Considering this world had major medieval vibes, I expected their grasp on things like biology to be sketchy. But these books are surprisingly detailed. Honestly, aside from everyday comforts and quality of life, this world, or at least this kingdom, seems pretty advanced in everything else.
Magnus was currently on his bed, reading one of the books Celia had found in the library for him. By the time she managed to find everything he had been looking for, night had already arrived. So, after ensuring Magnus didn't need anything else, she retired to her quarters, leaving him to read on his own.
Alright, so trying to control my own body using the Command Console should be pretty straightforward. Firstly, I'll need a solid grasp on anatomy and physiology—understanding not just my muscles but my organs, bones, and their inner workings. After all, a single slip-up could lead to me crippling myself. The last thing I want is to be handicapped by my own power—that'd be a pretty lame way to go out.
The books Celia found for him, especially the one he was currently looking over, could bridge a lot of the gaps in his knowledge. But hands-on experience and a deep understanding of his body's mechanics were key. He'd need to devote a lot of time to studying his own movements in addition to what he was already doing. Only after that kind of preparation would he feel confident in using the Command Console on himself.
As for why he was doing this in the first place, there were two major reasons. The first was simply the fact that if the Command Console was easier to use when targeting things that were unique and one-of-a-kind, then what better target was there than himself? He knew his own body, like the back of his hand, and felt like visualizing it would be pretty easy, which led to his second factor.
He didn't really have a way to defend or protect himself, and the Command Console was able to move things with, from what he could tell, absolute force. If he applied something like that to his own body, wouldn't that mean he would be able to use that force as well? It would be like a form of pseudo-super strength, letting him lift things he normally couldn't and perform crazy feats way beyond his natural capabilities.
In comparison to all the other options available to him, he felt like this one was not only the most simple but also the quickest with the greatest potential reward, especially compared to just working out or doing things of that nature.
Though if this doesn't work, I guess I could always try to go for some kind of projectile attack...
He pondered the possibility for a bit before shaking his head and refocusing on the task at hand.
"Okay, no more daydreaming. I've got to memorize this stuff." With that, Magnus got back to what he was supposed to be doing.
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"Wake up..." A far-off voice cut through a pounding headache.
"Ugh... what?" Gerald felt someone kick his leg, coaxing his eyes to gradually open. Looking around, he saw that he was in a bar, surrounded by men sprawled across tables and benches, with plates and beer mugs strewn everywhere.
Mia had been the one who had kicked him, looking at the ruined bar with an expression that was half exasperation and half utter bewilderment.
"I'll never get why you always end up like this after a mission," she said, as Gerald rested his head back down, his tone muffled and groggy.
"Lower your voice... My head feels like it's about to turn into mush. I'm just going to sleep right here for a bit." He tried to shut his eyes again, only for Mia to yank him up by his shirt.
"Sorry, Gerald, but we've got things to do. The 23rd Eastern Border Defense Company is still being rebuilt. Meanwhile, the Major General wants us to help out at Takerth Academy and assist in teaching some of the kids there."
Gerald groaned in protest.
"Alright, alright..." As he got up, he wobbled a bit, following Mia out of the bar. As for who'd settle the tab for the mayhem left behind by Gerald and his buddies? It would probably end up being the last one to wake up.
Of course, whether or not they would actually be able to afford to pay the tavern keeper for the losses was another matter entirely.
"So, we're going to Takerth Academy, huh? The fancy place for nobles wanting to be knights and mages? Why's the Major General sending us there?" Gerald's words were a bit slurred by his hangover as he tried to shake the fog from his brain.
Mia nodded. "I don't have all the details. But it seems the message from Takerth wasn't exactly good news. Keeping up relations with the academy, especially the Headmistress, is a top priority for the Major General. With the City Council Meeting around the corner, we've got to at least look like we're on good terms with them."
"So, they need tutors, and we got volunteered? Jeez, I swear this is exactly why I hate getting tangled in city politics." Mia sighed, showing she was on the same page as Gerald.
Even with our forces spread so thin at the borders, it's these internal politics that are the real headache. I still don't get why an academy like Takerth isn't willing to give us full aid; they know if the kingdom falls, they'll be next, right? If they had just assisted us from the start, we probably would have dealt with the kryle by now.
But dwelling on what-ifs was pointless.
"Anyway, you'll be helping with the knights in training, and I'm with the mages. We're just assisting in the classes, so it shouldn't be too hard. But try not to break any legs this time, alright? We both know how you get around nobles, so behave."
Gerald cracked a knowing grin like he was reminiscing about the past.
"Come on, you make me sound like a monster. I'll play nice with the brats." As he said this, Gerald suddenly thought of someone else.
"Hey, speaking of which, have you checked in on Magnus lately?" Mia shook her head.
"No, I haven't had the chance; I have been swamped with work. But the Head Maid's been sending updates to the Major General daily. So, no news is good news, I guess. I might swing by next week." As the topic turned to Magnus, Gerald couldn't help but ask another question.
"Do you believe what the Major General said about him is true?" Mia paused, her expression a mix of doubt and reflection.
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"Do you really think Magnus could be a mage? The spirits didn't react to any signs of magic, and there were no mana fluctuations around him." Mia asked, looking at the Major General. The thought had crossed their minds, but the odds seemed too slim for it to be the case. The chances of someone being mage-material were low—not quite as low as someone being a spirit naturalist, but still incredibly rare.
Add that rarity on top of the resources, training, and effort required to develop someone with potential into a full-fledged mage, and you wind up with a pretty big hurdle to get over.
"I think it's within the realm of possibility, considering the background he gave all of you. At the very least, he might have been involved in some rogue mage's experiments. As you know, most mages are affiliated with one of the Ten Great Magic Academies. It's rare for a mage to go rogue, given the resources at their disposal, but it does happen. And those who do go rogue tend to delve into the dark arts, engaging in rituals and sacrifices and experimenting with living beings. Magnus being part of a larger experiment could also explain his memory issues. After all, even an Apprentice-level mage could induce selective amnesia."
It was a plausible theory and would definitely solve a few of the mysteries around Magnus, though it was still largely speculative. As Mia and her team thought about it, the Major General said something else.
"Either way, it's crucial we keep Magnus close and under observation for now. If he is indeed a mage or even an experimental subject with latent abilities, he could prove to be a valuable asset in the future. Our kingdom's mages are mostly tied to the Ten Great Magic Academies, leaving us with a minimal number for our own use, which means we can't afford to deploy them carelessly. The opportunity to gain a magical asset, in whatever form, is too great to pass up. For the time being, he'll stay in the villa, where we can monitor him. Should he demonstrate the abilities you've mentioned, getting him properly trained could work in our favor," he said, looking towards Mia as he went on.
"I'd like you to remain close to him. Not so close that he gets suspicious; just continue as you have been. The more he views us as allies now, the better it will be for us."
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Snapping back to the present, Mia shook her head in response to Gerald's question.
"I don't know; we'll just have to wait and see. We've got enough to worry about without getting hung up on this." Hearing that, Gerald glanced down at her before shrugging.
"Alright, if you say so."
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It had been eight days since Magnus started working toward his goal of gaining a better understanding of his body. During that period, he dedicated his time to learning not just about human anatomy but also the general physiological traits shared by all living creatures.
Although learning every detail was impossible for him, he had managed to cement the most crucial points firmly in his mind. Surprisingly, this intensive memorization process only took up seven of the eight days that had passed. Magnus didn't possess a photographic memory; however, his ability to remember things he actually cared about was pretty good.
Place a book in front of him that failed to capture his interest, and his memory was akin to a goldfish. But when the subject sparked his interest, he could read and comprehend things pretty quickly. So, by the time the seventh day rolled around, Magnus had already moved on from memorization.
Now, he was applying what he had learned through visualization techniques.
The movement of the arm is done by the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and deltoids, among other muscles, all cooperating with one another in union. The act of bending the elbow, extending it, and even the simple action of lifting the arm—it's all interconnected, each action flowing into the next.
As he thought about this, Magnus slowly moved his right arm. With enough concentration and knowing precisely where to focus, he could both feel and see each muscle he mentioned in action. This heightened awareness of his physical movements—the synergy between his mind and body—was a testament to how serious he had been about his practice.
After doing a movement, Magnus would pause and dive into his imagination, picturing his body replicating the motion he had just performed. The visualization didn't need to be flawless—just clear enough for the Command Console to grasp his intent.
However, accuracy in the movements themselves was crucial; any deviation could result in the Command Console breaking his body, quite literally.
This kind of mental exercise was pretty taxing, and Magnus's mind frequently tried to drift off, tempted to lose focus or entertain other thoughts. Given his personality, the urge to take breaks was also pretty strong and frequent. But whenever he almost gave into those kinds of desires, a vivid reminder of his near-death experience in the forest snapped him back to reality.
He was safe for now, but if anything happened, he would be too weak to do anything, and that fact was enough to keep him moving.
As for where he was doing his exercises, Magnus had chosen the inner courtyard of the Major General's Villa, which also meant he began encountering the maids more frequently. To them, his behavior appeared bizarre and disjointed. He seemed to move from one activity to another without apparent reason; now he even looked like he was meditating, which, in a way, he was.
"So, got any juicy details about our mysterious new guest?" Celia, who was positioned at the perimeter of the inner courtyard and observing Magnus, jumped as she felt a whisper in her ear and a hand suddenly placed on her shoulder.
Whirling around, she scowled.
"Tola! How many times must I tell you? Don't creep up on me like that, especially while I'm on duty." Tola retreated a step, laughing.
"Come on, Cia, don't be like that; I was just checking on you. The rest of us have been missing you." Celia exhaled heavily before responding.
"First off, you know I hate that nickname... And no, it's only been a couple of days; what could I possibly have learned?" She said this with a sidelong glance at Magnus, who was seated on a patch of grass in the courtyard.
"Eh, really? That's a letdown. The others and I were dying to know what he was about. You wouldn't believe the wild theories they've been spinning…" Tola received a sharp look from Celia as she replied with clear hints of sarcasm.
"Do you girls really have nothing better to do other than gossip about our guests?"
"Hey, this is the most interesting thing to happen around here in ages. Plus, he's pretty easy on the eyes, you know..." Tola's eyes flicked at Magnus, a hint of mischief in her gaze. Celia quickly glared and shooed her away.
"I can't stand you when you get like this... Go dust a vase or something."
As the two maids continued to bicker and annoy one another, Magnus remained deeply engrossed in his exercise, his visualization of his muscle movements and body posture becoming increasingly vivid and detailed.
Magnus's imagination was being honed into a sharpened tool. While it wasn't good enough to recreate his surroundings or anything like that, it was starting to become capable of conjuring a semi-realistic, three-dimensional representation of his own body. It was on this imaginary canvas that he practiced visualizing his movements.
However, being young, his mind wasn't without its limitations. His concentration could only remain unbroken for about five seconds before intrusive thoughts started really bothering him, disrupting his focus and causing distortions in the visualizations of his body.
After another hour of practice, Magnus felt it was time to call it quits for the day. Even though he was only doing basic body movements followed by moments of him sitting still, the intense focus required for each attempt at visualization was exhausting, enough to make him break a sweat.
As he stood up, he wiped his forehead and made his way over to Celia, who had just managed to send Tola on her way.
"Finished for the day, sir? Should I ask the kitchen to start making lunch?" Celia asked, as Magnus approached. His reply was a bit awkward.
"Uh, yeah, sure. I'm going to go take a bath." Magnus was still trying to get used to Celia's formalities. She insisted on calling him "sir" and never used his first name, no matter how much he said he was okay with it. He even tried to bring up the fact that she was older than him, but she didn't budge. In fact, even after having interacted with one another for over a week now, they still hardly knew one another.
Celia seemed undisturbed by that fact, unlike Magnus, who simply nodded as she left to head over to the kitchen, leaving him on his own as he made his way over to the bath.
On the way there, he encountered a few maids, offering them greetings and waves, which received a mixed bag of responses. Some returned his greetings, while others simply bowed their heads and stepped aside, preferring to keep their distance or maybe just gossip later.
Interacting with Celia was one thing, but the awkwardness with the other maids was on another level.
It's funny how what's supposed to be a dream scenario for many guys can feel so damn weird. Speaking of weird, though, I haven't seen Mia or the others for a while now. They're soldiers, so they're probably busy, but still, it's been pretty lonely not having anyone to chat with casually.
He was used to being alone, but moments like these really made him miss Wendy. His expression fell for a couple of moments before he clapped his hands together as if to snap himself out of it.
"Alright, enough of that. I can be lonely later. There are still things I have to take care of." While his practice was definitely showing progress, Magnus didn't really know what "good enough" looked like.
Thanks to his experiments with the soap cube, he knew it was pretty much impossible to stop the Command Console once it started to do something, which could definitely end badly if he made a mistake on his own body. That's why he had been practicing his visualizations and learning everything he could.
But he wasn't sure when he should be satisfied, and he couldn't really test this kind of thing, at least without accepting the risk that he may need to break a finger.
At the same time, his other options were limited, considering practicing on other people was out of the question for both legal and ethical reasons, and live animals would be too difficult to get a hold of, especially if he constantly made mistakes.
Letting out a groan from all the stressful thinking he was doing, Magnus sank into the warm water of the bath.
I never imagined that wielding a power as broad as a Command Console would be this challenging. Oh well, I'll just have to figure something out. Mabye, if I'm lucky, the answer will come to me in a dream or something.