Part 32 – Practicing the New Idea
So, I sat in the dormitory, reading a book on magic control.
Why was I reading it?
Because my idea—taken from that man In the marketplace—was to concentrate the flow of magic into my fingers, just like he did. But not so simple. I wanted the flow to remain, extending at least one meter in a straight line. Like a sword without a hilt, with my fingers as the handle.
The more I read, the more I realized how difficult this idea would be to execute. But…
One page caught my attention. It spoke of concentrating mana in the feet.
It explained that to do this, you must trick your brain—forcing it to shift from subconscious to conscious control.
What did that mean?
It meant that since creation, the brain has been wired to distribute energy and commands evenly across the body.
But by tricking it, you could redirect mana to a single part—in this case, the feet—so that all energy flows there at once.
So that was It.Step One: Trick the brain.
Morning had come. I could hear the birds singing.Ah… such a pleasant sound. But this wasn't Earth—here, even the nightingales were mutated.
To trick my brain, I needed a place of peace and silence, where nothing would disturb me.
After a few minutes, I found a spot safe enough to train without animals attacking.
I sat on the ground and began meditating.
Like in the early exercises, I imagined a vast empty space, with only my brain present.
I saw it—blue energy flowing inside, representing mana.
Now I had to force the brain to redirect that energy toward the northern hemisphere, the part controlling the hands, concentrating everything there.
Slowly, the flow became unstable. Pressure built in my body.
I pushed further, guiding the energy until it began to gather in the designated area—
Rustle.
Something moved. I Ignored it.
Rustle.
This time, the brain sensed the trick and snapped back to normal.
"Damn it. What was that?"
I opened my eyes, walked toward the sound. A bush shook violently.
I expected something to leap out like in the movies—but nothing.
Carefully, I parted the bush—
Whoosh!
Two sea-rabbits, mating. They bolted away at the sight of me.
"Great. My whole plan ruined by rabbits mating. Damn it!"
I sighed, sat again, and restarted the meditation.
Once more, I imagined the void, the brain at its center, tricking it…
This time, I succeeded.
I opened my eyes, approached a tree to test.
Moving was difficult—since all mana was concentrated in my fingers, the rest of my body was drained.
I pressed my middle and index fingers together, struck the tree—
"Ahh, damn!"
Only a small hole appeared. Barely any effect.
Rustle.
Again, the bushes moved.
Suddenly, a wolf leapt at me, knocking me down.
"Oh gods!"
It clawed at me, tearing my shirt, leaving wounds across my chest.
I struggled, grabbed its paws, shoved it away.
But it wasn't a wolf.
It was a wolf-rat—a mutated rodent the size of a wolf, with immense strength, speed, and the ability to stand on two legs. Its red eyes glared at me like prey.
I tried to summon Death Marsh—but no mana left. All of it was In my fingers.
"Damn it. All my power Is in my hands now."
The wolf-rat lunged again. I dodged poorly, its strike slammed into my side, throwing me against a tree.
It attacked once more. I barely dodged—its claws split the tree In half.
"Is this how I die? In my second life, killed by this creature?"
"No. I won't."
It lunged again. I sacrificed my arms, its claws tearing into my shoulder.
"Damn you!"
It attacked again and again. I dodged, wounded, bleeding.
Finally, I pressed my fingers together. As it lunged, I caught it, slammed It to the ground.
"Damn you!"
I struck repeatedly—but no effect.
Desperate, I thrust my hand into its gaping jaws.
Its teeth clamped down, trapping my hand.
No matter what I did, It wouldn't release.
I felt death looming. The Angel of Death itself seemed before me. My hair stood on end.
And then—
Power surged from my hand.
The wolf-rat's head exploded.
I was thrown back, crashing to the ground.
End of Part 32