163 Body-Strengthening Technique (1/2)
The practice field was rather wide.
Seiji was unable to see every part of it clearly due to various facilities on it, but even the visible part was in no way smaller than a basketball court. There were at least 20 meters between the ceiling and the floor.
There was such a huge space underground, so how was it created? When was it built?
Seiji had several questions in his mind.
But none of them were really important or necessary to ask.
”You looked over the information I gave you last night, right?”
”I did.”
”Can you understand it?” Natsuya blinked curiously.
”Mostly…” Seiji thought back to what he'd learned last night.
The pornography book… cough, the [Body-strengthening Technique] manual was easy to understand. In fact, for an otaku like Seiji, who possessed a wealth of knowledge regarding various mystical 2-D elements that were far more complex, detailed, and mysterious, this was akin to a beginner’s textbook.
Well, this was indeed a manual for beginners after all.
”In order to use the Body-strengthening Technique, you must first perceive the Mana within your body, before progressing to feel the Mana outside your body.”
”After that, you must start the flow of your internal Mana and force it to interact with the external Mana through specialized breathing techniques, in order to combine your internal and external Mana into a flow that will become a spiritual cycle both within and outside of your body.”
”Finally, a spell which stimulates this cycle in order to strengthen your body’s physical capabilities must be cast.”
Seiji explained his own understanding of what he had read.
”That’s fairly accurate.” Natsuya nodded. ”Did you attempt to feel the Mana, then?”
Seiji scratched his face awkwardly. ”I did, but I didn’t really feel much.”
Last night, he tried several times to follow the instructions detailed in the manual to no avail.
”This is normal, since your Spiritual Power and Mana are still rather low.” Natsuya turned to the right. ”You need assistance, so come with me.”
She started walking forwards.
Seiji followed after her.
A large Yin-Yang diagram with a diameter of approximately two meters was inscribed on the right corner of the practice field. Intertwining lines and runes—which Seiji assumed was some kind of spell—ran throughout the diagram, and there were also six silver mirrors surrounding the diagram. All the mirrors were pointed towards the diagram’s center.
”This is a Mana gathering formation. As its name implies, it can gather high concentrations of Mana.” Natsuya looked at Seiji. ”Go inside the diagram, and try feeling the Mana. It should be easier to perceive it inside there.”
Seiji walked to the center of the Yin-Yang diagram.
”I’m guessing I should stand right here?”
”That’s right. Are you ready?”
The president then muttered something, and he felt an invisible force gathering around him.
'Take steady breaths; relax my breathing; spread out my mental awareness; deepen my consciousness…'
Seiji followed the instructions on the manual one more time and made a wholehearted attempt to perceive the Mana.
Everything was dark.
But after a while, he caught a faint glimpse of light.
Within his own body.
He tried to ‘see’ things more clearly and attempted to control the flow.
However, it didn’t work.
Seiji remained patient and continued attempting to ‘see’ and ‘control the flow.’
…
The invisible energy dissipated.
Seiji opened his eyes.
”One hour has passed already, Haruta-kun,” Natsuya said when he saw him stir.
”Eh?”
‘Was it that quick?' he thought. 'What happened to time?’
”How are you feeling?”
”Things didn’t go too well…” Seiji explained what he had felt.
”It’s actually pretty good already…” Natsuya praised. ”With your current Mana level, being able to do this much with the Mana gathering formation’s assistance isn’t shabby at all.”
”Oh…”
”Following this, you should continue your attempts to perceive the Mana and try your best to control its flow… No need to rush; it’s not important, even if you haven’t learned it by the time of the duel. I told you before: as long as you have the spirits’ assistance, you’ll naturally be able to use some spells.”