Chapter 164: Entering Body Improvement (3)
Ghislaine didn’t just give Kaor a vision; he also called Gillian and handed him several books.
If Kaor had seen this, he would have thrown a fit, wondering why Gillian got more than him.
“What is this?”
Gillian asked, and Ghislaine casually replied.
“These are the Mana Circulation Methods tailored for you, and a compilation of weapon techniques I know.”
“Lord…”
Gillian couldn’t hide his overwhelming joy.
Ghislaine had often asked about the Mana Circulation Methods that both he and Kaor were learning, so he wasn’t exactly trying to keep it a secret.
They had even received advice on it from time to time.
They also knew that Ghislaine was constantly writing something late into the night.
But to think he was preparing a vision book for them was beyond anything they could have imagined.
Ghislaine playfully asked Gillian, “Does it hurt your pride to learn Mana Circulation Methods and weapon techniques from someone much younger than you?”
“Not at all. I already know you’re special, My Lord.”
Gillian had sparred with Ghislaine the most in this territory.
If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be anyone fit to be the lord’s sparring partner.
After a few clashes with swords, Gillian had faintly realized Ghislaine’s level of early realization was incomprehensibly high.
It sometimes puzzled him that his skills didn’t match his age.
Even Ghislaine’s joking remark about having died and come back felt almost believable.
Ghislaine nodded a few times and continued, “The Mana Circulation Method you’ve learned is not bad either. So, I just tweaked it a bit. There’s no need to learn new weapon techniques; just take what’s good compared to what you’ve been using. You’re already forging your own path.”
Ghislaine was especially careful when writing the books for Gillian.
Thanks to the experience he’d accumulated over time, Gillian had become stronger by overcoming his limits several times.
However, since the techniques that formed the foundation had become deeply engrained in his body and mind, it would now be difficult to relearn them with better methods.
So, Ghislaine pondered how to maximize Gillian’s strengths and expand his limits.
“…Thank you.”
For the first time in a long while, Gillian’s heart raced.
‘I thought I had let go of all my greed…’
Gillian had faced his limits long ago and thought he had relinquished his desire for strength when he stepped down from his position as captain.
But the desire he thought he had burned away flared back to life the moment it encountered a spark.
But the desire he thought he had abandoned flared up again as soon as it met a spark.
The Ratatosk Mercenary Corps he belonged to was a group with a somewhat profound history.
As it was an old organization, there existed a Mana Circulation Method passed down through generations. The leader and key members all learned this method, and upon retirement, they passed it on to the next generation.
Though it was a fairly high-level Mana Circulation Method for a mercenary group, it couldn’t compare to what Ghislaine knew.
It wasn’t just the Mana Circulation Method. The techniques that Ghislaine had organized were enough to make even the renowned knights of the continent drool.
“To think you’d give me such treasures.”
These were treasures that couldn’t be obtained even with the gift of a castle. Those who understood their value would gamble their lives to possess them.
It was astonishing how easily he handed over things that would feel too precious even to share with his blood relatives.
But what moved Ghislaine even more was that he trusted her enough to give such treasures.
Gillian carefully gathered the books and bowed his head.
“I’ll learn as quickly as I can. I’ll also increase the intensity of the training for those idiots.”
“It might be better to push them a bit more, but remember, Gillian, you’re getting enough training as it is, so don’t overdo it.”
Ghislaine said worriedly, but Gillian shook his head.
War was looming. Even if it was just one person, becoming even a little stronger would increase their chances of victory.
Gillian spoke with a resolute look in his eyes.
“Crushing every single enemy of the Lord is my role. I’m still lacking.”
Indeed, just having him around was reassuring.
Ghislaine gave a satisfied smile, like a well-fed lion.
*
Unlike the vision shared with Gillian and Kaor, Ghislaine didn’t give anything extra to Belinda.
Instead, she met with her and asked one question.
“How long has it been since you’ve trained?”
“Well, I guess it’s been… over ten years since I’ve trained properly?”
“Why?”
As Ghislaine expressed her curiosity, Belinda made a face as if she couldn’t believe the question.
“Why, you ask? I raised the Young Master and Young Lady, didn’t I? By the time they were both grown up enough to manage on their own, the Young Master was just causing trouble everywhere, and I was swamped dealing with that.”
“…But these days, he causes a bit less trouble.”
“While the frequency has decreased, the scale has gotten bigger. Plus, even without the Young Master’s antics, I have a lot of work as the Butler. It’s tough to find time to train properly.”
It was a struggle just to maintain her existing skills without regressing, let alone actually train.
Belinda was indeed the one really bogged down by the most realistic problems here.
She was in a different situation than Gillian or Kaor, who were warriors by trade.
She had numerous responsibilities involving child-rearing, education, and territory management ever since she took on her role in Perdium.
And even in the Penris Territory, she was busy day and night as the Butler.
Ghislaine nodded as if she understood.
“Hmm, it turns out training has become a side job for her.”
Belinda’s Mana Circulation Method and techniques were impressive at first glance.
Though she didn’t outright ask like with Gillian and Kaor, just catching the flow of mana when she fought sometimes showed how extraordinary it was.
No method from a reasonably renowned knightly family could compare to what she had learned.
It was clear that recklessly meddling with it would only cause chaos.
“She probably learned it from her mother’s family?”
How the method from a fallen noble family could be so extraordinary was beyond understanding, but Belinda never opened up about her maternal lineage.
I don’t know how the Money family has such a Mana Circulation Method, but Belinda has never opened her mouth about her mother’s family.
As a result, Ghislaine didn’t know much about her mother either. Just because she was a reincarnator didn’t mean she would automatically know everything.
‘Thinking about it, it’s really strange. Even after more than ten years without training, her skills are still that impressive.’
If Belinda had been devoted to training without a break, wouldn’t she be able to knock Kaor out with just one slap?
‘But I can’t just tell her to quit her job and only train…’
With the Chief Officer Claude and the Butler Belinda responsible for the internal affairs of the territory, if either one of them slacked off, the place would turn into a mess.
‘It seems like there’s no choice but to throw money at it.’
Ghislaine made a resolution and immediately summoned the Mages and Craftsmen.
First, she set up a Mana Convergence Circle in Belinda’s bedroom.
This was a bit different from what was prepared for the training of others. To increase the effect and prolong the duration, she poured in several times the amount of Runestones used in the existing magic circle.
She also made a ton of bracelets to assist with the Mana Circulation.
Though similar to the Convergence Circle in effect, these items were so inefficient that the more she made, the more of a loss it became.
Naturally, it cost a ridiculous amount of Runestones. The Mages nearly fainted from shock.
“Who’s going to use something made like this? Are you planning to give them to mercenaries?”
“No, the Butler will use them.”
“Isn’t that too much for one person? It exceeds the territory’s annual budget easily.”
“The Butler is a very busy person. So we need to create the best environment for her to train during her spare time.”
Ghislaine especially urged the Craftsmen.
“Engrave ‘Sharnel’ on the bracelet. You know? Make it look similar too.”
“Uh… Lord… If we make it, it’s going to be a copy.”
“It’s not like I’m going to sell it anywhere, so it’s fine. I’m not that kind of person. It’s just to feel good.”
“…Understood.”
Receiving the gift Ghislaine prepared, Belinda was so happy that her eyes glistened with tears.
She was already worried about always lacking time to train. Now, she had her own Mana Convergence Circle and a bracelet to help with Mana Circulation.
If she trained whenever she could, her Mana would gather much faster.
“These will definitely help with Mana Circulation. Make sure to take time to train, even if it’s just for a moment. For now, this is the only method we have.”
Belinda lightly shook her head at Ghislaine’s words.
‘Though you say “only this,” it’s more than enough. I’m so touched by the lengths Ghislaine is going to for me.’
“Why spend so much money wastefully? You should use it for the territory.”
“Belinda, you’ve always been busy supporting others and never trained properly yourself. This is still lacking.”
Just hearing those words made all her past fatigue and struggles feel like they vanished.
She had been such a troublemaker as a child, yet now she had grown up so commendably.
It would have been wonderful if the late Countess could see her now.
Wiping away a tear, Belinda said, “This bracelet… it’s a fake, right?”
“…Does it show that much?”
Ghislaine scratched her head awkwardly. Seeing this, Belinda rolled her eyes and smiled brightly.
“Still, it’s the best bracelet I’ve ever seen.”
To her, it was a more precious gift than any luxury item in the world.
Aside from Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor, there was no one else to take care of.
The mages were already providing a lot of support, and Fergus had been looking after Ghislaine due to his age.
Now it was time to teach the mercenaries who had become apprentice knights and the followers from his previous life.
Ghislaine looked at the assembled apprentice knights and earnestly explained.
“What I’m going to teach you from now on isn’t the shabby Mana Circulation Method that’s floating around. It’s the Mana Circulation Method of the Perdium family that has been passed down for hundreds of years.”
The apprentice knights listening were shocked.
“The rumors were true! He really plans to teach us something from his family!”
What Ghislaine was about to do was absurd.
Even to those who had pledged loyalty, one could not recklessly teach the Mana Circulation Method without the lord’s permission. Violating that would not be forgiven, even by blood, as it was the law of the age.
No matter how much Ghislaine was the legitimate heir of the family, he was still not the lord.
Yet, he was planning to teach that to hundreds of people, it would’ve been more believable if he had said it as a joke.
An apprentice knight asked with a trembling voice.
“Is, is that really true? Can you really teach us something from your family?”
Each family had its own Mana Circulation Method that it taught to its followers. Although it was far inferior to the original, they thought they were lucky to even learn that much.
For those living at the bottom of life, that was the maximum amount they could hope for. They believed they shouldn’t dare to wish for more.
But Ghislaine replied curtly, as if he saw no issue.
“There’s no reason I can’t teach it. If I want to teach, I teach.”
“B-but why to that extent… wouldn’t it become dangerous if it’s known outside?”
“What danger? Losing a war is more dangerous. To win, I need to make you all stronger first.”
It was true that even one more person needed to become stronger. Still, it seemed like too much.
There was the problem of leaks, but what if someone betrayed him and drew a sword against the lord?
Looking at the puzzled faces of those who couldn’t understand his actions, Ghislaine smirked.
“I also hope you don’t die in war.”
Those who had been together since the Forest of Monsters bit their lips. They were the ones who had watched Ghislaine fight all this time.
So they knew better than anyone that those words were sincere.
In the solemn atmosphere, Ghislaine smiled.
“And I want to be with you from now on.”
Only then did the people realize.
The lord was extending trust to them first.
They were looked down upon for their lowly profession that sold their lives. The newcomers like Ghislaine weren’t any different.
Even if they wanted to escape that life, their circumstances and environment wouldn’t allow it.
But now the lord was giving them the opportunity they had longed for.
When someone receives something, they are expected to give something in return.
That applied to mercenaries and knights alike.
Without considering who was first, they placed their fists against their hearts.
Though they were newly minted knights and their gestures were awkward, their hearts were more genuine than anyone else’s.
Slowly, those kneeling on one knee shouted wholeheartedly.
“I dedicate my loyalty!”
This was all they could give to Ghislaine.
And for Ghislaine, that was more than enough.
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