In My Second Life, I Rule from the Shadows

Chapter 176: Althausen (1)

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Carl and his party, upon arriving at the Althausen estate, first greeted Maximilian’s father, the Viscount of Althausen.

“I’m Carlos Leipzig.”

Unlike Maximilian, who had recently been building up his frame, the Viscount of Althausen was a slender man.

He had passed down his good looks to Maximilian, and despite his age, he didn’t appear very old.

“You said your name was Carl, right? Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from my son—top of the theory class and ranking among the best, I hear.”

Perhaps the father and son shared a similar temperament, for he greeted them with a cheerful air.

He seemed especially interested in Carl’s achievement of topping the theory class, greeting him with a particularly bright gleam in his eye.

“Ah, and I’ve heard plenty about Miss Yuria and Miss Laysis as well. Maxim really made some fine friends.”

With his hands on his waist and a booming laugh, he looked like a glimpse of Maximilian’s future self.

Maximilian, however, shook his head with a sheepish smile, seemingly embarrassed by his father’s behavior.

“Thank you for visiting Althausen. If there’s anything you need, tell my son, and have a great time while you’re here.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Oh, come now, you’re my son’s friends. Enjoy yourselves.”

With that short exchange, the Viscount of Althausen left the room.

Watching his retreating figure, Carl spoke to Maximilian in a quiet voice.

“You really do resemble your father—both in looks and in personality.”

“I’ll admit to the looks, but I think I’m a bit more serious. My father often gets told he’s too frivolous.”

“He’s cheerful and approachable. If you grow up well, I think you’ll be just like him.”

“I’d rather not end up with such a goofball personality.”

Though Maximilian grumbled, the corners of his lips rose in a smile.

After all, no son would dislike hearing praise about his father.

“Well then, let’s head straight to the sea!—is what I want to say, but everyone’s more interested in something else, right?”

The cadets all nodded at Maximilian’s words.

“Carl went to the trouble of giving it to us. We should try it out.”

“You said it helps smooth mana circulation and supports training, right?”

“I want to save mine for later. I’d like to study it.”

Unlike the others, Pozers showed a hint of hesitation.

He was more curious about researching how the Mana Beads were developed than consuming them.

Carl gave a slight nod and a faint smile, as if to say it was fine.

“We should be able to secure more supply soon. I’ll give you more then, so feel free to take it now.”

“...Thanks for that.”

Pozers scratched his head with an awkward smile.

It wasn’t easy to come by, and he had obtained it entirely through Carl’s connections.

Feeling both grateful and slightly embarrassed, he nodded his head in thanks.

“Hey, we’re friends.”

Smack.

Maximilian cheerfully slung an arm around Pozers’ neck as he spoke.

“Carl gave it to us—why are you the one acting like the generous one...”

“Let’s not nitpick over the little things and just get moving. I want to test the Mana Beads too.”

Soon, they followed Maximilian to the estate’s private training hall.

Everyone marveled at how much larger the facility was compared to the one at the Bayern Academy.

“The facilities here are way better.”

“Is the ceiling covered because of the sun?”

“Yeah. Otherwise, you'd pass out from the heat before even starting. Althausen’s sun is famously harsh.”

“Right, if it weren’t by the sea or something, it’d be hard to handle.”

Thanks to magic, the air and temperature inside were regulated, making the environment extremely pleasant.

Gale, who had taken out the Mana Bead he received as a gift, held it in his hand and asked Carl,

“So, what do I do now? Just eat it?”

“Sit comfortably in a meditative pose and consume it. The most effective way is to exhale slowly while spreading the bead’s energy throughout your body.”

“Alright, got it.”

Crunch.

Gale was the first among the cadets to chew on the Mana Bead and sit down cross-legged.

“An hour should be enough, right?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, then I’ll…”

One by one, they put the Mana Beads into their mouths and sat down in meditative poses in the training hall.

Carl and Laysis, who were standing nearby, also took out their Mana Beads, but then Carl discreetly grabbed her wrist and handed her something.

– “Miss Laysis, please take this.”

– “Huh?”

Startled by the sudden voice transmission, Laysis tilted her head.

Then she widened her eyes at the golden orb in Carl’s hand.

– “...What is this?”

– “It’s a Gold Bead. It’s a superior version of the Mana Beads I gave to the other cadets. It’s not a product available on the market, so please keep it a secret.”

– “Ah…”

Laysis parted her lips.

Was he giving her special treatment different from the others?

From deep within her heart, gratitude—and another, more complex feeling—toward Carl began to stir and rise.

She wanted to say something, but seeing Carl smile gently at her, she simply bowed her head and accepted the Gold Bead.

Crunch.

Carl had gone the extra mile for her—she had to produce good results.

With that resolve, she bit down on the Gold Bead and entered meditation.

Zzzzzzz.

Pure and clear mana flowed from the shattered Gold Bead, coursing through her meridians and spreading throughout her body.

The energy was so pure and clean that it was hard to believe it was artificially created.

‘The mana is accumulating.’

The mana she absorbed from the Gold Bead gathered and built up in her Mana Heart.

As the weight inside her grew noticeably heavier, Laysis let out a joyful breath—only to recall what Carl had just told her.

– “Exhale slowly and spread the energy of the Mana Bead throughout your body. That’s the most effective way to use it.”

Exhale slowly and spread the energy throughout her body.

Following Carl’s instructions, Laysis dispersed the mana gathered in her heart.

To the tips of her fingers and toes, her sides, shoulders—without missing a single part—she spread the mana granted by the Gold Bead, gradually claiming control over her entire body.

Zzzzzzz.

Watching over her, arms crossed, as the heat shimmered off her body, Carl gave a small nod.

‘Looks like she’s doing exactly as I said.’

The other cadets would be able to acquire a fair amount of new mana through the Mana Beads.

As with their known effect, they would improve mana circulation and significantly enhance training efficiency.

But Laysis had no intention of settling for just that.

– "Laysis. Use the mana manipulation method I taught you. From this point on, do not speak. Even if it’s painful or exhausting, you must continue circulating your energy."

– "..."

At the whispering voice transmission in her ear, Laysis nodded and immediately entered her meditation.

It was the mana manipulation method Carl had taught her to better perform the Boundless Azure Sword Technique.

She gathered mana in the area below her heart and under her navel, known as the danjeon, and began to slowly move it.

Pit, pit, pit, pit.

Carl approached Laysis from behind and struck several of her energy points with streaks of wind energy.

Though she flinched at the eerie sensation on her back, Laysis soon realized it was Carl’s doing and refocused on circulating her mana.

– "You must not lose concentration under any circumstances. No matter what happens, continue the mana flow."

With that final transmission, Carl uncrossed his arms.

Then, with a deep breath, he began his work on Laysis’ body.

Pit. Pit.

He first stimulated her energy points according to the key principles of the Primal Unity Qi.

After opening her energy channels to help her circulation flow more smoothly, he injected a minuscule amount of the Primordial Unity Divine Art’s energy.

Ssssshh.

The essence of unity—comprising vital energy, demonic energy, and divine power—began coursing through her energy channels.

The target was the impure energy and waste accumulated in her energy points and channels.

No matter how cleanly one lived, the buildup of impurities and waste in the body was unavoidable.

They accumulated from breathing, eating, and moving one’s body.

Carl absorbed all of those and cleansed Laysis’ interior.

‘And now…’

Carl’s expression turned serious.

From here on out, he would have to give it his full concentration.

Had he not reached the Transcendent Peak of a Master, he would never have dared attempt this.

Thud─!

The energy of the Primordial Unity Divine Art struck a completely blocked meridian.

Startled by the loud sound and vibration from within her body, Laysis almost ceased her mana circulation.

– "Focus!"

But Carl’s voice transmission pierced her ear, and she clenched her teeth and resumed circulating her mana.

She didn’t know what Carl was doing, but she firmly believed it wouldn’t be harmful to her.

‘Huu.’

Carl let out a short breath and once again moved the energy of the Primordial Unity Divine Art.

Thud! Thud!

Like knocking on the gate of a sealed fortress, he repeatedly struck the meridian.

If he applied too much force, the meridian itself would rupture, causing Laysis to suffer severe internal injuries; if he used an indecisive amount of energy, the internal shock would also be significant.

So he had to break through this barrier as quickly and efficiently as possible.

‘No matter how many times I’ve done this, it’s still difficult.’

Carl gritted his teeth.

It was a process he had also performed for the Black Label members of NOX.

Whether or not this was done made a huge difference in one’s ability to manipulate mana.

The problem was that it consumed so much mental strength and energy that he could only perform it for a select few among the executives.

Boom!

As the energy clashed again, Laysis’ eyebrows twitched.

Carl said nothing to her and remained focused on his task.

He believed that Laysis could endure it.

How many more times did he strike?

KWAANG─!

With an enormous shock, the tightly sealed meridian burst open and completely cleared.

Like a dam breaking, the surging torrent rushed through, and Carl let out a short breath as he withdrew his hand from her back.

– "Now, perform the mana circulation I taught you five more times, then you may stop."

His back, as though he had fought a formidable enemy, was drenched in cold sweat.

And yet, a faint smile lingered on Carl’s lips.

‘Laysis’ Ren and Du meridians have been activated.’

Also known as the Gate of Life and Death.

Any martial artist aiming for a higher realm had to activate them, but breaking through them alone was extremely difficult.

Therefore, a master or someone of a much higher realm would usually step in to help.

But for Laysis, there was only Carl who could do such a thing.

And so he took responsibility and activated her Ren and Du meridians himself.

‘The others…’

Only then did Carl finally gain a moment of respite and glance around at the other cadets.

Though there were some differences between them, it was clear that each had gained a decent amount of new mana.

‘I’ll draw it all back out of you later—tenfold.’

He hoped they would all grow strong.

That, at least, was Carl’s sincere wish.