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CHAPTER NINE
The man known as the iron lion is known to have one of the most unique fighting styles scattered across the continent, holding a distinctly unusual philosophy.
Typically, the journey to becoming a warrior, knight, swordsman, or martial artist follows a consistent framework of training. This process includes refining breathing techniques, strengthening the body, and mastering various skills to improve overall proficiency in martial arts. While the specific methods can differ widely among different schools, the fundamental approach remains largely similar.
However, the philosophy of Alexandri's techniques denies these fundamentals.
“First, create a perfect body!”
Alexandri shouted relentlessly as he smacked the boys with the wooden mace relentlessly. The mace was made from the wood of an elder oak tree which was tougher than the flyn bamboo and could shatter a metal plate and it had tiny spikes made with silver.
“The reason humans wield weapons is that they are weak. They wear armor because their bodies are frail, and they take up swords, spears, and axes to replicate the claws and teeth they lack. How stupid is that!”
Even while being beaten, Al found this absurd. Why would using tools be considered stupid?
Alexandri responded immediately.
"It is an escape! A weak escape for those who cannot overcome their fragility. A true martial artist or warrior should strive to train and conquer their weaknesses!”
Al was taken aback, having never encountered such a simplistic and brutish way of thinking in his 40 years as a magician, his body had only been put through immense training to control and contain his mana and refined through various battles. Fortunately, the pain prevented any noticeable reaction. Alexandri continued speaking. “First, one must create a body that is unique, perfect, strong and an aura shield that is unbreakable.”
As Alexandri swung the wooden mace, he calmly explained his fighting philosophy. He believed that repeating familiar stories could help the boys recover from the shock of the pain more quickly. As they couldn’t keep up with the rhythm at which the mace came down on their bodies.
Given the short human lifespan and the lofty realms of martial arts to be achieved, he argued, how can one reach these great heights by dabbling in so many skills without building the body? That is the weakness of mages and so many martial arts.
“Definitely, those who focus on their foundation will eventually succeed.”
He prioritizes perfecting the body first. With a perfected body, aura, and skill training becomes easier because the body operates at peak conditions. This allows for quicker skill acquisition and reduces the time needed to correct bad habits. This is the central argument of Alexandri. The first step to creating a perfect body is to transform the body into steel. As he hit the boys again their aura defence shattering as the mace came in contact with their bodies.
“Humans are like metal ores; both become stronger and more durable as they are forged.”
“Why are we humans compared to meta ores? There’s a serious flaw in your logic from the start!”
Shin had long forgotten the fact that if his body had not been like this from the beginning, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.
Upon entering the house, Alexandri retrieved the item he always used from storage. It was a gigantic drum, made entirely of oak wood and clay, large enough for two fully grown men to submerge themselves completely, with room to spare. He then filled the bathtub with water.
True to his reputation as the strongest man of his era, his method of filling the tub was nothing short of impressive. While ordinary people would laboriously carry water in buckets to fill it, this muscular behemoth had no need for such tedious tasks. He simply lifted the entire drum and dipped it into the pond behind the house, effectively filling it in one go. Alexandri handled this immense object as if it were a mere washbowl, then proceeded to pour four vases full of liquid into it and added various herbs. He then returned to the boys. Having watched Alexandri’s actions closely, Al's voice trembled slightly as he asked, an unmistakable hint of fear lacing his words.
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“What on earth is that?”
“What else? Once you've worked and shaped the metal, you need to cool it down.”
With a nonchalant reply, Alexandri grabbed Al and Shin both by their neck. Once again, he employed the ‘mother lion carrying her cub’ method. It was as if this towering giant had never learned any other method to transport others. Indeed, an elderly muscular man carrying his fully well-built students like princesses could be seen as a freight scene in its own right.
“well then…”
Alexandri held both boys by their neck, channeling his aura. A golden aura surged and flowed before seeping into their battered bodies entirely.
“Ugh, mmmff?”
Both of them groaned at an unusual sensation, but even amid the pain, they could feel their bodies healing at an astonishing rate. Al recognized this effect from previous encounters with magic, allowing him to understand the activation and enhancement of his body’s regenerative abilities. Bones realigned, ligaments tightened, and swollen muscles returned to their proper positions.
Alexandri was currently using his aura to heal and massage their entire body. The layered golden Aura, which is unique to him alone the iron lion, is renowned across the continent for its exceptional ability to manipulate the physical body and its remarkable healing properties.
After tending to their bodies for a while with his aura, Alexandri then ripped the clothes from their bodies completely. Of course, he still paid no heed to their pleas. Shin, having no energy left to resist, compliantly accepted the fact. After all, he had somewhat anticipated this when he saw the drum being filled.
“I could always just take off my clothes myself, but honestly, why go through all this...?”
However, he was in no condition to even lift a finger after being beaten severely. He lacked the strength to undress himself. It wasn't as though Alexandri made a habit of undressing his young male students for entertainment.
"Alright, then. I’ll see you in an hour's time."
Alexandri completely submerged Al and Shin in the bath and then covered it with the lid. The lid had a hole large enough for them to breathe, allowing both boys, floating in the water, to stay alive. Al stared blankly at the water surrounding him.
Initially, he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but after examining it more closely, he realized the contents were serious.
‘Oh my! Healing potions, satyr herbs, leaves of the coliac weed…’
Healing potions are items that cost a significant amount of silver coins per bottle from any reputable Mage Guild. Filling a drum with them, even if diluted with water, would result in an astronomical expense. There’s an old tale about an empress who bathed in milk for the sake of her skin’s beauty. If she witnessed this, she could take pride in her frugality before the whole world.
Additionally, the herbs that were added were quite costly, each known for their powerful healing properties. As he submerged himself in the water, he could feel his wounds healing and his body recovering at an astonishing rate. At the same time, he was keenly aware of his resilience.
"This training method wasn’t unfounded after all…"
After strengthening every muscle and bone in his body to the brink of death, then quickly healing with the power of aura and medicinal water, his body regenerated before any serious illness could take hold, becoming even more robust. Now he understood why they didn’t go through this process the first few days of training and why they weren’t completely healed by the healer so their body could get accustomed to the pain and withstand it.
‘After all, if alexandri could survive up to now by doing this, it says something. Truly, even a troll could be beaten to death with this kind of strength.’
There was a logical aspect to the situation that deserved recognition. However, emotionally, it was the last thing Al wanted to accept. Why, after all, did he have to endure so much to become stronger? Others appeared to grow strong quite naturally without such extremes.
‘Alexandri must have been repeating this kind of training for years, hasn’t he?’
The depth of Alexandri's strength, which allowed him to endure such powerful magic from Al, became instantly clear.
“Sigh…”
A deep sigh flowed beyond his lips. The healing spring water caressed his body, gradually easing the pain. Only now did he begin to regain his senses and the capacity to grasp the situation.
Immersed in the healing waters, Al quietly sank into his thoughts.
‘It’s clear that this is the past…’
Considering his age, it seemed he had traveled back about 24 years. Al turned and observed Shin, who had completely immersed himself in the water, his body almost entirely hidden beneath the surface. Shin’s breathing was slow and measured, his focus unbroken as he worked to circulate his aura through his body, the water amplifying his efforts. Al could sense the shift in the atmosphere around him—the flow of energy from Shin's aura subtly blending with the natural forces of the water. It was clear that Shin was harnessing every ounce of the environment to heal and fortify himself, a display of stillness over both his body and spirit.
Inspired by Shin’s approach, Al decided it was time to take a more direct approach to his cultivation. The liquid’s surface rippled as he slid in, his body sinking until the water level covered his head. Al closed his eyes, shutting out the external world, and took a deep breath. The cool water enveloped him, its healing touch seeping into his pores, while the steady pulse of ambient mana surrounded him. It was a prime opportunity to push his limits. His goal was to expand his mana paths, widening the internal channels that allowed him to draw in and process mana. If he succeeded, it would increase the output of his body’s mana capacity and the flow from the environment, possibly enough to ascend to the ranks of a 2-circle mage or even a 3-circle. This could also lead to him refining more mana into aura.
Al focused his mind, picturing his mana well as a small, confined space. With each breath, he visualized the channels widening, the small well expanding into something much larger and more powerful. As he relaxed, the mana in the environment began to flow toward him, drawn by his focused intent. He could feel the subtle tug of the natural energy weaving through the water, entering his body, and filling his mana pathways. The sensation was intoxicating—a gentle pressure at first, then growing into a warm pulse as his body absorbed more and more. But it wasn’t without its difficulties. His channels resisted at times, clamping down as if they were reluctant to expand. It was a battle of will, but Al’s determination burned through the resistance. Each successful breath felt like a small victory, and with every passing moment, his body grew closer to the breakthrough he so desperately sought.