Preparation for Flight
“Yujeong.”
“Yeah?”
“If you find yourself in a situation like the one earlier… what would you do?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
Yujeong’s face crumpled as she answered, clearly frustrated. She must feel helpless, knowing that if such a situation arose again, she wouldn’t know what to do. The only option would be to endure it. I intended to offer them some much-needed guidance.
“You’re all somewhat familiar with ‘Mana Release,’ right?”
Having pushed them enough, it was time to ease up. The kids seemed to sense the change in my tone, cautiously lifting their heads to gauge my reaction. They reminded me of children who, after being scolded by their mother, slowly look up again. It was endearing, but I held back my smile.
“The ability that woman used at the table is part of Mana Release. It’s not a special or latent ability but a control ability that anyone can use by managing their own mana.”
In fact, techniques like sword energy and sword aura also fall under control abilities. Yujeong’s eyes lit up at the mention of control abilities.
“Control ability…? Does that mean we can use it too?”
“Yes. With practice, you can. In situations like earlier, you could resist, defend, or even counterattack.”
“Teach us.”
Seeing the spark return to their faces, I smiled gently. If they had remained dejected, I might have been truly disappointed. But now, Yujeong’s eyes were burning with determination.
First, I’ll teach them the theory, then demonstrate, and finally, we’ll begin training. Responding to Yujeong’s request, I nodded with a willing expression and spoke.
“Does anyone know the stages of Mana Release?”
“Sensing, Occupy, and Coercion.”
“Wow… Correct.”
To my surprise, it was Ansol who answered. She looked at me with eager, expectant eyes. When I nodded, her face lit up. I wondered if she had been upset earlier because I only patted Hyun’s head and not hers.
…Surely not. Anyway, Ansol’s answer was almost correct. There are higher stages like Break Up and Demolition, but those are advanced techniques far beyond the first stage of Sensing. So I deliberately held back.
“Now, I’m going to teach you a powerful technique.”
The introduction was over. It was time to get to the main point.
There’s a saying that seeing is believing. It means that experiencing something firsthand is more convincing than hearing about it a hundred times. I slowly gathered my mana and turned halfway around to face away from the kids.
I carefully controlled my mana, spreading it across the entire floor. I drew a circular boundary with my mana, centered on myself. Having done this thousands of times, it felt as natural as breathing. I sensed the kids watching me with curious eyes. I closed my eyes and spoke slowly.
“Hyun, Sol, Yujeong. From now on, don’t say a word. Try to move quietly to any spot in the room.”
After a moment’s hesitation, they began to move silently. They thought they were being stealthy, but with my sensing active, they were like fish in a barrel. I heard a creak and knew they had all moved. Without turning around, I spoke.
“Anhyun, 38 degrees southeast from your left foot, in front of the wardrobe. Ansol, 26 degrees southwest from your right foot, behind the central table. Yujeong, 90 degrees from me, on the bed.”
As soon as I finished, I heard them gasp. They were already this surprised? I chuckled and continued.
“This is the first stage of Mana Release, called Sensing. It’s often referred to as an invisible eye, but it’s more about connecting your mana circuit to the objects around you. You expand your mental reach using mana. Remember how surprised you were when that woman appeared out of nowhere?”
“Now that you mention it…”
“Yes, exactly. So, if you master Sensing, you’ll know when someone like her is approaching.”
Hyun’s voice, sounding like he was starting to understand, prompted me to nod without turning around.
“Generally, yes. But Sensing isn’t foolproof. There are ways to bypass it.”
“Then…”
This time, I intensified my mana so they could feel it. I released it into the air, letting it fill the room like a rising heatwave. Watching them look around in awe, I gave them a new task.
“Now, show me numbers with your fingers.”
After giving them enough time to comply, I spoke calmly.
“Anhyun, two fingers, index and middle. Ansol, one finger, index. Yujeong, four fingers, index, middle, ring, and pinky… Two, four, one, five, four, five. Got it.”
Despite Yujeong’s quick attempts to change her fingers, I had no trouble keeping up. She dropped her arms in disbelief.
“What…?”
“Wow…!”
“That’s amazing…!”
Their voices were filled with awe as I turned to face them again. They looked at me as if I were some kind of wizard. Maintaining my mana’s presence in the room, I continued.
“There are several ways to bypass Sensing. You can use speed, enter through the air, or subtly mix your mana with the target’s. To counter these, you develop Sensing into the next stage: Occupy.”
“Oppa, so the ability that woman used was Occupy?”
I shook my head at Yujeong’s question. Occupy is a second-stage ability, but the woman’s skill was Coercion, a third-stage ability.
“No, she used Coercion. It’s the third stage of Mana Release. It’s a more advanced technique where you imbue your mana with your will. The power varies depending on the user, but mastering Occupy allows you to defend against or resist such coercion.”
“Then I want to learn Coercion. I want to learn it!”
Seeing Yujeong’s eagerness, I approached her with a soft smile and flicked her forehead. As she rubbed her forehead with a pout, I spoke soothingly.
“You’re trying to run before you can walk. Coercion isn’t something you can learn overnight, even if you’re a genius. It takes at least three months of consistent training. Focus on mastering Sensing first, then take it step by step. Don’t rush.”
“Hyung.”
Hyun’s voice called out as he watched me. I turned to him with a questioning look, and he spoke up.
“I want to know more about Coercion.”
“Oppa, me too. I was so shocked earlier that I couldn’t think straight, but I want to understand what Coercion really is.”
Seeing Yujeong support Hyun’s request, I paused. The essence of Mana Release lies in how precisely and effectively you can control your mana. While Sensing might be easy to learn, extending it outward and imbuing it with will is a complex process they might not fully grasp yet.
But in their eyes, I saw a passion I hadn’t noticed before. It reminded me of my early days in the Hall Plain, struggling to learn anything I could, often without proper guidance, relying on sheer determination.
Recalling those challenging times, I found myself speaking as if in a trance.
“The third stage of Mana Release is on a different level from the first two. It requires efficient mana management and precision, with no room for error. But the most crucial and challenging part is imbuing your mana with your will.”
“By will, you mean…?”
“The key is how effectively you can convey your emotions. You don’t need words; your mana, imbued with your will, speaks for itself. Think back to earlier, Yujeong. What did you feel then?”
Yujeong frowned, thinking for a moment before answering.
“I felt exhausted… and like I was in danger. Like I might die…”
“In technical terms, that’s called ‘killing intent.’ That woman was conveying her desire to kill you, without words, directly through her emotions.”
”…”
Yujeong didn’t say anything in response to my words. Her face turned pale in an instant, as if she was covered in goosebumps. Ahn Hyun, on the other hand, still looked puzzled, tilting his head as if he couldn’t quite grasp what was happening. I let out a small sigh. Since I still had control, I figured it might be better to give them a little taste to satisfy their curiosity.
I steeled myself and called out to Ahn Hyun.
“Hyun.”
“Yeah?”
“From now on, I’m going to want to kill you.”
“What? What do you mean by that…?”
Ahn Hyun, taken aback by my sudden statement, quickly closed his mouth. He seemed to think I was about to demonstrate something, just like when I showed them sensing and possession. His lips clamped shut, and his face hardened, as if he was bracing himself. Of course, from my perspective, it was all in vain.
I closed my eyes and began my mental training. From this moment, I would regard Ahn Hyun as my mortal enemy. Once I had composed myself, I opened my eyes and unleashed a burst of energy. And then…
“Ahh! Aaaah!”
The reaction was immediate.
The energy that had been floating around like a cloud suddenly transformed into a dense, murderous aura. The room was filled with a suffocating intent to kill, as if it could tear apart anything in its path. From deep within, a murderous intent surged forth, and I directed all of it at Ahn Hyun.
It lasted only five seconds. Any longer, and I feared I might be consumed by the murderous intent myself, so I forcibly suppressed it at the right moment. As I reined in the energy and gathered it back inside, I saw Ahn Hyun sitting on the floor, trembling. Yujeong and Sol were also looking at me with trembling lips, seemingly affected by the indirect impact of the murderous aura.
I slowly approached Hyun. As I got closer, he instinctively flinched and pulled back. Then, as if realizing something, he stared at me blankly. I extended a hand to help him up.
“No matter how strong your resolve, it’s useless against the pressure of magic. It’s a raw, unfiltered display of human instinctual emotion. Anyway, you did well.”
Ahn Hyun shook his head vigorously, as if trying to clear his mind. Hesitantly, he took my hand and stood up, though it seemed he hadn’t fully recovered from the shock.
But as he stood and we exchanged glances, I noticed something intriguing. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a spark of competitiveness in his eyes. Perhaps it was because he was a guy, but Ahn Hyun seemed to have a different kind of fighting spirit compared to Yujeong or Sol.
After helping Hyun up, I turned to the three of them, who were still staring at me.
“Anyway, intimidation is still a long way off for you guys. Just know what it is for now. Sensing is the priority. If you can’t maintain it for at least an hour, don’t even think about going outside.”
At the mention of maintaining sensing for over an hour, Yujeong quickly asked me.
“But oppa, when did you learn all these techniques? We all took the same classes, didn’t we?”
Her question made my heart skip a beat, but I kept a calm exterior. I couldn’t exactly tell them I learned it all before my regression, so I needed a plausible explanation. I raised my hand and showed them my index finger.
“I made use of my personal maintenance time outside of training. I got a lot of help from the instructors too. For the record, it took me a day to learn sensing, about two weeks for possession, and I mastered intimidation last.”
“Oh, so when you used to sit in that weird position before bed, that was all sensing training?”
Ahn Hyun chimed in at just the right moment, adding credibility to my story. I just smiled, and Ahn Hyun tilted his head, saying, “I thought you were just meditating.” Ignoring their reactions, I continued.
“Anyway, that’s how long it took me. See if you can beat that. I’m curious to see who’ll master it first.”
Though my words were slightly provocative, they had the desired effect. I had challenged them to surpass me, and as soon as I finished speaking, Hyun, Sol, and Yujeong exchanged glances and suddenly became fired up.
“Well, I think I’ll be the first to succeed. Just watch, hyung.”
“Haha, are you saying your magic power is higher than mine?”
“Uh, no… guys…”
Watching the two of them glare at each other, I couldn’t help but sweat a little. It felt like siblings competing in front of their mom to see who had the best grades. Somehow, I felt more and more like I was becoming their mother.
The theory was over. The demonstration was done. All that was left was the real start of their training.
Regardless of the circumstances, I couldn’t deny that there was a change in their attitude. As soon as they made up their minds, they began their training right then and there. Watching them quietly adjust their magic with their eyes closed, I provided some detailed guidance.
“The basic operation of magic starts with imagery. The fundamental principle of sensing is derived from waves and ripples. Imagine a calm sea, and a single drop of water falling onto its surface, creating circular ripples. Or think of a drop of water falling onto dry paper. Create an image that you find comfortable and familiar, and move your magic along the circuit with that feeling.”
To be honest, the operation of sensing itself is relatively simple. Unlike the advanced application techniques needed for intimidation, disruption, or destruction, it operates on a comparatively straightforward principle.
The key to sensing is how cleanly and how long you can maintain it. You need to efficiently allocate your magic and keep a consistent flow.
Hyun and Yujeong, who were diligently practicing sensing, were starting to show signs of struggle. They managed to draw a circle beneath their feet by extracting magic, but maintaining it for over an hour, as I had set as a condition, was clearly challenging. As time passed, the circle’s shape began to distort, and the flow of magic became irregular.
Initially, they wore confident smiles, but as time went on, sweat beaded on their foreheads, and they began to grit their teeth. Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile.
There was a reason I taught them sensing first. The saying that you can gauge a user’s capabilities with just sensing wasn’t for nothing. Plus, it’s a skill they’ll use repeatedly in the future.
The benefits of sensing are endless. From a training perspective, it allows you to practice anywhere, anytime. Not only does it increase your magic power, but it also pushes your body to its limits internally, potentially boosting other abilities as well.
Moreover, I suspect that one of my latent abilities, the Mind’s Eye, was heavily influenced by sensing. I always kept an eye on myself and my surroundings, maintaining a calm demeanor in battle. I constantly tried to predict my opponent’s moves and adapt my strategy accordingly. In other words, it could help manifest latent abilities suited to oneself.
Additionally, it helps develop the habit of maintaining a consistent flow of magic. This can prevent unnecessary magic waste when using control abilities. That’s why magic sensing training is a practice that can yield multiple benefits.
Before I knew it, over ten minutes had passed since they started sensing. Ahn Hyun and Yujeong were a sight to behold. Their initial bravado had vanished, and they were sweating profusely, breathing heavily as if they might collapse at any moment.
Watching them intently, I activated my third eye for a moment. I wanted to check their growth rates.
『 Player Status 』
Name: Ahn Hyun
『Abilities』
[Strength 59] [Endurance 57] [Agility 74] [Stamina 61] [Magic 49] [Luck 61]
『 Player Status 』
Name: Ahn Sol
『Abilities』
[Strength 16] [Endurance 21] [Agility 24] [Stamina 29] [Magic 84] [Luck 100]
『 Player Status 』
Name: Lee Yujeong
『Abilities』
[Strength 48] [Endurance 52] [Agility 64] [Stamina 50] [Magic 68] [Luck 56]
Ahn Hyun’s strengths lie in his balanced physical stats and high agility. All his abilities, except for magic and luck, showed a balanced growth rate. His high agility is particularly advantageous for spearmen, so as long as he continues to grow, he has the potential to become quite strong.
Of course, his magic stat was a bit concerning, but with remaining points and future training, it could be improved.
Yujeong’s overall physical abilities were either above average or just average. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t concerned about her strength, endurance, and stamina, but she had a knack for agility and magic. Most importantly, having a magic stat of 68 as a close-combat fighter was a significant advantage and a blessing.
If I were to compare Ahn Hyun and Yujeong, I would have to give the edge to Ahn Hyun for now. However, given that she chose the versatile profession of a mercenary, I’m curious to see what potential she will show. Although I had some regrets about her not choosing to be an assassin, being a mercenary wasn’t a bad choice either.
Compared to the other two, Sol showed the slowest rate of improvement in her abilities. However, I was focused solely on her magical power, disregarding other attributes. Since she wasn’t a monk, there was no need to obsess over strength, endurance, stamina, or agility. Her high magical power and exceptional luck were perfectly suited for a priest.
Seeing her magic stat rise from an initial 75 points to 84, I felt quite satisfied. Although her growth rate couldn’t compare to Hanbyeol’s, it’s important to remember that once you hit the mid-80s, the rate of improvement slows significantly. Considering she had just stepped into the Hall Plain and already reached 84, I couldn’t help but wonder how far she could go.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Finally, Suhyeon is starting to showcase his true abilities. The preparations are almost complete. The magic detection introduced in this chapter will be a recurring theme.
Also… I felt bad about venting to you all yesterday, so I packed this chapter full. Haha. Today wasn’t as frustrating as yesterday, thankfully. I guess there are days like that.
Thank you sincerely to all the readers who supported me. Your encouragement gives me strength. I will continue to strive to make Memorize even better. Thank you!
『Reader Comments』
Aillilia: Congratulations on being first. You’ve reclaimed the champion spot. :)
hohokoya1: The competition is fierce, isn’t it? Haha.
AR0000: Thank you. Joy was waiting for me once I got over the hill. :)
HumanLife: Someday! I’m sure you can do it. I guarantee it. Fighting!
Reincarnation: Thank you for the coupon. I’ll repay you with even better content.
Gwanghwang: Thanks for the question! To answer, the food situation in Hall Plain varies by region. The Northern Continent is around average to below average. It’s not abundant, but not extremely scarce either. Therefore, unless there’s a special situation like war, clans don’t usually control food.
Since Hall Plain is a world of its own, there are naturally people engaged in various occupations. However, 99.9% of them are residents of Hall Plain. Explaining about the residents would take quite a while. I plan to detail the relationship between users and residents in the next or following chapter, so please be patient. (If you don’t mind spoilers, feel free to message me!)
SealedTolstoy: Haha, no worries. Managing my condition is entirely my responsibility. If I fail, it’s my fault. I’ll work harder. Thank you.
Blami: Questions are always welcome. It shows you’re interested in the work. :) A noble user family, huh? That’s a creative idea. There are some similar settings. However, since no user except Suhyeon has survived over ten years in Hall Plain, there are some issues with incorporating a family setting. A similar concept is the clan
SilverDusk: Oh, I put a lot of thought into it. Was there a part that was hard to approach? I’d appreciate it if you could let me know. (__)
Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusk: As the story progresses, things will naturally be revealed. However, Suhyeon thinks it’s not the right time yet. It’s still just the preparation phase for taking flight. :)
I always read all the comments repeatedly. Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the reader comments. If you’re really curious about something, send me a message, and I’ll reply!
I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.