Chapter 5: Mastery and Exploration

The week after Lucian's initial training with Garret was both physically and mentally taxing. Each day, he pushed himself through grueling exercises meant to build his strength, endurance, and agility. Though Garret was a demanding teacher, Lucian found the physical training oddly satisfying. His body was adapting, growing stronger, and his swordsmanship was slowly improving. Yet, despite his progress, Lucian's true passion lay in the arcane arts.

Each evening, after his sessions with Garret, Lucian would retreat to his quarters and practice meditation. The enchanting book given to him by his father described the importance of cultivating a deep connection with one's mana—learning to control it with precision and efficiency was key to mastering enchantment. Lucian followed the book's guidance diligently, sitting cross-legged in the quiet of his room, focusing on the ebb and flow of mana within him.

At first, it was a struggle. His mind would wander, and his attempts to control the mana were clumsy, resulting in frustration. But gradually, over the course of the week, Lucian began to notice subtle changes. His control improved; he could feel the mana responding more readily to his will, moving through his body with increasing fluidity. The meditation sessions became less about effort and more about harmony, about synchronizing his thoughts with the currents of magic within him.

By the end of the week, Lucian had reached a new level of proficiency in Mana Manipulation—his skill had advanced to Level 2. The increase in his control allowed him to manipulate mana more effectively, with less mental strain. He also felt his body grow stronger; his physical stats—endurance, strength, agility, and even mana—each increased by a single point. It was a small but significant step toward becoming the enchanter he envisioned.

Eager to put his newfound skills to the test, Lucian turned his attention to the mana stones he had purchased in the market. His goal was ambitious: to imbue one of the stones with an enchantment that could invoke pleasure, replicating the sensations he had known in his previous life.

The enchanting process was more challenging than Lucian had anticipated. He sat at his desk, the mana stone in hand, focusing on his intent. According to the book, the key to a successful enchantment was to channel mana into the object while maintaining a clear and unwavering intent. The stone was to serve as a vessel, carrying the specific sensation he wished to evoke.

Lucian concentrated, allowing his mana to flow through his fingertips and into the stone. He focused on the memories of pleasure, trying to capture the essence of those sensations and infuse them into the stone. But as he poured his mana into the object, he quickly realized that something was off. The energy wavered, failing to take hold of the stone in the way he intended.

The more he tried, the more the mana seemed to slip away, dissipating into the air without achieving the desired effect. After several failed attempts, Lucian felt his energy drain, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted. He slumped back in his chair, frustrated and bewildered.

Despite his growing mastery of *Mana Manipulation*, Lucian realized that intent was not something that could be faked or forced. The intent to invoke pleasure was more than just a memory or a fleeting thought; it was a deeply personal and complex emotion, something that he had yet to fully understand or experience in this new world.

Lucian's failure with the mana stone led him to a simple yet profound conclusion: if he wanted to succeed in imbuing pleasure into an object, he needed to deepen his understanding of the emotion itself. He needed to amass real experience, to explore the nuances of pleasure in this world, just as he had done in his previous life.

With this in mind, Lucian decided to take a day off from his rigorous training. He needed to step away from the manor, from his duties, and immerse himself in the more hedonistic pleasures of life. He knew that visiting a brothel would provide the experience he needed, but he also knew the risks. If anyone recognized him, the consequences could be disastrous. Rumors of the Baron's son frequenting such places could tarnish his family's reputation and destroy his carefully maintained facade.

To avoid this, Lucian devised a plan. He would disguise himself as a commoner, blending in with the locals to avoid suspicion. He used simple, worn clothes—garments that he had found in the servants' quarters and altered slightly to fit. He tousled his hair and dirtied his face, adopting the appearance of someone of lower status. Satisfied with his transformation, Lucian set out, taking care to leave the manor undetected.

The city at night was a different world altogether. The streets were bustling with activity, though the crowds were rougher and more subdued than during the day. Lucian made his way through the narrow alleys, his eyes scanning for the discreet signs that marked the entrance to the brothel district.

Eventually, he found what he was looking for—a nondescript door with a single lantern hanging above it, casting a warm glow. Lucian pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The interior of the brothel was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of perfume and the murmur of quiet conversations. The atmosphere was one of comfort and indulgence, a stark contrast to the harshness of the outside world. Lucian kept his head low, avoiding eye contact as he approached the madam, a middle-aged woman with a knowing smile.

"What can I do for you, love?" she asked, her voice smooth and inviting.

Lucian cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm looking for a… pleasurable experience."

The madam's smile widened slightly as she appraised him. "We've got just the thing. Follow me."

She led Lucian down a narrow hallway lined with doors, each one leading to a different room. She stopped at one and opened it, revealing a cozy, softly lit space with a large bed draped in silk sheets. A woman was already waiting inside, her expression warm and inviting. She was dressed in a simple gown, her hair loose around her shoulders, her eyes gleaming with interest as she studied Lucian.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted," the madam said before closing the door behind her.

Lucian took a deep breath, trying to calm the nervous excitement that surged through him.