The Second Strongest Has Returned

Chapter 29

Mana Refinement Technique

Immediately after his return, Leo had created a technique by combining the Sage’s teachings with his own experiences. The value of this refinement technique was on par with the martial arts of historical knight orders and noble families, despite being obtained simply and quickly.

‘Chris wasn’t making a fuss for no reason.’

The combination of mana refinement and physical training was nothing short of revolutionary.

“But even so, kidnapping me…”

Leo couldn’t fully understand why they resorted to kidnapping. He wasn’t the only one who had mastered the Mana Refinement Technique, and attacking a knight of the family wasn’t a particularly safe choice.

“…It was a wiser decision than kidnapping the lady of the house.”

That was true. Kidnapping a knight was a much safer choice than kidnapping the lady of the house.

“It’s not uncommon for knights to die protecting the lady. Bloody Shadow probably intended to kidnap you in such a scenario.”

It was a predictable repertoire.

Assassins who failed to kidnap Ariasphil often killed the knights to silence them. Although it seemed unusual, it wasn’t an incident worth raising an objection over.

“And they probably intended to extract the martial arts from you, whether by persuasion or torture.”

Leo had endured persuasion and torture countless times and could overcome it with his mental strength. However, it wasn’t impossible if they used advanced magic to extract his memories or employed drugs and hypnosis.

[Drugs and hypnosis are…]

Why was someone without experience speaking like that?

“So, you gave me a weapon as insurance.”

Such ambushes would occur repeatedly. Although Leo could handle it, he still felt uneasy given his current skills.

Leo himself felt the same.

“Don’t be mistaken. It wasn’t out of concern for you. I gave it to you because it would be troublesome if impure individuals acquired such abilities.”

[I’ve been quiet, but he’s making his own assumptions.]

Even defending Marquen was difficult, so he chimed in. As they matched his tone, a decade’s worth of stress seemed to wash away like cold water.

“But even if I give you a weapon, the fundamental issue remains unchanged. It will take a long time for most to give up.”

That was an accurate prediction. Leo had to consider the possibility that the desire for his weapons would lead to increased attacks.

“So what should I do?”

“…So, I’ve been thinking. Then, I remembered the proposal Christina suggested.”

The proposal Chris(tina) had emphasized several times when Leo first demonstrated the Mana Refinement Technique.

“Could it be… the Mana Refinement Technique…?”

“…Yes. Although I don’t like it, I will incorporate your Mana Refinement Technique into the Reinhardt family’s training methods.”

Despite showing his displeasure, it was a reasonable proposal even if it caused him to scream loudly.

[Is it really that great?]

It wasn’t just great. Integrating a ten-year-old boy’s technique into the formal training of a knight order with over hundreds of years of history was unprecedented and extraordinary.

[It’s like incorporating a child’s magic into the official curriculum of the Magic Tower.]

Despite the tone, it was an accurate analogy.

“In that sense… take this.”

Marquen took out a black card from his wallet and handed it to Leonardo.

“…This is…”

“Nowadays, you can withdraw cash in this account form. You might not know?”

There was no way he didn’t know.

But this card was on a different level from a regular account.

[…What is it?]

<…It’s a card with no limit.>

[What limit?]

[Oh… wow…]

A black card, an unlimited VVIP card that he had only seen a few times in his past life.

“…Are you sure about giving this to me…?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not for frivolous use.”

Marquen continued.

“I heard you wanted to learn magic from Rios. Magic requires a lot of money, so use this to cover those expenses.”

It was a result that ultimately favored Leo, despite the rigid tone. Even if Leo had gained something, he hadn’t lost anything.

Moreover, the fact that Leonardo was given a Black Card just to learn intermediate magic was tantamount to acknowledging him.

“…And although I hate to admit it, as Christina said, the Mana Refining Technique is definitely worth formally teaching. If refined, it could surpass even the best training methods in history. This is a reward for that.”

[“Then just admit it. Why are you having an internal conflict and making a fuss about it?”]

“Kh-hmph…”

Leo bit his lip until it turned blue to hold back his laughter at the blunt remark.

[“But if you grant it, what’s the difference? You can still be assassinated.”]

That wasn’t the case. Because…

“Are you wondering what’s different about it?”

Although he was barely suppressing his laughter, he was grateful for the misunderstanding.

“To put it differently, if you steal this training method now, it won’t be considered stealing your personal secret technique but rather Reinhardt’s martial arts.”

Kidnapping an ordinary knight has its limitations. Even for a warrior family, if other great families and nations impose checks or pressure, it would be difficult to exert power.

Stealing a martial arts school’s techniques gives a reason to attack the entire organization, even if it’s just one skill.

That act can be seen as an insult and a declaration of war against Reinhardt.

“In that case, no one can threaten you using intimidation. No matter how stupid they are, no one would dare to make an enemy of the entire Reinhardt family.”

In other words, it meant that Leo was being accepted not just as a knight of Reinhardt but as a member of the family.

Such treatment was something that couldn’t be received unless through marriage or adoption.

“…Thank you very much.”

“I didn’t make this decision to receive your thanks. If you want to express gratitude, use the insurances I’ve given you well.”

It wasn’t hard to find the hidden meaning in those words.

‘Even if you can fend off the public attacks, you won’t be able to completely stop the covert ones.’

For those out of the ordinary, like Demons or Black Magicians, such safety measures wouldn’t bring peace of mind.

They wouldn’t hesitate to cross any line to fulfill their greed.

That’s why they gave him magical equipment and a Black Card.

“I’ll make sure to use it beyond insurance.”

He wouldn’t make them regret giving him this Black Card and the black equipment.

It was an opportunity that came to him, and he wouldn’t let it slip away in vain.

“Oh, by the way.”

When Marquen reached the entrance of the cave again, he turned around and spoke.

His eyes held a fierce determination.

“If you lay a hand on Aria under the pretext of being acknowledged, you won’t have any weapons or cards left. Just so you know.”

“…Pardon?”

“I don’t listen to stupid answers. So…”

“Oh… But you clearly said you didn’t acknowledge me when we entered the armory.”

The sharp retort was so serious that it was hard to forget.

“…Th-that… think whatever you want.”

[“It would be different if a woman said that, but it’s disgusting when an old geezer says it.”]

“Pu-hahaha!”

Leo couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Upon hearing his laughter, the old geezer charged at him.

It seemed like he wouldn’t be able to leave peacefully.

***

“Wow~ I didn’t expect Grandpa to acknowledge it.”

While watching the duel, Rios stuffed the leftover popcorn into his mouth.

“I thought he would stubbornly refuse to give anything.”

“The Commander of the Execution Knights may speak stiffly, but he always keeps his promises. It’s one of the misunderstandings people have about him.”

“I see. Thank you for your kind words! Chris…!”

Thud!

Suddenly, the darkness vanished along with the shadows. Her shadow had already grabbed her nephew by the neck and lifted him.

“Do you lack education on how to address people? What is my name?”

“Dad…! Daddy!! Please… spare me…!”

“Stop there. Chris. What if Aria sees this?”

Perhaps because he called her Chris again, she let go of Rios.

“Thank you…! Father…! I will be filial…!”

“Then, to show your filial piety, you are banned from romance novels for a month. Any related comments are also forbidden.”

“Can I show my filial piety with fire?”

“No.”

At the stern response, a shadow fell over Rios’s face.

“But what will Leonardo choose?”

Silica, trying to change the topic, brought up something that martial artists would like.

“Hmm… I think it’ll be the Lava Sword Hwa-Cheong. Its firepower suits Leonardo’s personality.”

“In my opinion, the Mirror Shield wouldn’t be a bad choice. Reflecting attacks would allow for strategic battles.”

“No, considering the recent battle, the Thunderbolt Spear Fulgor wouldn’t be a bad choice either. Using lightning to enhance physical strength is more stable with Fulgor than with magic.”

Their opinions were evenly matched. However, the young martial artist with outstanding talent remained silent.

“Aria, what do you think?”

“…Why…”

Aria didn’t respond. It wasn’t just because Rios had spoken.

“Aria? Are you listening?”

“…Yes? I’m sorry. I was focused on something.”

“What are you pondering? If it’s a tough problem, I can help a bit.”

At Chris’s words, Aria revealed her deep-seated concern.

“…I don’t understand how Leo’s sword reached me before mine reached him.”

It didn’t mean she denied Leo’s strength.

It was more about analyzing how Leonardo defeated her to devise countermeasures, a process of study and contemplation.

“…The speed and strength should have been similar… Why…”

Perhaps finding her worry endearing, Chris explained the battle analysis, showing his combat experience.

“It’s because of height.”

“Height… You mean size?”

“Yes. Leonardo is bigger than you, Aria.”

In combat, especially in close-quarters duels, height was also important. A larger physique meant a longer reach.

“Since there’s about a 6-7 cm difference between you and Leonardo, it wouldn’t be strange if the reach determined the outcome.”

Hearing the detailed explanation, Aria nodded in understanding. Height was indeed a field that couldn’t be easily overcome with effort alone.

“If you eat well and sleep well, you’ll grow, Aria. At your age, growth happens in the blink of an eye.”

“But Leo will grow too…”

Her father, the family head, glared, causing even the foolish Rios to close his mouth. At this rate, he might even be banned from hearing love stories from minstrels.

“…Still… there must be a way to overcome it…”

While contemplating, a thought struck Aria.

It was information she had heard not long after meeting Leonardo, while training together before their duel.

“Leo might know!”

“Leonardo?”

“Indeed, Leonardo might have gathered various information during his travels… He might know about foods or training methods that help growth.”

While not entirely wrong, it felt like overestimating. If Leonardo knew such growth secrets well, he would have used them himself to win with his large physique.

“Look! Isn’t that Leonardo?”

As they spoke, two knights descending from the mountain came into view.

“But… why do they look so tattered?”

Though not seriously injured, their faces and bodies were covered in scratches, and their clothes were quite torn, looking like rags.

“What happened?”

“It’s nothing. I was just checking if that rookie could handle the weapon he received.”

Leo nodded silently. Although it was just a thin pretext, it wasn’t a lie.

They had to believe it to feel less aggrieved.

“So, what weapon did you receive?”

Leo confidently raised his arm. A black bracelet was on his wrist.

“…That’s the first time I’ve seen it. Is it new equipment obtained during the expedition, Father?”

“Watch closely. Even I didn’t expect it to transform like this.”

At Marquen’s nod, Leo transformed the shape of the bracelet. The black bracelet morphed, turning into a bead, then successively into a one-handed sword, a spear, and a shield.

“…Oh, a variable weapon. It’s my first time seeing one in person.”

“It seems to be a weapon that chooses its owner, like a holy sword. So, Christina.”

Marquen cautioned Christina, who was staring at the black stone with her mouth agape.

“Don’t covet it.”

“…Do I look like a child?”

“Sometimes you’re worse than a child.”

Christina blushed with embarrassment at his words, and Rios found his neck being choked by Chris before he could laugh.

“Hey…! Leo…!!”

In the midst of the commotion, Aria, clinging to a barely remembered idea, approached Leo with a request.

“Yes, Lady Aria.”

“I have a favor to ask… Is that okay?”

“Of course, I’ll do my best within my capabilities.”

At his words, Aria smiled brightly and made her long-awaited request.

“Will you… help me grow…?”

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

“…Pardon?”

Leo’s neck chilled as well.

It was probably because of the two family heads behind him.

He could be sure of that.

“The thing you mentioned before, when we first trained together. The slang of those thugs…!”

Leo’s life also turned cold.