Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 137 (Part 1)

Rodin strolled around the area slowly. Karis and Jena tried to follow him, but he stopped them with a wave of his hand.

‘This spot should do.’

The training method he was about to use was highly experimental in nature. Thus, he deliberately sought out a location with a lower mana concentration. Even that wasn’t enough, so he actively dispersed the mana around him using his will.

The area surrounding his current position now held only one-tenth the usual concentration of mana. At this level, he believed he could control any potential problems that might arise.

He began practicing the mana cultivation method he had learned through Frouval’s lessons.

‘Not bad.’

The mana, guided by the ancient runes, coursed through every corner of his body. While it was slightly faster than he expected, it wasn’t beyond his ability to control.

On the contrary, the mana’s movements surprised him by flowing into areas he hadn’t even known existed. He couldn’t help but marvel. ‘There’s a path here too?’ he wondered, as he discovered numerous previously unknown mana pathways.

Rodin had been researching mana cultivation techniques for a long time. Ever since he had learned an intermediate-level technique at the Special Forces Training Academy, he had been studying mana cultivation for as long as he had been learning magic itself.

However, his efforts had not yielded any significant breakthroughs.

In the early days, his limited knowledge of rune script had been a hindrance. Later, when he became more proficient in runes, he found himself too short on time to focus on research.

Still, he had not remained stagnant.

The cultivation method he used now was already different from the intermediate technique he had learned before. By gradually improving only the necessary parts over time, he had surpassed the intermediate level long ago.

‘There’s still room for improvement.’

Mana traveled throughout his body, forming patterns. The way it moved and the areas it traveled through determined the mana pattern.

The mana pattern required by the underground ruins’ gate could only be achieved by learning the mana cultivation method of the Imperial Family of the Magic Empire.

Rodin had forced the pattern to form in order to enter the ruins, but it was a shortcut. The artificially drawn mana pattern couldn’t be maintained for long.

‘If I refine this further, Bianca’s growth should also accelerate.’

Bianca had learned the same mana cultivation method as Rodin. Each time Rodin made slight improvements, Bianca adjusted her own method accordingly.

Thus, their mana patterns were identical, differing only in quantity and density.

‘Then… Ugh!’

The mana that had been circulating throughout his body suddenly surged toward his heart, attempting to convert into magic power within a mana circle. At that moment, Rodin felt an overwhelming sense of wrongness.

‘What is this?’

The faint mana structure he had created felt utterly alien. It was a form of mana that no human could possibly control.

‘I almost died.’

In an instant, he forcibly stopped the movement of the mana and dispersed it throughout his body. Fortunately, the mana no longer attempted to transform into magic power.

‘Phew.’

He couldn’t just discard the mana he had drawn in.

Using the mana cultivation method he had originally mastered, Rodin gathered the mana and converted it into magic power. After completing one cycle, he slowly opened his eyes.

“Hah… That was close.”

He sighed with relief, clutching his chest, and returned to the campsite. Karis and Jena, who were keeping watch, nodded slightly at him.

“You’re back?”

“Did you go for a walk?”

“Yeah, just needed to clear my head.”

Rodin didn’t mention the dangerous cultivation method he had attempted. He didn’t want to needlessly worry his companions with such talk.

“It’s late.”

“Hm? Is it already this late? I think I’ll get some rest.”

“Understood. See you in the morning.”

However, once he lay down, sleep did not come easily. The Frouval’s mana cultivation method kept replaying in his mind.

‘It’s too valuable to abandon.’

The method circulated mana through every corner of the body. If magic power could be gathered using this technique, controlling it would become significantly easier. Moreover, it could increase the density of magic power within the mana circle.

But the problem arose when the mana transformed into magic power. Using a method not designed for humans was far too dangerous.

What if he used the original method only for the final step? That would render the thorough circulation of mana meaningless. It would only prolong the cultivation process, making it inefficient.

‘Sigh.’

As various thoughts swirled in his mind, dawn eventually broke. Realizing that sleep was impossible, Rodin rose from his bed.

“You should rest a little longer.”

“That’s right, young master. You slept so late.”

“It’s fine. I’m not tired.”

He began his usual routine.

First, he sent Jito into the sky for a light reconnaissance of the area, then he performed two cycles of his mana cultivation method—of course, using the method he originally knew, not the Frouval’s.

By then, Larry had woken up.

After finishing their morning exercises together, they began preparing breakfast.

“This is terrible.”

“Hyung! What is this?”

“I thought yesterday’s food was a bit bland, so I added more salt. But look at this disaster.”

Since Matthew had stayed behind in Margaret’s hometown, the quality of their meals had plummeted. It seemed they would need to come up with a solution soon.

“Hyung, you never know when to stop.”

“Exactly. Big Brother Rodin, your cooking is seriously weird.”

“From now on, you two can cook yourselves. I’m done.”

It seemed he had no talent for cooking. Despite having prepared three meals a day from the oak tree village all the way to this place, his skills hadn’t improved in the slightest.

“What? You can’t just give up like that, Brother.”

“Yeah, Big Brother Rodin! You said you’d take responsibility for our meals.”

“Then stop complaining.”

To be honest, Rodin liked delicious food but didn’t mind eating mediocre dishes as long as he could fill his stomach.

The problem was Larry and Bianca.

They had grown too accustomed to fine cuisine. Unless the food was delicious, they wouldn’t even swallow it.

“Why not ask Karis or Jena to try cooking?”

“No. They’re already tired from standing watch all night.”

Karis and Jena lacked a sense of taste and smell. They only had sight and hearing, so they couldn’t tell what a “delicious” flavor was.

“Then what should we do?”

“We’ll have to stock up on meals from a good restaurant.”

“Stock up? How?”

“My spatial storage bracelet contains a space where time doesn’t flow, remember? We’ll fill it with about 500 servings of good food and take out a portion for each meal. That’s the best option for now.”

For the time being, this seemed like the only solution. While he didn’t like the idea of storing food alongside books, he decided to put up with it until they found a better alternative.

“Oh, I see. That could work.”

“Now, clean up. It’s time to move.”

“Yes.”

If Rodin was in charge of cooking, Larry and Bianca were responsible for cleaning up afterward.

If they only used the cooking utensils that came with the Chef’s Statue, there wouldn’t be any dishes to clean. Unfortunately, the Chef’s Statue tools could only prepare up to two servings at a time.

For the five people—including Karis and Jena—they had to use ordinary cooking tools purchased from the marketplace.

Once the cleaning was done, they boarded the carriage.

Bianca, for a change, hopped into the carriage Larry was riding with Karis. Rodin ended up alone in the carriage driven by Jena.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The carriage began moving. Though breakfast had been noisy, their journey continued smoothly.

“Young master.”

Hyung_Otaku2

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