Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Training for Mana Control (2)

During the time it took to set up the Mana Concentration Array, most of the mercenaries modified their contracts to lifelong commitments. Those who joined recently also swore allegiance to the lord.

With the promise of receiving instruction in a mana cultivation technique and even the possibility of a knightly title, there was little reason to refuse.

“Did you hear? There’s a rumor that the lord plans to teach us the family’s mana cultivation technique.”

“Oh, come on, that’s ridiculous. The mana cultivation technique is the family’s most guarded secret. Who would teach us that? Would you?”

“Still, we’re set to become part of the estate’s forces. Maybe they’ll at least teach us something useful?”

“Yeah, they’ll probably pick something that’s easy enough for us to learn. Let’s not get our hopes up too much, though; it’ll take years of training anyway.”

The mercenaries eagerly anticipated the chance to learn mana cultivation techniques. There were rumors, though unconfirmed, continued to spread among them.

However, that didn’t mean they had no concerns.

While the commoners were mostly unaware, the more seasoned mercenaries were confident that war would break out again soon.

After all, Count Desmond, a grand lord, wouldn’t just sit idly by after taking a hit from a small territory like Ferdium.

Even so, the mercenaries chose to stay in the Fenris Estate, even if it meant risking their lives.

The prospect of a knighthood and receiving a mana cultivation technique made it worth the risk.

But unlike the others who switched to lifelong contracts, Kaor and the Cerberus Mercenary Corps were still hesitating to make a decision.

“Damn it... what should we do? If we accept the offer, we’ll be tied down here for the rest of our lives.”

Kaor scratched his head vigorously as he gathered his unit together.

With his skill, he could probably obtain a knightly title anywhere he went.

As a rare mercenary who had also trained in mana and was more skilled than most knights, he certainly had the qualifications.

However, he didn’t want to give up his freedom for the rigid life of a knight and had chosen to stay a mercenary.

“So, what about you all? They’re asking us to make a decision before the Mana Concentration Array is completed.”

At Kaor’s question, a few members glanced around hesitantly before responding.

“Well, we... we’ll follow you, Captain. Not sure what’s so great about a knighthood... though, yeah, it does sound nice.”

“And the mana cultivation technique—yeah, it’d be good to learn....”

“But not everyone who tries actually succeeds, right? Well... maybe the lord has some way to make it work....”

They, too, didn’t put much hope in the rumor that they’d be taught the family’s cultivation technique. They just hoped it would be better than the cheap, basic techniques found in the market.

After all, handling mana was no easy feat, and most people couldn’t even understand the basic techniques well enough to use them.

Still, the lord had always managed to pull off the most outlandish feats, so there was a faint hope that maybe he’d really manage to teach something worthwhile in an easy-to-understand way.

It was just that this hope wasn’t strong enough to suppress the underlying anxiety.

Kaor glanced around, testing the lukewarm reactions of the members once more.

“Anyone who wants to stay behind can stay. Consider yourself out of the Cerberus Mercenary Corps.”

Even after he said that, none of the members stepped forward.

After all, leaving the Cerberus Mercenary Corps wasn’t simple—you’d have to leave at least a hand behind. Everyone understood that getting caught up in Kaor’s words would only bring more trouble.

“You brats, you’ve got some loyalty. Right? Without loyalty, a mercenary’s nothing, but a corpse. Just a corpse.”

At Kaor’s words, the members lowered their heads slightly, hiding their expressions.

It sounded like he was saying he’d turn them into corpses if they betrayed him.

‘If anyone tries to leave, he’ll lose it.’

‘He’d probably demand a hand, calling us traitors or whatever.’

‘Ah, but still... staying here was kind of fun, though.’

As the faint mood of regret began to spread, Kaor clicked his tongue.

In the past, he would have left immediately when offered a lifetime contract. But now, for some reason, he felt reluctant to just walk away.

‘Why am I feeling like this? Did I... get attached?’

No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for him to feel attached.

The lord, Belinda, Gillian, Claude... They were all strange people, every single one of them.

Had hanging around with all these weirdos made him weird too?

While Kaor was still agonizing over this unresolved dilemma, one of the members cautiously spoke up.

“Um... honestly, if we leave here, we’ll just end up taking small jobs in the north again, won’t we?”

“That’s right, just living freely while doing odd jobs here and there.”

“But honestly... isn’t it kind of fun here? The lord is strange, but he’s entertaining, right?”

That was an undeniable fact.

The Fenris Estate was a place that ran on a different wavelength compared to other estates.

Ghislain, the lord, was completely different from other nobles. Sure, he could be reckless and act like a brute at times, but he was undeniably a fun person to be around.

Seeing Kaor’s expression urging him to continue, the members gathered up the courage to add more.

“At the very least, as long as we’re here, it feels like we’ll get to fight as much as we want. Isn’t that better than just wasting away?”

“Whoa.”

Kaor’s eyes widened as he looked at Ghislain.

He’d come here demanding the position of Knight Commander, yet Ghislain was handing him such a generous gift.

Up until now, Kaor had been using a cheap mana cultivation technique, but through sheer talent, grit, and countless life-or-death battles, he’d managed to push himself to a decent level.

He’d taken pride in the fact that, despite his crude method, he surpassed most knights.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t hungry for a superior mana cultivation technique.

The more his skill improved, the more clearly he felt the wall in front of him—the limitation of someone who’d developed his abilities through instinct rather than structured knowledge.

That was why he constantly sought out fights and dangerous places. It was the only way he knew to push himself further.

To Kaor, the books that Ghislain handed over were like a lifeline descending into the darkness.

“I... I never thought you’d give me these.”

He’d assumed that Ghislain would only teach the mana cultivation technique to other mercenaries, as he and Gillian were already at a level similar to knights.

But he hadn’t expected anything like this to be prepared for him!

Watching Kaor’s astonishment, Ghislain continued with his own words.

“I’ve noticed you’ve got a lot of bad habits, and your body’s balance is completely off. To use mana properly, you need to employ your entire body, but you’ve failed to do that, which has thrown your balance out of whack. Your swordsmanship is sharp from all the real battles you’ve been through, but your fundamentals are severely lacking. If you work hard with what I’ve given you, you’ll be able to break through that wall soon enough.”

“...Why are you doing all this for me?”

Kaor was genuinely curious.

What Ghislain had handed him were things that would be hard to obtain even with a fortune.

No matter how insignificant the Ferdium Count’s family might seem due to external circumstances, that didn’t lessen the value of their techniques.

‘Just the Ferdium Count’s family’s mana cultivation method and swordsmanship alone are as good as any out there. After all, Count Ferdium himself is recognized as a high-ranking knight.’

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the strength allowing Ferdium to defend the north stemmed from this mana cultivation technique and swordsmanship.

In other words, it wasn’t something that should be given away just because they’d fought together a few times.

Even more so considering that those fights were only because of a mercenary contract. Kaor had simply done what he was paid to do.

Seeing Kaor’s confusion, Ghislain chuckled softly and said, “You’re bad at fighting. I’m giving it to you so you don’t get yourself beat up somewhere.”

Kaor was about to snap back, but he lowered his head and slowly tucked the books into his arms.

Out of pride, he didn’t want to show how much he liked the gift, but he could barely contain his joy.

He tried not to smile, but a grin kept breaking through.

Biting his lip to keep his face in check, Kaor offered his thanks with a bizarre expression.

“I’m... good at fighting, you know... But anyway, I’ll gladly accept these. Ehehehe.”

“Yeah, if you don’t understand something while you’re training on it, come and ask. You’ll need to work hard. If you don’t want to get left behind by the others, that is. We’ve got plenty of talented folks here.”

“Pfft, like any of those chumps could keep up with me. I’ll crush anyone who tries to get in my way.”

Kaor, eager to get started, gave a quick nod and turned to leave without much ceremony.

Ghislain didn’t mind Kaor’s lack of manners; he knew better than anyone what Kaor was feeling at that moment.

With his hand on the doorknob, Kaor paused for a moment.

For some reason... his nose stung.

Ever since losing his family as a child, he’d lived fiercely, struggling to survive.

‘Has... anyone ever done something like this for me?’

No one had. He had grown up in a world where it was kill or be killed.

So he’d acted more brutal, more reckless, like a madman. If he didn’t, Kaor—a man who lived on the fringes—wouldn’t have survived.

In some ways, it was just his way of clawing for survival, and in others, maybe it was his resentment toward the world.

Kaor clenched his teeth, trying to suppress the strange emotions welling up inside him.

‘It’s just... he’s teaching me this because he wants me to be useful in battle. Because I’ll be fighting on the front lines.’

He tried to downplay Ghislain’s intentions, but deep down, Kaor knew that wasn’t the truth.

No one would give something so precious to a disposable pawn.

A few coins shoved into his hand and then thrown onto the battlefield—that’s all that would’ve been expected.

That was the kind of relationship he and Ghislain had, from the start.

‘Damn it...’

In the Forest of Beasts, in wars, and in every conflict, Ghislain had never treated the mercenaries as mere expendables.

He’d always tried to save as many lives as he could, standing at the most dangerous point himself.

For all that he might use any means necessary to achieve his goals, Ghislain wasn’t someone who acted in petty ways.

‘...Well, damn it. Let’s see this through to the end together.’

After hesitating for a moment, Kaor released the doorknob and turned back to face Ghislain.

He stared at Ghislain’s curious expression for a while, then slowly bent his waist into a deep bow.

For the first time in his life... he was giving someone a genuine, heartfelt thank-you.