Survival 95

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“An Aura Cultivation Method, huh…”

Unlike magic that manifests mana outward causing anomalies,

Aura involves compressing mana internally to strengthen muscles, and even further, weapons.

Naturally, it was an essential skill for warriors wielding swords or other weapons.

“Wait, Lucy, is that approved by your family?”

It was not strange that Elizabeth, who had been silent until now, was surprised.

Only to the bloodline of the family.

Only to the knights who swore loyalty to the family.

Even among the commoner class, only some mercenaries shared this skill, which was as complex to transmit as magic.

‘No wonder young mercenaries enter the academy with the aim to refine better cultivation methods’.

The reaction of the allied petitioners alone made it clear how resolute Luciana had become.

“Don’t worry too much, Liza. Hans is my personal servant and has proven his loyalty to the Speda family several times over. It’s the same now.”

“But even so, without the Sword Master’s permission…”

“Father’s permission? Ha, don’t worry. This is the academy. And here, I am the only Speda.”

And then she finally dropped a bombshell.

“If I teach the Aura Cultivation Method, who could possibly stop me?”

“What, what do you mean…?”

Uncharacteristically for the wise Elizabeth, she stuttered, forgetting even to reply.

Indeed, I felt the same way.

‘Luciana is going behind her family’s back?!’

She had always prioritized her family.

-I am defeated. I have no face to return to my family, nor to see my father.

Even during their decline, Luciana always spoke of her family and acted accordingly.

‘But for her to suddenly act like this?’

Even I, a devoted fan watching from beyond the screen, experienced cognitive dissonance.

“Lucy, think again.”

Perhaps it’s because she is nobility.

Elizabeth was quicker to regain her composure and urgently tried to dissuade Luciana.

“The family’s Aura Cultivation Method is allowed to only a very select few. Isn’t it too dangerous for Hans, from a different family region and also my fiancé?”

Elizabeth warned her, having thoroughly thought it through.

Luciana shook her head gently.

“I understand your concerns. However, I have no regrets about my decision.”

A warm yet firm look of trust was directed at me.

“Though there was no permission from the family, and it may seem unilateral, Hans will surely become a great strength to me and the family. For his growth, investing in the cultivation method is something I can definitely provide.”

[Speda Family Camp Fame Requirement Met]

[NPC ‘Luciana’s Affection Requirement Met]

[‘Luciana’s Enlightenment Passed On]

[All Special Conditions (3/3) Have Been Met!]

[Reward: You are granted the right to be taught the Skill <Speda Aura Cultivation Method>.]

As soon as her words ended, the status screen flickered.

I must have already satisfied the necessary fame and affection, and it seems she figured something out on her own during the duel with Professor Marks.

“I am grateful for Lady Luciana’s consideration.”

Understanding the whole situation, I quickly knelt before her.

‘What a windfall!’

In the game, due to locks preventing the fame of factions from rising too high, the Speda family’s Aura Cultivation Method was something I could never have obtained.

‘Just when I was thinking about extending my reach to Aura as well.’

Until now, I had defeated enemies solely with evasion and counterattacks, but there are limits to this.

As someone focusing on close combat, to face opponents above Aura Expert level and even to defeat calamities including the Demon King, I needed to grow.

‘The Speda family, known for their swordsmanship and Aura, must be overpowered.’

It was just like Luciana.

Beautiful, generous, and even caring for her subordinates.

How could I not develop loyalty?

“I’m not sure if I can live up to that heavy trust, but I will try.”

“Your efforts have already been proven, just now and even in the past.”

Our eyes met, lord and servant.

Only someone who had interacted with her as much as I had could notice.

The slight enchantment in her trust.

The faint doubt about whether her decision was correct.

That made me even happier.

Because I could feel Luciana, albeit clumsily, changing enough to twist her own convictions.

It made me think that I could change history, her destiny.

I was utterly satisfied.

“It is an honor. I will always do my best to assist you, Lady Luciana.”

I tried my best to speak eloquently to erase any remaining trace of anxiety she might have had.

“Heh, your words are reassuring indeed.”

As I was mesmerized by her deep blue eyes,

“Ahem!”

Not an intruder, no.

With a fake cough from the fiancée, Luciana was the first to turn her head.

“It seems I’ve unintentionally interrupted your moment.”

“It’s fine. After all, it’s related to work, enemies, people! It was all business-related.”

Luciana faced her with a smile blooming on her face.

But between the narrowed eyes, jealousy blazed in her pupils.

It was easy to tell that I was the object of that jealousy.

“But are you sure you’re okay? You’re already learning magic. Walking the path of both Aura and magic at the same time is known to be highly inefficient.”

“Of course.”

How could I not know that?

In the game, owning both magic and Aura skills incurred a penalty.

[Wow, you can use magic and Aura at the same time? This game is epic.]

[Looks like a perfect setup for a magic swordsman.]

[Oh, you newbie…]

[Reward: Added a failed character!]

[Should delete and start a new character now?]

It was a mix of pity and mockery.

It wasn’t for no reason that posts about choosing both Aura and magic skills immediately attracted a barrage of comments in the community.

The game’s setting explained that dividing limited mana between two areas significantly reduced efficiency.

In-game, this led to disadvantages in damage calculation, doubled mana consumption, and a halved rate of skill proficiency…

Due to various penalties attached to this choice, most players focused on developing either Aura or magic alone.

If one could satisfy physical attacks with swordplay and defense, damage, and healing with magic, wouldn’t that be overpowered? Such shallow tricks did not work in <Under the Chandelier>.

It was a game of hellish difficulty.

‘That’s why there were rumors about the strongest old-timer.’

An unusual entity that mastered both magic and Aura.

Despite starting significantly late as a commoner, his Aura was at an expert level.

He was skilled enough to create his own unique magic.

Thus, posts jokingly questioned what would have happened if ‘Professor Marks had focused solely on Aura or magic?’

Sometimes, this was a hot topic for community discussions.

“Yes. Of course, you would know. My beloved fiancé is already a mage, after all. Magic is certainly better than Aura! Maybe I should teach you more about magic? I’ll explain it to you kindly, one step at a time!”

Elizabeth reached out her hand towards me, with a smile hiding her dark intentions.

But that was the wrong approach.

‘Sword skills with Luciana? Do you think I’d just stand by and watch?’

Despite her previous jealousy.

It was still a problem because her intentions were too clear.

“In the martial arts tournament too. You definitely have talent! If I just help you a little, you can surely flourish!”

Unfortunately, Elizabeth.

To instill such vain hopes.

I knew my limits all too well.

“Come on, cheer up! Magic isn’t all about talent! Aren’t you proud of your flexible thinking? If you combine various spells, surely…!”

I had already given up on magic every night.

Trying to find something to praise in someone without talent was something I had heard from Bathory.

“That’s quite enticing.”

“Right? So, let’s go to my room…”

“But advice biased by love isn’t always right.”

Elizabeth froze with a smile still on her face.

I drove the point home.

“What…?”

“People say that you know your own situation best. It’s true I’ve started learning magic, but it’s merely a supplementary means.”

You’re trying to overpower me with logic?

And tie it to combat?

The very combat in this intense game that made me see it through to the end?

“Didn’t you see in that match where you fell for me, Elizabeth? My main combat style is dagger technique. As long as I use a sword, to reach higher levels, I must learn Aura.”

“Ugh…! Who fell for whom….”

Elizabeth glanced at Luciana and steadied her rough, angry breathing. She covered her mouth and gave a shaky smile with twinkling eyes. “What if things aren’t going as you want?”

At that moment, Elizabeth, wearing a sullen expression, whispered softly. Her eyelashes fluttered, her acting was quite impressive. “It’s all for you, my fiancé. Having already mastered magic, your body has become incompatible with Aura. The champion of the martial arts tournament could become a nobody, a mere half-penny. That would be miserable.”

That was true. Bearing all sorts of penalties could indeed weaken me for now. But one mustn’t worry about immediate losses if aiming for greater gains. 

‘Sticking to just one form of combat would make me obsolete compared to others.’

The Crown Prince, Oparn, Luke… To stand beside Luciana and to maximize my strengths, I needed to pursue a growth that utilized both swordplay and magic. My basic combat style is based on evasion and counter-attacks with dagger skills, making Aura essential. Yet, it would be a pity to give up on magic, which can introduce numerous variables. So, I had to learn both.

“Haven’t we seen the perfect counterexample with our own eyes?”

“…What?”

“Professor Marks.”

“That’s just him being an exception, and you are different!”

“Well, I suppose I’m not quite ordinary either.”

Starting with how I use mana. Experience is better than hearsay. I lightly cut my hand with a dagger in front of her. “Did you know? Vampires use blood instead of mana for magic.”

“What are you trying to say? Get to the point.”

“That means, since I’ve made a pact with Lady Bathory, I’ve made it possible.”

My blood that was falling towards the ground transformed into a streak of light. It was the Flash magic I had displayed in the coliseum. “Since I don’t use the inherent mana in my body to cast spells, there’s no real issue in accepting Aura.”

“Elizabeth, you needn’t worry.”

Would I really go down the doomed character route without thought? I have my own safety nets in place. Minimizing penalties. The very reason I learned blood magic was for this moment.

“That demonic technique? I don’t like it, but it seems it will allow you to accept Aura.”

Luciana clapping her hands decided the winner and loser of this argument. “The Aura Cultivation Method can’t be transmitted in front of everyone. I’ll choose a time and call you to my room.”

“Call me anytime.”

As I received the sweet promise of a reward, I secretly gave Elizabeth a victorious smile. “Alright… Now go.”

“Yes?”

However, that was just before being sent away. Pushed into the corridor by a firm dismissal, I was puzzled.

Just before the door closed, I caught a glimpse of a slight frown etching across Luciana’s forehead.

Unable to discern the meaning behind it.

***

“So that’s why you’re looking so gloomy,” Bathory sighed deeply after hearing the whole story in the infirmary.

At the gathering in Bathory’s room at the dormitory, arranged for the practice of magic, Elizabeth and I showed markedly different demeanors.

“Elizabeth did dig deep, but she’s still far from winning an argument against me.”

“Great for you.”

Was it because she couldn’t prevent my private training with Luciana? Her shoulders slumped, almost touching the ground.

However, she soon regained her composure. “I had my fill of fun, so maybe I should forgive your attempt to challenge me in front of Luciana.”

“Just wait. In the end, I will be the one beside Luciana…!”

“Hmm. You still have a long way to go. The contract only ends when my ‘culinary taste’ is complete.”

“Ugh…!”

Whether it ends in 10 or 20 years wasn’t specified in the contract, but I lightly deflated her grave ambitions with a chuckle.

“Both of you, stop bickering and focus on the flow of mana.”

Our squabble was promptly halted by our instructor, who could be unbearably strict during magic training.

With a flick of his tongue, Bathory muttered in a suddenly softer tone, “Really, I always feel it, but Elizabeth truly has talent. Especially her potential for fire magic, among the best I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

“Hehe.”

“Compared to her, well…”

Bathory’s gaze shifted beyond me towards the wall, her eyes moving uncertainly.

“Talent isn’t everything! You also have a variety of magic you can cast!”

“It’s just that each one’s power is so vague, none of them are really useful.”

“Ugh…!”

I shrugged nonchalantly. Magic wasn’t my main weapon anyway; it was a minor issue, but,

“It’s still frustrating not to see any significant progress.”

Perhaps because Elizabeth was present, Bathory seemed even more awkward today than usual.

“By the way, a letter has arrived.”

“A letter? If it’s meant for Lady Luciana, there’s no need to bother me with it. I’ve told you before, anything below the rank of Earl can be dismissed.”

Bathory was nominally Luciana’s maid and seemed to be quite diligent in her duties, despite often grumbling.

But a letter, already, not long after entering the academy?

How could I let those flies trying to snatch crumbs from Luciana be?

It should have been straightforward to dismiss it.

“No, it came to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes. It was enclosed in quite a lavish envelope. Ah! Sealed with beeswax bearing the imprint of an abnormally large tree.”

At Bathory’s response, the faces of Elizabeth and I hardened simultaneously.

Not branches or leaves, but a giant tree.

There was only one place that symbol could represent.

“Why would the Daimon Ducal House…?”

The unexpected involvement of a major player gave me a headache.

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