I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 17: Mana training method (2)

I stared down at the book in my hands.

[Azure Sky]

The title, meaning “blue sky,” was simple enough for me to read thanks to my diligent study of letters.

I had borrowed Azure Sky from the library. As a mana refinement technique accessible to all Azure Wings members, it was readily available there. 

This wasn’t hidden knowledge; it was even listed in the Azure Wings Manual, which every new recruit was required to read.

Settling onto the floor of my room, I opened the book.

The first chapter introduced the concept of mana:

“A unique energy inherent in all living beings—that is mana.”

I skimmed through the lengthy explanation. Many of the words were difficult, making it hard to read in detail.

“Hmm… it’s like muscle,” I muttered to myself.

Mana, much like muscle, grows stronger the more it is used. Pushing it to its limits and allowing it to recover accelerates its growth.

This understanding clarified why the breathing techniques I’d encountered in the sword’s memories lacked any accumulation processes. 

It wasn’t necessary. Qi and mana were fundamentally different energies. Mana didn’t need to be absorbed—it could grow independently with effort.

The similarities between my reconstructed inner cultivation technique and the mana refinement techniques in this world were striking. 

In fact, they seemed to share a common origin, diverging into distinct paths of development.

Because of this, I grasped the concepts of mana refinement with ease.

Flipping through the pages, I quickly skipped the extraneous details to find the anatomical diagrams.

“Ah…”

Just as I expected. The anatomical structure in Azure Sky differed from the one I’d seen in my inherited memories. Narrowing my eyes, I studied the text thoroughly.

All I needed was the path—understanding where the energy traveled within the body, how it connected from point to point, and the most efficient way to channel mana.

Cross-referencing the information from Azure Sky with the inner cultivation technique in my memories, I began developing my own mana refinement method.

From that day onward, my personal refinement training began. 

After completing each day’s training routine, I would retreat to my room, open the book, and scribble notes with a pencil.

“The starting point is the same…”

The initial source of mana was consistent: the heart. Once mana was utilized, however, it couldn’t be recovered. Refinement techniques evolved to minimize the wastage of mana during use.

At least, this was the focus of Azure Sky. Improving mana efficiency translated to increased stamina, something the book’s author emphasized repeatedly.

I also considered this aspect critical.

A petite hand struck through the air. Despite its delicate appearance, it carried a force that belied its size.

Mana was a wondrous energy, allowing a slender arm to unleash strength surpassing that of a grown man.

“If only the warriors of my tribe had known how to use mana…” I murmured.

Shaking my head, I dismissed the thought. The past was the past. Useless hypotheticals would only drain my focus. For now, I had to prioritize perfecting this refinement technique.

“Wait for me, brothers. I’ll grow stronger and avenge you…”

My training continued tirelessly, day and night. The results came quickly—my total mana capacity increased. 

Even when I used mana to reinforce my body throughout daily training, I no longer felt fatigued.

However, there was still too much wastage. I kept experimenting.

I realized the problem lay in the flow of mana. Starting at the heart and traveling through the shoulders and arms before reaching the hands, it would dissipate before completing the circuit.

Breaking the flow became my solution. Instead of letting the mana extend in a straight line, I diverted it at certain points, creating multiple shorter paths. This allowed me to achieve more reinforcement with the same amount of mana.

But the method had drawbacks.

Each interruption in the flow caused small shocks to my body. At first, it wasn’t a problem, but with repeated use, I began to feel sharp, stabbing pain.

“Ugh…”

Clutching my chest, I tried to endure the discomfort. My hand grasped at nothing, but the pain persisted.

As I poured myself into this intense training, the summons came.

Theo, Flora, and I were called to meet Kanok.

“A new mission,” Kanok began, his tone calm yet firm. “This will be your first without me accompanying you.”

“W-wait, Deputy Commander Kanok, you’re not coming with us?” Theo asked, his voice laced with surprise.

His question earned a chuckle from Kanok. Despite being the only boy among us recruits, Theo clearly had the most fear.

“I already told you,” Kanok said. “The focused management period is over. From this mission onward, the three of you will work with a senior member who will lead your team. Don’t worry—it won’t be a particularly difficult mission.”

Kanok handed each of us an envelope containing the mission details. As soon as I received mine, I tore it open to check its contents.

Theo and Flora hesitated, glancing at Kanok, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Furrowing my brow, I scanned the document. The words were difficult, but by focusing on what I could understand, I pieced together the context.

Basic Information

    Name: Rover

    Age: 15

    Origin: Presumed Japan

Reincarnation Details

      Reincarnator Status: Suspected

      Memory Recovery: Approximately one year ago

Physical and Weapon Details

      Physical Training: Strengthened through suspicious methods

      Primary Weapon: Throwing shurikens

      Additional Weapon: Katana (Blacksmith capable of crafting one is being sought)

As I read the details, I nodded.

The person who had annihilated my tribe had also used a katana, a weapon commonly associated with Japanese reincarnators. 

Perhaps this mission’s target could provide a lead on the whereabouts of my true enemy.

Feeling my heart pounding, I exhaled slowly to steady myself.

“The mission begins in three days,” Kanok said. “Before that, I’ll introduce you to the person who’ll be accompanying you.”

As Kanok finished, a man approached from a short distance away.

“Is he keeping his eyes closed?” I tilted my head curiously. The man’s eyes were so narrowly slitted it was hard to tell if they were open or shut.

“Nice to meet you, kids,” the man said warmly, waving as he smiled.

Feeling his friendly energy, I waved back in return. The man’s smile widened at the response as Kanok introduced him.

“This is Raynard. He’s a mid-level knight with two feathers. He’ll be your commanding officer for this mission, so make sure to follow his orders.”

Raynard’s shoulders bore two blue feather insignias, one more than what Theo, Flora, and I had.

My gaze shifted to Kanok’s shoulder. Instead of feathers, Kanok had an Azure Wings emblem. It seemed that from the deputy commander rank upward, feathers were replaced with wings.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Raynard. Let’s work well together on this mission,” Raynard said cheerfully.

I studied Raynard’s waist. He carried two swords—one long and one shorter—on his left and right sides, respectively.

Noticing my attention, Raynard smiled and placed his hand on one of his swords.

“First time seeing a dual swordsman?” he asked.

I nodded. Though I had encountered many swordsmen, this was my first time meeting someone who wielded more than one sword.

A spark of curiosity flared in my eyes. I wanted to see Raynard’s swordsmanship for myself.

Placing my hand on my own sword, I asked, “Would it be possible… to spar with you?”

I recalled the rules of Azure Wings: when addressing a superior officer, extreme honorifics must be used. I adhered to them without fail, having memorized the regulations thoroughly.

At my request, Raynard glanced at Kanok, who nodded silently.

“Hmm… Seems like it’s not just you who’s curious,” Raynard said, his gaze shifting to Theo and Flora. They, too, looked eager, their competitive spirits visible on their faces.

“Well, fine. Since we’ll be working together, it’s a good idea to get a sense of each other’s skills. Shall we move now?”

Without delay, the group headed to the training grounds. Kanok followed, curious to see how much we had improved.

The training routine had ended for the day, leaving the arena empty.

Srrrng—

Raynard stepped into the ring and drew his swords. A long sword in his right hand, a short sword in his left.

I stepped forward first, ignoring Theo and Flora, who were trying to decide their order with a game of rock-paper-scissors.

“Hey, Saeorin!”

I didn’t respond—I didn’t know what rock-paper-scissors was.

Sigh.

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. My opponent was a far superior warrior. Opportunities to face such a skilled fighter were rare.

It was also a perfect chance to test the effects of my recently developed mana refinement technique.

Raynard, watching me intently, spoke in a relaxed tone.

“Come at me whenever you’re ready.”

Swish—

I moved cautiously, my steps deliberate. Like a wolf stalking prey, I lowered my stance, my footfalls soundless as if traversing snow.

Recently, while developing my mana refinement technique, I had noticed something peculiar: the White Frost Tribe’s martial arts seemed to resonate with mana.

I didn’t know why.

It works because it works. I didn’t overthink it.

Behind me, the faint silhouette of a white wolf flickered into view.