Lumina and mana are two different types of energy. Mana flows through all living things, and it is what makes all creation possible. That is the vague understanding of it. Simply, you can manipulate mana into anything you want, be it creation or necromancy.
Lumina is a type of energy that only those who pierce through the veil of mana can feel. As a Demon Lord, I can freely feel the Lumina coursing through the air, but it would take countless years of practice to even sense this power as a human. It is used to harness or increase the potential of one's species.
With the usage of mana, that would seem possible. No, that is incorrect. You can further your lifespan with mana, but once you're out of mana, you simply wither and die. Strengthening your body with mana was also possible, again, but once you're out of mana, you simply return to normal.
I'm trying to say with my needless muttering that mana is temporary, but Lumina is Eternal. Mana usually dissipates from the caster's body after being used. At the same time, Lumina, on the other hand, stays inside the person's body.
Both have their ups and downs, but I'll be encountering that in the future. For now, I shall focus on cultivation.
Cultivating was a simple task, but I didn't have the patience to do it in my past life. Just sitting and letting Lumina course through your whole body would significantly increase your vitality and strength, but that took some time.
With the knowledge in my past life, I am able to utilize a technique that the other Demon Lords haven't found out yet. Absorbing Lumina with the usage of mana. With my lack of patience, this was the fastest way for me to get stronger.
Initially, the first one to discover this technique was the Rank 29th Demon Lord, Astaroth. I didn't know what kind of breakthrough he had to learn this, but he kept it well hidden until his untimely death due to his arrogance.
If he kept his mouth shut, the 2nd Rank Demon Lord, Agares, wouldn't have personally came to his dungeon and destroyed everything. The foolishness that comes with pride is something that kills even the strongest of demons. I sighed. Only one can be arrogant when he is sure he can take on anything he barks about.
I should cease these needless thoughts. I didn't have an audience who enjoyed listening to my thoughts anyway. Still, in due time I shall construct the grandest stage to perform in—such joy.
I closed my eyes and began to clear my mind.
"Fwuuuu..."
I exhaled deeply. The sensation of mana and lumina around me began to feel more vivid.
First, I began to circulate mana into my body. This would help me open up the channels present within me. Second, I manipulated mana to form a sphere around me. A condensed ball of mana must surround me, or the technique won't work.
A few minutes went by, and I finally finished. I slowly opened my eyes, and I couldn't help but smile. I've successfully formed a sphere of mana that encased me. Warm blue arcane light caressed my pale skin. Soon this warmth shall turn into hellish agony, so I must prepare myself for that moment.
"Fwuuuuuuu..."
A deeper breath than last exited my lips. I once again took control of the mana sphere surrounding me and began to shrink it with me in its center. Tighter.
Ssssssssssst...
The smell of burning flesh filled the air inside the mana sphere. I clenched my teeth and braved through the pain. My body would forcefully absorb the trapped lumina inside the sphere of mana. The searing sensation I am feeling right now is not because of the mana but because of my body reacting to the amount of Lumina being taken in.
"urgh..."
A painful moan escaped my lips as I continued to shrink the ball of mana into my body, specifically my heart. Not only would I increase my strength with Lumina, simultaneously, I am also increasing my capacity for mana by forcefully inserting condensed mana into my heart. This technique had the potential to kill me on the spot, but that would only happen if I lost control. Thankfully, I am adept at manipulating mana.
Ssssszzzzzzzzzt...
Almost there. I persevered through the pain. This was one of the problems of this technique each time I would do this to cultivate, I would need to go through excruciating pain. A reasonable cost for efficiency, I say.
"Haaa....Haaaaaaaaa...Haaaaaa..."
I calmed my ragged breathing as I finished. Countless second-degree to third-degree burns littered my body. The expensive suit I was wearing was scattered on the floor, reduced to nothing but ashes. Only my pair of horns located at each side of my head remained unscathed.
I waved my hand in the air signaling the system to open my status.
「◈ 73rd Demon Lord, Arzalon.」
「Cultivating Stage: The Deadly Sin of Greed (1/7)」
「Cultivating Substage: Selfishness (63%)」
「Next Substage: Covetous」
Only 63%? I clicked my tongue. It is because of the purity of this dungeon that I wasn't able to break through immediately. I stared at my blurry reflection off of the system dialogue window. It seemed like all my hair was burnt off, too, huh.
Tch. The low glow of arcane blue light covered my body, mending my wounds and accelerating my regeneration. And just like that, I was back to normal, with no burn marks nor scar to tell the story. I walked towards the door and opened it. Faro was waiting for me diligently.
"Faro,"
"Your highness,"
We gave each other a simple greeting before I asked him.
"How long was I inside the room for?"
"About two hours, twelve minutes, and forty-eight seconds, your highness,"
That took longer than I expected, but I still got some results. It wasn't satisfactory like I expected it to, but it does put me ahead in the race for the throne, so I can't complain about it.
"This one would like to suggest your highness, to put on some clothes,"
"Hm? Oh,"
I was practically standing in front of him buck naked. I was too focused on the results that I've forgotten that my clothes were practically reduced to ashes.
"I commend you for reminding me,"
"This one humbly accepts your highness' compliment,"
I snapped my fingers, and the ashes scattered around the cultivating room began to swirl around me and stick on my body. After a few moments, they've reformed into my usual suit and tie.
"This one is impressed by your highness' exceptional skill in manipulating mana,"
I nodded my head. I'm aware that I'm talented, but I'm also aware that I'm lacking.
"Faro, when's the auction coming?"
Even though I had memories of the future, I didn't know the exact date of everything. I didn't have a perfect memory; Faro would help fill out these missing memories.
"A month after the humans have awakened, your highness."
In my past life, I've only attended the auction once. I was filled with enthusiasm back then. Meeting my 72 siblings excited me, and I participated in the auction, yet there was no sit for me. I simply watched at the sidelines as the auction proceeded. None of my siblings even batted an eye towards me. I remember formally greeting the 12th Rank Demon Lord, Sitri, and asking for a handshake. What I got instead were my fingers cleanly cut off from my hand.
That was the first time I realized that my siblings undoubtedly hated me. Was it because they didn't like sharing power over all of demonkind? or was it purely due to keeping the count of 72 sacred. I didn't know.
"Hmm?"
Something warm was flowing down my palms.
Ah, it seems like I was too caught in traveling down memory lane that I've unconsciously tightened my hands into a fist and punctured the skin on my palm.
"Faro,"
"Your highness,"
"Open the shop,"
Faro paused for a moment. It seemed like he wasn't expecting me to utter those words. Information about the shop's existence was only disclosed six months later, at the exact date when the humans would awaken.
"Of course, your highness,"
A blue screen appeared in front of me.
「Angel's Tears: 30,000」
The amount of money we had was dependent on what rank we were in. In terms of cultivation level, we were all equal, but there were large margins between ranks in terms of power and finance.
I scrolled through the screen and entered the skill book category within the shop. Only the guides had access to the shop. This was one of the reasons why I wanted Faro as my vassal.
"Faro, I shall buy these three skills,"
"「Faith's Seal」, 「Insight」, and 「Clarity」, these are the one's you've chosen is that right, your highness?"
I nodded my head. Faro looked at the window and gazed back at me.
"Your highness this would cost you 25,000 Angel's Tears. Just this Skill Book 「Faith's Seal」alone would cost you half your fortune. I advise your highness to change his options,"
"Do not fret, for I have a plan,"
His words would indicate worry, but all of it came out of his mouth monotonously. He was saying it purely because it was his job to do so.
"As you wish, your highness,"