The training ground was desolate.
There were no training dummies, no strength-training equipment, and none of the grandeur befitting the name of Sungmuiga.
All that existed was a perfectly flat expanse of blue stone, without a single crack.
Upon it, the current head of Sungmuiga, Lee Taeshin, moved his sword alone.
He began with light warm-ups, progressing through secret techniques and ultimate moves.
There were no dramatic phenomena.
Only each precise sword movement cutting through the air.
For someone hailed as the strongest warrior of his time, Lee Taeshin's training was, in truth, absurdly simple.
"Phew."
With a short breath, Lee Taeshin lowered his sword.
"You've worked hard, my lord."
Approaching him, Butler Choi respectfully offered a towel and iced water.
He was one of the only people permitted to assist Lee Taeshin up close during his training.
"The official documents regarding the task you ordered have been processed."
"Give them to me."
Butler Choi handed over the documents.
The papers detailed the real-combat training plan for the cadets.
Lee Taeshin silently read through them before shaking his head.
"This won't be enough."
"…This is a 7th and 8th-grade dungeon we're talking about. Even at the cadet level, that's dangerous."
The Cadet Corps was not just a place for education.
Sungmuiga's cadets were constantly tested. At times, they were deployed into dungeons or gates to prove themselves.
This time, the planned training involved 7th- and 8th-grade dungeons.
Normally, such dungeons required specialized hunter teams to clear.
Yet, Lee Taeshin still shook his head.
"Weapons and supplies can be stockpiled, but people cannot. We're not just making a few mediocre warriors anymore—we need survivors."
Lee Taeshin was preparing for something.
Butler Choi remained silent for a moment.
Then, he deeply bowed his head.
"I will carry out your orders. And…"
He slowly began reporting on what had happened in Cadet Corps Class 5.
"So the youngest did that."
Hearing Butler Choi's words, interest flickered in Lee Taeshin's eyes.
"That boy understands what struggle truly means, despite his youth."
Lee Taeshin curled his lips in satisfaction.
"From a young age, his gaze was different. The kind of look that only those who've had something stolen from them and have been crushed to the ground possess."
Eyes that spoke of fighting because he had been robbed, of clawing his way back up because he had been thrown down.
Was it because of his status as a concubine's son?
Or was he simply born that way?
It didn't matter. What mattered was that the boy fit Sungmuiga better than anyone.
"But leading people with one's own beliefs and guiding them forward are two entirely different things."
Lee Taeshin gazed at the sword in his hand.
"We'll adjust the trial. Class 5… Since the eighth son is in the same cohort, we'll use this opportunity to raise the level of the entire Cadet Corps, including Class 1."
"You already planned to increase the difficulty, and now even more?"
"Yes. We need to see if that boy is truly capable of leading people. Last time, we saw his potential as a ruler. This time, we'll assess his talents as a commander."
Lee Taeshin turned his gaze northward.
Ever since returning from the north, he had been looking in that direction more often.
"And if he proves something this time, it will bring a much-needed sense of urgency back to the complacent cadets."
A meaningful smile played on Lee Taeshin's lips.
Seeing this, Butler Choi bowed deeply.
"I will carry out your orders accordingly."
Since my meeting with my aunt, one part of my daily routine remained unchanged.
That was my ongoing research into magical arts with her.
The only difference was that instead of the usual training grounds, we now conducted our studies in my aunt's laboratory.
"…Hup!"
The mana writhing in my palm soon began to emit a streak of dark light.
Aura—also known as sword energy—an embodiment of magical arts.
"Little one! Now, shift the shape!"
The numerous lines connected to my body trembled as the aura stirred the air.
I focused my mind once more on the aura gathering at my fingertips.
'Ugh.'
The aura writhed erratically.
But in that moment, it started destabilizing, its form collapsing from the edges inward.
"Stop! That's enough!"
My aunt shouted urgently.
I barely managed to recover my mana while holding onto the collapsing aura.
Peeling off the lines attached to my body, I stepped out of the laboratory.
"Ugh, another failure!"
My aunt flopped onto the desk and started whining.
"I'm exhausted. Kid, massage my shoulders a bit."
Still lying down, she patted her shoulders with both hands.
"But I was the one using magic, so why are you the—"
"Ah! Hurry! Your aunt is dying!"
I sighed and started pressing her shoulders.
Even though she acted like this, I knew she had been cutting down on sleep to focus on her research into magical arts.
"Ughhh."
Letting out a groan like an old man, my aunt examined the newly printed experiment results.
"Hmmm, this is a problem. Every time we try to refine the aura, it collapses."
She didn't just rely on intuition when developing magical arts. Instead, she focused on analyzing the latest research papers and data.
'This magical art still needs more development.'
A few years ago, after witnessing the mana manipulation of the Demon Slayer, she had completed the fundamental framework of an existing theory based on just that.
But it was only the foundation.
Since this magical art held immense potential, it required more adjustments and improvements.
"I never expected such issues to arise after reaching the third star. Look at this."
She suddenly shoved a piece of paper with a graph in front of my face.
After the incident at the Naming Ceremony, it took me a long time to absorb the surge of mana.
But once I had fully absorbed it, I could generate aura at will without much effort.
The problem was that the moment I tried using the various 'techniques' my aunt had theorized, stability plummeted.
"Aunt, I'm sorry, but I don't really understand this."
"Yeah? Ugh, I feel like we're missing some key element. How did ancient mages use magic when they relied on mana circuits? If only we had some records…"
At her words, something came to mind.
"…I think I might have a way."
I fiddled with the black ring on my finger—Mujin.
'If it's Mujin…'
I had a feeling that soon, I would be able to read more of the memories stored within it.
Perhaps it held the key to unlocking this impasse.
"Well, you basically completed the amplification and conversion techniques yourself, so maybe this time will be the same."
"Thank you, as always."
My aunt let out a long sigh.
"Still, you've already reached the level of aura. Taking your first independent step toward the third star… That's truly incredible."
Since the Naming Ceremony, I had finally laid the foundation for stepping into the realm of the third star in the new magical arts.
By conventional magical art standards, I had essentially reached the fourth stage.
The fourth stage of magical arts—Transformation of Energy (化氣).
This stage involved condensing externally released mana into a pure crystallization of power—Aura.
"Aunt, what exactly does reaching the third star entail?"
"You'll be able to use aura-based skills."
She slapped my hands away from her shoulders, took a step back, and looked up at me.
"Already…?"
Gang Gi Gong (罡氣功), also known as aura skills—secret techniques.
At the fourth stage, one gains full control over aura. The fifth stage involves giving that aura direction to unleash specific powers.
When a person fully masters aura, they can move beyond simply increasing its sharpness and strength—they can imbue it with specific directional properties.
"It'll still take a long time to fully grasp. You need complete control over aura before we even start."
"What kind of aura skills will I learn?"
"What sets our magical arts apart from the traditional ones? Diversity and stability. If things go according to theory… you'll be able to do things beyond your imagination."
She set her documents down with a firm thud.
"But let's solve the current problem first. Don't rush ahead and mess around with weird experiments again."
I nodded silently.
She glanced toward the training ground and gestured with her chin.
"Want to go a little longer?"
"No, I'll rest today. I have to be at the Cadet Corps early tomorrow."
"How's the Corps? You've been looking exhausted lately."
She looked at me with concern.
"Well, it's… just how it is."
"I'll help you out! You can count on your aunt!"
She puffed out her chest and smacked her shoulders confidently.
Something about her enthusiasm made me feel uneasy.
I frowned and shook my head.
"You already have plenty of work. There's no need for that."
"Heheh! Too bad, I already signed up to give a special lecture!"
"…Excuse me?"
A lecture? Out of nowhere?
"Magic theory and practical mana arts. I'll be teaching a few sessions for Class 5."
She was an elder of the research department, not the education division. Why was she suddenly taking on a teaching role?
Not to mention, she always complained about being too busy with our magical arts research and her personal work.
I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously.
"Aunt. Tell me the truth."
"T-The truth? There's nothing to tell…"
I stared at her in silence.
She averted her eyes and started whistling.
I knew exactly how to get her to talk.
"…If you tell me now, I won't make a big deal out of it."
"R-Really? Well… The budget ran out… And if I do well as an instructor, it'll count as performance results… Plus, Class 5 has been causing a lot of noise, so…"
"I thought the research department had a solid budget? Besides, magical arts don't even require that much funding, do they?"
She fidgeted, unable to answer.
"Ah, well, I spent a little at the auction on some rare artifacts."
"…I knew it."
As I shook my head, my aunt hurriedly tried to explain in a flustered voice.
"W-What do you mean you knew? These are artifacts from before the Common Era! They hold the secrets of this world!"
"What will you do if you get audited?"
"I-It's all for ancient research! I have nothing to hide!"
My aunt's laboratory was infamous for being filled with all sorts of useless old trinkets and ancient books.
"And you mentioned achievements. How can you be so sure?"
"Well, you're the class representative, so if I help out even a little, something's bound to change, right?"
Her confident tone left me speechless, making me chuckle in disbelief.
"Should I be grateful for your trust, or should I be upset at your irresponsibility?"
Noticing my reaction, my aunt fidgeted with her fingers, looking a little guilty.
"L-Look, dear. You know it's not just about the budget, right? Your dear aunt cares about you…"
"Yes, yes, I understand."
"Hey! What's with that tone?!"
Her lion's roar followed, but I sighed and left for my room before I got dragged into another exhausting conversation.
***
Several weeks had passed since the cadet training began.
Hand-to-hand combat, weapon skills, and countless other subjects were packed into our rigorous schedule.
Most days started before sunrise and ended only when the sun had long set.
But for some reason, today, Instructor Lee Jung-ho set the assembly time for 8 a.m.
The usually exhausted cadets, who had been worn down by the demanding schedule, looked refreshed as they gathered at the training ground, grateful for the rare chance to wake up late.
Once everyone was lined up, Lee Jung-ho finally spoke.
"Today, there will be a special lecture on magic techniques. Make sure your uniforms are neat and maintain proper posture."
The mention of a special lecture sparked curiosity among the cadets.
Already aware of it in advance, I calmly looked toward the podium.
Step, step—
A woman walked up onto the platform.
She had a confident stride, intelligent eyes, and a sharply tailored research uniform.
'Guess I didn't need to worry. She actually looks quite dignified.'
My aunt was dressed in the sleek, specialized research uniform of the Soongmuiga family.
Wearing a refined, white-modified hanbok—the official attire of researchers—she exuded an air of intelligence.
"Everyone! Salute!"
"Chung!"
The nervous cadets immediately snapped to attention and raised their hands in salute.
Even I, who had been slightly distracted, awkwardly followed suit.
After all, officially speaking, my aunt was not just my mentor but also an elder of the family.
"Hehe! This is embarrassing. Okay, okay! You can all relax! Sit down! Make yourselves comfortable!"
My aunt waved her hands dramatically, shifting restlessly as if she were embarrassed.
I pressed a hand to my forehead.
That majestic presence lasted a whole one second before crumbling.
"My name is Lee Kyunghwa! I'm a senior researcher! Introduction over! I hate dragging things out, so let's get straight to the lesson!"
She threw a playful wink in my direction.
I watched as she began her lecture.
While my aunt was obsessed with ancient history to a near-maniacal degree, she wasn't just lost in the past.
Rather, she thoroughly studied modern advancements to delve even deeper into ancient knowledge.
'She's gotten much better at teaching.'
I had expected her to use overly complex vocabulary, just like when she taught me.
But to my surprise, she skillfully mixed in analogies and kept the lecture engaging.
Despite the complexity of the subject, the cadets were listening intently, eyes shining with interest.
'This is an opportunity.'
The research institute was at the forefront of the Soongmuiga family's innovations.
And this wasn't just any low-ranking researcher giving a lecture—it was a direct-line elder.
There was no way the cadets would let a single word go to waste.
Thus, even though the lecture was long, it felt short.
"Alright! That's the end of the boring lesson!"
Clap, clap, clap—
A wave of applause filled the air.
Instructor Lee Jung-ho approached, looking impressed.
"Thank you, Elder. This must have been of great help to the cadets."
"But I'm not done yet."
"Pardon?"
Lee Jung-ho blinked.
"Instructor, the basic technique the cadets are practicing is Iron Line Energy, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Well then, now comes the real deal! I'm going to teach you all the improved version of Iron Line Energy, developed by the research institute!"
At those words, not just Instructor Lee Jung-ho but the entire group of cadets—including myself—stared at her in shock.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I'll start by explaining the mnemonic formula."
The improved Iron Line Energy had an entirely different foundational structure for magic manipulation.
It was clear that my aunt had put serious effort into refining it—it was far too advanced to still be called a basic technique.
Even the initially skeptical Instructor Lee Jung-ho was left speechless after analyzing its formula and structure.
"Alright! Everyone, sit properly! I'll only demonstrate once, so focus!"
My aunt moved among the seated cadets, placing her hands on their backs to directly guide their magic flow.
Eventually, she reached my spot.
"What's going on here?"
I had known she was giving a lecture, but I never expected her to actually pass down a modified magic technique.
As I whispered, my aunt giggled.
"Usually, direct-line descendants get all sorts of special support when they enter the cadet corps. But you? You had nothing. So your dear aunt pulled some strings for you. Ehem!"
Even as she whispered, she puffed out her chest proudly.
"…Thank you, Aunt."
"Good, good. If my theory is correct, this should double the power output. Isn't it amazing?"
"Yes, Aunt. It's amazing."
"Hehe, be even more grateful to the great genius Lee Kyunghwa!"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Come to think of it, she had changed.
She used to be the very definition of a single-minded researcher, but now she was capable of teaching others.
Without lingering, she moved on to the next cadet.
As she guided them, the cadets marveled at the flow of magic coursing through their bodies.
'An elder of the research institute… And not just any elder—Lee Kyunghwa, who was appointed solely for her knowledge.'
'We barely know anything about her, yet the clan head personally granted her the title of elder.'
Though the reality was slightly different, that was the general belief.
The cadets, recognizing the significance of the moment, stole glances at me—the youngest son of the clan's branch family.
'We thought he was just recklessly pushing forward… But was he actually trying to raise us up like this?'
It was well known that Lee Kyunghwa acted as my mentor.
Not only that, but our close relationship was also widely acknowledged.
"Hey! Focus!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Snapping out of their thoughts, the cadets dove into their practice.
An opportunity like this couldn't be wasted.
Lee Kyunghwa's lecture on magic techniques finally concluded well past lunchtime.
"Attention!"
After giving the cadets a brief moment to review their magic flow, Instructor Lee Jung-ho called out.
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