After a while, Elysar said his goodbyes to his mother and returned to his private mansion using the same portal through which he arrived. Upon reaching his personal training grounds, Elysar took a moment to examine the area. The expansive complex was a testament to his family's wealth and dedication to excellence, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Each section focused on a specific aspect of training, allowing Elysar to refine his body and skills in a wide range of disciplines.
The physical conditioning area was equipped with an array of exercise equipment, including weights, resistance machines, climbing walls, and obstacle courses. Here, Elysar could work on improving his strength, stamina, and agility, all essential attributes for a knight. Although he had never been a knight nor expressed interest in the discipline, such was the life of a noble.
The magical practice section was truly impressive. Covering a large part of the training grounds, it contained several areas dedicated to studying and mastering different magical disciplines. Crystal formations were strategically placed to amplify and focus mana for more efficient spellcasting practice. Additionally, training dummies and targets allowed Elysar to test his magical abilities in a controlled environment.
The combat training area was designed to hone Elysar's martial skills, featuring various training dummies and sparring partners to simulate different combat scenarios. It even included a small arena for mock battles.
Next to the combat training area, Elysar found a dedicated section for studying and practicing with mana-enhanced weapons and artifacts. This area aimed to teach him how to use these powerful tools effectively and safely, as they played a crucial role in the lives of mages, knights, and nobles.
The mana-enhanced weapons section showcased a remarkable collection of finely-crafted swords, staffs, bows, and other armaments, each imbued with distinct magical properties. Some weapons were designed to channel the wielder's mana into powerful elemental attacks, while others were enchanted to grant their users increased speed, strength, or resilience.
Displayed on elegant racks and meticulously organized by type, the weapons radiated a subtle aura of magical energy, indicating the expert craftsmanship and enchantments that went into their creation. These weapons were securely locked away due to Elysar's previous concerns, although he wouldn't need them now.
These high-quality, precious weapons were made from mana-conducting and absorbing minerals extracted from specialized ores naturally influenced by mana, with unique chemical compositions and structures. They were composed of rare earth elements like yttrium, scandium, or lanthanides, which possess distinctive magical properties or the ability to absorb and store mana.
Different elements and combinations of these minerals could be found in unique mineral salts with magical properties, as well as in various exotic stones made of one or more minerals.
These ores contain numerous minerals and are mined as a primary industry by various noble houses, which then forge them into weapons, armor, or other pieces of mana-related, "magical" technology for personal use for them or outside sales. Gemstones, which are minerals or other materials cut and polished, are typically used for noble magical jewelry, although they also have other applications in the creation of special magical artifacts and amulets.
This altogether makes the mining, refining of ores, crushing and grinding for potions, or alloying and forging for weapons, of various magical elements and structures incredibly important industries in this world and one of the main fundamental reasons why nobles got such an advantage over commoners nowadays.
Elysar found himself merely observing the various training equipment and weapons around him while still contemplating his conversation with his mother. He felt certain that there was something he was missing, and that she was concealing something from everyone, including himself, 'Just how can someone break through so many industries at once, despite coming from nothing? Could she truly be a transmigrator?',
'No, that can't be possible. Even though some of the technological inventions she has discovered are reminiscent of those from my previous world, her personality doesn't match. She's nothing like the female protagonists from the various fictional novels I remember from my past life. She's selfish, ruthless, cunning, and has been advocating for the standard Machiavellian principles, that most of the other nobles teach and follow, since the moment I was born...',
Elysar racked his brains in search of the truth, but then something else dawned onto him, 'Wait!? Since I was born...?', Elysar opened his eyes wide incredulously all of a sudden. Now, after going over and checking all of those memories once again, looking at them from a bystander perspective, something came up and he realized something weird.
Why did it seem to Elysar now that his mother had employed a peculiar method of raising him during his childhood? It was almost as if she had deliberately tried to alienate him from his father and the rest of the Valthoren family while simultaneously making him heavily dependent on her and attached to her.
She had done so subtly, and the expensive, personalized magical gadgets and gifts she had given him, along with her unwavering support of the previous owner's views, were just small evidence of her strategy. It all when back as long as he could remember now. Elysary suddenly started getting goosebumps all over his skin. But he didn't know why, he still didn't develop any negative feelings toward her.
'The noble families often do everything in their power to suppress the technological advancement of the common populace. For example, the technology used within this residence is miles ahead of what commoners have access to. Commoners still experience some progress, but it is heavily limited to ensure that the nobles can maintain control over them,
They don't want the commoners to have more free time, as this could lead to the development of subversive ideas, theories, or potential rebellions, or perhaps even joining the notorious Revolutionary Army that has become a frequent topic of discussion within noble circles lately. Why, then, didn't they act against my mother when she introduced numerous groundbreaking technologies to the common populace all at once a few decades ago? She must have some hidden secrets and allies that I know nothing about...', Elysar theorized as he paced back and forth in the training grounds, absentmindedly curling his hair. These habits surfaced when he was nervous or attempting to brainstorm something.
'What was the first breakthrough product that my mother developed and introduced to this world? Yes, it was those "youthfulness" pills. Those pills allowed her to appear around 40 years old despite being 80, and they enabled my father to look 60 even though he was 150, among other genetic and resource-based advantages they receive due to their status. I need to start with that; maybe I'll make a breakthrough there. But I don't have time now. Only after I become stronger will I have enough time to delve into that mystery...', Elysar decided, finally coming to a stop.