Chapter 15: Perfect Body control.
Zeke began his intensive training with Maximilian, and he was already feeling the effects of the rigorous regimen. But he could also feel his deadline getting closer, every other day, he would experience intense pain in his core, as if something were writhing beneath his skin. Even on the days when the pain wasn't at its worst, he could still feel a constant pressure, like a weight on his chest.
Every day, Zeke followed his training plan with diligence and determination. Just before dawn, he descended the stairs with a weary step, his body heavy with fatigue. As he made his way to the training yard, his mentor Maximilian's watchful gaze followed him, ever vigilant as he delved into the practice of blood magic. Despite the early hour, Zeke remained alert and focused, determined to make the most of every moment.
After his morning practice, Zeke made his way to his classes with the other students. Although he was diligent in his studies, he took every opportunity to secretly practice his blood manipulation during class. Whenever the teacher discussed a topic that Zeke had already learned from Maximilian, he would close his eyes and begin to manipulate his blood flow. He knew that mastering this technique was crucial to his training, and he was determined to become as skilled as possible.
For his lunch break, Zeke hurried back home to grab a prepared lunch packet. He ate quickly, not wanting to waste any time, before setting off on his next task. A driver would take him to a location around the capital where monsters had been spotted recently. In the beginning, Maximilian had accompanied Zeke on these hunts, but after the third day, Zeke had felt confident enough to go alone. Actual combat was helping him grow much faster than it would have been possible otherwise, and he was determined to prove to Maximilian that his trust in him had been well-placed.
Today's prey was a pack of overgrown lizard monsters that the adventurers' guild called 'Scaled Skitters'. Zeke had fought this type of monster before, and he knew what he was dealing with. The Scaled Skitter was a small, lizard-like creature that could be found in a variety of environments, from rocky deserts to dense forests. It was about the size of a large house cat, with a long, slender body covered in tough, scaly skin. Its coloration varied depending on its habitat, but it was generally a dull brown or gray. Despite its small size, the Scaled Skitter was a formidable opponent, as it was incredibly fast and agile, able to dart in and out of combat quickly. It also had a venomous bite that could cause paralysis in its prey. However, it was relatively weak and could be easily defeated by even a novice adventurer. Zeke took care of them without a problem. His boosted body was too fast for the lizards to follow.
Zeke made his way to the Adventurer's Guild to report on his progress from his monster hunting excursions. The receptionist greeted him warmly, as she was now accustomed to his daily reports. He detailed his mission's progress with care, having made it a habit to do so. If he had been unable to complete a task, he would ask for more information or clarification about the monsters or location he was tracking. This was an important aspect of his training, as it allowed him to learn from his experiences and identify areas where he could improve.
Once his business at the guild was finished, Zeke returned home and sat down for dinner with Maximilian. As they ate, they delved into the details of the day's hunt, carefully examining Zeke's performance and identifying areas for improvement. Zeke had come to rely heavily on the information he gleaned from books and his discussions with Maximilian, both of which provided valuable insights into the monsters he hunted. These conversations with his mentor proved to be invaluable opportunities for growth and learning.
After dinner, Zeke followed Maximilian into the study, where they spent the evening poring over magical theory books. Zeke was an avid reader, and he found these sessions with Maximilian to be some of the most rewarding parts of his training. He enjoyed delving into the complex and fascinating world of magical theory, and he was always eager to learn more.
Overall, Zeke's days were filled with hard work and intense training, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He followed the same cycle every day, with almost no exceptions - but one of those rare exceptions was staring him in the face right now. Standing before him was Sophia, the second-year student from his mind magic class. Sophia had an angry look on her face as she said, "Where have you been for the past two lessons? Do you know how worried I was when you just didn't show up anymore, with no word of explanation? Even the teacher didn't know what was going on with you. The only thing he knew is that you wouldn't come to class anymore."
Zeke found the situation a little awkward, but he was touched by Sophia's concern for him. He replied to her in a soothing manner, "I am so sorry Sophia, I didn't get the chance to tell you, but I am fine. The reason I don't come to class anymore is because I am being tutored privately right now." Sophia seemed intrigued by what he was saying and wanted to know more about what had happened to him since they last spoke. Zeke told her a little of what was happening, hiding most of what he and Maximilian were actually up to. They talked for a while until he realized that he had lost track of time chatting with her. He had been so caught up in the conversation that he hadn't even noticed the passing of time.
When he finally returned home, he was scolded by Maximilian for chasing after girls when they were under such time pressure. Zeke was chastened by this rebuke, and he knew that he needed to stay focused on his training if he wanted to succeed.
The second disruption to Zeke's training schedule occurred on the second day, when Maximilian attempted to teach him the spell [Blood Spike]. This spell was a useful one for self-defense, as it allowed the caster to use their own blood as a weapon, forming tiny spikes that could burst through their skin and deflect or even injure an attacker.
Maximilian looked at Zeke expectantly as he said, "It's time to try it in practice, my boy, nice and slow. After all our preparation, you should be able to cast [Blood Spike] without a problem."
Zeke was excited to learn this spell and eager to master it as quickly as possible. However, things didn't go quite as planned. Zeke began focusing his blood mana on his back in order to call forth a row of [Blood Spikes] along his spine. But for some reason, nothing happened. Convinced he had not used enough mana, he channeled the spell with all his might. In his enthusiasm, Zeke ended up overdoing it, causing dozens of tiny spikes to burst through his skin, mimicking a porcupine.
The holes in Zeke's back closed relatively quickly thanks to his passive healing ability, but the real problem was the blood loss. Zeke had used too much blood in the spell and immediately passed out from the loss. As a result, he missed school that day.
Despite the setback, Zeke was determined to continue practicing and improving. He knew that it was just a temporary obstacle and that he would soon master the [Blood Spike] spell. In the meantime, he made sure to exercise caution and avoid overusing his magic to avoid causing himself harm. The following days passed without any further disruptions to his training schedule, until one morning on the seventh day of his training.
As soon as Zeke stepped into the training room that morning, he could feel that something was different. Maximilian was waiting for him in the middle of the room, surrounded by a collection of strange magical contraptions. Zeke approached hesitantly, his eyes drawn to the ominous-looking devices scattered on the ground.
Maximilian chuckled at Zeke's antics, beckoning him closer. "Don't worry, Zeke," he said. "I'll tell you about all those tools later. Now, I want to talk to you about the blood spell that I want you to engrave on your core."
Zeke's interest was immediately piqued, and he gave Maximilian his full attention. He had always wondered what Maximilian was planning to have him engrave, and he was eager to learn more about this mysterious spell.
As Maximilian began to explain the intricacies of the spell, Zeke listened intently, his mind racing with excitement and curiosity. Maximilian told Zeke that he was the inventor of a special blood magic spell called [Perfect Body Control]. He had never taught it to anyone before. Zeke was intrigued, but also a little confused.
The spell was based on other blood magic spells like [Blood Manipulation], but it also incorporated elements from spells that only knights used. Maximilian explained that in its base form, the spell was meant to give the caster a thorough understanding of the functions of all the parts of the body, and the ability to freely regulate those functions.
Zeke wasn't sure he understood the utility of such a spell. It didn't seem particularly useful to him, and he wasn't sure why Maximilian was so insistent that he learn it.
Maximilian looked annoyed at Zeke's lack of enthusiasm, but he patiently explained the benefits of [Perfect Body Control]. He pointed out that it was a highly advanced and versatile spell, one that could be adapted and customized for a wide range of purposes.
Maximilian explained to Zeke that the ability to perfectly control the body was much more powerful than it might seem. He gave the example of a warrior in combat who could turn off their pain receptors and flood their body with adrenaline, effectively turning into a berserker. He argued, that even in its base form, [Perfect Body Control] would be a valuable spell for any mage to have in their arsenal.
But the real reason why Maximilian wanted Zeke to engrave this spell on his core was even more exciting. With the engraved version of the spell, Zeke would be able to significantly increase his understanding of everything that happened inside his body. Zeke's eyes widened at this revelation, and Maximilian grinned smugly, knowing that Zeke was beginning to understand the implications.
Maximilian went on to explain that with the stronger version of [Perfect Body Control], Zeke would be able to precisely monitor the mana inside his body, including all of its interactions with his core and channels. This would allow him to fine-tune his magic and unlock even greater power and control.
Zeke was so shocked by Maximilian's revelation that he was momentarily speechless. The older man simply waited patiently, watching Zeke as he processed the implications of this incredible ability.
After a moment, Zeke snapped out of his shock and began to think. He realized that the ability to observe the mana in his body in such detail would make it child's play to learn new spells. He could simply follow the flow of mana and figure out where the problem with the spell occurred, and what the issue was. Even the creation of new spells would be manageable with such a method.
Zeke looked into Maximilian's eyes, stunned by the potential of this spell. He knew that mastering it would be a major undertaking, but he was more determined than ever to succeed. Maximilian broke out into a wide smile as he explained to Zeke that [Perfect Body Control] was the first of the three pillars of the Trinity Project. Both men were lost in their own fantasies for a moment, imagining all the possibilities that this spell could bring.
After a while, Maximilian clapped his hands to gather Zeke's attention. "Usually it would take months or even years to learn such a spell. But, as luck would have it, I have been preparing for years for just this moment. These contraptions around us," he said, gesturing to the various magical devices scattered on the ground, "are my own creations, and they are the tools you'll need to learn this spell."
Maximilian went on to explain that each of these tools was designed to measure the functions of a specific human organ. This was necessary in order to determine whether Zeke was on the right track while attempting to influence those organs with blood magic.
Zeke listened attentively, his excitement growing as he realized the scope of this project. Maximilian told Zeke that in order to be considered a master of [Perfect Body Control], he would need to be able to control all of his organs and their functions on command. And with that, the training began.
Maximilian strapped a strange clock to Zeke's chest that measured his heart rate. He then called out a number and told Zeke to match that number with his heart rate.
Zeke focused his attention on his body, trying to control his heart rate as instructed. It was a difficult task, and he had to concentrate hard in order to make any progress. From then on, Zeke spent all of his days inside the training room with Maximilian, completely devoted to mastering [Perfect Body Control]. He no longer attended classes or went monster hunting, and he no longer spent evenings studying theory. Every waking moment of every day was spent cycling between Maximilian's contraptions, working tirelessly to gain control over every part of his body.
As the days passed, Zeke grew more confident and skilled in his control of his body. He could feel himself getting closer and closer to mastery, and he knew that with continued practice and determination, he would eventually achieve his goals.
After almost two weeks of nonstop training, Zeke and Maximilian emerged from the training room looking like beggars, with their tattered clothes and gaunt faces. But despite their disheveled appearance, both of them wore huge smiles on their faces.
Zeke knew that he had accomplished something truly remarkable. He had mastered [Perfect Body Control], a spell that even Maximilian had considered highly advanced and difficult to master. By this point, Zeke felt the pain in his core twice every single day, and even at this very moment he could feel it painfully throbbing underneath his skin. He knew that it would only be a couple of days until his core would completely collapse, but it had all been worth it.
Maximilian patted Zeke's shoulder and told him to take a shower and a nap, because in a couple of hours they would go and engrave his first spell. Zeke nodded, grateful for the opportunity to rest, but already looking forward to what was going to happen next.
Chapter 15: Perfect Body control.
Zeke began his intensive training with Maximilian, and he was already feeling the effects of the rigorous regimen. But he could also feel his deadline getting closer, every other day, he would experience intense pain in his core, as if something were writhing beneath his skin. Even on the days when the pain wasn't at its worst, he could still feel a constant pressure, like a weight on his chest.
Every day, Zeke followed his training plan with diligence and determination. Just before dawn, he descended the stairs with a weary step, his body heavy with fatigue. As he made his way to the training yard, his mentor Maximilian's watchful gaze followed him, ever vigilant as he delved into the practice of blood magic. Despite the early hour, Zeke remained alert and focused, determined to make the most of every moment.
After his morning practice, Zeke made his way to his classes with the other students. Although he was diligent in his studies, he took every opportunity to secretly practice his blood manipulation during class. Whenever the teacher discussed a topic that Zeke had already learned from Maximilian, he would close his eyes and begin to manipulate his blood flow. He knew that mastering this technique was crucial to his training, and he was determined to become as skilled as possible.
For his lunch break, Zeke hurried back home to grab a prepared lunch packet. He ate quickly, not wanting to waste any time, before setting off on his next task. A driver would take him to a location around the capital where monsters had been spotted recently. In the beginning, Maximilian had accompanied Zeke on these hunts, but after the third day, Zeke had felt confident enough to go alone. Actual combat was helping him grow much faster than it would have been possible otherwise, and he was determined to prove to Maximilian that his trust in him had been well-placed.
Today's prey was a pack of overgrown lizard monsters that the adventurers' guild called 'Scaled Skitters'. Zeke had fought this type of monster before, and he knew what he was dealing with. The Scaled Skitter was a small, lizard-like creature that could be found in a variety of environments, from rocky deserts to dense forests. It was about the size of a large house cat, with a long, slender body covered in tough, scaly skin. Its coloration varied depending on its habitat, but it was generally a dull brown or gray. Despite its small size, the Scaled Skitter was a formidable opponent, as it was incredibly fast and agile, able to dart in and out of combat quickly. It also had a venomous bite that could cause paralysis in its prey. However, it was relatively weak and could be easily defeated by even a novice adventurer. Zeke took care of them without a problem. His boosted body was too fast for the lizards to follow.
Zeke made his way to the Adventurer's Guild to report on his progress from his monster hunting excursions. The receptionist greeted him warmly, as she was now accustomed to his daily reports. He detailed his mission's progress with care, having made it a habit to do so. If he had been unable to complete a task, he would ask for more information or clarification about the monsters or location he was tracking. This was an important aspect of his training, as it allowed him to learn from his experiences and identify areas where he could improve.
Once his business at the guild was finished, Zeke returned home and sat down for dinner with Maximilian. As they ate, they delved into the details of the day's hunt, carefully examining Zeke's performance and identifying areas for improvement. Zeke had come to rely heavily on the information he gleaned from books and his discussions with Maximilian, both of which provided valuable insights into the monsters he hunted. These conversations with his mentor proved to be invaluable opportunities for growth and learning.
After dinner, Zeke followed Maximilian into the study, where they spent the evening poring over magical theory books. Zeke was an avid reader, and he found these sessions with Maximilian to be some of the most rewarding parts of his training. He enjoyed delving into the complex and fascinating world of magical theory, and he was always eager to learn more.
Overall, Zeke's days were filled with hard work and intense training, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He followed the same cycle every day, with almost no exceptions - but one of those rare exceptions was staring him in the face right now. Standing before him was Sophia, the second-year student from his mind magic class. Sophia had an angry look on her face as she said, "Where have you been for the past two lessons? Do you know how worried I was when you just didn't show up anymore, with no word of explanation? Even the teacher didn't know what was going on with you. The only thing he knew is that you wouldn't come to class anymore."
Zeke found the situation a little awkward, but he was touched by Sophia's concern for him. He replied to her in a soothing manner, "I am so sorry Sophia, I didn't get the chance to tell you, but I am fine. The reason I don't come to class anymore is because I am being tutored privately right now." Sophia seemed intrigued by what he was saying and wanted to know more about what had happened to him since they last spoke. Zeke told her a little of what was happening, hiding most of what he and Maximilian were actually up to. They talked for a while until he realized that he had lost track of time chatting with her. He had been so caught up in the conversation that he hadn't even noticed the passing of time.
When he finally returned home, he was scolded by Maximilian for chasing after girls when they were under such time pressure. Zeke was chastened by this rebuke, and he knew that he needed to stay focused on his training if he wanted to succeed.
The second disruption to Zeke's training schedule occurred on the second day, when Maximilian attempted to teach him the spell [Blood Spike]. This spell was a useful one for self-defense, as it allowed the caster to use their own blood as a weapon, forming tiny spikes that could burst through their skin and deflect or even injure an attacker.
Maximilian looked at Zeke expectantly as he said, "It's time to try it in practice, my boy, nice and slow. After all our preparation, you should be able to cast [Blood Spike] without a problem."
Zeke was excited to learn this spell and eager to master it as quickly as possible. However, things didn't go quite as planned. Zeke began focusing his blood mana on his back in order to call forth a row of [Blood Spikes] along his spine. But for some reason, nothing happened. Convinced he had not used enough mana, he channeled the spell with all his might. In his enthusiasm, Zeke ended up overdoing it, causing dozens of tiny spikes to burst through his skin, mimicking a porcupine.
The holes in Zeke's back closed relatively quickly thanks to his passive healing ability, but the real problem was the blood loss. Zeke had used too much blood in the spell and immediately passed out from the loss. As a result, he missed school that day.
Despite the setback, Zeke was determined to continue practicing and improving. He knew that it was just a temporary obstacle and that he would soon master the [Blood Spike] spell. In the meantime, he made sure to exercise caution and avoid overusing his magic to avoid causing himself harm. The following days passed without any further disruptions to his training schedule, until one morning on the seventh day of his training.
As soon as Zeke stepped into the training room that morning, he could feel that something was different. Maximilian was waiting for him in the middle of the room, surrounded by a collection of strange magical contraptions. Zeke approached hesitantly, his eyes drawn to the ominous-looking devices scattered on the ground.
Maximilian chuckled at Zeke's antics, beckoning him closer. "Don't worry, Zeke," he said. "I'll tell you about all those tools later. Now, I want to talk to you about the blood spell that I want you to engrave on your core."
Zeke's interest was immediately piqued, and he gave Maximilian his full attention. He had always wondered what Maximilian was planning to have him engrave, and he was eager to learn more about this mysterious spell.
As Maximilian began to explain the intricacies of the spell, Zeke listened intently, his mind racing with excitement and curiosity. Maximilian told Zeke that he was the inventor of a special blood magic spell called [Perfect Body Control]. He had never taught it to anyone before. Zeke was intrigued, but also a little confused.
The spell was based on other blood magic spells like [Blood Manipulation], but it also incorporated elements from spells that only knights used. Maximilian explained that in its base form, the spell was meant to give the caster a thorough understanding of the functions of all the parts of the body, and the ability to freely regulate those functions.
Zeke wasn't sure he understood the utility of such a spell. It didn't seem particularly useful to him, and he wasn't sure why Maximilian was so insistent that he learn it.
Maximilian looked annoyed at Zeke's lack of enthusiasm, but he patiently explained the benefits of [Perfect Body Control]. He pointed out that it was a highly advanced and versatile spell, one that could be adapted and customized for a wide range of purposes.
Maximilian explained to Zeke that the ability to perfectly control the body was much more powerful than it might seem. He gave the example of a warrior in combat who could turn off their pain receptors and flood their body with adrenaline, effectively turning into a berserker. He argued, that even in its base form, [Perfect Body Control] would be a valuable spell for any mage to have in their arsenal.
But the real reason why Maximilian wanted Zeke to engrave this spell on his core was even more exciting. With the engraved version of the spell, Zeke would be able to significantly increase his understanding of everything that happened inside his body. Zeke's eyes widened at this revelation, and Maximilian grinned smugly, knowing that Zeke was beginning to understand the implications.
Maximilian went on to explain that with the stronger version of [Perfect Body Control], Zeke would be able to precisely monitor the mana inside his body, including all of its interactions with his core and channels. This would allow him to fine-tune his magic and unlock even greater power and control.
Zeke was so shocked by Maximilian's revelation that he was momentarily speechless. The older man simply waited patiently, watching Zeke as he processed the implications of this incredible ability.
After a moment, Zeke snapped out of his shock and began to think. He realized that the ability to observe the mana in his body in such detail would make it child's play to learn new spells. He could simply follow the flow of mana and figure out where the problem with the spell occurred, and what the issue was. Even the creation of new spells would be manageable with such a method.
Zeke looked into Maximilian's eyes, stunned by the potential of this spell. He knew that mastering it would be a major undertaking, but he was more determined than ever to succeed. Maximilian broke out into a wide smile as he explained to Zeke that [Perfect Body Control] was the first of the three pillars of the Trinity Project. Both men were lost in their own fantasies for a moment, imagining all the possibilities that this spell could bring.
After a while, Maximilian clapped his hands to gather Zeke's attention. "Usually it would take months or even years to learn such a spell. But, as luck would have it, I have been preparing for years for just this moment. These contraptions around us," he said, gesturing to the various magical devices scattered on the ground, "are my own creations, and they are the tools you'll need to learn this spell."
Maximilian went on to explain that each of these tools was designed to measure the functions of a specific human organ. This was necessary in order to determine whether Zeke was on the right track while attempting to influence those organs with blood magic.
Zeke listened attentively, his excitement growing as he realized the scope of this project. Maximilian told Zeke that in order to be considered a master of [Perfect Body Control], he would need to be able to control all of his organs and their functions on command. And with that, the training began.
Maximilian strapped a strange clock to Zeke's chest that measured his heart rate. He then called out a number and told Zeke to match that number with his heart rate.
Zeke focused his attention on his body, trying to control his heart rate as instructed. It was a difficult task, and he had to concentrate hard in order to make any progress. From then on, Zeke spent all of his days inside the training room with Maximilian, completely devoted to mastering [Perfect Body Control]. He no longer attended classes or went monster hunting, and he no longer spent evenings studying theory. Every waking moment of every day was spent cycling between Maximilian's contraptions, working tirelessly to gain control over every part of his body.
As the days passed, Zeke grew more confident and skilled in his control of his body. He could feel himself getting closer and closer to mastery, and he knew that with continued practice and determination, he would eventually achieve his goals.
After almost two weeks of nonstop training, Zeke and Maximilian emerged from the training room looking like beggars, with their tattered clothes and gaunt faces. But despite their disheveled appearance, both of them wore huge smiles on their faces.
Zeke knew that he had accomplished something truly remarkable. He had mastered [Perfect Body Control], a spell that even Maximilian had considered highly advanced and difficult to master. By this point, Zeke felt the pain in his core twice every single day, and even at this very moment he could feel it painfully throbbing underneath his skin. He knew that it would only be a couple of days until his core would completely collapse, but it had all been worth it.
Maximilian patted Zeke's shoulder and told him to take a shower and a nap, because in a couple of hours they would go and engrave his first spell. Zeke nodded, grateful for the opportunity to rest, but already looking forward to what was going to happen next.
