Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 102
Chapter 102
27. Taeryeong Divine Art (4)
There were many superstitions on Earth, but due to the absence of mana, most superstitions remained just that—superstitions.
However, the superstitions in Aether World are somewhat special. While the principles can’t be magically proven, the presence of mana has often substantiated their effects.
Ha Taeryeong had researched such superstitions and compiled them into a book.
All things in nature contain vital energy, divided into yin and yang.
Yin and yang oppose each other but circulate harmoniously, creating infinite energy, which is called ‘mana.’
When mages breathe mana, they don’t follow the laws of nature. They focus on their hearts because they have a small vessel.
But those with Mana Leakage Syndrome are different.
They must circulate mana based on nature, not themselves.
Qi is divided into five elements: wood, fire, metal, water, and earth, termed as the Five Elements.
He then elaborated on these Five Elements…
T his w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g mt l. o rg
So on and so forth.
It was essentially about breathing in a very special way, blending superstition with magic.
Honestly, I didn’t understand it. As I’ve repeatedly said, I’m not that smart.
But since I could follow the instructions, I just followed the secret manual and kept breathing as instructed.
You’d think simple breathing would be easy, right?
It’s extremely hard and difficult.
Controlling where to put strength when inhaling, imagining things, relaxing muscles when exhaling, and enjoying nature.
Anyway, I repeated those actions all day long.
I drew special circles on the ground and assumed strange postures, almost like doing yoga.
I tried all sorts of things.
After staying up all night,
[A skill ‘Taeryeong Divine Art’ has been generated.]
Finally, the breathing technique was registered as a skill. This had occasionally happened even when I played the game, but this was the first time since it turned into reality.
[Skills registered by yourself can be researched to amplify or reduce abilities.]
[The skill ‘Breath of the Spirit’ is considered a sub-skill and is integrated into ‘Taeryeong Divine Art.’]
[The skill ‘Taeryeong Divine Art’ has been enhanced.]
[Taeryeong Divine Art]
Breathe according to the principles of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements to accept nature.
* Increases blood mana circulation rate, determined by the user’s proficiency.
* Depending on the environment, can attribute the Five Elements to mana.
* Taeryeong Divine Art also accepts other breaths according to the mysteries of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements.
[Breath of the Spirit Lv.1]
This is the effect of Taeryeong Divine Art.
Although it didn’t show any noticeable stat increases, ‘blood mana circulation rate’ determined my overall specs and attack power.
I’ve gone through hell trying to increase that mana circulation rate. No aerobic exercise had worked, but now I understood why.
It shows how smart our ancestors were. Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements—how did they even come up with such concepts?
The Breath of the Spirit was registered as a sub-skill of Taeryeong Divine Art, and its effects greatly increased.
Ordinary breathing would now be done through the complex and systematic methods of Taeryeong Divine Art, so it was natural.
Moreover, the Breath of the Spirit itself had a significant increase in blood mana circulation rate, so using it in critical moments could result in substantial effects.
Though frequent use should be avoided due to the Divine Beast affinity issue.
Anyway, having gained the skill, I immediately tried using Taeryeong Divine Art.
Of course, simply shouting ‘Activate Taeryeong Divine Art!’ wouldn’t make it work.
With my current concentration level, I had to sit still and breathe for a considerable time to barely see the effect.
[Taeryeong Divine Art]
After about 10 minutes of focusing, Taeryeong Divine Art barely activated.
Immediately, I opened the Mana Leakage Syndrome status window to confirm.
[Mana Leakage Syndrome Lv.3]
* Strength 08% (+17%) enhancement
* Agility 12% (+29%) enhancement
* Sensory 20% (+25%) enhancement
Intuition: Consumes ‘mental strength’ to activate. Detects mana phenomena within a 24m radius, activating ‘Cognitive Acceleration’. Automatically activates in perceived danger.
* Mana Concentration: Gather and release the inhaled mana in one spot.
T h i s w a s co pi e d fr o m k i n g mt l .o r g
* Blood Mana Circulation Rate: 3% (+6%)
‘Crazy.’
Even though I had just taken the first step, the stat increase was enormous.
I couldn’t stop here. My lungs hurt as if they were tearing, tears trickled down, and cold sweat soaked my body, but I didn’t stop. I got up and activated the Terivon Sword.
[Mana Concentration]
The target was the Terivon in my right hand… beyond that, the Terivon itself.
In other words, I intended to imbue the mana concentration into this magic sword.
It’s possible. The ‘character Baek Yu-seol’ in Aether World could do it, and as a Sword Master, he could release Sword Energy from his bare hands without needing a magic sword.
Sizzle…!!
The tip of the Terivon Sword flared up roughly, showing a final blaze like a dying sun.
Then, it flickered and went out.
“Gah, cough!”
The pain was so excruciating that my mind went blank for a moment. I dropped the Terivon Sword and rolled on the ground, clutching my chest.
Th i s w a s c opi e d fr o m ki ngm tl.o r g
As expected, focusing on Taeryeong Divine Art while using Mana Concentration was still too much.
But…
It’s not impossible.
Even for a brief moment, the sword’s shape clearly appeared.
Although it required high-level concentration to use Taeryeong Divine Art and Mana Concentration simultaneously, with practice, I could eventually use it freely.
There’s no shortcut on the path I’m on.
Following the path left by the kind senior Ha Taeryeong, I could only advance steadily and honestly.
“Haha…”
Maybe I overdid it, as my consciousness started to fade.
Since it’s Saturday, taking a short nap should be fine…
…Or so I thought just 5 minutes ago.
“What the…”
When I woke up, it was already Sunday evening.
The White Castle, the residence of the Elf King, had been empty for a long time as Flowerseorin spent her time hiding in the Primordial Mountains.
Although most of her duties, including connecting the World Tree and fairies, could be performed in the ancient castle at the foot of the Primordial Mountains, many tasks couldn’t be.
Thus, someone was essential to perform the role of ‘Royal Proxy’ in the White Castle.
The royal advisor, High Elf Oranha.
He was recognized as a high elf at the age of ten and with his genius brain, he quickly mastered magic, politics, diplomacy, alchemy, architecture, cooking, painting, music, magical engineering, security… and many other fields, earning professional qualifications in all of them. He was an elite among elites.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f r o m ki n g m tl .o r g
At the young age of only 120, he was the only one to show such achievements, and becoming the royal proxy was a natural step.
…Of course, people don’t know.
That Oranha’s remarkable competence was merely a small part of becoming Flowerseorin’s proxy.
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m ki n g mtl .org
For her, Oranha was willing to burn all those specs.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Flowerseorin said, offering tea to Oranha. Due to the curse, she strictly avoided external activities. She had to refrain from showing her face, even to the student who had contributed greatly to Stella.
Even hearing her voice or sharing the same air was dangerous.
But Oranha was safe.
To Flowerseorin’s knowledge, he was the person most immune to her curse.
Despite hearing her voice several times, his heart didn’t even flinch.
‘Still, showing my face is not an option…’
Oranha became the royal proxy not only because of his competence but also because he was the only person who could share the same air and have direct conversations with her.
To her, he was like a tranquilizer.
For Flowerseorin, who couldn’t meet or talk to people, these small moments of conversation brought joy to her life.
But…
Did she know?
Oranha had been under her curse for a long time.
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f ro m k i n g m t l . o rg
It was a small accident due to his pure curiosity.
While Flowerseorin usually took care of essentials quietly within the castle, one day, the castle’s water pipes completely broke.
On that moonlit night, she quietly went to the lake to bathe, so no one would know.
At the lakeside that day,
Flowerseorin first removed her mask and enjoyed the cool breeze on her face.
Gasp!
She sensed a gaze and hurriedly stood up, but fortunately, it was just a passing wild animal.
Even then, and now,
Flowerseorin didn’t know.
That gaze belonged to the young Oranha, who had heard from the wind that she was outside and came to see her even once.
[The Gaze from Beyond]
Thanks to that trait allowing him to see far distances, he instantly recognized Flowerseorin’s face from afar and immediately retreated when she sensed something, avoiding detection.
He had accidentally peeked at Flowerseorin’s face.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r om kin gm t l .o r g
Oranha still vividly remembered that day.
Even the cold moonlight couldn’t turn away from Flowerseorin. Her white hair, resembling the Northern Arctic Ice Mountain, shone blue in the cold light, and her eyes, like stars, were more beautiful than any celestial body.
Since that day, he had never forgotten her face.
Occasionally, she would habitually tell Oranha,
‘Everyone who sees my face gets cursed and dies.’
At first, he didn’t understand the meaning, but now he did.
Her beauty was so overwhelming that just looking at her caused lovesickness.
If that was a curse, then he too was cursed.
He couldn’t control his wildly beating heart when he faced her.
But it’s okay.
The cure for lovesickness was simple.
Lovesickness is an illness caused by falling in love but not being able to achieve it.
If he could have her…
Lovesickness would no longer be an illness but deep and profound love.
A beautiful love that gazes only at one person for a lifetime.
‘Ordinary methods won’t work.’
Decades had already passed since he tried to win her heart.
She never saw him as a man.
It seemed there were few options left.
He didn’t care if the Fairy Forest turned entirely into dark mana. It didn’t matter if the World Tree burned down. Even if his kin fell into ruin, it was fine.
If he could make her gaze only at him.
If he could make her love him…
T h i s w a s co p ie d f r o m ki n g m tl . o r g
Oranha was willing to do anything.
“Please attend the upcoming awards ceremony.”
“Yes. It’s not a difficult task.”
“Hehe, unlike me, Oranha is competent even in public places.”
“You’re too kind.”
What kind of face lay behind that mask? He was so curious about her smiling expression. He wanted to rip off that mask and see her sparkling golden eyes immediately.
“…Are you alright?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“That’s a relief. Then, I’ll get up now.”
Already?
The time he could be alone with her was rare even throughout the year. But now they had to part already. Feeling regretful, Oranha stopped her.
“Is there something urgent you need to handle?”
“Ah… Yes. It’s a personal matter. You don’t need to worry.”
Flowerseorin said with a dark expression. After all, Leafanel had fallen asleep, and the boy’s whereabouts were unknown, so she had no choice but to return to the White Castle before dawn.
But her thoughts were still complicated.
When would Leafanel awaken?
She wanted to visit at the right time.
And how could she uncover the boy’s identity?
T hi s was c o p i e d fro m ki ng m t l . o r g
She couldn’t use the power of the World Tree for personal matters.
Seeing Flowerseorin’s mood sink, Oranha stroked his chin.
‘A personal matter.’
Oranha, sensitive to her emotional changes and personal affairs, could guess what it was.
‘She’s probably looking for the Spirit Slayer.’
That was intriguing to Oranha as well.
Honestly, he didn’t care if that Spirit, Leafanel, had died, but if he could find that Spirit Slayer…
Wouldn’t she look at him with a bit of affection?
Of course, finding the Spirit Slayer that even Flowerseorin couldn’t locate wouldn’t be easy.
Shaking off useless thoughts, Oranha stood up.
Stella Academy. Visiting a human magic school was quite a hassle, but he’d do anything for Flowerseorin.
“I will go.”
T h i s wa s co p ie d f r om k i n gm t l . o r g
End of Chapter
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