New Life (3)

Knights were divided into five ranks.

From the First Star to the Fifth.

The First Star was the stage where one formed a dantian—a vessel where mana could be gathered, not merely circulated. From this point on, the body itself began to strengthen.

The Second Star transformed the dantian's nature.

As part of the body, it evolved according to the knight's experiences and realizations. The path forward could shift entirely depending on these insights.

The Third Star was the completion of this transformation—the creation of a unique, personal dantian. From there, it could grow larger and stronger, but its fundamental nature remained unchanged. Most knights became "complete" at this level.

The Fourth Star allowed the dantian to extend outward into the cosmos.

The knight could now sense and control ambient mana. Territory became essential. Minor spells could be dispelled with a glance, and lesser knights (Second Star and below) could be harmed merely by stepping into a Fourth Star's domain.

Only about fifty such masters existed in the entire kingdom.

The Fifth Star was even rarer—perhaps only one existed in the whole realm.

At that level, the dantian ceased to exist, merging the knight's internal and external universes. Unless overwhelmed by an extreme barrage of grand magic, they were virtually untouchable—even kings hesitated to command them.

"My goal is at least the Fourth Star."

In these peaceful times, reaching the Fourth Star would make him a ruler of his region. Beyond that, sheer numbers became meaningless.

And Edrick had another strength.

Whoosh.

While practicing swordsmanship, a breeze stirred.

Edrick paused and glanced toward the annex entrance.

A few moments later, a golden-haired girl peeked around the corner—unlike her black-haired brothers.

It was Lucia, his youngest sibling.

"Were you training, big brother...?"

Unlike Lyle, who treated Edrick like a friend, Lucia always addressed him formally.

Edrick smiled gently and set his wooden sword aside.

"No, I just finished."

Normally, Lucia would quietly retreat when she saw him training.

Sensing her approach mid-practice had been possible only thanks to the spirits.

Whoosh.

"Kyahaha!"

A joyful giggle accompanied the breeze swirling around him.

In the wind, he could sense the spirit's playful thought: "Didn't I do well?"

Just as earlier, when the spirit had warned him, "Lucia's coming!"

Such communication had become possible after Edrick reached the First Star.

"So... as I grow stronger, my connection to the spirits deepens."

If this was already happening at the First Star, what could he achieve at the Fourth?

Perhaps he'd command lightning or summon hurricanes one day.

"So, what game do you want to play today?"

Lucia hesitated shyly.

"Priest and patient. I'll be the priest, and you'll be the sick bunny."

"Alright. Where should we play?"

"It's nice outside today. I even brought a mat!"

"Then let's go."

As Edrick agreed, Lucia's face lit up.

Lyle rarely joined her make-believe games, preferring sword practice.

The maids played sometimes, but Lucia felt shy around them.

Once they set up the mat, Edrick asked, "Why a bunny patient?"

Lucia fidgeted.

"People can't be patients. Father wouldn't like it..."

"Father?"

"Remember when the marriage talk came up? He got angry. That means I can't marry people. So, I'll play house with a bunny instead."

"Ah..."

Leonhardt had refused the Bearut family's foul marriage proposal.

But Lucia, too young to grasp the real reason, had concluded Father doesn't want me to marry people.

She'd even excluded humans from her games.

Edrick sighed inwardly but didn't correct her. Instead, he smiled.

"Alright. I'll be the sick bunny. What should I do?"

"I'm a human priest. I can heal any injury. Where does it hurt?"

"My knees. All that hopping must've worn out the cartilage."

"Hmm! All healed now."

"Wow, really? Thank you, human priest."

Edrick threw himself into the role.

Sure, training during this time would speed his progress—but what was the point of growing stronger if he neglected the family he wished to protect?

"Spending time with them matters more than getting stronger."

Kids changed rapidly at this age.

Edrick wanted to witness every moment.

Training could come later.

"Compared to my special forces days, this is nothing."

And so, he grew stronger—swiftly, and in secret.

Sword and magic.

The two paths to becoming superhuman.

Edrick chose the sword.

Magic required immense scholarly aptitude.

"I'm not that smart."

He knew it well.

If he'd excelled academically, he wouldn't have joined the special forces right after high school.

His sister Lucia, however, was brilliant.

"I want to learn magic."

At her seventh birthday party, she made the request.

"I know it involves a lot of studying, so most kids start young. Even if I form a mana circle later, I'd like to study early."

Such a mature explanation from a seven-year-old.

And she was right.

Magic demanded far more study than swordsmanship—people often said, Swordsmanship relies on instincts. Magic requires knowledge.

Serena turned to Leonhardt.

"Lucia's naturally calm and prefers quiet activities. Studying magic should suit her. And early theory will help when she forms her mana circle as an adult."

"Hmm..."

Leonhardt, a Second Star knight, knew little about magic.

Mages almost always belonged to a Mage Tower, which collected and developed magical knowledge.

It made sense.

Without proper guidance, studying magic was nearly impossible.

Thus, Leonhardt made a decision.

"I'll summon a mage from the tower."

He requested a young, responsible female mage who could teach and care for Lucia.

After the party, Edrick found Lucia alone.

"Why do you want to learn magic?"

Usually reserved, Lucia rarely shared her true feelings.

But over two years of daily play had built trust between them.

"You and Lyle train so hard. I want to, too. But I'm not good at physical things. I prefer reading. I think magic suits me better."

"I see."

It was natural.

Children often sought belonging, copying their peers or siblings.

And in this case, there was no reason to object.

"Theoretical study isn't dangerous. Learning early could be useful."

Edrick smiled and patted her head.

"You're smart. You'll do well. I'm proud of you."

"I'll work hard!"

How was this even a seven-year-old's response?

In Korea, she'd only just be starting elementary school.

Edrick chuckled warmly.

About ten days later, the mage from the tower arrived.

She was just twenty, with gentle eyes and a petite frame.

"Hello. I'm Bella, a third-circle mage. I'll be teaching Lady Lucia magic theory from today."

The tower ranked mages by circle:

First Circle—Apprentice Mage

Second Circle—Junior Mage

Third Circle—Journeyman Mage

Fourth Circle—Master Mage

Reaching the third circle at her age meant Bella had decent talent.

Leonhardt pulled her aside.

"I don't expect you to turn Lucia into a prodigy. Just nurture her curiosity. Don't rush the lessons. Care for her like you would a child."

"O-of course."

Bella, a viscount's daughter as well as a mage, broke into a sweat conversing with a great noble like Leonhardt.

But when she saw Lucia—long blonde hair, a large red ribbon, pale, chubby cheeks—her face melted into a smile.

"How can such a precious creature exist?"

Then she noticed a boy standing nearby.

"Um... and who might this be?"

Edrick smiled softly.

"I'm Lucia's older brother, Edrick. She's shy around strangers, so I'd like to observe the first lesson."

Lucia peeked out from behind him.

Seeing her adorable face, Bella nodded.

"That's fine. What I'm teaching today is common knowledge anyway. But you mustn't share it with others. All tower knowledge must be passed down by registered mages. Secondary teaching is forbidden!"

"I won't tell anyone."

"Good. Shall we begin?"

They gathered around a table.

The first lesson covered basic principles.

Lucia listened intently, eyes shining.

Edrick, though just observing, paid close attention too.

He had a reason.

"I need to understand magic as a field of study."

One day, he might face mages.

To counter their spells, he needed at least a basic understanding.

As a former special forces operative, he valued information above all.

After thirty minutes of orientation—

"That's all for today. To finish, I'll show you a simple spell."

Lucia pointed at the fence.

Mana gathered at her fingertip.

Whoosh.

The blast struck the fence but dispersed harmlessly.

"A mana bolt," Bella explained.

"The mana circle is like a ring orbiting the heart. By channeling that rotation outward, you can fire mana directly. It's fast because there's no complex spell formula. Combat mages use mana bolts to buy time while casting larger spells."

"That buys time?" Lucia tilted her head. The blast had been barely a breeze.

Bella nodded.

"You used very little mana just now. With more, it could break the fence. But it's inefficient, so most mages use it only in emergencies."

"What if a grand mage fired one? They have tons of mana!"

Bella chuckled.

"It still wouldn't be very strong."

"Why not?"

"Because forcing that much mana through would overwhelm the mana road—the body's channel. Their own body would explode."

"I see..."

"And that's the end of today's lesson. Please read Chapter 1 of this book by tomorrow."

"Yes!"

After the lesson, Bella moved into the annex.

Lucia retreated to her room to study.

Edrick remained alone in the garden.

He closed his eyes and whispered.

"Please."

Whoosh...

A breeze swirled around him.

It playfully danced across his body before being drawn into his chest.

It became mana, orbiting his heart like a satellite.

Swoosh.

Edrick raised his right arm and extended his index finger, pointing at the fence—as if aiming a pistol.

Mana surged from his heart, flowing down his arm and through the mana road.

As it passed his fingertip, it became tangible.

Whoosh.

A blast struck the fence and dissipated.

Edrick lowered his hand, a meaningful smile on his lips.

"This... might be useful after all."