As always I used Grammarly and AI to fix the sentencing and other stuff, please leave a review so this gets more attention.
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It had been two years since Yhwach began training the two young men under his wing. Much had changed since then.
For one, Heiter had shifted his focus toward mastering his ability to cast Goddess Magic. His dedication was unwavering, and he had successfully learned a spell that allowed him to survive without nutrition or water, using only scriptures. He could maintain the spell for an impressive week before his body gave in and he passed out.
Despite this accomplishment, Heiter had not neglected his Quincy abilities. He had grown proficient at manipulating Reishi, forming various constructs like bows and swords with ease. Yet, Yhwach knew that Heiter wasn't a true Quincy. His abilities, while impressive, were lacking the essence of a pure Quincy bloodline.
In these two years, Yhwach had dedicated much of his time to researching the biology of this world's "Quincies"—those born with the ability to harness Reishi thanks to the infusion of his own Reishi. Through his research, he discovered that since there were no true Quincies aside from himself, these individuals were essentially humans who had developed the ability to filter Mana into Reishi.
This phenomenon extended to their use of Blut, the defensive technique of Quincies. In this world, beings with the ability to manipulate Mana had a Mana circuit coursing through their bodies, drawing energy from either their environment or a Mana core they were born with, which Yhwach identified as their soul.
He had studied ancient texts describing mages who used their very souls to power spells capable of shattering mountains, and this fascinated him. But he remained focused on his research.
He found that any human born in the village over the past ninety-nine years, as long as their mothers consumed something infused with his Reishi, would gain the ability to filter Reishi into Mana.
This discovery led to the creation of what Yhwach dubbed the "Knock-Off Quincies." Despite their abilities, they weren't true Quincies. They lacked certain traits, such as their blood not carrying the full essence of a true Quincy. For instance, when Heiter activated Blut Vene—which in this world was seen as a more powerful version of Mana Skin—he would coat his Mana circuits with Reishi instead of using his blood vessels like a true Quincy
Yhwach theorized that if one of these "Knock-Off Quincies" gained access to a large enough supply of Mana, they might ascend to become a true Quincy.
This hypothesis grew stronger when Yhwach realized just how similar his abilities were to the legendary King of Quincies.
During one experiment, Yhwach accidentally absorbed Heiter's ability to filter Mana into Reishi. As a result, Heiter became weak and frail, as though a vital organ had been ripped from his body. Fortunately, Yhwach returned the ability before Heiter collapsed or worse.
It was a moment that comforted Yhwach, knowing that if he ever faced a Quincy who turned against him, he could potentially steal their powers.
As time passed, Yhwach noticed the villagers had become wary of him. Despite their concerns, he managed to alleviate their worries by teaching them how to properly harness Reishi. He thanked his father for imparting this knowledge, despite his father's bedridden state in Yhwach's previous life. His memories from that life were as clear as if he were flipping through the pages of a book, including the very day he was born. Yhwach surmised that his ability to recall such details was connected to his new body.
Initially, Yhwach had considered recreating many of the innovations from the early industrial era, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He couldn't bear the thought of polluting this world, knowing it would be his fault if it deteriorated due to reckless advancements. Instead, after months of trial and error, he successfully created a series of Runes and Scriptures powered by Mana or Mana Stones, which could produce steam.
His first creation was a steam engine. Afterward, he shared the knowledge of how to construct trains and related infrastructure with the people of the village. In fact, it was becoming difficult to refer to it as a village any longer, as its population had exploded after word spread that it was free of monsters and demons.
Yhwach stood by the newly built Train Station, marveling at the bustling scene around him. Men and women worked tirelessly, organizing passengers, managing booths, and handling luggage. The village council had eagerly accepted Yhwach's proposal to build the station, seeing its potential for transporting both people and goods efficiently, as well as a means to elevate the village's standing in the world.
Even the more religious members of the council, who were initially skeptical, had been swayed once Yhwach explained the workings of the engine. It certainly didn't hurt that the spirit they had worshipped for centuries had personally designed the engine with the environment in mind, ensuring that it would cause no harm. They saw it as another of Yhwach's many blessings.
The village had undergone a remarkable transformation. What had once been a small, quiet settlement was now officially recognized as a city by the Royal Capital, its stone walls rising higher by the day. The modest huts had been replaced with stone homes reminiscent of medieval Germany, Yhwach's homeland.
"We have no one but you to thank, Lord Yhwach," said Hector, the elder of the village council. He sat beside Yhwach on a bench, watching as more merchants passed through the inspection area, ensuring they carried no illegal goods.
"You needn't thank me, Hector," Yhwach replied with a calm smile. "I merely offered a helping hand, as I always have."
Hector smiled as he glanced around at their now-thriving city. Since Yhwach had awakened, fortune had smiled upon them. Yhwach himself mused that the city now resembled Berlin in the early 1920s. The cleanliness, the neatly dressed citizens, and the orderly streets all gave an air of prosperity and nobility.
Guards patrolled the streets, dressed in white suits with black cloaks and masks to conceal their faces. Yhwach had taken it upon himself to train the village's guards, transforming them into a Quincy Legion, modeled after the traditional Quincy uniform worn by his great-grandfather.
These "Quincy" were now able to form weapons entirely from Pure Reishi, a significant improvement over their previous technique of merely coating existing weapons with Reishi.
Yhwach had drilled them rigorously, breaking them down both mentally and physically before rebuilding them into formidable warriors. They were now capable of withstanding some of his intense Reishi without crumbling under the pressure.
"I wish to see this city grow even more," Yhwach said, his gaze steady on the horizon. "It cared for me when I was but a defenseless statue."
"There is something I've been meaning to ask, Lord Yhwach," Hector said, his voice careful. "Do you perhaps have a name you would suggest for our city? Our village has always been without a name, and the council feels that it is only right for you to choose one."
For some reason, a name came to Yhwach's mind, almost unbidden, but it felt right.
"How about Wandenreich?" Yhwach suggested, his voice firm yet thoughtful.
Hector's face brightened. "Thank you for the suggestion, Lord Yhwach. I will present it to the others."
With that, both men rose from the bench and began walking through the city, taking in the sights of their shared creation. The streets bustled with activity, yet there was an air of peace and prosperity. Merchants haggled, children played, and the ever-present hum of progress echoed in the distance.
As they walked side by side, Yhwach couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what the once-small village had become—a thriving city built on both his past knowledge and the strength of its people. Though much work remained, this was only the beginning for Wandenreich.
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Meanwhile, Himmel, Yhwach's other apprentice, was training diligently just outside the city walls. He had been practicing a new skill, one that combined his Mana control with swordsmanship. Himmel focused his Mana, channeling it into his blade, causing the weapon to glow faintly.
With a swift motion, he slashed through the air, the Mana-infused blade leaving a shimmering trail of energy. This technique allowed Himmel to form an attack similar to a Mana Blade, amplifying the power and range of his strikes.
Sweat dripped from his brow as he repeated the maneuver, each swing of the blade more precise, more powerful than the last.
The ground beneath him bore the marks of his relentless training, deep gashes carved by the force of his empowered attacks.
With each strike, Himmel felt himself growing stronger, closer to mastering the skill that would allow him to stand alongside Heiter and Yhwach as a formidable warrior. His breathing was steady, his mind focused, as he continued to push himself further, determined to perfect this new ability.
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