Chapter 165: A Dangerous Deal (1)
nWeWQn“Huh? The government controls access? But the Galiant government and the native self-governing district have separate administrations. If we decide to go in, what can they do?”QYHqDD
tzbZs“It’s true that it’s mostly just nominal control, but I think there must be a reason they’re so adamant about it. Sorry if it sounded unnecessary.”3WCz
mI1Zm“No, it’s fine. We didn’t know that, either. But our decision to go hasn’t changed. Of course, that’s if you guide us, Zis.”j0uFife
eSJZz6n“Of course! Who else but Zis to be the guide?”VliTf
O91pGYConfidently thumping his chest, Zis gasped in pain. It took a while for the pain to subside before he could continue speaking.wOv
kGA“But, with the state I’m in, I’m not sure I can walk around properly.”qAmdh
a19Hibd“Don’t worry about that. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the healing mage Mr. Freeman recommended. Most external injuries can be treated there.”5Y9
l2c“A healing mage? Isn’t that going to be incredibly expensive?”fej1
CRu22Zis’s eyes widened in surprise, and Amy looked at him sleepily, saying,GQ9bA49
ZeY“It’ll probably be cheaper than the guide fee you suggested.”FPC64ag
p92wdZis scratched his head. That comment made him realize just how much he had tried to overcharge them.oJC
Aiyizb2“Haha, why bring that up now? That’s all in the past.”4l3P
gYgDK2RShirone sank into a plush sofa.gLwV
NhdV“Anyway, we should rest today. Mental fatigue can be recovered with sleep, but Rian and Tess will be uncomfortable until they receive healing magic.”kVP
8Ehz“Huh? No, I’m fine. My injuries are already healed.”bMfm
i2bEveryone turned to look at Tess. Indeed, the cuts on her cheeks and arms had healed cleanly.IMSp
YI1“Wow, how did you do that? Is it something similar to what Mr. Freeman did?”O05o7
2FC2d“Yep. I set my second schema to focus on mitochondria.”jiwKqsa
KCl“Mitochondria?”2kTNDul
Ep9“It’s a cell organelle that produces energy. Using a mitochondria schema dramatically boosts basic physical abilities like reflexes, regeneration, and stamina. That’s why less talented swordsmen often choose it as their base build. Probably, soldiers and mercenaries in the kingdom use mitochondria builds a lot.”t5bKjk
mvx“I see, but what’s this about a second build and base build?”HW3k
4fzNiTHaving been lynched by swordsmen during a previous encounter with the Parrot Mercenary Band, Shirone wanted to learn more about schemas.pWmFqon
BAH6jYThe aspects of magic combat were indeed different. With the potential dangers in the ruins unknown, it was best to gather as much information on combat as possible.5Ro9Bi
dL4“A build refers to a technique tree. People usually say to imagine a virtual body when explaining a schema, but the sensation is different when you actually train it. As the cells in your body awaken, they expand in clarity. So here’s the question. How do swordsmen overlay multiple builds?”GEy
l5e0oAmy and Rian knew the answer but remained silent. Tess had the highest understanding of schemas here, so they left the explanation to her.uf5Yij
byxZlc8“Maybe. If it’s about virtual schematics, maybe it’s about developing parts like arms and legs?”Daa
zUyRdIW“People usually think that. It’s not impossible, but that approach doesn’t allow for balancing the body. For example, if you keep developing only the nervous system, your muscles might burst. Conversely, if you only develop muscular strength, your fists could shatter when you swing them.”mu4w3
F22Sb“I see. I’ve always wondered how they balance enhancing the body.”0cFvAX
0Ms“It’s similar to magic. You probably have a systematic method to handle your spirit, too. Something like a special pattern.”pwO
YYQ5n“Yep. It’s called the Four Way Formation. There’s also something like a Sequence Method.”aW0ZX
VO8pE“Swordsmen are the same. That’s what a build is. Imagine creating several layers of virtual schematics and stacking them. For example, you might lay a mitochondria schema at the very bottom, then a muscle strengthening schema on top of that, and then a technique for the eyes on top of that. By completing the base like this and climbing the technique tree, the risk of the body collapsing due to imbalance is significantly reduced.”uBNDF
2gPcJ9“Ah! I see.”AcCdU
mIu“The most efficient is the base schema. If the efficiency of the schema at the bottom is 100, the second layer is 50, and the third is 25. You can switch the order, but unless you’re a master of the technique tree, it’s hard to apply it directly in combat. However, there are a few exceptions, notably a technique called Reversal.”LlXtSu
puPaw“That’s the technique used by Mr. Freeman that Amy mentioned, right? Does it create a specific pattern like the Four Way Formation?”HBk
ecd0KN“No, a schema doesn’t work like that. To put it simply, Reversal is possible because it allows changing the perceptual timing of the schema.”O0m
eLA4784Tess reached out over the table and mimicked the movement of shuffling papers.WiMwrX
IAc“For example, let’s say you stacked three sheets of transparent paper. When you look down, your gaze penetrates the papers in order. If we label these 1, 2, 3, then Reversal means flipping the view from bottom to top, like 3, 2, 1. Besides this, there are many techniques related to the technique tree, like Deviation, Penetration, Folding, Crossing, etc. All these considerations are what we call building a schema.”Rx3sv
0PCShirone was impressed. He had thought swordsmanship was just about physical enhancement, but it was as technical as magic.suJs7
oroPhR“So Tess, you’ve placed the mitochondria schema as your second technique tree. Its efficiency is half that of the first.”ma0CV
RXtGRQ“Right. Although the mitochondria build is popular, it’s somewhat wasteful to concentrate physical activity in the schema with 100% efficiency unless it’s a physical confrontation. So, those who perform the sword properly choose the schema that best fits their technique. In my case, I chose a nervous system build because precision is critical in handling a rapier.”zQv60
CwQ64rShirone now understood. If two swordsmen with the same rapier skills and schema abilities fought, the nervous system build would overwhelmingly overpower the mitochondria build.OUfzB
H8riA5“The mercenaries we met in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice were quite something, choosing builds other than mitochondria. It seems warriors chose muscle strengthening builds and archers sensory builds.”6epUxFu
UEHpb“Huh? Are the nervous system and sensory builds different?”OyH
PXz1Cc“They are similar, but they enhance different parts. Think of it as the difference between internal and external senses. My nervous system build focuses on internal senses, which allows for extremely precise control of my body’s movements. Conversely, a sensory build focuses on external senses, like the primary senses of eyes, nose, ears, and the close senses of taste and touch. Archers naturally train their primary senses, so their vision, smell, and hearing are much more sensitive than others. Of course, my third build also adopts a sensory system.”ObW0Wy
RJJ“Ah, so that’s why it’s tough to tail an archer.”wU6Hm
EtRhCk“Right. The important thing is to find a build that suits you. Of course, diligently refining each schema is essential. Even if you choose a mitochondria build, if your practice is lacking, your physical abilities will be inferior to a swordsman who chose mitochondria for their third technique tree.”d9YRET0
ZYJi0R“Now I understand what a schema is and why it’s called a body diagram.”j1M7
UPUYuV“Think of it as another self-image. For example, phantom limb pain. People who have had an arm amputated might still feel pain where the arm used to be if there’s an object in that space. That’s the actuality of a schema.”xPq
UZGe8gTAs the conversation continued, like Shirone, Amy also felt she was learning a lot. She had assigned Tess to explain because she thought it would be simpler from a swordsman’s perspective, but as they delved deeper, even she found herself discovering new information.8dtjF06
9jFE“So Tess, how many schemas has my dad overlapped? I remember he had lots of techniques as a child. If the efficiency decreases with each layer, isn’t building beyond the fourth layer almost pointless?”OJVet
x5QMUT“That’s usually the case. But there’s a way to make the efficiency of the second technique tree 100.”ToSwM4
VQRUoLbIntrigued and already deeply interested in schemas, Shirone asked eagerly,2OBXWx
A7jygOC“Oh, really? How’s that?”GinIH
rYf“Swordsmen call it mastery. Like I mentioned, to explain a schema, imagine the shadow of your own body. Opening a schema means clearing away the black parts of that shadow. But honestly, how many people can perfectly understand their own body? I mean, someone who has peeled away every black part of a single schema.”3Yi
peE2P“That sounds tough.”mVG2SL
DOZP“It requires immense training and genius talent, but there are people who have achieved it. They become so transparent that they ultimately merge with their own body. So, someone who has mastered a specific schema eventually acts as if that layer isn’t there at all. If someone has mastered five schemas, the efficiency of their sixth schema is 100. But this is a matter of time and effort. Talent can shorten it.”6ylrNQq
657WyeH“Wow.”aW6pX
KbR2Shirone let out a breath he had been holding. Although he had always dreamed of becoming a mage, he had realized the infinite potential of the sword during his real combat with Rian.5xRs7xN
DGKEdGMage and swordsman. Spirit Zone and Schema. Indeed, there was a reason these powers divided the world.mbV
Gy45tC“That’s amazing, Tess.”rRoU
ysjZhTouched by Shirone’s sincere compliment, Tess blushed.cOqnUbZ
YoqQ1“Ah, it’s nothing. I’ve been learning this since I was a child. I did explain a bit extensively hoping it would also be helpful to you, a magical poet.”VDnZwJH
tjX5Gm“Yes, it’s been incredibly helpful. Now, in situations like today, I can respond better than before. So, Tess is already healed, and tomorrow it’ll just be Zis and Rian who need healing magic.”pAy96
AsDweShirone spoke casually, but Tess suddenly stiffened, realizing something.xiimppS
uVFSscCome to think of it, despite the discussion about swordsmanship and schemas, Rian hadn’t interjected at all.CBu
SFiDsTess discreetly glanced at Rian. He was listening impassively, but his gaze lingered on his own body.Ch5u
kH6sHis body was in complete disarray.uagYlt
K7aILelAlthough he had ultimately overwhelmed Falcoa with an imagined schema, his failure to master the schema was a significant flaw.d0A8M1i
mlD0eHe wasn’t just failing to heal; it felt as if his injuries were getting worse.NMA
YGu“Damn it! Why can’t I…”qhP
QnzFTess looked at Rian with pity, but her heart also raced with tension. She felt guilty as if she had inadvertently hurt him.vnA
7sFwVtg“His pride must be hurt. He must be the most upset about this.”mFuRRCq
Xw98DRealizing his friends were watching him, Rian quickly adjusted his expression. As if nothing had happened, he flashed a bright smile and thumped his chest.W8G6
cDzsMV“Haha! I’m fine. I don’t need healing magic. I’m tough.”5imv
hOuPyIndeed, Rian was thumping his chest with tremendous force, yet his expression didn’t change, nor did he show any sign of pain.5FL
ZsbBut everyone knew. He was enduring through sheer superhuman willpower.C3Q3x
bsinVMWhile his mental strength was indeed astounding, his combat effectiveness would significantly decline if his injuries weren’t treated.AOPY
iFBStill, no one urged Rian to receive healing magic again. They understood the misery of having to show weakness.bLpt7C
eVqC9DaBut Shirone was different. During this trip, Rian had seriously carried out his duties as a guardian knight. If Rian was serious, Shirone thought he should treat him with the same commitment.fP5B3BA
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