Ignis returned to his room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. He turned to the maids and servants waiting outside and gave a firm instruction. "Do not disturb me. I'm going to train."
With that, he locked the door, ensuring his solitude. Taking a deep breath, he moved to the center of the room and sat in a lotus position. His Zanpakuto rested across his lap, cradled gently between his palms.
Rather than using the Knight's Mental Method he had learned the previous day, Ignis chose a different path—one from his past life. He would meditate on his Zanpakuto.
Back then, this practice had deepened his connection with his blade, strengthening not only his bond with it but also his spiritual power. If it had worked before, it would work now.
As he focused, his breathing slowed, his mind slipping into a state of deep meditation. The air around him stirred. Slowly, mana from the surroundings was drawn toward the Zanpakuto, as if answering an unspoken call. The blade pulsed with energy before channeling a stream of fiery mana into his body. The blazing force surged through his mana circuits, tempering them with the essence of fire. His body tensed slightly, adjusting to the intense heat, but he remained steady.
Then, as if drawn by an unseen force, the refined mana was absorbed into the Hogyoku, disappearing into its depths.
Ignis remained still, letting the process unfold. He could already feel the changes taking root—this was only the beginning.
After ten minutes, Ignis slowly exhaled and opened his eyes. A flicker of surprise crossed his face before it was replaced by excitement. His method had worked.
Not only had he successfully drawn in and refined mana, but something even more astonishing had occurred—his mana circuits were being tempered with fire attribute energy, all thanks to his Zanpakuto. This meant that the mana within his body would naturally carry the fire attribute, a rare and highly valuable trait.
This was no small achievement. In the world of knights and magicians, only the most prestigious and ancient families—some even at the level of gods—possessed mental training methods capable of refining mana into a specific attribute. It was one of the many things that set them apart from ordinary knights and magicians.
Most knights and magicians trained using attribute-less mental methods, which meant they had to manually convert their neutral mana into their desired element before unleashing an attack. This process took time and effort, reducing both speed and efficiency.
But those born into powerful families, who trained with inherited attribute-based techniques, had a distinct advantage. Their attacks were instantaneous—faster, stronger, and more refined. It was no wonder that members of such families were far superior to ordinary knights and magicians.
Ignis clenched his fists, a slow smile forming. Thanks to his Zanpakuto, he had gained an advantage that only the children of the most prominent families typically possessed.
After dwelling on his thoughts for a while, Ignis refocused on his training, continuing to meditate on his Zanpakuto. He remained in deep concentration until a sharp pain coursed through his mana circuits—a clear warning that he had pushed himself to his limit. The strain was beginning to take its toll.
Ignis knew he couldn't afford to overdo it. If he continued, he risked damaging his mana circuits, which could set back his training or, worse, cause permanent harm. With a reluctant sigh, he decided to stop.
With nothing else to do for the rest of the day and still a few hours left before dinner, Ignis made his way to the training grounds. If he couldn't refine mana, he could at least hone his body. He spent the remaining time practicing his swordsmanship and engaging in rigorous physical exercises, ensuring that his foundation remained strong.
Later that evening, as they gathered for dinner, Evan informed Ignis about his upcoming trip to the capital of the Lunar Kingdom. His goal was to purchase potions that would accelerate Ignis's training.
Ignis didn't protest or feign humility—he knew better. These resources were essential to his growth, and he had no intention of rejecting something that would make him stronger. Instead, he simply nodded in understanding, silently vowing to make the most of what his father was about to provide.
The next morning, Evan departed for the capital, with Alenna and Ignis seeing him off at the mansion's gates. As his father's figure disappeared into the distance, Ignis turned his focus back to his training.
He spent the morning pushing his body through rigorous physical exercises and honing his swordsmanship. When exhaustion finally set in, he took a brief rest, had lunch, and then shifted his focus to meditation. By evening, he shared dinner with his mother before retiring for the night, ready to repeat the cycle the next day.
This became his daily routine—relentless, disciplined, unwavering. He never allowed himself a moment of laziness, dedicating every hour to strengthening his body and mind.
A week passed in this manner.
Finally, Evan returned from the capital.
That evening, the family gathered in the parlor of their mansion. Evan sat across from Alenna and Ignis, placing a finely crafted wooden box on the table. As he lifted the lid, two small glass bottles nestled inside glowed faintly under the candlelight.
"I managed to secure these two bottles of potion," Evan said, his tone a mix of triumph and exhaustion. "And with the rest of the money, I arranged for future supplies. I struck a deal with the shop's manager—he's agreed to reserve one bottle for me every month."
Ignis's eyes gleamed as he gazed at the potions. He was keen to discover precisely how this potion would enhance his training speed.
Alenna, seated beside them, asked, "How much did these cost?"
Evan let out a tired sigh. "Each bottle cost me around 110 gold coins. As for the deal I made with the shop's manager, I'll be paying the same amount each month, and in return, he'll reserve one bottle exclusively for me." He paused before adding, "I had no choice but to agree to the price. A noble family was also vying for these potions. Honestly, I'm lucky I managed to get two at once."
Alenna nodded in understanding. The competition for such rare resources was fierce, and securing a steady supply was no small feat.
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