Elysar eventually stopped pondering over these matters and chose to concentrate on his training, the reason he had come to the training grounds in the first place. The spatial talent and innate specialization he displayed ever since his "Essence Ascension" ceremony was one of the most basic ones – the close-range Spatial Twisting ability. As for the other general Valthoren spatial abilities, he didn't have any particular affinities for, such as the Spatial Barrier, the more advanced Spatial Isolation, or even the higher-difficulty offensive abilities like Spatial Slicing, his progress was stalled due to his innate zero fate and luck level. This meant that it was impossible for him to successfully learn any abilities of that level or kind.
However, Elysar was determined to overcome this obstacle by hunting and stealing luck from those fortunate individuals known as Sons of Fortune with his mysterious Fate's Gaze and the Fatewearer Amulet. Not only would he hypothetically address his deficiencies, but he was also confident that if his fate level got to their level one day, then he would also be capable of successfully learning those techniques almost naturally as breathing like those Sons of Fate usually do. Drawing from the shows he had seen in his previous life, such individuals could master the most potent skills of their universes in just two weeks, for example.
Elysar already had access to the techniques in his rooms, as he was the heir; all he needed was to improve his luck first, and the rest would fall into place. At the moment, he was exploring ways to enhance his innate "twisting" ability to become stronger and increase his chances of defeating the Sons of Luck and stealing their fortune. However, he wasn't overly concerned if he didn't succeed. His mother would call upon high-ranking knights and warriors to assist him, and he would also bring some of the personal mana-blasting weapons that he alone possessed in the world, thanks to his mother's extraordinary doting on him.
As his spatial twisting ability was close-range in nature, originating from his hand, Elysar knew he needed to train his body more to increase his speed and efficiency, allowing him to get closer to his opponents and strike them effectively. He observed the black spatial twisting anomaly in his right hand and grinned, 'Interesting ability, it looks quite powerful...",
"I can't understand why everyone in the family thinks it's bad. It's not bad; it's just that the previous owners failed to bring it to greater heights. I have a feeling. I will learn how to move the twisting sensations from my hands and activate it from a distance, using it for both offense and defense and becoming unstoppable. I just need more fate points. When my fate points reach 80, for example, I don't believe that it won't naturally occur to me how to do it, transforming it into a long-range, destructive vortex of spatial twisting, instead of just close-range.
'I have another idea to try and develop now from those ideas I got during my coma. Let's call it a personal spatial technique that draws upon my innate spatial subtype. Let's try and see if I could twist light around myself to make me invisible. And this is quite a basic form of this, in the future, when my luck improves, I could even use it cost giant illusions around me. But, then I won't need illusions. I could just use my twisting ability to twist even a giant dragon in brute force...', Elysar suddenly grinned while thinking of that image inside his head.
Elysar was, in fact, just like all the other members of the Duke families, a unique mage. Their distinction came from the Dream Plants they discovered and monopolized, which granted them special, exotic abilities best utilized in the form of magical spells. Within the ranks of the Duke families, the Valthoren family held a informal distinguished position as the "royal family," functioning more like the head of a federation encompassing all the noble families.
And among these, the ten most powerful and prestigious Duke families possessed the most potent Dream Plants. These elite families were part of a larger group of 30 Duke families, each with their own unique Dream Plants. The top 10 families were informally known as King-class families, and their patriarchs were referred to as "Kings," while the Valthoren family patriarch informally held the title of "Emperor."
Beneath the 30 different Duke families, with varying levels of power and prestige, were the Count class families. These families did not possess Dream Plant fruits and served as vassals within the hierarchical noble structure beneath the Dukes. They specialized as Knights rather than Mages, boasting thousand-year-old fighting styles, methods, weapons, and approaches to swordsmanship that set them apart. These families constituted the middle-ranked nobles.
Further down the hierarchy, the lowest-ranking official nobles were the Barons or Baron families. Largely unspecialized in both Mage and Knight arts, they relied primarily on their innate mana quantity or mana control abilities to distinguish themselves from commoners. However, they mostly practiced basic five-elemental magic and fundamental swordsmanship principles.
Everyone in this world had a certain amount of mana, but nobles generally had the highest amounts. It all boiled down to the simple evolution Elysar was familiar with from his past life. Nobles also consumed foods richer in mana and mana-related supplements making this division larger with each passing generation, therefore, even an ordinary baron heir was like a superstar and magical superhuman in the eyes of the most commoners.
Though, some rare mutations when a commoner gets born with an extraordinary amount of mana were also possible. Those kinds of commoners were the ones with the hope of being recruited by nobles directly or from those two prestigious supernatural fighting academies in the first place.
Mana control also played a crucial role in determining an individual's fighting prowess. For example, if one person had 25% more mana than another, but the second person had twice the mana control and can access 75% of their power while the first can only access 25%, of theirs, the second person would generally be the victor. But there were other aspects of your fighting ability as well, like energy level management, outside equipment, wisdom and experience, and many others. They were all usually taught at the Mage and Knight academies.
Willpower was the key to mana control. On the other hand, magic referred to the act of using one's internal mana to create something out of thin air, and this process relied on a strong imagination, which was the key ability there. Individual occurrences, attacks, or displays of magic are called spells. Mages were generally more imaginative and reclusive individuals for those reasons.
There was also a technique called mana enhancement, which involved temporarily boosting one's physical abilities, such as speed, strength, or agility, by channeling mana from within their cells. Another related technique was sword coating, in which a weapon is infused with mana.
These techniques were distinct from casting magical spells and are not typically used by mages. They were generally used only by knights, the strongest of which are Count families. However, even the strongest Count families are nowhere near the strongest Mage families, assuming that they have Dream Plant of course, and can only become their vassals. There were many other variations and nuances inside the mana enhancement department too.
Mages and knights differed in the composition of their mana pool. Mages generally had a higher spiritual mana ratio, while knights possessed a stronger physical percentage of mana within their pool. This distinction contributed to their unique fighting styles and abilities in battle. And it was done on purpose, as more spiritual energy was required for a mage fighting style, and more physical energy was required for a knight fighting style. Therefore, when training to improve their total mana amount, mages did more mental exercises, while knights did more physical exercises.
Elysar had decided to embark on his own personalized regimen of physical training. He believed that the previous owner had neglected this aspect of training due to a fear of injuries or accidents that occurred during physical exercises from a young age.
Mages should generally devote about a quarter of their training time to physical conditioning; however, the previous owner had failed to do so for those reasons. This is because mages had approximately a 75% spiritual to 25% physical energy ratio, which is why they should allocate one-fourth of their training time to their bodies.
While mages' bodies were weaker than those of knights, they could effectively deal with knights from a distance using spells, which is why they were considered stronger. Knights were generally on par with or even much stronger than ordinary elemental mages from commoner or baron families. However, even the most powerful Knight Lords (Count Patriarchs) could not come close to matching the strength of a Duke Patriarch with a unique Dream Plant ability.
Eventually, Elysar stood at the center of the training grounds, taking a deep breath as he prepared to begin his personally-designed regimen. He recalled a memory from his past life, a world where athletes and martial artists trained their bodies to reach peak performance. Inspired by this recollection, he decided to incorporate some elements from his past life into a most standard Valthoren-based training regiment from this world, getting the best of both.
He started with an extensive stretching routine, carefully extending each limb and holding the positions to warm up his muscles and joints. He remembered how essential a proper warm-up was to prevent injury, and he made sure not to rush this crucial step.
Next, Elysar moved on to a series of yoga poses, a practice he had learned about in his past life. These poses were designed to strengthen his tendons and ligaments while also enhancing his balance and control. He found himself fully immersed in the fluid movements, feeling both his body and mind aligning as he held each pose, 'The focus and discipline required for yoga could also help me refine my mental clarity and control over my mana...', Elysar mused.
Once he felt his body was thoroughly warmed up, Elysar transitioned to the heavy weight-lifting portion of his training. He recalled the various exercises and forms he had learned in his past life, ensuring that he targeted each muscle group effectively. As he pushed his muscles and bones to their limits, he thought, 'Incorporating these techniques from my past life is already making a difference. I can feel my body growing stronger with each lift...',
After completing his weightlifting session, Elysar shifted his focus to building stamina. He opted for a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program, a technique he had encountered in his previous life. As he alternated between short bursts of intense activity and brief recovery periods, he couldn't help but think, 'This HIIT training is exhausting, but I can already feel my endurance improving. It's worth the effort...',
To further enhance his speed and agility, Elysar devised a series of sprinting exercises and plyometrics, drawing from his past life's knowledge of athletic training. He practiced explosive movements like box jumps and broad jumps, concentrating on generating maximum power and speed.
He also included agility drills, such as running through a ladder or weaving through cones, to sharpen his ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. 'These exercises from my past life are incredibly effective for improving my agility. I'll be able to dodge and weave through my opponents with ease,' he thought confidently.
For durability, Elysar turned to various forms of resistance training, focusing on exercises that would enhance his body's ability to withstand impact and recover quickly from injury. He integrated exercises like planks, lunges, and squats to develop a strong core and lower body, providing a solid foundation for the rest of his training,
'The combination of my past life's knowledge and my current training is truly making a difference. My body feels more resilient than ever... It is time then to move to mana enchantment exercises now that I'm done with the basic body exercises...', Elysar noted suddenly.
Elysar had no idea how much time had passed, but he didn't feel particularly tired. In fact, he felt alive. In his past life, he could only dream of undertaking such a rigorous training regimen due to his weak and ill body. It seemed that nobles in this world possessed inherently strong bodies, enabling him to push himself in ways he never could before.
To maximize his gains, Elysar also consumed various mana-rich foods and potions, ensuring that he reaped the most benefits from his training.
To truly master his strategy of closing in on his enemies and striking them with his close-range twisting ability, Elysar needed to incorporate some basics of the knights' mana enhancement techniques.
Knights could perform mana enchantment on their skin as well as within their bodies. This allowed them to harden their exterior for increased durability and strengthen the muscles inside their bodies for greater speed, regeneration, and power.
The first level of knight mana enhancement focused on skin hardening for pure defense, while the second level involved partial muscle enhancement, such as strengthening leg muscles for speed or arm muscles for attacks. The third level comprised complete muscle enhancement across the entire body, along with the fourth level being hardening tendons and ligaments. The fifth level involved bone hardening, and the sixth and most difficult level consisted of internal organ hardening.
When talking about mana enhancement, that was the process by which you increase your body's capabilities during a specific duration. However, to achieve that, you must first train your body in the way described to support that mana, from the skin, all the way to the internal organs. Without that, your body could just collapse.
By enhancing their bones and organs, for example, knights could also increase their capacity for muscle mass and store more mana there temporarily with their mana enhancements without experiencing side effects. Making tendons, ligaments, internal organs, and bones mana enhanced didn't give them much power on their own, but it allowed them to increase the load of mana they could place onto their muscles without their bodies breaking apart.
This allowed them to attain a physique similar to the bodybuilders from Elysar's past life while maintaining exceptional mobility, unhindered by the limitations that typically accompanied excessive muscle growth. That was the highest physical attainment for any knight or other warrior.
Therefore, the mana enhancement could also be called the muscle mana enhancement with an exemption of the first level of it, which was the skin enhancement used only for basic defense.
Elysar possessed an advantage in that he didn't need to focus on training his offensive prowess like knights. He already had a powerful close-range attacking ability, his twisting technique. His primary goal was to strengthen his leg muscles and master the second level of mana enhancement, partial muscle enhancement.
The previous Elysar had already learned the defensive skin-hardening technique, the first level of mana enhancement, as he was a high-ranking noble son who had trained in the physical arts under various expert instructors and warriors since he was young. However, he never progressed to the second level of partial muscle enhancement.
The current Elysar was determined to change this, as his new fighting strategy relied on using his leg muscles to sprint toward his opponents and then unleash his spatial twisting ability to devastating effect. That was his planned fighting strategy for the time. If he could also "twist" the light around himself, to make himself invisible, then he would be even more deadly. However, that won't come overnight probably.
Elysar then immediately began his journey towards mastering the second-level mana enhancement for his legs by first consulting the knowledge he had inherited from the previous Elysar. Previously he also studied various ancient scrolls and books that detailed the training methods and principles of partial muscle enhancement, inside the Valthoren Grand Library, focusing on the techniques that specifically targeted leg muscles.
To begin his training, Elysar started with basic leg-strengthening exercises such as squats, lunges, and calf raises. He gradually increased the intensity of these exercises, incorporating weights and resistance bands to further challenge his muscles. He understood that a strong physical foundation was essential for achieving second-level mana enhancement.
In addition to the physical training, Elysar also worked on his mana control, concentrating on directing his mana flow toward his leg muscles. He practiced deep breathing and meditation techniques to sharpen his focus and better understand the subtle movements of mana within his body. This would allow him to efficiently channel his mana into his legs, enhancing their strength, speed, and agility.
As he progressed, Elysar started incorporating more advanced exercises, such as plyometrics and agility drills, to further develop his leg muscles and improve his overall coordination. These exercises also helped him better understand the mechanics of his body and the way mana interacted with his muscles during high-intensity movements.
During his training sessions, Elysar visualized the second-level mana enhancement as a goal within his reach. He imagined his legs glowing with a powerful, radiant energy that propelled him forward with incredible speed and power, allowing him to effortlessly twist and warp space to defeat his opponents.
The sun was setting on the horizon as Elysar completed his final training drill for the day. Beads of sweat rolled down his face and his legs trembled from the intense effort he had put forth. The training field, which had been a hive of activity and determination for hours, was now marked with Elysar's footprints, sweat, and the remnants of his tireless pursuit of the second-level mana enhancement.
Exhausted, Elysar's body gave in to the overwhelming fatigue. He collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. His muscles ached, and his body screamed for rest after pushing himself to his limits. As he lay there, sprawled on the grassy field, Elysar couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in what he had achieved.
Despite the pain and exhaustion, Elysar wore a faint smile on his face. His eyes gazed up at the twilight sky, watching the sun's last rays disappear beneath the horizon. The colors of the sunset painted a breathtaking canvas above him, reflecting the beauty of the world he was determined to conquer.
As the cool evening breeze caressed his tired body, Elysar closed his eyes, allowing his mind to wander back through his training journey. The countless hours spent honing his skills, the sweat and pain he had endured, and the unwavering dedication to his goal – all of these experiences had led him to this moment of triumph.
Lying there on the training field, Elysar knew that he had grown stronger, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. He had forged a new path for himself, one that would allow him to face the challenges ahead with confidence and determination.
As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Elysar allowed himself to drift into a well-deserved slumber. His body would need to recover from the day's intense training, and he knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities. For now, though, he could rest easy, knowing that he had taken a significant step toward fulfilling his destiny.
Elysar felt confident that after mastering the second-level mana enhancement, his abilities would be on par with a Knight Errant, ranking third out of six levels among Knights, and a Mage Adept, placing second out of six levels among Mages. He understood that Mages were generally considered somewhat stronger in this world.
However, these ranks were based on one's reputation, prestige, accomplishments, and the opponents they had defeated rather than any tangible metrics. At just fifteen years old and having the worst luck in the entire world, he would be proud of that level of strength.
Additionally, Elysar was undaunted by the potential for injuries during training. This was due in part to his understanding of statistics; he knew that those types of injuries occurred only once every six months on average.
He had learned this from the memories of the original owner when he was still trained. Elysar believed he could learn second-level mana enhancement within a few weeks, making the risk relatively low. Moreover, an injury held little concern for him, as he had access to the best healthcare in the world.
Exhausted from his intense training, collapsed onto the ground, Elysar finally allowed himself to drift into a well-deserved sleep. The sky had turned dark outside, signaling the end of a long day of pushing his body to its limits. As he lay there, the cool night breeze gently caressed his face, providing a soothing comfort after a day of arduous effort.