Ki Breathing.
By manipulating the body’s biological rhythms, one alters the properties and flow of blood within the body. Circulating qi along the meridians together with mana creates a unique form of energy.
Yes.
To martial artists, blood is ultimately nothing more than raw material for producing qi.
In that sense, the 『Taramu Blood Current Control Heart Method (B)』 that Kubri had learned as a supplementary technique was an extremely unique form of ki breathing.
In stark contrast to ordinary breathing methods, the “blood-qi” generated through this technique served merely as a tool to manipulate the blood inside the body.
The result was a profoundly bizarre heart method. Once mastered, one could imbue shed blood with qi for remote control, or even solidify it into blade-like forms to use as weapons—allowing for grotesque applications that caught opponents completely off guard.
However, the “blood-qi” carried a drawback that far outweighed its unconventional advantages: its foundational ability to strengthen the body—the core and essence of any heart method—was utterly abysmal.
In practical terms, this meant that fighting an opponent of equal skill using the Taramu heart method would lead to certain defeat.
Yet over time, a small number of martial artists began exploring ways to use it as a supplementary method. When trained to the extreme, it allowed precise interference in blood flow even during normal qi circulation, dramatically increasing both the speed and accuracy of mastering other heart methods or body techniques.
“Like most martial artists, I too felt great interest in the potential of the Taramu heart method during my younger days. To make maximum use of blood current control, I eventually created the Quentaltin Modified Heart Method.”
“Then…”
“But the Taramu heart method has one absolutely fatal flaw.”
As Kubri said, the blood current control function was immensely useful.
Yet there was a reason it never rose to prominence as a main method.
Its compatibility with other ki breathing techniques was disastrously poor when used as a supplement—so poor that it couldn’t even be compared to the Stroke Heart Method I practiced.
Kubri himself had spent a long time searching for a main heart method that could harmonize with Taramu, enduring countless trials and errors before finally completing the Quentaltin Modified version.
I gave a small smile.
“I understand what you’re worried about, but it’s fine. Please teach me the Taramu heart method anyway.”
“Hm… If you insist so strongly, then I cannot refuse. It is stipulated in the inter-clan contract, after all.”
At my persuasion, Kubri nodded with visible reluctance.
But I remained perfectly at ease.
The Alsigima Heart Method, the Tranquil Heart Method, the Stroke Heart Method… I had already bound three entirely different qi energies together through the Brandish Harmony Heart Method. Adding one more heterogeneous method at this point was hardly an issue.
Moreover—if my guess was correct—this heart method would prove exceptionally compatible with the techniques of the Alsigima school.
From that day onward, under Kubri’s guidance, I began my initiation into the Taramu Blood Current Control Heart Method.
“You must exercise the utmost caution during qi circulation. Even the slightest mistake will cause the ‘blood-qi’ to clash with the energies already accumulated in Aiden’s body.”
Because the blood-qi breathing method directly manipulated the blood itself, it carried the potential for extremely lethal side effects.
Specifically—the entire body’s blood flow could lose direction and twist in bizarre, unpredictable ways.
But to me, that side effect was meaningless.
Thanks to my 『Reverse Veins (A)』 trait.
Reverse Veins not only imparted vibration to the qi within the body but caused the direction of qi flow through every meridian to change constantly—an anomalous constitution by nature. In other words, anyone possessing Reverse Veins was permanently subject to the most severe side effects of the Taramu heart method.
Theoretically, “vibrating qi” and “blood-qi” should pair together extremely well.
Unfortunately, no such combination had ever been attempted in the original story.
The Taramu heart method was half-forgotten; aside from Kubri, no proper practitioner ever appeared, and naturally it shared almost no connection whatsoever with the Alsigima school.
Now I intended to resolve that regret.
For days on end—excluding only meals and sleep—I poured every waking moment into mastering the blood-qi breathing method.
Two weeks later—
[Taramu Blood Current Control Heart Method (B) acquired.]
[The newly generated qi is beginning to intertwine with Brandish Harmony Heart Method · Extreme (B+).]
[Compatibility with the energies already present in the body is extremely poor. The harmonized qi has taken up an ambiguous position within the body.]
A partial, imperfect fusion.
I calmly continued the breathing cycle while checking the message window.
Then, at some point—
Throb!
A sharp, cramping pain surged through various parts of my body.
The blood flow had gone awry.
Just as Kubri had warned, a dangerous situation.
However…
[Due to the side effect of Taramu Blood Current Control Heart Method (B), blood vessels within the body are reversing flow!]
[Completely offset by the function of Reverse Veins (A) trait! Side effect fully nullified!]
It was mitigated by Reverse Veins.
Maintaining focus, I repeated the breathing cycle.
How much time passed?
[Qi circulation successful.]
[Harmonized qi has successfully taken root within the body.]
The moment I read the message, a smile spread across my lips.
I immediately ceased the blood-qi breathing and rose to my feet.
I bit down hard on my thumb.
Blood welled up in abundance.
Drip, drip…
The drops that fell—and those already on the ground—impossibly rose back into the air.
Using the blood current control heart method I had just learned, I manipulated the blood.
Swoosh!
I sharpened it into needle-like points.
Swoosh!
I roughly shaped it into crude animal forms.
“The strength of solidified blood seems to depend on the power of my mana. If I master it properly, I should be able to utilize it in various ways during combat.”
“You truly learned the Taramu heart method… I honestly thought it impossible. I’m astonished.”
“Thanks to Master Rolango’s excellent guidance.”
Kubri, momentarily stunned by my compliment, fell into thought before speaking.
“That peculiar constitution that prevents qi meridian reversal… you called it Reverse Veins? Granting vibration to qi as well—truly fascinating.”
“To be precise, the meridians are already in a constant state of reversal, so there’s no room for the side effect to manifest in the first place. In the Holy Nation, there is even a martial school formed by people who possess this constitution.”
“Hm…”
Kubri sank into contemplation.
I had planted sufficient breadcrumbs regarding the Alsigima school.
Kubri’s mastery of the Taramu heart method was on a level I, a mere beginner, could not even compare to. If someone of his caliber were to interact with Estriel—the master of resonance shattering techniques—it could very well lead to a leap forward for the Alsigima school.
And if that happened, I—as his disciple—would naturally reap the benefits.
…
The 『Wings of the Firebird (S-)』 was not the kind of elixir that produced dramatic immediate effects upon consumption.
Yet I had deliberately prioritized acquiring this negatively graded item over other S-grade elixirs.
The reason was simple: in the long term, its expected contribution to potential level growth ranked among the absolute highest of all S-grade elixirs.
Traits and skills could be continuously supplied through draws, but for anything that directly influenced level growth, this elixir had to take top priority.
My current level was [28/51].
Once my potential was fully filled, I would at least qualify for the lowest seat among the Continent’s Twelve Heroes.
Even that much would make me an absolutely terrifying powerhouse by any objective standard—more than enough to play an active role through Part 2.
But to keep pace with the protagonist’s party all the way to Part 4, I would need to push my level to at least the mid-60s, or comfortably into the 70s.
To produce meaningful results against the major villains of Part 4, my specs had to reach that level.
Unless I somehow acquired an EX-grade trait, there was a limit to how far I could patch things together by collecting high-grade traits, just as I had been doing until now.
However… true to its negative grade, this elixir came with one condition.
The firebird was a mythical creature imagined to possess only one eye and one wing—able to fly only when two such beings leaned on each other.
Naturally, the 『Wings of the Firebird (S-)』 possessed similar properties.
Creak!
I visited Training Room No. 3 in the Quentaltin Clan house—the place where Chesa had been tirelessly honing her magic for the past two weeks.
“Aiden? What’s the matter?”
“I came because there’s something I need to discuss.”
Without preamble, I sat down facing Chesa.
I took the Wings of the Firebird from my pocket and placed it on the desk.
Her eyes sparkled the moment she saw it.
“This is… the item we brought back from the underground altar. Even at a glance, it radiates extraordinary mana.”
“It’s an elixir called Wings of the Firebird.”
The Wings of the Firebird could only display its full effect when consumed by a pair of individuals who shared deep mutual affection—one man and one woman.
Furthermore, each could imitate the other’s “unique mana wavelength.”
In the world of Reca Chronicles, a unique mana wavelength was akin to a modern-day fingerprint. Financial institutions checked mana wavelengths for deposits and withdrawals, and even seals stamped on contracts carried the owner’s mana signature.
Thus, consuming the wings together was nearly equivalent to sharing almost everything socially.
Even though it was an S-grade elixir beneficial to the body, the moment it was shared, the two became bound as partners in destiny—making it impossible for me to proceed without her consent.
After hearing the full explanation, Chesa nodded without the slightest hesitation.
“Sure. Let’s do it.”
“…You’re deciding that easily?”
“Aiden would never do anything to harm me. And the same goes for me.”
“…”
My chest tightened.
This girl usually showed almost no emotion, so when she occasionally said something this disarmingly sincere, the impact was devastating.
We decocted the Wings of the Firebird together with various medicinal herbs and divided it evenly between us.
[Wings of the Firebird (S-) consumed / Absorption rate 77%]
[This elixir has very high compatibility with the lightning qi from 『Infinite Thunderstone (S)』 already present in the body.]
[Absorption rate massively corrected by Chesa Utland’s Extreme Mana Circulation Body (S) trait!! 77% → 98%]
[Fully absorbed the power contained in the spiritual elixir. Potential level increased by 7!]
[Acquired trait: Firebird (S-)!]
[Stamina +1] [Strength +1] [Agility +1] [Perception +1] [Mana +3]
Firebird (S-)
- Growth correction matched to partner’s potential level
- Imitation of partner’s unique mana wavelength
- Maintains optimal physical condition at all times
- Spell: <Link Sense> ※ All of the above functions activate only when a partner possessing the same trait is nearby ※ The trait’s effects are greatly influenced by the mutual emotional state with the partner
The core of this trait was its first function: “growth correction matched to partner’s potential level.”
Chesa had just raised her potential level to 73 by consuming the Wings of the Firebird. Since mine was significantly lower, it would rise rapidly until it reached a certain threshold.
In other words—for both of us—the other’s growth directly translated into our own.
I took Chesa’s hand.
“Aiden? What are you…”
She seemed slightly flustered by the sudden action, but I paid it no mind.
A moment later, Chesa’s mana flowed into me through our joined hands.
[Imitated Chesa Utland’s unique mana wavelength.]
A message window kindly appeared, informing me that something unusual was happening to my body.
I looked at the book tucked at Chesa’s waist and spoke.
“Respond, Nano Eater.”
「…Response. Identical wavelength to Master detected. Determined to be a phenomenon originating from the mutual consensual consumption of the elixir Wings of the Firebird. Correct?」
“That’s right.”
I answered calmly, a smile spreading across my face.
Success.
By copying her unique mana wavelength, the telepathic voice that should have been audible only to Chesa—the book’s rightful owner—now reached me as well.
“Nano Eater, register me as Chesa’s successor spare user. Is that possible?”
「Possible. However, for safety, permission from Master will be requested. Will you register Aiden Stroke as a temporary user?」
Chesa gazed at me steadily.
I nodded.
“Do whatever Aiden wants, Nano Eater.”
「Approved. Aiden Stroke recognized as temporary contractor.」
The meaning of this temporary contract was simple.
From now on, I could borrow a limited selection of the ten spells embedded within Nano Eater.