Surviving As the 5th Prince of the Ruined Kingdom

008

However, there was one big problem. If I didn’t know the word, there was no way for me to understand its meaning.

‘Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique? Does Mugeuk mean what I think it means?’

Luckily, a place to ask the question arose a few hours ago.

┕ What does Mugeuk mean?

“It means endless and infinitely connected.”

The meaning I guessed was correct.

‘They don’t even require RP for something like this.’

Smiling wryly, I double-checked the price of [Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique].

413 RP.

Compared to the [Lionel-style Mana Cultivation Technique] worth 10,000 RP, equivalent to about 100 million won in my previous life’s currency, it was ridiculously cheap.

The information says that there are no records of this cultivation technique anywhere in this world, yet they’ve priced it down to the decimal point.

Is it someone’s prank?

Who knows? Maybe someone made a plausible-sounding bogus mana technique this morning and is waiting to sell it to fools.

‘That would explain why there are no records of the cultivation technique. Let me finish checking first.’

In case there were other techniques like [Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique], I quickly searched through the remaining ones. However, I couldn’t find any other special cases.

Returning to [Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique], I stroked my chin, lost in thought.

‘Should I learn it?’

Now that I’ve found a mana cultivation technique that seems suspicious as a ‘hidden piece’, my mind is in a jumble.

┕ Will there be no side effects if I learn this?

“Information on the Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique······.”

┕ Never mind.

I cut it off immediately, realizing it was obvious what it was about to say. I had a hunch that the only way to get information on [Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Technique] was to learn it myself.

‘Choosing the first mana cultivation technique is really important.’

Should I rashly learn a mana technique without knowing whether it gathers mana in the heart or the brain?

If mana suddenly gathers in my heart or brain after learning it, that would be a huge problem.

I decided to test the waters before taking the plunge.

‘Let me just check.’

I found one skill in the search window.

━━━━━━━━━━━━×

Will you spend 100 RP to learn [Lionel-style Swordsmanship]?

[Confirm] [Cancel]

‘Confirmed.’

Jiiing─!

I felt that sensation again, as if beings incapable of perceiving me were watching me stand at the center of the universe, just like when I first logged into Losa.

The only difference from before was the massive book appearing in front of me.

Rustle, rustle, rustle─

The pages flipping rapidly came to a halt on one particular page.

Paaah─!

A blinding light flashed, and I experienced a strange phenomenon.

The origin of the Leonel sword fighting style.

How to grip a sword.

The six initial stances in total.

The way to connect each initial stance.

.

.

.

It felt as if someone was engraving the textbook of [Leonel Sword Fighting Style] into my mind. I couldn’t regain my senses from this utterly unfamiliar sensation.

For a while, I closed my eyes and savored the knowledge that had been imprinted.

‘So this is how it works.’

With that thought, I returned to reality.

The massive book had vanished, leaving only the pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the window.

I rose from my seat.

Grasping an imaginary wooden sword, I took a stance to perform the opening moves of [Leonel Sword Fighting Style].

It felt awkward yet not awkward, a paradoxical sensation I could only express that way.

I tightened my grip on the sword, recalling my duel with the 4th Prince. An apparition of him appeared before me, his distorted face with plump, quivering cheeks.

“Block this? Block this? Try blocking this! Mountain Splitter!”

The attack that had once shattered my skull and triggered my reincarnation began replaying.

The 4th Prince raised his wooden sword high above his head.

I understood what I hadn’t known then.

I saw what I couldn’t see at that time.

The most effective way to defend against that is not to block it.

‘Now!’

A thrusting motion as swift as a flash, aimed at the wrist of the one gripping the wooden sword······.

– Ppeok!

I couldn’t do it.

The illusion of the 4th Prince, who had smashed my head once again, blurred with a bitter laugh.

Even though it was just an imagination, it felt like I was in pain. I grimaced and rubbed my head.

‘It’s not going as I thought.’

I seemed to know why I couldn’t recreate the movement I had envisioned in my mind.

‘My body can’t keep up.’

I turned my head and looked at the mirror.

The haggard face of the ghost prince, who had been cooped up in the study reading books, was scrunched up in dissatisfaction.

I shook my head and sat back down on the sofa, reflecting on the experience of ‘mastering a skill’.

It seemed like I had perfectly grasped the theory. However, the embodiment was solely my responsibility.

‘Magic would be similar, wouldn’t it?’

I wanted to try mastering a basic magic like [Vocalization], but unfortunately, to learn magic-related skills, I needed to be in a state where I could handle mana.

It was a bit······ disappointing.

Deep down, I had expected to wield swordsmanship honed over years and cast spells as soon as I mastered the skills.

Yes, just like a game.

I let out a bitter smile and shook off my regrets.

‘I was fortunate.’

In this world, there were many who couldn’t even get the opportunity to learn.

I, who could access visions that others would pay a fortune for with just RP, shouldn’t be throwing tantrums.

Let me think about the positive side.

Although I couldn’t instantly use skills like in a game, being able to comprehend the theory ‘instantly’ was an incredible feat.

I would be able to see through the weaknesses of the swordsmanship mastered by an adversary, and I could pass on suitable visions to those who had sworn allegiance to me. Of course, provided I had RP.

‘It’s all about how you utilize it.’

After organizing my thoughts, I pulled the skill window, which I had pushed aside, back into my view.

━━━━━━━━━━━━×

Would you like to learn [Mugeuk Mana Cultivation Method] by consuming 413 RP?

[Confirm] [Cancel]

━━━━━━━━━━━━

Verification was already complete.

Simply mastering the Mana Cultivation Method would not immediately store mana in the heart or brain. It meant that investing around 413 RP to check whether the [Wugong Mana Cultivation Method] was a hidden piece was well worth it.

Without hesitation, I firmly pressed [Confirm] with the index finger of my phantom hand. I began to see the same vision as when I learned the [Lionel-style Swordsmanship].

A short while later.

Having imprinted all the theories of the [Wugong Mana Cultivation Method] in my mind, I could not help but have a perplexed expression.

First of all, I could not possibly think that someone made it as a joke. The knowledge about the human body engraved in my mind regarding the cultivation method alone seemed to be worth more than 413 RP.

That point was reassuring, at least.

The problem was…

**’The core, it’s an obsolete method.’**

Instead of the heart or brain, the starting point of the [Wugong Mana Cultivation Method] was to cultivate an artificial organ called the ‘core’ and store mana in it.

A sword flickering with aura in the right hand, and crackling flames in the left. Spellsword masters who could wield both swords and magic had been a long-standing fantasy for boys since ancient times.

However.

Swords and magic cannot coexist.

Knights cannot open their third eye to see mana, and mages cannot transcend the limits of their bodies.

Hence the research on storing mana using the core. The main idea was to cultivate the core, the source of mana near the solar plexus, and supply mana to the brain and heart as needed.

**’It wasn’t abandoned for no reason.’**

The realms of those who have delved into mana, such as knights and mages, are classified from the 1st to the 9th stage. The origins or characteristics of each stage are not particularly important now, so let’s move on.

From the 3rd stage, one starts to be recognized as a proper knight or mage, and the 4th stage is required to become the captain of a rural count’s knight order. From the 6th stage, one is considered a core force of a nation.

The biggest reason for the abandonment of the mana cultivation method for creating the ‘core’ lies here.

It is known that no one who has walked the path of a spellsword master has ever reached the 6th stage, the true rank of the strong.

The spellsword master is often cited as an example of the saying, “A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.”

**’Even though it’s known like that…’**

Should I seriously cultivate the [Wugong Mana Cultivation Method]? Wouldn’t it be better to start from the more common [Lionel-style Mana Cultivation Method], even if it’s slower, as it’s the right direction?

It would have been helpful if I could know the founder or origins, but unfortunately, the [Wugong Mana Cultivation Method] engraved in my mind was a practical, condensed theory with all unnecessary parts omitted.

**’But spellsword masters don’t have only drawbacks.’**

Objectively speaking, even reaching the 5th stage, the supposed limit of spellsword masters, would make one an exceptional expert.

Due to the advantage of wielding both swords and magic simultaneously, they have a relative edge over knights or mages of the same rank.

Of course, it’s a fatal flaw that reaching higher ranks becomes twice as difficult for them compared to those who only pursue one path once they reach around the 3rd stage.

‘It would be a waste to give up magic······.’

I can dramatically reduce the time it takes to learn theory. This would be a tremendous advantage in mastering numerous magical theories.

However, I couldn’t help but feel bothered by the judgment that going all-in on magic would result in a decrease in mana sensitivity, like a thorn stuck in my throat.

If I could use magic freely just by quickly grasping the theory, wouldn’t the world be filled with great magicians?

······Actually, I’m not sure because I’ve never tried learning magic. It’s like how having a good memory doesn’t guarantee being good at math.

After much contemplation, I came to a conclusion.

‘Let’s practice the Infinite Mana Cultivation Technique.’

I might regret it.

If I reach the level of a true 5-star swordmaster and encounter a huge wall when trying to advance to 6-star, I might become frustrated.

‘In my current situation, being a 5-star swordmaster is enough.’

The fact that unlocking the [?] in my status window might lead to a way to replace the mana cultivation technique without side effects also had a significant impact on my decision.

Above all else.

Since the first time I saw it, it felt strangely familiar and bothered me.

Why is it that during exams, there’s always one option among the choices of a question I don’t know the answer to that stands out? For me, it was [Infinite Mana Cultivation Technique].

It felt artificial. I even doubted if the Rosa System had somehow implanted it in my mind.

‘But since I’ve made up my mind, let’s give it a try for now.’

Even a thousand-mile journey starts with a single step.

I adjusted my posture. After closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. It felt like expelling all the impure energy accumulated in my body.

Next, I took two short breaths······.

Naturally, I didn’t expect to immediately sense mana. I had mastered the theory, but I was still studying on my own. Alfonso might suddenly open the door and come in at any moment, so I thought it would be best to experience it first.

When I completed a single cycle of breath.

Suaaa-

‘Huh?’

A strange sensation I had never felt before.

It felt like every cell in my body was awakening. If I had to describe it, it was like being buried in a warehouse filled with peppermint candies. No, it was a refreshing feeling that couldn’t be compared to that.

‘What is this?’

An instant question popped into my mind.

The answer immediately came to me.

‘Mana!’

Is it possible to sense mana this quickly?

‘I must concentrate!’

There was no room for stray thoughts.

My once refreshingly cool body turned icy cold, then scorching hot as if burned, repeating this cycle. It was a precursor to the mana that had flowed into my body raging.

I hurriedly began guiding the mana to my solar plexus. The mana that had been probing aimlessly within me rushed there like a raging torrent.

‘Nngh…….’

It was painful, but bearable.

Next, I used the mana gathered at my solar plexus to begin refining my core.

The mana coalesced, then scattered, repeating this cycle.

I wrestled with it for a long while, pouring sweat like rain.

Eventually, I sensed something like a speck of dust. My core. The core, which had started out tiny, gradually grew to the size of a sesame seed.

‘It’s ending.’

Now, the final step was to store mana within the hollow core.

I contemplated the core’s interior. In that pitch-black void, the gathered mana burst into light.

‘Ah!’

It was the first small ‘star’ born in the universe that was the empty core.

I realized vividly why the realms of mana users are classified by stars. Those who store mana in their brains and hearts must have also witnessed this spectacle in their mind’s eye.

One completed small star. The mana that couldn’t join it exited the core with reluctant steps and was expelled through my breath.

Now it was time to open my eyes.

“Phew-“

As I raised my eyelids, I wiped the sweat beaded on my brow with the back of my hand.

My condition felt remarkably refreshed.

I hadn’t slept properly since realizing my past life a few days ago, but it was like waking up after a deep slumber in the cool shade of a sunny park.

But.

How could I form my core so quickly?

It’s not unheard of for some to sense mana immediately after learning a cultivation method. However, most of those are from legends and myths.

Two plausible explanations came to mind.

One, the [Unrestrained Mana Cultivation Method] is that extraordinary.

Two, the bald wizard who tested my mana sensitivity is a fraud.

I raised my head to look at the phantom hand. Its index and middle fingers formed a swaying V-sign.

– It seems the young master may struggle to learn magic.

‘That damned bastard.’

Finding the answer wasn’t too difficult.