Every knight stressed the importance of mental discipline.
Without a strong mind and will, one's vessel would crumble beneath the weight of mana.
That's why most didn't even attempt mana breathing until they were fifteen.
But Edrick, at just ten years old, had already demonstrated discipline far beyond his years.
After observing him for three days, Sir Belvert, with Count Leonhardt's approval, agreed to teach him the basics of mana breathing.
"The foundation of mana breathing is simple," Belvert explained. "Breathe in the mana of the world and settle it within your dantian."
In truth, what they were about to practice wasn't true mana breathing yet—
It was a simple introductory method. A seedling of a great tree yet to grow.
Still, as the family's top knight, Belvert would oversee it personally.
"The most important thing is this: do not be greedy. Empty your mind. Let mana flow in and out as it pleases. Only when you are familiar with its presence should you attempt to gather it."
Focus. Patience.
Without both, the vast flow of nature's mana could tear the body apart from the inside.
Belvert rested his hand gently on Edrick's back, ready to protect him should anything go wrong.
"When you're ready, I'll guide the mana toward you."
"I'm ready," Edrick answered calmly.
Belvert closed his eyes and gathered his will.
He had reached the peak of the third rank—a level where he could imitate the powers of the fourth.
At that rank, a knight's inner world could influence the outer world.
At Belvert's command, the mana of nature gathered softly around Edrick's face.
"Take a slow breath. You'll notice a different energy in the air. Focus on it. Let it flow in and out naturally."
Edrick followed the instructions.
The air felt slightly warmer than usual—though the temperature hadn't actually changed.
So this is mana...
At first, it only brushed against his throat.
But with each breath, it traveled deeper.
After five minutes, every inhale brought mana into his dantian before it flowed back out again.
And then—
"Kyahahaha..."
A faint, childlike laugh echoed around him.
Edrick maintained his breathing and glanced sideways.
But the courtyard was empty—just him and Belvert.
That wasn't Lucia's voice...
The laughter came again, this time closer.
Strangely, it felt... comforting.
Who's there?
If the voice had been unfamiliar, he would've ignored it.
But it felt oddly familiar.
Just as he furrowed his brow—
"It's normal to struggle sensing mana," Belvert said, misunderstanding Edrick's concern. "Most need several days. Even the talented take at least a day. Don't be discouraged."
Edrick blinked.
Struggle? I've been sensing mana since the start...
He almost blurted it out but caught himself.
A treasure you can't protect becomes a curse.
Mastering in minutes what others took days would brand him a genius.
And without the strength to defend himself, that would be dangerous.
So he smiled.
"You're right. I thought it would be easy, but it's harder than I expected."
Belvert chuckled.
"It's like trying to notice the air around you. We breathe it constantly but rarely feel it. Let's stop for today. Absorbing too much mana could strain your body."
"Shall we move on to sword practice then?" Edrick asked, already drawing his wooden sword with practiced ease.
Good thing I chose Newbie difficulty.
A loving family, natural talent, and even a handsome appearance.
If I'd chosen Nightmare difficulty... yikes.
He grinned to himself.
"Healing mode is the best."
After training, Edrick visited the library.
It was at the end of the second-floor hallway in the main building, filled with hundreds—maybe thousands—of books, organized by subject.
That mysterious voice...
He had to investigate.
Though reading wasn't exactly his hobby, the constant laughter had sparked his curiosity.
He browsed the shelves marked Magic & Spiritual Creatures.
Just then, another laugh echoed in his ear.
"Kyahaha."
It was right beside him.
As he turned, a book slid out of the shelf and fell to the floor.
Edrick picked it up.
"Spirits and Humans: A Record of Coexistence."
"Spirits?"
He flipped through the pages.
"Some claim spirits do not exist. Yet, when gathering legends from various regions, their presence cannot be denied."
He skimmed quickly, pausing only when something caught his eye:
"Some with high natural affinity can hear spirits' voices. Many such individuals have been saved by unexplained phenomena, suggesting that spirits value those with a deep connection to nature."
More legends followed, but he'd read enough.
"So... you're a spirit?"
"Kyahaha."
The girl's laugh answered as a gentle breeze wrapped around him.
Edrick sighed.
"So this is the power of Newbie difficulty, huh?"
Just how much are they going to spoil me?
From that day on, Edrick's daily routine split into three parts.
First: Sword Training.
He practiced basic forms with a training longsword.
Though he'd handled knives in his past life, longswords were new.
So he humbled himself and learned from Belvert.
Second: Mana Breathing.
Once he became aware of mana, he could perform the introductory breathing exercises without help.
He practiced whenever possible.
Eventually, mana would settle in his dantian—marking the true start of mana breathing.
Third: Intelligence Gathering.
As a former soldier, he knew the value of information.
He studied the kingdom's history, the political landscape, and especially the neighboring territories.
One lord, in particular, drew his attention: Viscount Hilbert Bearut.
A noble with merchant roots.
Bearut had once funded a major monster-slaying expedition led by Marquis Keshar.
In gratitude, the marquis had given him his daughter's hand and the Bearut family name.
The marquis held over ten titles, so giving up one viscountcy meant little.
But Bearut, insecure about his humble origins, sought to marry his eldest son to Edrick's younger sister, Lucia.
Ridiculous.
Bearut's son was already twenty and notorious for cruelty and arrogance.
Lucia was only five.
Of course, Count Leonhardt had rejected the proposal.
But Bearut won't give up. He'll scheme to get what he wants.
Edrick had reviewed documents about Bearut's past.
Even without power, influence, or military strength, the viscount would surely try something.
Just then—
"Big brother! Reading again?"
Lyle burst into the room.
The cheerful boy usually spent time with Edrick, but lately, he'd grown bored of Edrick's busy schedule.
Edrick set aside the papers.
"Want to play?"
"Yeah!"
"Where's Lucia?"
"She always wants to play house. She made me be the sick bunny. What's a sick bunny anyway? It's boring!"
"Sick bunny...?" Edrick chuckled. "Where does she come up with this stuff?"
"Forget that! Teach me swordsmanship!"
"Again? We practiced yesterday."
"You only had me swing a hundred times! I can do that now. Teach me the next thing!"
"Alright. Let's go."
"Yes!"
They went to the courtyard.
Edrick held his wooden sword and explained:
"Swordsmanship has two priorities. First, protect yourself. Second, defeat your opponent. Defense comes before offense."
"But if I'm always defending, when do I attack?"
"Why think of them separately?"
Edrick swung slowly toward Lyle.
Lyle instinctively blocked.
But Edrick's blade slid down, tapping both Lyle's sword and neck at once.
Lyle's eyes widened.
"Defense and offense should happen together. If you aim where the opponent's attack will come, you block and strike at the same time."
"But wouldn't my attack get blocked too? How come you can hit me?"
"Try attacking me."
"Okay!"
Lyle swung the vertical slash Edrick had taught him yesterday.
Clack!
Edrick blocked with his guard and tapped Lyle's neck.
"Wow! How'd you do that?"
"If you attack recklessly, you leave openings. That's why you block and strike at the same time. That's what the guard is for."
"Wow..."
"And to do that, you need to wield your sword like an extension of your own body. That's why we practice basic strikes."
"Got it!"
Lyle began swinging again.
The movement was the same as yesterday, but now he understood the reason behind it—his eyes sparkled with determination.
Edrick smiled and joined him.
Ten days had passed since Edrick fully remembered his past life as Kang Seunghyun.
In that time, he had adapted to this world's swordsmanship with surprising speed.
The principles were similar to knife fighting, and Belvert, impressed by his growth, increased their lessons from twice a week to six times.
Belvert also guided his mana practice daily.
Edrick had astonished him by sensing mana within just two days.
But even that had been a ruse.
Swish!
Edrick's wooden sword sliced the air at a speed no ordinary ten-year-old could achieve.
And no wonder—
A single seed of mana had already settled within his dantian.
First Rank.
Within just a week, Edrick had successfully advanced into the first stage of mana breathing.