The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Training for Mana Control (2)

During the ti it took to set up the Mana Concentration Array, most of the rcenaries modified their contracts to lifelong commitnts. Those who joined recently also swore allegiance to the lord.

With the promise of receiving instruction in a mana cultivation technique and even the possibility of a knightly title, there was little reason to refuse.

“Did you hear? There’s a rumor that the lord plans to teach us the family’s mana cultivation technique.”

“Oh, co on, that’s ridiculous. The mana cultivation technique is the family’s most guarded secret. Who would teach us that? Would you?”

“Still, we’re set to beco part of the estate’s forces. Maybe they’ll at least teach us sothing useful?”

“Yeah, they’ll probably pick sothing that’s easy enough for us to learn. Let’s not get our hopes up too much, though; it’ll take years of training anyway.”

The rcenaries eagerly anticipated the chance to learn mana cultivation techniques. There were rumors, though unconfird, continued to spread among them.

However, that didn’t an they had no concerns.

While the commoners were mostly unaware, the more seasoned rcenaries were confident that war would break out again soon.

After all, Count Desmond, a grand lord, wouldn’t just sit idly by after taking a hit from a small territory like Ferdium.

Even so, the rcenaries chose to stay in the Fenris Estate, even if it ant risking their lives.

The prospect of a knighthood and receiving a mana cultivation technique made it worth the risk.

But unlike the others who switched to lifelong contracts, Kaor and the Cerberus rcenary Corps were still hesitating to make a decision.

“Damn it… what should we do? If we accept the offer, we’ll be tied down here for the rest of our lives.”

Kaor scratched his head vigorously as he gathered his unit together.

With his skill, he could probably obtain a knightly title anywhere he went.

As a rare rcenary who had also trained in mana and was more skilled than most knights, he certainly had the qualifications.

However, he didn’t want to give up his freedom for the rigid life of a knight and had chosen to stay a rcenary.

“So, what about you all? They’re asking us to make a decision before the Mana Concentration Array is completed.”

At Kaor’s question, a few mbers glanced around hesitantly before responding.

“Well, we… we’ll follow you, Captain. Not sure what’s so great about a knighthood… though, yeah, it does sound nice.”

“And the mana cultivation technique—yeah, it’d be good to learn….”

“But not everyone who tries actually succeeds, right? Well… maybe the lord has so way to make it work….”

They, too, didn’t put much hope in the rumor that they’d be taught the family’s cultivation technique. They just hoped it would be better than the cheap, basic techniques found in the market.

After all, handling mana was no easy feat, and most people couldn’t even understand the basic techniques well enough to use them.

Still, the lord had always managed to pull off the most outlandish feats, so there was a faint hope that maybe he’d really manage to teach sothing worthwhile in an easy-to-understand way.

It was just that this hope wasn’t strong enough to suppress the underlying anxiety.

Kaor glanced around, testing the lukewarm reactions of the mbers once more.

“Anyone who wants to stay behind can stay. Consider yourself out of the Cerberus rcenary Corps.”

Even after he said that, none of the mbers stepped forward.

After all, leaving the Cerberus rcenary Corps wasn’t simple—you’d have to leave at least a hand behind. Everyone understood that getting caught up in Kaor’s words would only bring more trouble.

“You brats, you’ve got so loyalty. Right? Without loyalty, a rcenary’s nothing, but a corpse. Just a corpse.”

At Kaor’s words, the mbers lowered their heads slightly, hiding their expressions.

It sounded like he was saying he’d turn them into corpses if they betrayed him.

‘If anyone tries to leave, he’ll lose it.’

‘He’d probably demand a hand, calling us traitors or whatever.’

‘Ah, but still… staying here was kind of fun, though.’

As the faint mood of regret began to spread, Kaor clicked his tongue.

In the past, he would have left imdiately when offered a lifeti contract. But now, for so reason, he felt reluctant to just walk away.

‘Why am I feeling like this? Did I… get attached?’

No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for him to feel attached.

The lord, Belinda, Gillian, Claude… They were all strange people, every single one of them.

Had hanging around with all these weirdos made him weird too?

While Kaor was still agonizing over this unresolved dilemma, one of the mbers cautiously spoke up.

“Um… honestly, if we leave here, we’ll just end up taking small jobs in the north again, won’t we?”

“That’s right, just living freely while doing odd jobs here and there.”

“But honestly… isn’t it kind of fun here? The lord is strange, but he’s entertaining, right?”

That was an undeniable fact.

The Fenris Estate was a place that ran on a different wavelength compared to other estates.

Ghislain, the lord, was completely different from other nobles. Sure, he could be reckless and act like a brute at tis, but he was undeniably a fun person to be around.

Seeing Kaor’s expression urging him to continue, the mbers gathered up the courage to add more.

“At the very least, as long as we’re here, it feels like we’ll get to fight as much as we want. Isn’t that better than just wasting away?”

He wasn’t wrong. The second war with Desmond was practically on the horizon, and with Ghislain’s personality, it was clear that more conflicts would break out wherever he went.

Not to ntion, the second expedition to pioneer the Forest of Beasts was scheduled to take place soon.

There was no place like Fenris when it ca to a steady stream of big events.

Seeing Kaor’s intrigued expression, the mber pressed on as if driving the point ho.

“And if we’re out taking jobs in the north, there’s no rule that says we won’t end up fighting against the lord, right? If that happens, we’d have to join the other side and fight him… Think you could handle that?”

“Ah, that might be a bit much.”

Kaor muttered without even realizing it.

‘Fight against that lunatic of a lord?’

No one else scared him, but for so reason, Ghislain gave him an uneasy feeling.

Maybe it was because he’d been beaten to a pulp by him before, but Kaor’s instincts recoiled at the thought of fighting him again.

Still, it wasn’t as if he could live without taking on thrilling risky jobs. However, the idea of ever siding with Fenris again was almost laughable.

Crossing his arms, Kaor fell deep into thought.

When he glanced around at the mbers, they were all watching him with eyes full of anticipation.

‘Ha, these guys just don’t know how to be honest.’

With a slight chuckle, Kaor nodded a few tis.

In truth, his mind was already made up. He was just pretending to hesitate out of pride.

If he left this estate, where so many exciting things awaited, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

“All right, damn it, let’s all beco knights!”

“Oooooh!”

The mbers erupted in cheers at Kaor’s declaration.

Wandering around aimlessly was fine for a day or two, but they couldn’t live like that forever.

Staying here was much better than being stuck in so uptight estate.

Besides, they’d be taught a mana cultivation technique and even granted knighthood—anyone who’d turn that down would be a fool.

The fact that the estate was small and weak wasn’t an issue. No other place would offer them these kinds of terms anyway.

Kaor spoke arrogantly.

“I’ll be the Knight Commander. All of you, keep that in mind.”

“What about Instructor Gillian? That guy’s not going to just sit back and watch.”

“Ha! I’ll just take it from him by force. If I put my mind to it, I could finish off that old man in no ti. So, I’m the Knight Commander—got it?”

“Wooooah! Kaor, the Knight Commander of the Fenris Knights!”

Everyone cheered again.

It wasn’t that Kaor looked particularly impressive or that they genuinely believed he’d beat Gillian. They just anticipated an entertaining fight to watch.

Self-proclaid Knight Commander Kaor struck a haughty pose, raising his fist high in the air.

* * *

“I am the Knight Commander.”

At Ghislain’s words, Kaor blinked, then asked.

“Not ?”

“No, not you.”

“What kind of lord takes on the role of Knight Commander himself?”

“I do everything myself.”

“No, don’t do it yourself—just give it to .”

“It’s easier for to handle it for now. Later, when our forces grow and we reorganize, we’ll decide then,” Ghislain said, clicking his tongue.

At that, Kaor took a step back for the mont.

“So, you’ll give it to when the ti cos?”

“We’ll see, depending on the situation. There’ll be a lot of competition, so who knows if you’ll make it. Aren’t you not that great at fighting, anyway?”

At Ghislain’s taunting, Kaor grumbled, standing with a slight slouch.

“I’m good at fighting!”

“Fine, then we’ll see when the ti cos. After everyone has learned mana cultivation and we’ve assessed their skills.”

“Doesn’t matter—I’ll still be the best.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll look forward to it. Anyway, you made a good decision. Let’s keep working well together.”

With Kaor swearing loyalty to Ghislain and signing a lifeti contract, the Cerberus rcenary Corps disappeared into the annals of history.

Ghislain patted Kaor on the shoulder and handed him two books.

“Since you decided to join, I should give you a gift. Take these.”

“What are these?”

“They’re the family’s mana cultivation technique and swordsmanship manual. Of course, I’ve made so adjustnts to suit you. They should be more useful than what you’re practicing now.”

“Whoa.”

Kaor’s eyes widened as he looked at Ghislain.

He’d co here demanding the position of Knight Commander, yet Ghislain was handing him such a generous gift.

Up until now, Kaor had been using a cheap mana cultivation technique, but through sheer talent, grit, and countless life-or-death battles, he’d managed to push himself to a decent level.

He’d taken pride in the fact that, despite his crude thod, he surpassed most knights.

But that didn’t an he wasn’t hungry for a superior mana cultivation technique.

The more his skill improved, the more clearly he felt the wall in front of him—the limitation of soone who’d developed his abilities through instinct rather than structured knowledge.

That was why he constantly sought out fights and dangerous places. It was the only way he knew to push himself further.

To Kaor, the books that Ghislain handed over were like a lifeline descending into the darkness.

“I… I never thought you’d give these.”

He’d assud that Ghislain would only teach the mana cultivation technique to other rcenaries, as he and Gillian were already at a level similar to knights.

But he hadn’t expected anything like this to be prepared for him!

Watching Kaor’s astonishnt, Ghislain continued with his own words.

“I’ve noticed you’ve got a lot of bad habits, and your body’s balance is completely off. To use mana properly, you need to employ your entire body, but you’ve failed to do that, which has thrown your balance out of whack. Your swordsmanship is sharp from all the real battles you’ve been through, but your fundantals are severely lacking. If you work hard with what I’ve given you, you’ll be able to break through that wall soon enough.”

“…Why are you doing all this for ?”

Kaor was genuinely curious.

What Ghislain had handed him were things that would be hard to obtain even with a fortune.

No matter how insignificant the Ferdium Count’s family might seem due to external circumstances, that didn’t lessen the value of their techniques.

‘Just the Ferdium Count’s family’s mana cultivation thod and swordsmanship alone are as good as any out there. After all, Count Ferdium himself is recognized as a high-ranking knight.’

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the strength allowing Ferdium to defend the north stemd from this mana cultivation technique and swordsmanship.

In other words, it wasn’t sothing that should be given away just because they’d fought together a few tis.

Even more so considering that those fights were only because of a rcenary contract. Kaor had simply done what he was paid to do.

Seeing Kaor’s confusion, Ghislain chuckled softly and said, “You’re bad at fighting. I’m giving it to you so you don’t get yourself beat up sowhere.”

Kaor was about to snap back, but he lowered his head and slowly tucked the books into his arms.

Out of pride, he didn’t want to show how much he liked the gift, but he could barely contain his joy.

He tried not to smile, but a grin kept breaking through.

Biting his lip to keep his face in check, Kaor offered his thanks with a bizarre expression.

“I’m… good at fighting, you know… But anyway, I’ll gladly accept these. Ehehehe.”

“Yeah, if you don’t understand sothing while you’re training on it, co and ask. You’ll need to work hard. If you don’t want to get left behind by the others, that is. We’ve got plenty of talented folks here.”

“Pfft, like any of those chumps could keep up with . I’ll crush anyone who tries to get in my way.”

Kaor, eager to get started, gave a quick nod and turned to leave without much ceremony.

Ghislain didn’t mind Kaor’s lack of manners; he knew better than anyone what Kaor was feeling at that mont.

With his hand on the doorknob, Kaor paused for a mont.

For so reason… his nose stung.

Ever since losing his family as a child, he’d lived fiercely, struggling to survive.

‘Has… anyone ever done sothing like this for ?’

No one had. He had grown up in a world where it was kill or be killed.

So he’d acted more brutal, more reckless, like a madman. If he didn’t, Kaor—a man who lived on the fringes—wouldn’t have survived.

In so ways, it was just his way of clawing for survival, and in others, maybe it was his resentnt toward the world.

Kaor clenched his teeth, trying to suppress the strange emotions welling up inside him.

‘It’s just… he’s teaching this because he wants to be useful in battle. Because I’ll be fighting on the front lines.’

He tried to downplay Ghislain’s intentions, but deep down, Kaor knew that wasn’t the truth.

No one would give sothing so precious to a disposable pawn.

A few coins shoved into his hand and then thrown onto the battlefield—that’s all that would’ve been expected.

That was the kind of relationship he and Ghislain had, from the start.

‘Damn it…’

In the Forest of Beasts, in wars, and in every conflict, Ghislain had never treated the rcenaries as re expendables.

He’d always tried to save as many lives as he could, standing at the most dangerous point himself.

For all that he might use any ans necessary to achieve his goals, Ghislain wasn’t soone who acted in petty ways.

‘…Well, damn it. Let’s see this through to the end together.’

After hesitating for a mont, Kaor released the doorknob and turned back to face Ghislain.

He stared at Ghislain’s curious expression for a while, then slowly bent his waist into a deep bow.

For the first ti in his life… he was giving soone a genuine, heartfelt thank-you.