XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Mana Route.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It is the path through which mana circulates in the body.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Each race has different routes and characteristics.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
For example, orcs have thick and firm mana routes, making them highly suited as warriors.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Elves, a magical race, have thin but incredibly elastic routes—perfectly optimized for weaving complex spells.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Humans are somewhere in between.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
You could say they’re versatile with few limitations, or, put bluntly, mediocre at everything.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But still, humans became the dominant race on the continent.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Because they achieved a balance between martial prowess and magic.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even powerful orc warriors couldn’t do much in front of magic, and even the archmage elves couldn’t block a knight’s sword.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
‘But this…!’
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I stared blankly at my body.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
My mana route had changed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was thicker than an orc’s, and more elastic than an elf’s.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A mana route that maximized the advantages of humanity.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
There was no doubt—this was something developed by Vallach.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Had he worked on me while I was unconscious?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Otherwise, I couldn’t explain it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I had been planning to beg for it when unlocking the Mark of Trial…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But he had gifted it to me ahead of time.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Mana, now activated, flowed rapidly through the new route.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It felt just like the first time I experienced mana.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“If I circulate faith through this new route…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I was still inexperienced in using divine power.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
So far, I had just been brute-forcing it out.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Now, a solution had appeared.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Once we arrive, I’ll practice a bit.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
***
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
How long had it been since we left Snowfall?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
With the sun down, we decided to camp at a suitable location.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
By tomorrow, we would arrive at Bartenberg.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Is anything uncomfortable, my lord?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron handed me a warm cup of tea.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I shook my head and sat in front of the crackling campfire.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I opened my status window:
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[Hor (Richard)]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[Lowest-tier Divinity]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[Church Level – 1]
- Believers: 12
- Faith: 5,136
- Powers: [Appoint Follower] [Receive Prayer]
- Unlocked Titles: [Lowest-tier Evangelist], [Lowest-tier Holy Knight], [Lowest-tier Priest]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It seemed Snowfall’s believers had been praying diligently—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
In just two days, my Faith reserves had grown considerably.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Where I used to get about 180 Faith a day, I was now receiving 1,400–1,600 daily.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“The number of believers really is a cheat.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Honestly, I wanted to travel the continent just recruiting believers.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Shifting my focus, I checked the “Unlocked Titles” section.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Since everything was labeled “Lowest-tier,” it was obvious there were higher levels.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I touched the screen.
- [Lowest-tier Evangelist: 1/5]
- [Lowest-tier Holy Knight: 0/3]
- [Lowest-tier Priest: 0/2]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hmm…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I glanced at Aaron.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
How amazing would it be if he became a Holy Knight?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“If he could just learn aura, he’d be unstoppable.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aura is the hallmark of a true knight.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It’s what separates intermediates from elites.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Especially in Aaron’s case.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He possessed a rare innate mana trait.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The type of person born with one in a million odds.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Later, knights called Aaron’s aura “Piercing Aura.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It could pierce even the opponent’s aura—a bizarre and terrifying ability.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It was so unique that it was extremely hard to control.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Is something wrong?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron finally seemed to notice my gaze.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“You looked deep in thought.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron had been distracted all day—no, ever since the battle with the Death Knight.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He looked down at his palm and finally spoke.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“My mana route has changed.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“…What?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Did I hear that right?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I blinked, dumbfounded.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Could it be… Vallach worked on Aaron, too?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Is it thicker, or maybe more elastic?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Huh? How did you know?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
So it was true.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I was speechless.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Vallach, you generous bastard…”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I had no idea he would go this far.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He must have altered Aaron’s body while we were both unconscious.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron bowed slightly.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“I’ve been itching to start training… I’m sorry, I zoned out without meaning to.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“No… no, it’s fine.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I swallowed hard.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
‘At this rate, he’s not just a spear demon—he’s a spear god.’
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron might reach elite-level status far faster than I had expected.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He would become incomparably strong.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
‘I had to secure him.’
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I felt greedy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I wanted him as my own.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Now, before his talent fully bloomed, was the chance.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Just as I was about to speak—
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Young master.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Hm?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron’s eyes were burning with passion.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“There’s much I want to say and hear from you… but let me ask this first.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“If I become a high-ranking knight… would you accept me as your personal knight?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
…What was this sudden confession?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It felt like a love confession from someone who had been secretly in love all along.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
He was offering himself to me.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
And of course, I would welcome him with open arms.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“I’d accept you even right now.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron smiled in relief—for the first time, he truly smiled.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“I still feel too weak right now.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
My chest felt warm and fuzzy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
When I first met him, he clearly disliked me…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But now, he was turning into a loyal knight.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It made me proud, though his sudden change in attitude felt a bit off.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
We had grown close over time, sure,
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But not close enough for him to pledge personal loyalty.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Compared to other Bartenberg heirs, I was still weak.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
My second brother, already considered the heir, had reached Sword Master level five years ago.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
And Moritz, the third… well, he was just whatever.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
‘Still, I decided not to question him.’
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Why ask and risk changing his mind?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
In times like these, silence is golden.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“No take-backs. Once you become a high-ranking knight, you’re mine.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A firm promise—And since knights are bound by honor, he wouldn’t betray me after a vow like that.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Aaron agreed without hesitation.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A double blessing.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
***
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The next afternoon.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Back in Bartenberg, I collapsed onto my bed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It had only been a week away, but it felt like paradise.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Still, I pulled myself together.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Time to start practicing.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I closed my eyes and circulated faith through my expanded mana route.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A radiant light leaked from my body.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Much more efficient this way.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Instead of brute-forcing, circulating along the route gave better results.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
10 Faith yielded the effect of 12 or 13.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But that still wasn’t enough.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The fact that light was leaking meant it could be sensed by those tainted by demonic energy.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“There must be another way.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As I kept circulating faith and pondering…
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Faith brushed against my mana heart.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Mana insensitivity is improving.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
10 Faith absorbed by the heart.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I now had around 6,500 Faith.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
It seemed enough to cure the condition.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Alright, let’s break these chains first.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I injected 100 Faith into the heart.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Mana insensitivity is improving.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
No real changes yet.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Then how about 1,000!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A huge sum of Faith—something I couldn’t even imagine using days ago.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Would even that not work?
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Mana insensitivity is improving.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Still not cured?!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Something was off.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I had expected a quick fix, but it seemed to need way more.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Isn’t this basically cured already?”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I closed my eyes and tried to sense the surrounding mana.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
For someone with mana insensitivity, I was doing surprisingly well.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Still, carrying around that label was annoying.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Fine… another 1,000.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
At this rate, I was gaining over 1,400 Faith a day.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I clenched my eyes shut and poured it in.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Mana insensitivity is improving.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
What the hell? I looked down at my chest.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Fine then—let’s see how much you can take.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Even though I hated wasting so much Faith, I couldn’t ignore it.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
When I finally invested 2,000 Faith, something changed.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Wha—what the?!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
The mana heart, now stuffed with 2,000 Faith, went wild.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Mana began to circulate rapidly,
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Faith activated all on its own—consuming everything I had left.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“Stop! No! Wait!”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
But the mana heart didn’t listen.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Every bit of Faith I had was sucked away in seconds.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
As I sat in shock—A system message appeared.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[Mana Insensitivity Cured.]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[Your Mana Heart and Mana Route now embrace faith.]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
[You have acquired the trait: Divine Power.]
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
I raised my hand and summoned mana.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A white glow sparkled.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
A rare trait across the continent.
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
“…Haha.”
XyZaBc1234567890!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;:,.<>?/~`
Now, I had become one of them too.
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