The time of day has passed and the night has fallen, Leonis sat cross-legged on the edge of his massive bed, the soft glow of moonlight spilling through the tall, ornate windows of his chamber. His mind raced back to his time on Earth, remembering when he devoured the pages of "Beyond Horizons." In the story, there had been a legendary swordsman named Iveen, the third strongest Swordsmaster in history. Iveen was a master who had achieved complete control over his mana and swordsmanship. His techniques were unrivaled, revered by warriors across all empires.
Leonis closed his eyes, recalling the pages that described Iveen's secret technique, one that was not widely taught but had been mentioned in the novel. It was a technique designed to enhance the user's existing mana circles by concentrating and refining the mana flow within them, making them exponentially stronger. Unlike most techniques, which focused on expanding one's mana pool or creating more mana circles, Iveen's method was different, it sharpened what was already there. It allowed a swordsman to reach the peak of their current state, making even three mana circles far more powerful than those with five or six under normal circumstances.
"The Mana Enhancement Method," Leonis muttered to himself, the memory of the novel vivid. "It focuses on stability, efficiency, and precision."
He could feel the potential inside him, the three mana circles he had already gathered when he first entered this body, They were strong but not yet refined. He needed to push them to their peak, to maximize their power if he wanted to be ready for what was coming.
He glanced around his room to ensure no one was watching. The guards stationed outside his chambers were far enough away, and the walls were thick with enchantments. He was safe to train in secret.
Taking a deep breath, Leonis sat up straighter, his back rigid, and closed his eyes once more. Slowly, he began to draw in the mana particles from the atmosphere, just as Iveen's method instructed. The particles were invisible to the naked eye, but he could feel them brushing against his skin like a soft breeze.
The Training Begins
The first step of the technique was to focus on the circles. He visualized the three mana circles within him, one located at his forehead and the other two within his hands. Each circle was a spinning vortex of energy, faint but stable. They needed to grow sharper, denser. The method instructed him to breathe mana into them, slowly and deliberately.
He took a deep breath, feeling the cool energy flowing through his body as the mana particles began to enter him, swirling into the first circle at his forehead. As the mana gathered, the circle started to pulse, glowing brighter in his mind's eye. He exhaled, pushing the energy into the circle as if sculpting it into something more refined.
A few minutes passed, and Leonis could feel the mana circle in his forehead growing sharper, its energy more compact and focused. He repeated the process for the circles in his hands, feeling his grip tighten as the energy solidified.
Suddenly, he felt a surge—a connection forming between the three circles, like an invisible thread tying them together. His breathing quickened, his heart racing with the thrill of progress. He was doing it—enhancing the mana circles in real-time, refining their strength to the peak.
The next day, Morning Time:
"So this is how it feels…" he thought, his eyes still closed as beads of sweat falls from his face. The three mana circles within him had now reached their peak state, pulsing with newfound strength. It felt like he had tapped into a hidden reservoir of energy, something far beyond what the original prince had ever accessed. The former Leonis had never bothered with this level of training. He had wasted his talents, but now… now everything had changed.
Leonis opened his eyes, a slight smirk forming on his lips. He stood up, walking over to the training sword he had used earlier in the day. Though chipped and worn, it would serve its purpose for now. He grasped the hilt, feeling the steady strength in his hands, the enhanced mana circles giving him a firm and unshakable grip.
He approached the training dummy once more, positioning himself for another strike. His mind was clear, his body light but powerful. He was ready to test his progress.
With a fluid motion, Leonis raised the sword, focusing all the energy from his enhanced mana circles into his arms. He could feel the precision of the Mana Enhancement Method coursing through him—every movement sharp and deliberate. He slashed down with perfect form, his blade cutting through the air.
SWISH!
The training sword struck the dummy cleanly, and with almost no resistance, the dummy was sliced clean in half. Leonis could feel the difference immediately—his strike was faster, stronger, and more precise than anything the former Leonis could have managed.
The dummy's upper half tumbled to the ground, the cut so clean it almost shimmered in the low light of the room. Despite the worn blade, the power behind his strike had more than made up for it.
Leonis stood still for a moment, breathing deeply as he processed the sensation. This is just the beginning, he thought. If he could reach this level of control in just a few hours of secret training, the potential for his growth was immense.
Just as he was about to sheathe the sword, the door to his chamber creaked open.
Standing in the doorway was Caelum Perdium, the youngest of the royal siblings. His face was full of curiosity, his wide eyes scanning the room and landing on the destroyed training dummy. He was still in his formal attire from earlier but had taken off his royal cape. His posture was casual, but there was always a sharp intelligence behind his gaze, one that Leonis had recognized even in the novel.
"Practicing at night, brother?" Caelum asked, stepping inside the room. His tone was playful, but there was a hint of genuine surprise in his voice.
Leonis, still gripping the sword, turned slowly toward his younger brother. He had to be careful here—Caelum wasn't like the others. He wasn't hostile like Caius or dismissive like Eonis. In the novel, Caelum had always been the observer, the quiet one who noticed things others didn't.
"Just testing a few things," Leonis replied, trying to keep his voice calm and neutral.
Caelum walked over to the destroyed dummy, crouching down to inspect the clean cut. He raised an eyebrow, impressed. "This... doesn't seem like the weak older brother I've heard about." He glanced up, his emerald eyes locking with Leonis's. There was a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, but his tone was more serious now.
"Something's changed, hasn't it?"
Leonis held his gaze, the room suddenly feeling much quieter. He knew Caelum was sharp, but how much had he already figured out?