa.”
“…”
“Oh, I apologize.”
It was the morning of the exact day marking two months since the start of the training camp.
Lloyd hurriedly snapped out of his shock.
He raised his head.
He saw the sharp gaze of his royal sister, the Queen, looking at him.
He spoke to her.
“Your condition is much better than I expected.”
“Better?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Queen nodded.
It was true.
Lloyd had properly checked the mana circulation state of the Queen to commemorate the two-month milestone of their training camp.
The results were astonishing.
“You’ve achieved far more than I anticipated.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Most of the major mana pathways for the Asrahan martial art have settled.”
“Does that mean?”
“It means you no longer need to go through the minor additional processes we had originally prepared for.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
That was also true.
When Lloyd first proposed the two-month training camp, his primary goal had only been to alleviate the paralysis in her left arm.
‘That was the most realistic expectation. The Queen had already reached the level of a Sword Master, and learning a new martial art was almost impossible for her.’
But after two months of training?
‘Most of the major mana pathways for the Asrahan martial art have settled. Of course, there’s still a long way to go with the details, but this is a huge improvement. It’s like hope isn’t just visible in the distance; it’s barged through the door and is giving us a high-five.’
If the success rate of the Queen mastering the Asrahan martial art was less than 10 percent before, it now seemed to be nearly 50-50.
Lloyd examined the Queen’s left arm more closely and asked,
“When I recently infused mana into you, didn’t the tingling in your left arm decrease significantly?”
“Yes. I hardly feel it anymore.”
“That’s likely because the mana pathways have settled, reducing internal resistance.”
“Hmm, so it’s due to my exceptional talent, after all.”
“It’s thanks to my outstanding skills.”
“It’s also due to my excellent patience and sensitivity.”
“It’s the result of my devotion finally bearing fruit.”
“My remarkable ability to absorb and master new skills deserves admiration.”
“I feel like applauding my sacrifice and effort.”
“So, you won’t concede even one word?”
“I am truly grateful… No, I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Every time, it’s either ‘grateful’ or ‘sorry.’”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. But there are still challenges ahead.”
“Challenges?”
Queen Alicia raised an eyebrow.
“Are you referring to the creation of the mana circle you mentioned a few days ago?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd continued his explanation.
“After enduring two months of training, you have successfully laid the foundation for operating the Asrahan martial art. However, you haven’t yet acquired the core element necessary for its operation, which is the mana circle.”
“Mana circle?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You need it to operate the Asrahan martial art independently.”
“That makes sense. I still rely on your help because I haven’t formed it yet.”
Queen Alicia nodded.
Indeed, she still needed Lloyd’s help.
Without forming the mana circle, she couldn’t operate the Asrahan martial art by herself.
If she let go of Lloyd’s hand right now?
Mana wouldn’t flow through her left arm, and the paralysis symptoms would immediately return.
“So, forming the mana circle and continuously supplying mana to your left arm means we can finally end this tiresome training camp together, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That’s exactly it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
“…”
“Hmm.”
“Why are you staring at me like that, Your Majesty…?”
“I was just thinking that these two months of training must have been incredibly tiresome for you.”
“Oh, that’s…”
“You just confirmed it. You agreed when I mentioned ending the ‘tiresome’ training camp.”
“…”
“It was tiring, wasn’t it? It must have been so boring and excruciating. I didn’t realize how bad it was for you. I must be truly terrible.”
“…”
“Isn’t that right?”
“…”
Please, spare me, sister.
Lloyd’s lips trembled slightly.
He quickly tried to change the subject, racking his brain.
“Ahem! Anyway, for you to operate the Asrahan martial art and continue healing your left arm on your own, forming the mana circle is the big hurdle left.”
“Hmm. So?”
“Fortunately, thanks to the happy and laughter-filled two months of training with you, we have achieved unexpected results. We can skip the minor processes and proceed directly to the final stage.”
“Haha, really?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will assist you in rapidly forming your mana circle.”
“Haha. Wait… What? Rapid formation?”
“Yes. You might remember when I absorbed a large amount of your mana before.”
“…”
“I plan to do that again.”
“Tsk.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Continue.”
Queen Alicia’s expression momentarily hardened before softening.
She clearly remembered Lloyd absorbing a large amount of her mana.
She almost died back then.
‘Of course, I’m not in a poisoned state like before, so it should be easier now.’
Still, it wasn’t a pleasant memory.
As she mulled it over, Lloyd continued his explanation.
“Your problem lies in your advanced state.”
“Advanced state?”
“Yes. If I were to compare it to art, you could say you’re already a completed painting.”
“So?”
“If I forcefully absorb a large amount of your mana, what do you think will happen?”
“Hmm. There would likely be temporary voids where the mana is depleted.”
“Exactly. Like revealing the underlying canvas as the paint is peeled away.”
“So, you’re saying I should quickly inscribe the basics of the Asrahan martial art in those temporary voids?”
“You’ve summarized it perfectly, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd smiled.
As expected of the Queen.
‘Just one hint, and she gets it immediately. She pinpoints the essence right away.’
As expected of someone who reached the pinnacle of a Sword Master.
He continued,
“So, what if we immediately start the rapid formation method with Sir Asrahan?”
“Sir Asrahan?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He can ensure your safety and mine.”
“Good. Let’s not delay. Summon him immediately.”
With the Queen’s permission, everything moved swiftly.
Javier was called from the guest quarters.
He entered the palace with slightly bloodshot eyes.
“Why are your eyes like that?”
“…”
Lloyd asked, but Javier just stared at him.
His gaze seemed colder and sharper than usual.
Lloyd narrowed his eyes.
“Are you giving me that look because it’s been a while?”
“…”
“Are you overwhelmed with emotion?”
“…”
“Are you holding back tears?”
“…”
“Tsk. You’re upset.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are. Your immediate response says so.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Of course you are. You’re upset because you’ve been cooped up in the guest room for two months.”
“…”
“And because I didn’t sing you a lullaby, your insomnia flared up. Right?”
“My eyes are bloodshot from reading last night.”
“I didn’t mention your bloodshot eyes.”
“…”
“Such a pretense. Alright, let’s work. You know why you’re here today, right?”
“Yes. You mentioned it before.”
“Right. You need to keep a close eye on the Queen and me.”
“I understand.”
Javier nodded.
Lloyd felt reassured.
‘It’s good that he’s here. When I use rapid formation, I lose consciousness completely.’
He would fall into a state of utter absorption.
He would lose all awareness.
He wouldn’t be able to perceive anything happening around him.
If anything happened, the Queen could be in danger.
‘That’s why he needs to watch over us.’
Javier was the perfect guardian for this process.
With the Asrahan martial art, he could disrupt and neutralize the mana flow within the rapid formation range, ensuring his mana wouldn’t be absorbed.
Moreover, he could monitor the mana flow between Lloyd and the Queen, detecting any dangers.
If the Queen were at risk, he could directly infuse her with mana to ensure her safety.
In essence, Javier, with his capabilities, was the essential guardian for the rapid formation process.
“Alright, let’s go.”
They all moved to the Queen’s private training ground.
By the Queen’s order, no one was allowed near.
They took their positions at the center of the training ground.
They untied the cord binding their hands.
Sitting cross-legged, they faced each other.
“Are you ready?”
“Mm.”
The Queen nodded.
Her eyes showed she was fully prepared.
“During the process, focus on inscribing the basics of the Asrahan martial art in the temporary mana voids. Remember that.”
“I understand.”
Their gazes met.
They were ready.
No more words were needed.
Lloyd opened his skill window.
He activated the option.
Ding-dong.
[Asrahan Martial Art Skill Option ⑤: Rapid Formation activated.]
[Absorbing a large amount of mana from random targets nearby.]
It began.
Kiiii…
Lloyd’s three mana circles started to move.
Like a beast awakening with hunger.
Sniffing the air outside its cave.
Seeking the most delectable prey.
Locked on.
Opened its maw.
Bit down without hesitation.
Kiiiiii-!
In an instant, the mana circles began absorbing mana from all targets within range.
Of course, Queen Alicia, sitting opposite Lloyd, was no exception.
‘…Hng!’
As the rapid formation activated, Queen Alicia involuntarily gasped.
She couldn’t breathe properly.
Her vision momentarily darkened.
It felt like she was falling from a great height.
A massive shock tore through her insides.
Her mana began to drain out!
‘Ugh! Ugh!’
It had been a while since she felt this sensation.
Queen Alicia bit her lip, feeling dizzy.
She widened her eyes to maintain focus and stay conscious.
She desperately recalled Lloyd’s instructions.
Remembered them.
Executed them.
‘As my mana is absorbed… the inevitable mana void… the underlying basics…’
It felt like all her blood was draining.
She felt like an empty shell crumbling away.
In that state, she observed her inner self.
The endless mana circulation she gained as a Sword Master.
She intentionally stopped it.
She tried to detect the resulting mana void.
Thanks to that, she felt it. Saw it. Caught it.
‘Here.’
For a brief moment.
Less than a second.
A pea-sized void appeared around her mana heart.
She immediately reacted.
‘Quickly…’
She moved her mana.
She inscribed the basics of the Asrahan martial art.
As soon as she finished, the void disappeared.
A new void appeared elsewhere.
She caught it.
Drew a new basic pattern.
One per second.
Then two per second.
Next, five per second.
As the absorption progressed, she moved faster. Drew more. Simultaneously. Like a shower of rain on glass. Spreading everywhere. Breathless. Fiercely. Vigorously. Capturing. Drawing. Enduring pain. Holding on to her consciousness. Facing. Fighting. Struggling.
And finally, she completed it.
“…Gasp!”
She vomited a mouthful of black blood.
But it didn’t hurt at all.
It felt refreshing.
Relieved.
As if she had purged old poison.
Removed a deeply embedded thorn.
As she vomited the black blood, she felt a profound sense of release.
At the same time, two seeds formed around her mana heart.
Kiiii…
Slowly. Gradually. Surely.
The seeds began to spin.
Gathered.
Condensed.
Formed a small but mighty ring.
Emitted a brilliant light of creation.
Kiiiiii-!
Two mana circles formed around the Queen’s heart.
Queen Alicia Termina Magentano, the ruler of the Magentano Kingdom and an unrivaled Sword Master, had finally achieved the Double Circle state.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
A messenger carrying urgent news was rushing towards the capital city of Magenta from the south.
