Chapter 14 - Aura Mastery, Unlock True Potential

“Your Grace, were you hoping to delegate the affairs of Carceron and Lukedonia?” Krist asked Prince Emeric while dining with numerous delicacies and refreshments.

“The Lord Emir has given me such a right,” Prince Emeric was visibly fat from the recent weight gain.

“Then as such, I am unable to leave this place as of now,” Krist had found the opportunity to win Prince Emeric’s favor. “Only when the conflict between Carceron and Lukedonia meets its climax will I be free from my deployment.”

“That’s it! You must come with me to Greenlot! That right there is where we will have an answer!” Prince Emeric took the bait. “I will request it from the Lord Emir.”

Hook, line, and sinker! Internally, Krist was grinning and had gotten the reaction he was looking for from the foreign Prince. “The Kenesis Royal Family is not in the best relationship with the Carceron Kingdom. To appease the Lord Emir, please delegate the conflict with the Grandia Kingdom to me.”

The Grandia Kingdom is an adjacent large country that borders Lukedonia and Carceron. At this current time, Lukedonia is also in conflict with the Grandia Kingdom and holds a hostile relationship.

Krist knelt, “In just 3 years, I will conquer a Gate (stronghold) in your name. With this, the relationship between Lukedonia and Carceron will be mended.”

“You surprise me, Krist. To think you would do such a thing for a foreign Prince?” Prince Emeric was astounded. “Such a mission would entail a great deal of support. Do you require anything, Krist?”

“There is,” Krist whispered to Prince Emeric.

“Is that all?” The Prince was surprised that the request was not a grand deal, especially if the task was to overtake a stronghold belonging to the Grandia Kingdom.

The conversation between the foreign Prince and Krist had met its conclusion and the latter left to return to the barracks where his companions were arguing about what they should do about their imprisoned Commander.

“We have to break him out!” Krist was outside the tent and heard the loud remark.

“It doesn’t matter if they sentence him to execution, we will flee this rotten country!” Haha! I forgot about such a touching moment. Krist remembered the conversation between his close friends about how they were to abduct his person and rebel against Count Solidor.

“The hell are you guys yelling for?” Krist was sarcastic.

“Krist!” Loutch shouted the name and the rest were surprised by the expression in their eye.

“A scheme like that is treasonous and punishable by immediate execution! Kuku!” Everyone knew that Krist was joking. “I told you it’ll be over.”

“Should we get a drink?” Laciel, the stoic, spoke.

“Let’s drink tonight. I’ll be paying!” Now that income has produced lucrative amounts, Krist was free to indulge in gluttony and debauchery.

The night went on to be just that, going on a drink at Lenneth’s Inn. Krist Laciel, Loutch, Reddas, and Saix were seated with Lenneth at the head, “Heard you managed to beat your case?”

“Of course. Trivial matters like the allegations of the son of a Count were a small task,” Krist was far more powerful than he was as opposed to the past. “Enough about that, have you chosen which path to walk?” Krist begged the question.

Out of all the Martial Arts of the Trick Lord, he was a high-ranking Master considered to be on the list of High Rankers in the world. Triquell’s Job Class was a Legendary Swashbuckler and could defeat any foe. The question that Krist was imposing was what Martial Arts she would walk on.

“One-handed fencing, specifically with a rapier,” Lenneth had deduced the path she knows best to tread.

Devilish grin. Krist had grinned like a devil in the most subtle form, a small and seemingly happy expression. “As expected of you. Maybe one day you will have the best ‘lunge’ skill in the whole world?”

“A toothpick? Too thin for a girl!” Reddas began to banter.

“Is that liquid courage?” Lenneth was snarky.

The night ended with a drinking contest where the young knights drank themselves to sleep and awoke early in the morning. They had forgotten that there were to be early morning drills led by the Trick Lord.

“All that missed time will be repaid today! Each of you will get an additional task!” Triquell had prepared the young men and lady for the next level of training.

***

Three months of training had passed by all the while building a perfected vessel for mana thanks to the medicinal baths. All that time picking herbs and various plants collected around the 7th Reserve Encampment had one more purpose other than to achieve the title of Medical Sage, it was to develop a body where mana was unified with the practitioner. Krist had wanted his friends to be “Technical Master,” in other words, a Master in the way of manipulating chi. This was something that was in scope and Krist could see it, he would guide the people he trusts to the fullest potential.

According to the Star Pyramid System, there were “The 8 Pillar Stages,” each stage detailed to its corresponding level. The development of the literature of Aura had begun since the dawn of men, it was the Human species that commercialized the science of observing mana. With it, the chosen ones who have entered the realm of the last stage are said to be the ‘Legendary Grandmaster.’

It was around this time that Krist had successfully begun to feel and emit mana. However, the early practice of The Final Purification Method and Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath had made Krist freely emanate Blade Aura with any weapon. And he had shared the science of chi with his friends so that they too could grow exponentially.

With the completed vessel completely modified for the sole purpose of unlocking a body that can absorb mana in the air, Krist had achieved “Reverse Revival Aging,” an exceedingly rare Body Reformation Trait that occurs when an individual can control mana to the degree where they could change their appearance to look youthful. In other words, Krist was already on the verge of becoming a Martial God.

This time, the Civil War will be in the palm of my hand. Kuku! Krist also achieved the Reverse Revival Spell that his Master, Lord Kenesis had attempted to repair his broken Neidan. In effect the Lord Emir had achieved the 2nd Metastasis and had far broken into the Mystic Realm, effectively making Lukedonia the only nation to have a Grandmaster. However, Krist was very close to such a level physically, the internal chi arts were well on the level of the Divine Realm.

Moving along, a guard came by to send a message, “Sir Krist, there’s a Scribe from Greenlot requesting your time.”

As expected of you, Prince Emeric. This was the only thing that Krist had requested of the foreign Prince from the Carceron Kingdom.

“My name is Ghis Milon, author of the book, ‘Aura Master,’ at your service.” A man with glasses introduced himself.

Krist shook the writer’s hand, “Did you bring what I requested?”

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“There’s no need for a physical copy when all the information is right here,” Ghis pointed to his brain.

Krist caught on to the man’s inner scheme, “You want something of me?”

“I have heard the feats of the ‘Medical Sage’ who was seen using ‘Blade Energy’ for a long time. Within all my research of Aura studied for over a decade, there was none with your capabilities.” Ghis Milon knew the history and literature that had to do with Aura.

Krist guided the researcher into the barracks where business could be made, “Just spit it out. If it’s within my power, I will make it.”

Ghis Milon bowed deeply, “I request your secrets of how you were able to awaken mana at such a young age.”

I remember you, Ghis Milon, famous researcher and author of the book that explained the basics and foundation to awaken chi.

“I’m surprised that a person outside of a warrior is interested in mana,” Krist was questioning why a civilian would waste his time researching into things they can not comprehend.

“It is precisely the reason for my success,” Ghis spoke plainly of his achievement in the literary world.

“Then, in exchange for some of my secrets, you too will do something in return,” Krist made it known that his terms held the most leverage in this negotiation.

Ghis submitted humbly, recognizing that the rumors and myths about the famous Medical Sage were true, “I am at your service!”

For someone like you to bow humbly to a killer like me? Krist spoke meekly about the actions of a great literary mind as opposed to the soldier, and the killer-like duty that is required of any country.

“I will have you write about, ‘The Great Art of the Lionturtle Breath,’ and ‘Unlocking the Governor and Conception Vessels.’ This will lay the foundation to the creation of elite troops who can wield Aura.” Krist had made the first round of order in their negotiation and that was to write a book and teach it to Krist’s army.

“By your orders, Sir Krist.” Ghis Milon would soon become the best writer in the world, Krist would make sure of it.

It was good to see you, old friend. You were the best writer on the continent. With my power, I will make you the best author in the world. Kuku.

After the meeting with the adept writer, Krist visited First Sergeant Bolsir, “We’ll let it be known that it will be a vacation… If it is an order from the Imperial Royal Family, this can not be disputed.”

“You don’t have to worry about the Drug Depot. I have placed reliable retainers in such places. It will flourish with new ingredients,” Krist had made known the current status of the Drug Depository within Lukedonia.

Next was visiting Triquell and the development of Lenneth and her medicinal baths, “She unlocked the ‘Governor and Conception Vessels’ on her own.”

?!

This was the first big surprise that had not shown itself much later in the coming years. For someone to unlock the Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel meant that one had the talent to be an Aura Master or a Mage, perhaps both.

“I sense that Lenneth found her way,” Krist had spoken with a smile. Such monstrous talent from the bloodline of the Trick Lord! If Lenneth had been born a male, would he be at an even higher level? It seems like it was a blessing and mercy to this world that Triquell had sired a daughter instead of a son. It matters not, as long as the bloodline and talent of the Trick Lord live on, she will be an invariable piece for my kingdom.

“I had doubted these medicinal baths, but, I had forgotten that a student of mine was someone known as the ‘Medical Sage.’ That, and the reason why you and your friends were recovering faster than usual.”

“This is the secret to awakening mana with anybody,” Krist had given Lenneth ample ingredients for the medicinal baths. It would be her turn to fully attune the body for her 1st Metastasis.

***

Four weeks had passed by and Krist had fully grasped the capabilities of the current vessel. Objectively, Krist can manipulate mana at the Mystic Realm, however, the body was still that of a high-tier Transcendence Realm Martial Master. Of course, this was Krist’s 1st Metastasis, meaning, a Martial God would require the 1st and 2nd Metastasis to be unlocked to be a Grandmaster.

Loutch Lawliet, Saix, Reddas, and Laciel, were at the pinnacle of the Peak Realm. They too could freely imbue Blade Energy into any weapon, especially their designated weaponry, can breathe through their skin, and freely emit Aura.

Reddas, who is the most experienced in the group, is a reverse dual-wielding master with an unorthodox fighting style of holding two axes in the reverse position. His level of Aura Mastery had been completed some time ago after fully comprehending mana through the Divine Art of Lionturtle Breath. Reddas is a hard-hitting, nimble, unorthodox fighter, who is on the verge of unlocking his 1st Metastasis.

Saix, the tallest, towering above 193 centimeters (6’4) and still growing, has benefited greatly from the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath in terms of physicality. Born with superhuman strength and a big body with great recoverability, Saix was physically the strongest character, talented in one attribute which is, strength. He too is close to ascending to the next level.

Laciel was the swordsman and knife-wielder, switching from one weapon to another. Unlike Saix and Reddas who have physically blessed bodies, Laciel benefited from the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath by gaining two traits, “The Art of Face-Changing,” the ability to freely change one’s appearance, and “The Art of Skin-Breathing,” the ability to breathe through the skin. With such benefits and fully mastering the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath, Laciel was suited to be the Assassin of the group.

Loutch Lawliet had unlocked the trait of Skin-Breathing much earlier than Laciel but learned the Art of Skin-Changing much later on. Unlike Saix, Reddas and even Laciel, Loutch had the lowest recoverability and did not have a particularly physical vessel, therefore, the amount of mana that could be retained in the body was sure to be small. However, this was not the case for Loutch. It was safe to say that it was Loutch who was blessed the most with the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath because of the Job Class, Magick Archer, a cross-breed between a Mage and an Archer. Not only does he have the two traits of Skin-Breathing and Skin-Changing, but, to be a Mage was something that not Krist had even envisioned.

In the past life, Loutch Lawliet greatly hated his non-human bloodline. He was a great Archer who could infuse Aura, but, lacked the magical capabilities of his Elvhen half. However, in this lifetime, Loutch has come to embrace his hybrid genealogy and has fully encompassed the talent of two species. In other words, Loutch had the best mana affinity due to becoming a Mage. To end things off, he had 4 Arcane Circles around his heart thanks to the long use of medicinal baths. It had helped unlock Mana Channels specifically designated to Mages.

Currently, Forris Zecht is attending Count Ludwing Van Solidor, “Cough.” The Count covered his cough with a napkin.

“Sir,” Colonel Zecht noticed the blood.

“Where’s your brother?” Count Ludwig has two sons. One was his legitimate heir.

“He’s returned from Greenlot,” Colonel Ludwig reported.

“...” The Count was indifferent.

As of now, the situation is dire with an heir to be appointed to the Count of Lukedonia. Axel Van Solidor, the oldest and legitimate heir is secretly a Mage, decrepit and impulsive. It is well known that Axel burns his victims.

“Foris,” Count Ludwig referred to the retainer as his birth name.

“Your Excellency,” Colonel Zecht replied respectfully.

“Swear your fealty to Axel. He needs you by his side.” Count Ludwig had made his decision as to who would be the successor to the Count position. “Will you do that?

“No.” Forris Zecht was speaking, not Foris Van Solidor. These were two completely different people. This was how Zecht was able to achieve the title of “Double Executioner” in the past life.

“...” This was the first time that Count Ludwig had been declined by his illegitimate son.

Step! Step! Loud footsteps could be heard as it came closer, “My Lord Father! I hastened ever since hearing about your condition!” It was Axel Van Solidor making his way to the Count’s sickbed.

“Why is this bastard here? Shoo!” Axel openly showed his disdain towards Zecht.

Forris Zecht left the room in silence as Count Ludwig watched the back of his son leaving. Before being able to leave the room, a guard came in to announce some news, “Your Excellency, there’s an emergency!”

This was the time when the climax of the conflict between Lukedonia and Carceron would conclude, ultimately ending in a ceasefire.

On the other side of the country, Krist had created 5 Arcane Circles around his heart. I never thought of becoming a Mage. Krist was a purely physical fighter, but thanks to unlocking the 1st Metastasis by continual use of the medicinal baths and combining The Final Purification Method and Divine Art of Lionturtle Breath made it possible to easily become a Sorcerer. Great! The Mana Channels are all open!

Krist took a risk by setting up a Breakthrough by combining two Mana Breathing Arts. And now, he could no longer hide the fact that he was a Master.

“Hmm… You… emit the level of energy as the other Force Masters do,” Triquell easily observed the mana flowing around Krist’s body.

Peddle! Peddle! A soldier on horseback came to see Krist and the soldiers, “Sir Krist! There’s an order to assemble all forces! Carceron has invaded Lukedonia’s territory!

The time for fighting had come and bloodshed would stain the earth in the last round of battle between Imperial Lukedonia and the Carceron Kingdom.