Survival 101

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“Having received your lessons in rhetoric and politics, it feels odd to be your teacher.”

Though her expression was as impassive as usual, it was clear that Luciana was in a very good mood, evident from her shoulders raised almost to her chin.

“How much do you know about aura?”

‘It’s so close.’

A gentle whisper heard by the ear.

Despite my favorite character’s enchanting voice, I clenched my teeth without turning my head.

It was torture, albeit not officially so.

After all, she threatened that if my meditation posture was disrupted, I would fail to comprehend my aura.

How could I focus with my attention diverted like that?

‘Sigh. Let’s regain composure. This is the Speda family’s aura cultivation method. I can’t afford to miss this opportunity because I’m distracted by Luciana.’

It took several deep breaths before I could finally calm down.

“Now then, what do you know about Aura?”

“Well, I’ve been considered a dullard with swords all my life. Aura was like a cloud out of reach for me. I know only the basics, and that’s about it.”

Of course, it was a lie.

How could I not know, having seen the ending of this game and thoroughly understood the story and setting?

But, if it means getting more of my favorite character’s kind tutoring,

It’s only right to pretend I don’t know what I actually do know!

“Really? It’s surprising to hear you admit there’s something you don’t know.”

“There was never a need to know in detail before. Whether it was mana or aura, I was told I had so little of it that I lacked talent.”

“Is that so? Then let me start by explaining what Aura is.”

Perhaps because it was her area of expertise, her explanation was confident.

“Aura is the primal life force within our body. It is used to enhance physical abilities or weapons.”

“Yes, I knew that.”

“Oh? Then do you understand the difference between mana and aura?”

I certainly do.

‘The difference between mana and aura.’

It was a question frequently asked by professors to students at the academy in the game.

Most stumbled over it.

But now, I am merely a learner.

Seeing the intent behind her question, I gave her the answer she wanted.

“Mana and aura. Aren’t they similar in nature? Both reside within us and are consumables that lead us to greater power.”

“Indeed. It seems your claim of ignorance wasn’t false.”

She waved just her index finger gently.

With a smile as if a professor was looking fondly at his students.

“Mana exists only in the heart and blood vessels. Blood mixes well with mana, which makes it difficult to manipulate.”

This is also why vampires are adept at magic.

Being a species that can freely control their blood, they utilize all the mana contained within it without waste.

“On the other hand, aura exists everywhere in the muscles. With a little effort, like this.”

As if conjuring magical flames,

A pure white aura that had overflowed from her scabbard earlier now blossomed from her hand.

“You should be able to see the aura with your own eyes.”

“Wow, that’s charming.”

“Yes. It would be easier to refine Aura with our family’s cultivation method than to learn miscellaneous magic from that demon race.”

Suddenly, her voice faded from my ear before the lingering regret could even leave.

Something warm touched my back.

“Your back is broader than I thought.”

Luciana’s hand brushed across my back.

-Shhhh.

It felt as though something was being infused into my back following her hand.

“Ugh!”

It felt like when Bathory forcibly modified my blood vessels for blood magic.

I couldn’t bear the pain that felt like scratching from inside my muscles and groaned.

“I’m sorry. It’s a necessary procedure. To pass on the cultivation method, we must awaken the dormant aura first. I believe you can endure it.”

—

“It’s okay. After all, it’s the Speda ducal family’s cultivation method! If I think of it as pain for honor, it’s bearable.”

The more upgrades, the better!

This was an eternal truth in RPGs.

“You’re really something… I should learn from your ambition.”

Who’s talking to whom?

It doesn’t seem right for her to say that, considering she never skips her training.

The private training grounds of the familiar Speda ducal family.

She, who swung her sword every morning at dawn without fail, her long hair tied up lightly, immersed in training in light attire…

Focusing on Luciana, strangely, the pain soon subsided.

[Warning: You are already walking the path of magic.]

[When awakening the aura, its efficiency will significantly decrease.]

‘What do I care.’

Whether it’s mana or aura.

This body, overwhelmingly lacking in magical power, is clearly defective.

My choice was, naturally, in continuation of that.

Whether it’s relics or skills.

If I can accept them, I accept whatever comes my way.

“Seeing you smile, it seems you’ve stabilized more than expected. How is it, do you feel the aura?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

[You have successfully awakened your aura!]

[You are now at the ‘Aura User’ stage.]

A foreign energy felt throughout my body, centered around my navel.

It was a distinctly different kind of power settled in my heart.

“Good. You are now basically prepared to learn the aura cultivation method.”

Luciana approached me as I sat in a meditation posture.

This time, her hand touched my abdomen.

The dantian is a vital point for gathering aura.

By yielding it to the teacher, the cultivation method is passed on.

“Since that time. It’s been me doing things against the family’s will.”

‘That time.’

Though a vague choice of words, I understood immediately.

“You mean since Friede.”

“Yes. Since I met you, it often has been this way. You’ve always brought better results than I expected, …can you also ensure that I won’t regret my choice this time?”

With a wavering voice tinged with hesitation, she posed that question.

“How could I not respond?”

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will always be by your side, Lady Luciana, with this cultivation method you’ve taught me.”

[If ‘Luciana Speda,’ the person you assist, dies, the player will also die.]

More than anything, her end would literally be my end.

I will stake everything I have to prevent that end from being one of ruin.

Aura was one of the many means to that end.

“Haha, right. I worried needlessly. I have confirmed your loyalty many times. Then, we’ll soon begin the transmission, so close your eyes.”

Luciana’s aura flowed into my dantian.

It was a cool and clear feeling, in contrast to the previous pain.

“The basics of the cultivation method are breath and practice. Especially now, as you have just realized your aura and are receiving the cultivation method, you need to focus on breathing.”

“Are you speaking of breathing?”

“Focus on the energy you feel in your dantian and breathe deeply. The reason I asked you to close your eyes is the same. When your sight is limited, it helps you feel the aura inside your body.”

Advice from my favorite character, who was not only a superior teacher but also a formidable force in the game.

I faithfully followed her instructions.

With my eyes closed, I could see nothing.

Not the helpful status window.

Nor the pouch containing various useful items.

“Your meditation posture is off. Remember, the closer to the correct posture, the easier it is to stimulate the dantian, feel, and accept the aura.”

“Yes.”

“Stop talking now. Focus solely on your breathing.”

Luciana’s voice was all I could feel.

Following her advice, I concentrated all my nerves towards the dantian.

The cool aura and warm body temperature created a strange sensation.

How much time had passed?

Just as the mixed energy of that temperature began to fade.

“It’s done. It’s almost finished, open your eyes.”

Following Luciana’s advice, I opened my tightly shut eyelids.

As she removed her hand from my navel, a translucent status window split between me and Luciana.

[You have acquired a new skill!]

[Speda Aura Cultivation Method]

‘So I’ve acquired it.’

A skill that could never be obtained in the original work.

Driven by my curiosity as a gamer, I immediately checked the details.

“What?!”

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me… was there a problem during the transmission process?”

“No, it’s not that.”

I waved my hands gently, reassuring Luciana, who was looking at my complexion worriedly.

The reason for my surprised voice, which I let out forgetting I was in front of Luciana, was in the status window.

[Rank F: Speda Aura Cultivation Method]

‘Just an F rank?’

Considering where the Speda family stands.

One of the empire’s four great ducal families.

A family that represents military prowess.

Its distinction confirmed by talents like Luciana and a history of defending against demonic invasions for over several decades.

Yet to be classified as the lowest F rank among skill categories.

“Yes, that’s a relief. Normally, there should be no response at all.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The Speda family’s aura cultivation method starts off weak, but it ends in great success. It’s natural not to feel any significant changes at first.”

[Rank F: Speda Aura Cultivation Method]

[The Speda family drove out ferocious monsters and evil demons in harsh climates, eventually planting their domain’s flag in the north.]

[In the process, the warriors of the Speda family learned breathing and sword techniques that ensured strong survival skills, which developed into this cultivation method.]

[Like muscles becoming stronger as they heal from tears, a warrior grows through trials. – First Duke of Speda]

[Growth-type Skill (Potential S)]

[When a certain level of proficiency is reached, the skill grade increases and additional effects are granted.]

[Current effects at this grade: Temporary strength enhancement, external discharge.]

As if to support Luciana’s words, the status window displayed detailed information after a slight loading.

‘A growth-type skill! Of course, the unique vision of the Speda ducal family couldn’t possibly be mediocre.’

Initially, its performance may be inferior to skills of the same rank.

However, it’s a skill that changes class as it grows when certain conditions are met.

Naturally, it’s also harder to obtain than regular skills, and to think I would acquire it like this.

‘Even its potential is S-rank.’

Simply by accumulating proficiency, you acquire an endgame-level skill.

Indeed, it wasn’t a cultivation method given just to any noble family.

“Now that you’ve learned the cultivation method, you should be able to handle the aura to some extent. Why don’t you test that power? Try producing aura in your hand.”

Luciana extended her hand wrapped in pure white aura, as if to suggest I should do the same.

“Fulfilling the master’s expectations is the duty of a servant.”

Besides, didn’t you say earlier?

You wanted to see the color of my aura.

Since each person’s aura color is different, I was curious about my own as well.

As my dantian felt slightly tight, I also felt a pulling sensation in the muscles of my hand.

-Whoosh.

Like Luciana, I too succeeded in producing aura from my hand.

“…Huh… …Huh.”

Luciana’s pupils were wide with astonishment.

It was natural for her to be so surprised.

After all, in my palm was a flame so small and feeble it seemed like it might extinguish at any moment.

“…Haha. Didn’t you say that it starts off weak but ends in great success? I’ve just taken my first step, so it’s not something I can show off as well as you, Lady Luciana.”

To hide my own disappointment at the rather dismal aura, I forced a lively tone.

“No, I’m not surprised because of that.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. The small size of the aura is as you said. Having learned the Speda family’s cultivation method, that’s actually quite natural. But look at the color.”

Ah, yes, there was the color.

“It’s black. Is there a problem?”

“Um. Usually, a black aura is considered ominous. It’s typically associated with rogues from the dark guilds, criminals from the west, and…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Luciana opened her mouth.

“The aura of demon warriors is mostly black too.”

-Shiver-

Her voice sounded nonchalant as she spoke.

The comfort from my favorite character tapping on my shoulder.

But also the slight trembling I felt from the hand touching me.

[Luciana’s current psychology: Now that I think about it, I hadn’t considered that. If Frost Mane is a demon, his aura would also be black. Last time, we lost without even revealing our auras, but next time…!]

[Luciana’s current psychology: But why would Hans…?]

Her psychology changed in response to my aura displayed on the status window.

And her blue eyes flickering over my hand revealed the suspicions blossoming within her to me.

‘Ugh. How did it all connect like this?’

The joy of having awakened my aura was brief.

Now, how am I to resolve this?

My head throbbed.

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