Chereads / "Reincarnated into Darkness: The Villain's Return" / Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: The Essence of Mana

Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: The Essence of Mana

Kael's eyes flickered open, and the gnawing hunger in his stomach made it impossible to go back to sleep. His body still ached from the intense meditation the previous night, but the emptiness in his stomach overpowered his exhaustion. He hadn't eaten anything since Liana left for the main estate, and now he regretted not planning for her absence.

Dragging himself out of bed, he noticed his clothes still damp from sweat. Grimacing, he moved toward the small bathroom attached to his room, washing up quickly before slipping into a pair of simple black pants and a half-sleeve shirt. As he stepped out, the thought crossed his mind:

I've never had to go to the mess to eat before. Liana always brought my meals. Now that she's gone, I'll have to handle it myself.

The mess was located on the first floor of the fortress's main building. It was a large hall bustling with noise as soldiers gathered in groups, laughing and talking while eating their breakfast. At the front of the room was a counter where the food was served. Kael hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the stares as he entered.

The soldiers' conversations began to die down as they noticed him. Whispers started to spread, and he could feel their judgmental gazes. He wasn't well-liked here. To them, he was a disgrace—a noble cast off to the fortress as punishment. Worse, he had lived like a prince during his time here, avoiding drills and training sessions.

Keeping his head down, Kael walked straight to the counter, ignoring the murmurs and sidelong glances. The food on display was simple: mashed potatoes, soup, and bread. Everyone received the same meal, and meat was only served once a week. He realized with a pang of surprise just how much Liana had done for him. She had managed to bring him meat every day.

She must have badgered the commander relentlessly until he gave in, Kael thought, a small smile tugging at his lips as memories of her stubborn persistence surfaced.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice the girl behind the counter until she spoke. "Welcome," she said, her voice light and friendly.

Kael looked up to see a young woman around 5'5" with simple brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Her skin was tanned, and her light brown eyes sparkled with a determined energy. She tilted her head, studying him curiously.

"I've never seen you here before," she continued. "Are you new? No, wait—there haven't been any new recruits lately. So who are you?"

Kael hesitated. "My name's Kael," he said simply, avoiding his full name. He figured it wouldn't take her long to connect the dots anyway—his reputation preceded him.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she gave a small, knowing smile. "Oh, so you're Kael Thorne. Liana talked about you all the time."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You know Liana?"

"She's my best friend," the girl said with a grin. "It's a shame she had to go back to the estate, but honestly, it's better for her. There's nothing here for someone like her."

Kael felt a flicker of curiosity. "How do you know her?

The girl laughed softly. "Oh, she came here every morning to make it for you herself. I told her plenty of times she didn't need to—that the chef could handle it—but she insisted. She always said, 'What if Kael doesn't like the taste? His palate must be different. He might not eat if the food isn't right.' She was stubborn like that."

Kael froze, a mix of surprise and warmth flooding him. She came here every day just to make sure I was comfortable?

He smiled faintly. "Thank you for taking care of her while she was here."

The girl blinked, clearly taken aback. "You don't seem like the type to say something like that. Your reputation isn't... great around here."

Kael gave her a wry smile. "I know," he admitted, his voice tinged with bitterness.

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, Liana always said the rumors were wrong. She told me you were kind and always looked out for her. She really admired you, you know."

A faint blush crept up Kael's cheeks at the unexpected praise. "Did she, now?" he murmured, a bit embarrassed.

The girl laughed, then grabbed a tray and began loading it with food. Kael noticed that his portion was noticeably larger than everyone else's. He raised an eyebrow in question.

She smiled and winked. "You don't have Liana here anymore, and you won't get meat every day, so I figured I'd give you some extra. Think of it as special service."

Kael chuckled softly. "Thanks," he said, taking the tray.

He found a seat in the far corner of the hall, away from the noisy soldiers, and began eating. The soup was bland, and the mashed potatoes were slightly watery, but he ate without complaint. As he swallowed the last bite, he couldn't help but think about Liana again, gratitude washing over him.

She worked so hard for me... I hope she's doing well back at the estate.

After finishing his meal, Kael stood and made his way to the training field, a sense of determination building within him. Despite the ache in his body, he was eager to start his training for the day, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the path ahead.

Kael was running his 20th and final lap around the expansive training ground. His legs burned with every stride, and his breath came in heavy gasps. The ground stretched out before him, a vast expanse large enough to fit two football stadiums side by side. Soldiers filled the space, training in disciplined groups, each movement sharp and precise. At the far end, Korrin, one of the oldest and most respected soldiers in the fortress, oversaw their drills, his seasoned gaze scanning the field for any sign of weakness or inefficiency.

As Kael's mind and body pushed through the last of his laps, he found himself scanning the training ground, searching for an isolated spot to begin his sword training. The run had been exhausting, but he knew the real challenge was about to begin. His conversation with Noctharis during the run replayed in his mind like a mantra.

Noctharis's deep, resonant voice had echoed in Kael's mind.

"Their fighting style is trash, their stances sloppy, and their techniques riddled with inefficiencies. How do they expect to forge soldiers with such a crude method?"

Kael had frowned at the comment, his gaze flickering toward the soldiers drilling with their swords. He had been raised in the Human Federation, where swordsmanship was an art revered by the nobility. He understood the importance of technique, of precision. He'd always been taught that the Thorne family's methods were some of the best.

"This is one of the best methods in the Human Federation," he had countered. "Soldiers in House Thorne are renowned for their swordsmanship. They aren't weak."

Noctharis had snorted, a sound filled with derision. "Renowned? Perhaps among humans, but your standards are pitiful. I've mastered countless sword styles over the centuries, and this isn't even worth calling a technique. They waste their bodies with unnecessary movements and fail to utilize their full potential. If you hope to grow strong, you must leave this behind."

Kael had raised an eyebrow, almost amused at the ancient dragon's scorn. "Oh? So you're a swordmaster too, huh? Will you teach me then?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Noctharis had replied, "Of course."

Surprised and somewhat incredulous, Kael had accepted the offer. The ancient dragon, who had existed for centuries, would now teach him, a mere human, the secrets of swordsmanship. He had been skeptical at first, but now, standing at the edge of the training ground, he was about to find out just how far his sword skills could truly go.

Noctharis's voice echoed in Kael's mind once more, this time more commanding. "Forget what you've learned. Your current swordsmanship is riddled with inefficiencies. Your strikes are too wide, your movements waste energy, and your form is riddled with blind spots. We start from the basics."