“The Immortal Genius Spear knight (4)
Unlike the era of wars with forced conscription, one must now take an ‘exam’ to enlist.
Of course, the exam isn’t much of a big deal.
You just need to be physically healthy and have the minimum endurance required to withstand military life.
Upon arriving in the capital, Damian first rented a small room on the outskirts with the money he had.
“Phew… I need to prepare a bit first.”
Although he was slightly bigger than his peers, he was far from the level of an adult.
Moreover, Damian had not exercised properly until now.
He wasn’t strong or particularly fit.
However, there was something even more important.
‘The Delft Mana Training Method…’
Unlike in the past, Damian was now in the perfect condition to train his mana.
He was young, and his mana core was intact.
Moreover, he had memorized the ‘Delft Mana Training Method,’ which would be developed 15 years in the future and was known for its extreme efficiency.
‘Indeed… life is full of mysteries.’
Damian had been obsessed with the mana training method because he could never properly master it in the past.
His subordinates used to tease him for memorizing a mana training method he couldn’t even master…
“I can use it now.”
The Delft Mana Training Method was created by a genius from the Delft family.
Although its conditions were a bit stringent, it was famous for being the most efficient mana training method, except for the secret techniques of certain prestigious noble families.
‘I love you, Delft.’
The Delft Mana Training Method has nine stages, and even reaching the first stage could explosively increase physical abilities.
For Damian, it was the most efficient and fastest way.
“Shall we get started then?”
Stepping outside, Damian headed straight to the magic training center.
This was one of the main reasons he came to the capital.
“Magic training centers only exist in the capital or major cities.”
There were fewer than five magic training centers in the entire kingdom.
Among them, the Zarqa Magic Training Center in the capital had the best facilities.
Damian headed towards the Zarqa Magic Training Center.
“Hm? What’s going on?”
“I came to use the training center.”
“…You?”
Just by looking at his appearance, he seemed like a commoner.
The guard at the entrance of the Zarqa Magic Training Center sneered at Damian and said,
“Do you know how much it costs to use the facilities here? Someone like you would struggle just to stay here for a moment.”
“Isn’t it 2 gold per week?”
“Hahaha, you know it and still came?”
Using the magic training center for a week costs as much as a commoner’s monthly living expenses.
And yet he still came here?
Jingle.
Without a word, Damian took out 2 gold coins from his pocket.
“Is there a problem?”
“Oh? No, no problem at all. Please, go inside.”
What is with that kid?
The way he casually took out 2 gold coins as if he was buying candy from the local store…
“Are you, by any chance, a noble?”
“I don’t have a family name.”
“Ah, please enjoy your time here!”
He must be the son of a wealthy family.
Damian chuckled as he watched the guard fluster and walked inside.
There are always people who think they are special when they work in high-end stores.
‘Still, this guard is relatively polite.’
Damian entered the magic training center.
Whoosh!
And just by entering the building, he felt a fullness as if something was filling up inside his body.
‘So this is… the Zarqa Magic Training Center?’
He had only heard of it but never visited before.
As Damian looked around inside, a woman approached him.
“Is it your first time here?”
“Yes.”
When Damian nodded, she quickly looked him over.
Just ordinary, nothing special.
In fact, his appearance didn’t match most of the people who usually came to the magic training center.
But she gave him a friendly smile and said,
“I’ll give you a brief explanation of our magic training center. Would you follow me?”
Thanks to her explanation, Damian was able to get a brief overview of the Zarqa Magic Training Center.
Most people who come to magic training centers are usually nobles learning magic.
To quickly get a feel for magic when learning it for the first time, a magic training center where mana is ‘activated’ is ideal.
‘Of course, some wealthy individuals have their own private training centers…’
But that’s only possible for royalty, and most nobles come to magic training centers.
The only problem is that the cost is very high.
“At Zarqa Magic Training Center, we have instructors from the Royal Magic Corps and the Magic Tower. You can book lessons with them if you wish.”
“Oh, I just need to use the facilities. The smallest single room, please.”
“Hmm, alright. If you need anything else, just let us know. The smallest training room is 40 silver per day. You can use it for a week for 2 gold.”
“A week, please.”
Damian handed the staff member 2 gold coins and received a key labeled C-41.
‘…Does that mean there are at least 41 of the smallest rooms?’
The number seemed to indicate the enormous scale of the facility.
How much do they earn here in a day?
But putting his curiosity aside, Damian arrived at the training room labeled C-41, opened the door, and went inside.
“So this is what it looks like.”
The size was ordinary.
It was about the size of a small room, around 5 pyeong (about 16.5 square meters).
In reality, with this size, it seemed difficult to train in explosive fire-type or wide-area magic.
But…
‘It doesn’t matter to me.’
After all, what Damian intended to do was the Mana Training Method.
He just needed a space where he could sit.
Damian looked at the magic circle drawn on the floor.
‘So this is the Mana Amplification Magic Circle.’
The mana stones used to operate this magic circle made up most of the cost of this training room.
And the moment he entered the training room, Damian could tell.
The mana concentration inside the training room was at least three to four times higher than outside.
‘They said the mana concentration here is eight times higher than in the central plaza of the capital…’
He wasn’t sure about that, but it was clear that the efficiency here was indeed excellent.
“…Huu”
One week.
He could afford to extend his stay, but…
‘Dragging things out doesn’t suit my personality.’
Just because he had the means didn’t mean he intended to waste time.
“In one week…”
I’ll reach the first stage.
Damian sat down and closed his eyes, beginning to practice the Delft Mana Training Method.
***
“…Hmm.”
Raymond was the chief instructor of Training Center 3. His training center was usually quiet, as it was today.
That was, until that kid showed up.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The dull sounds and the violently shaking wooden dummy drew the attention of the trainees around.
“What’s with that guy?”
“He still looks like a kid… Where did he learn that?”
“He can’t be a noble’s child… right?”
The onlookers muttered as they watched him.
They didn’t know who he was, but it was clear from one look that his spear skills were quite impressive.
However…
‘That’s…?’
Raymond’s eyes widened.
Of course, it wasn’t surprising.
That young kid was using the Kingdom’s spear technique.
Although it had a ridiculous name, ‘The Kingdom’s Best Spear Technique,’ it was the most commonly used spear technique among the kingdom’s soldiers.
‘But how does that kid know and use the Kingdom’s Best Spear Technique?’
Curious, Raymond got up and stealthily approached the boy.
Thud!
Damian frowned slightly while swinging his spear.
“…Damn.”
The Kingdom’s Best Spear Technique is based on solid fundamentals.
However, if Damian had one problem now, it was that his spear skills were top-notch, but his body was too weak.
After swinging the spear for just thirty minutes…
“Should I wrap my hands with bandages?”
His palms were scraped and bleeding.
It seemed it would take a long time to develop the tough calluses he once had.
“Ahem!”
“……?”
At the sound from beside him, Damian turned his head.
‘Is he a training center instructor?’
It was obvious at a glance.
In the past, he would have been frozen with fear and unable to speak properly, but now the situation was very different.
“Ahem, are you a trainee applicant?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Your spear skills seem quite good. Where did you learn them?”
He recognized the Kingdom’s Best Spear Technique at a glance and asked.
Damian nodded and said,
“I learned the spear technique from my late father.”
“Ah, I asked something unnecessary. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. When I was young, my father had great pride in the military. Because of his influence, I applied to become a soldier.”
“….Pass.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing! Never mind!”
Raymond, who had unintentionally revealed his thoughts, quickly waved his hands.
Then he looked at Damian and said,
“Well, I wish you the best of luck. What is your name?”
Asking for a name in this situation was definitely advantageous.
Damian stood up straight and answered crisply,
“Damian .”
“It’s a good name.”
Raymond lightly patted Damian’s shoulder.
He didn’t have as much muscle as expected.
‘…Interesting.’
His spear skills were definitely impressive, but his body didn’t seem very developed.
Although it was a bit puzzling…
‘I’ll find out later.’
What was certain was that a promising recruit had arrived.
“Warming up is good, but don’t exhaust yourself before the test.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Haha, you speak quite well. I wish you success.”
Damian smiled faintly at Raymond’s encouragement and turned around.
The test would begin soon, just as he said.
Damian stood straight and closed his eyes. And then…
Hmmm.
He felt a slight tingling sensation in his lower abdomen, and his whole body filled with power.
It was the sensation he couldn’t fully feel before.
‘This feeling…’
About the size of a pinky nail…
‘I’ve completed it.’
The first stage of the Delft Mana Training Method.
Hitting the wooden dummy before the test was to practice using the completed mana more efficiently.
‘I can use mana now…’
When he first completed the first stage, he felt overwhelming emotion.
Now that he could fully utilize it, his confidence soared even more.
‘If I can just continue systematic training from now on… things will improve a lot.’
He had already finished planning what to do in his mind.
Right now, the only thing he needed to do was pass the test at Training Center 3.
He smirked.
And there was a reason Damian came to Training Center 3. It was because…
“That guy… he was from this Training Center 3, right?”
The one who was closest to him, the one he had been through thick and thin with.
The bastard who threw away his life to save him at the last moment.
‘I wonder what he looks like now.’
Damian calmed his pounding heart and started walking towards the examination hall.
