Chapter 20

If there had been any injuries, Amy would probably have clung to me, insisting on treating the wounds. However, since there were no injuries to speak of, Amy only cast a puzzled glance at the strange atmosphere among the three of us. Looking at her, she seemed more like a nanny than a maid. Though she was younger than me, Amy was particularly attentive to me.

Huff! Huff!

It was a quiet night. Despite the incident in the banquet hall, the Principality of Felicity maintained its festive atmosphere. After all, it hadn't even been made public, and to the people here, the petty squabbles of the nobles were just stories from a distant land.

"Will it be alright?"

Baris, who had been reading a book in silence, stopped swinging his sword and asked cautiously.

"What do you mean?"

"Prince Baltian, despite his appearance, is still the most promising heir to the throne of Boltez. I'm worried he might bear a grudge over this."

"Let him do as he pleases."

I calmly returned my gaze to the book, and he gave a resigned smile. Then he put down his sword and slumped into his seat.

"Winry?"

"She seemed very worried and tired. She fell asleep a while ago."

"You're participating in the tournament from tomorrow, right? I know the first round is scheduled."

"I can't sleep."

It seemed a fire had been lit in his heart, and he closed his eyes quietly.

"Though it looks strange, my brother did cause quite a commotion. But I'm not satisfied with that."

"Then what?"

"I will destroy Prince Baltian with my own hands."

With his own hands, he would destroy him. His resolute determination was evident.

Baris was at the intermediate Expert level. The Prince of Boltez, Baltian, was at the initial Expert level. Even if we only consider their levels, Baris had the upper hand. However, whether it's an Expert or a Master, if they are at the same level, there isn't a significant difference unless there's something outstanding. That's why it's even more concerning.

A bitter smile escaped my lips. I wanted to teach him the sword techniques I had learned, but it wouldn't make a difference to his skills if I only watched him for a day.

"Don't worry, you'll do well."

With my words, he, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, smiled.

"Of course. Who am I, after all?"

"You really know how to talk."

"Haha!"

The boy, who had smiled warmly, soon wiped the smile away. He seemed to be thinking seriously.

"Hmm..."

Perhaps it was out of curiosity. Watching Baris, who was sitting on the ground in the garden, I focused my mana on my eyes.

Whirr...

The mana circulating in Baris's body began to appear in my vision, and soon the broad and even flow of his mana became visible.

It was neat.

The first thought that came to mind when I saw his mana was that it was neat. It was honest and smooth. It wasn't a bad flow.

However, there was a slight feeling of blockage.

'Should I help a little?'

If this method became known, it would cause a commotion. It was a method from another world that completely broke the common knowledge of the basic training methods known here.

It's not as if the many large sects in the martial arts world go to great lengths to perform bone washing for no reason.

It's a method that isn't used lightly, but I wasn't going to be stingy with my brother.

Moreover, if he harbors a grudge, he might do something foolish to Baris.

"Baris."

"Yes?"

"I'll give you a massage."

I calmly stepped down from the branch and approached the back of the boy, who was sitting. He closed his eyes without any resistance and waited for my touch.

It will hurt a little.

"Ah?! Brother?!"

"Hmm, your muscles seem to be quite tense."

"Wait, a moment!"

"Indeed, they seem to be quite stiff."

As I kneaded his shoulders like a massage, he gritted his teeth and panted.

He wanted to struggle, but the strength drained from his body, and he couldn't even resist properly.

"Ah?! Ah!"

"Wow, this is serious."

Just giving a massage, why is his whole body in pain?

He must be thinking that.

I'm sorry, but this isn't just a massage, you brat.

While stimulating his shoulders with my hands, the mana I spread subtly stimulated and shook his mana, forcing it to become active.

Even a simple explanation would show how significant the difference would be.

X-style massage is said to be quite impressive.

"Yol la pong dae!"

"Ah! What... Ah?!"

I kneaded the stiff mana in Baris's body, which was trembling on the ground, for quite a while. A satisfied smile naturally appeared as I saw the significantly improved flow of his mana.

'Oh, I forgot the insurance.'

Ignoring the boy who was catching his breath, I spread my right palm and gathered mana. The mana followed my will, forming a small, intricate magic circle and shining. As soon as it was completed, I struck the boy's back with a refreshing blow.

"Ah?!"

"Brat. With your body in this state, what training? Go to bed."

I scolded him and struck his back again, and a satisfying scream echoed.

At the same time, I made sure that the small golden magic circle on his back was fixed.

I hope it won't be used, but...

He looked at me with a strangely dissatisfied expression, but he wouldn't know.

He wouldn't know how his body, which had been twisted under the pretense of a massage, had changed.

* * *

The day dawned, and the official continental swordsmanship tournament began.

Although it was a traditional event with a long history, it was an important competition that had always maintained peace between nations without any incidents.

Any discord here could quickly escalate into a dispute between nations.

While war had not been completely eradicated from the continent, such harmonious events were indeed suppressing the wars to the maximum extent.

I stayed in the accommodation, claiming I wasn't feeling well, and sat on the bed, repeatedly condensing and releasing mana with my fingertips.

Baris's match would start in the afternoon, so there was no point in going now. All I would see would be the antics of the talented younglings.

"Enough mana to manifest an Aura Blade, but why isn't the transformation happening?"

I haven't properly checked my body while pushing others.

To be clear, I know my body is moving far off the normal path, but it's far beyond my expectations.

Transformation.

The heroes of the Corridor all described it the same way.

It's a self-evolution when the body reaches the limits of growth.

The only advantage humans have, who cannot obtain the elf-like affinity for nature and long lifespan, the dwarf-like strength and finesse, or the powerful magic of demons.

The only change allowed because everything has been embraced is the transformation.

The typical transformation occurs when a human begins to contain a quantity of mana or other power that they cannot maintain.

So, when an Expert becomes a Swordmaster, the mana that has grown to its limit rapidly accumulates based on a certain enlightenment and evolves on its own.

Strength increases, the body becomes robust, and maintaining a youthful appearance is basic, and the lifespan also extends.

It's a tremendous reward for effort.

Then, how should my case be described?

Although most of it is dormant, I already have an absurd amount of mana in my body.

The mana that should have been accumulated gradually is now filled all at once.

'From the start, falling into a coma and going there wasn't normal.'

There's no result without a cause, so there must be a reason why I ended up in the Corridor, but that's not something I need to worry about now.

I just want to live comfortably and for a long time.

In both my past and present lives, my life was too short, so I don't have a strong attachment to it.

My goal is to live a long and comfortable life.

I have no intention of watching those who obstruct it with wide-open eyes.

Being a prince is incomparably safer than an ordinary civilian, but in another sense, it's more dangerous.

Without any power, I have to protect my own body.

But since the transformation isn't happening, it's a real problem.

"It was easy to change in the Corridor."

I suppressed the spontaneous complaint and pondered.

'Should I just force the change?'

If the countless knights who long to open a new realm heard this, they would be amazed. I said it so casually.

There are many methods, but I know they are all inefficient.

After much deliberation, my conclusion is to put it on hold.

Transformation occurs when a direct load or trigger is given to the body.

No matter how many experiences I have, the human body and the realm of mana are unknown territories.

What if I fail in a forced attempt?

It's like shouting, "I can do it!" and pushing a 1% success rate item into the enhancement machine.

If it's not just data but my precious body, it's not worth considering.

"Your Highness, it's almost time for Prince Baris's match."

"Is it?"

"If you're late, you might miss the match..."

After practicing mana for a while, Amy quietly poked her head out and reported with a worried expression.

She looked worried that I might do something absurd again.

What did I do?

Although I often do extraordinary things in front of her, isn't it quite disrespectful?

"Amy."

"Yes, yes?"

"Let's go."

"Hot! Yes!"

The girl, who had been looking at me with a worried face, jumped in surprise and bowed deeply.

There are many things to consider, but for now, I should focus on reality.

I learned from the Corridor that being hasty is not good.

I slowly adjusted the decorations of my comfortable activity outfit and moved.

* * *

The circular arena of the Principality of Felicity was a perfect example of a beautiful arena.

The age limit for participants in the tournament is under 20.

Although it's a competition among young boys, considering their talents, it's not a low-level event.

These are all talented individuals representing their countries.

In reality, even when ordinary squires are recognized for their skills and become knights, it's not easy for them to reach the Expert level.

Most knights of the royal guard are Experts, but ordinary knights can only handle a little mana.

In that sense, Baris's talent is quite outstanding.

I head to the special spectator seats for the nobles above the audience seats that fill the arena.

If it weren't for these special seats, more people could be accommodated, but I'm not the type to complain about such things.

"Wow!!!"

People who were nervously clenching their fists in their hands suddenly cheer.

A boy performing a victory ceremony on the arena is visible.

"Ah, big brother!"

Winry, who was watching outside the glass and eating cookies in a battle-like manner, beamed when she saw me.

"You came? Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah."

I couldn't say I couldn't come because my stomach hurt.

Damn physical activity!

If I can't resolve it with transformation, I might have to use divine power.

"Baris?"

"His match will start soon."