Spirit Zone and Schema

Tess nodded.

"Yeah. Actually, building a foundation based on mitochondria is the most common approach, but placing a generic schema in a slot where efficiency is at 100% is a bit wasteful. You can't fully maximize your specialty. That's why, in my case, I base mine on the nervous system. The most important thing in handling a rapier is precision."

Tess flicked her thumb backward.

"The mercenaries we met in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice were decent fighters, but none of them had a mitochondria-based build. The warriors seemed to have chosen strength-enhancing schemas, while the archers likely went with sensory-based builds."

"Huh? The nervous system and the sensory system are different?"

"They're similar, but the enhancements differ. Simply put, it's the difference between internal and external perception. The nervous system build I chose enhances internal perception. This means I can execute bodily movements with unparalleled precision. On the other hand, a sensory build enhances external perception. This includes primary senses like sight, smell, and hearing, as well as secondary senses like taste and touch. Naturally, archers need to train their sensory system. Their vision, smell, and hearing are far sharper than most. Of course, I'm also training my third schema to enhance my sensory perception."

"So that's why you said tailing someone is difficult."

"Exactly. A nervous system build like mine allows me to suppress my presence, but someone with a sensory system build can detect me. In a stealth scenario, the latter usually has the upper hand. But base schemas aren't everything. Refining each schema is fundamental. Efficiency is just a guideline—the absolute strength increases the more you train. In fact, low-tier thieves who rely on mitochondria-based builds aren't even as capable as the mitochondria schema in my secondary build. To summarize, battles between schema users are complex, involving all these factors. It's impossible to predict the outcome easily."

"I always thought of it as just enhancing the body, but it's an incredibly deep theory. And if you add countless sword techniques on top of that, the possibilities are endless."

Tess chuckled.

"It sounds impressive when I explain it like this, but I'm not at that high a level myself. Just think of it simply. A schema is the entirety of what you perceive of your own body. For example, there's something called phantom pain. Even if someone loses an arm, if an object passes through where their arm used to be, they unconsciously feel pain. That phenomenon is the essence of schema."

Amy found herself contemplating deeply.

She had opened her schema, but listening to Tess made her recall various things she had never given much thought to before.

"Then Tess, how many layers of schema has my father stacked? Even if repeated training strengthens the second and third schemas, isn't there a limit to efficiency? Wouldn't it be pointless beyond the fourth layer?"

Tess grinned and wagged a finger.

"Not at all. I've heard a lot about your father's reputation, but warriors of that caliber operate on a completely different level. They call it 'embodiment.' Their mastery becomes so ingrained that they no longer need conscious thought. If I were to explain it in a diagram, a schema is like a shadow of one's body. Opening a schema is the process of gradually making that shadow transparent. But honestly, how many people have a perfect grasp of their own body? To put it simply, someone who has completely removed the obscured parts of a single schema has mastered it entirely."

"That does sound incredibly difficult."

"But some people manage to do it. When a schema becomes perfectly transparent and completely assimilates with the user, that is embodiment. Those who embody a specific schema essentially operate as if that schema doesn't exist anymore, meaning their second schema functions at full efficiency. It's just a matter of time and effort. Talent simply shortens the process."

Understanding schema in its entirety, Shirone exhaled deeply.

'This is incredible.'

Even though he aspired to be a mage, when he clashed swords with Rian, he had felt the boundlessness of swordsmanship.

'Mind and body.'

Spirit Zone and Schema.

There was a reason why these two forces were considered the pillars of power in this world.

"Tess, this is truly amazing."

At Shirone's praise, Tess scratched her head in embarrassment.

"Oh, come on, it's not that big of a deal. I've just been hearing about this stuff since I was little. I did explain in detail because I thought it might be helpful to you mages, though."

"Yeah, it really helped. If something like today happens again, I think I can handle it better."

Tess was genuinely happy.

"Great! Then since I'm already recovered, tomorrow I'll bring Rian and Jis for healing ma-"

She suddenly stopped talking.

She had just realized that Rian hadn't said a single word the entire time.

'You idiot.'

Schema possibilities, the swordsmanship that developed from it—none of this mattered to him.

'I got too excited. What do I do now?'

Feeling guilty, Tess turned to look at Rian, but he sat there as usual.

But assuming that he was fine inside would have been nothing short of delusional.

"Hey, Rian..."

Rian smirked and said,

"It's fine. Even without schema, I'm sturdy enough."

He thumped his wounded chest with his fist.

Maybe he did it to reassure his friends, but those who saw it were at a loss for words.

'That must hurt like hell.'

Tess could tell Rian was being completely sincere.

'Yeah, that's just how you are, Rian.'

That unwavering mental fortitude was what set him apart from the other students at the swordsmanship school.

It was strange, though.

'Falcoa was strong.'

As someone who had fought him directly, Tess knew this better than anyone.

So how had Rian managed to completely restrain Falcoa in the final moment?

'I can't figure him out.'

If Rian never opened his schema, he would eventually be left behind in the world of swordsmanship. But Tess didn't dwell on it.

He was someone who made you want to believe in his heart rather than his logic.

"Yeah, you better not go down because of a little injury."

"Hah! Of course not."

Perhaps this was Rian's last remaining weapon, so she couldn't bring herself to push him toward healing magic.

But Shirone thought differently.

"Rian, stop being stubborn and get treated tomorrow."

"It's fine. It's not even a serious injury. Though, for some reason, the spot where Tess stabbed me hurts a bit more than it should, haha!"

"I want to know about the Kergo Ruins."

Rian's laughter faded.