22 Schemes

With my training technique mostly figured out, I started a routine. I would study and read about things that interested me at the library while working for sword marks. Then at night, I would do my training regiment.

I had originally intended to incorporate flexibility and speed with another exercise. But my study into human anatomy and forces was just too shallow and 30 days was insufficient to fix that. I found myself to be intelligent but intelligence is aptitude, not experience.

So I did my best to make up for it, I remembered the armor breaking I did on the hobgoblin chief and added that to my exercise. I would put targets on two of the dummies.

All distributed throughout the dummies' bodies and I would move in high motion. Control my force while dealing with telekinetic interference. Then I would accurately hit the various areas on the dummies in the fastest amount of time possible.

Though it sounded easy on paper it was a feat to pull off, especially since I couldn't tap into that state from the hobgoblin fight. So I took it slowly at first attacking the various points while trying to make quick decisions.

This lead to nothing but mistakes I knew I needed some method to control my cognition. It was possible just not for me right now, I need some way of replicating that state.

From Drrak's stance earlier regarding my mental state, he won't be happy that I am trying to replicate it. Then I'll just have to do it without him, luckily there is always the library.

**************************

Inside a spatial rift in the academy, there was a massive space filled with dorms and buildings. Two men were meeting in the room of one these dorms, one was dressed black clothes as he released an aura of domination as the younger one sat in silence waiting to be spoken to as he wore his white uniform.

"What is it Raynard you know I don't have the patience for bull shit." The black-clothed man was Gavyn.

"Br....brother a commoner insulted our family and cheated in a fight we had." Raynard stuttered out in silence. He had held a venomous hate for Lucas. Gavyn had always been ahead of him in the family, Raynard developed an inferiority complex around him and couldn't help but stutter.

Especially since Lucas had splintered his relationship with Carol, she wouldn't let Raynard talk to her until he dealt with Lucas. So he reluctantly asked came to ask his brother Gavyn for help. He was the 1st ranked descendant and an excellent mage.

When Gavyn heard that he thought of the kid he met in the library. Hair as black as dirt and as messy as a rainforest, it was completely without order. But he had blue eyes deeper than the ocean and a courageous disposition, had he not insulted me. I would have tried to recruit him, but if that rookie is indeed Lucas...

"You think I do not about your ways, you were beaten and you come here expecting retribution for being weak. Scram there is a reason you are only ranked 3rd among the descendants."

"Brother he even hit on my woman," Raynard said begging

"You are only proving my point, you are 3rd because you can't control yourself and feel insecure about everything. Father would be much kinder given your talent if your mind wasn't so in the gutters."

"But brother he insulted our family," Raynard said with certainty

"No he insulted an idiot, now scram for me before I break your legs," Gavyn said in a threatening tone

Raynard Reluctantly left and behind Gavyn a person appeared in a black outfit that covered his face.

"Keep watch on this Lucas," Gavyn said indifferently

"But sir what about what you just said?" The hidden person said

"It's one thing what I tell to Raynard and it's another what I tell you. This Lucas decided to offend the Gallius family there will be retribution. Act when he isn't in the academy that sounds fair to you?"

"As long as I get the payment I'll deal with your threats young master." Said the man before he bowed and disappeared.

**************************

The next day at the library I wandered around gathering every book on the human body I could. The importance of the body to a knight couldn't be overstated. The whole knight system is based on the philosophy of adapting the body to the environment. So studies related to the body were abundant.

But any magic information was basic and wasn't worth much, I was only left with 10 days so I ultimately placed priority on training and learning about the human body.

Because not only would it help in refining my body but it would help me improve my fighting style. As I learned more about controlling my body, and my understanding of the Lightning style increased. I knew that the next fight I got into would let all that insight explode out.

As I mastered my body I was able to improve the speed and flexibility stably. Per every 2 points to strength or endurance, I achieved I got 1 point in speed or flexibility.

I felt my stats improve all across the board very well, but I was still unable to find anything to help with my mental state. It seemed that dangerous combat seems to be the only way to activate that state again. If I want to figure out the cause, then I'll have to re-experience the sensations again.

The main thing for me to do that would be in the dream formation. Thinking that I walked out of my room and followed the path to the dream formation, I saw that it was swamped with people. They had a line and there were no rookies in it so I assumed it was probably not meant for rookies at this point

I can't fight anyone in the academy for a sense of danger without risking my own position in the school. With this line of reasoning, I made a supercilious smile. I had an idea but it wasn't worth it at this point but with time its worth will become more apparent.

I went to the library and walked around looking at the shelves when I was in a safe unmonitored corner. I spoke to Drrak

'Drrak am I being watched at all.'

Though Drrak lacks fighting power he still has a powerful consciousness that can keep me from being surprised.

'No one is watching if the situation changes. I'll alert you, why do you need to know?'

'Because of this.' I said as my eyes became runic and the elemental brandings burned onto my face.

With the burning feeling came comfort and my perception changed. Along the bookshelves, I could see a blue glow of energy, winding all around the first floor. I took a notepad and drew what I saw. Since they have spatial magic, with my eyes I can find the nodes by tracking the flow of energy.

I didn't move or bring attention to myself out of fear that someone would see my brandings and recognize them. After I had mapped the flow of magic energy. I put away the notepad and kept it in a safe place for later.

Afterward, I returned the books I had taken from the library, I had already written most of my thoughts regarding elves, the age of collapse, magic, and human anatomy in my notepad.

So I felt no need to keep the books with me, especially when I am liable for the loss of a book. The price isn't cheap and can't be paid with sword marks so I returned the books and felt unburdened.

With the rest of my time, I went to look for Brian, I finally found him as he came down from the 2nd floor to the 1st. He saw I was walking up to him and he waited for me on the ground.

"Brian, how do I get access to the books on the second floor?"

"Sorry, that's not possible," Brian said as he shook his head

"Not possible why?" I said anxiously

"You're still a rookie, even if you have the sword marks you aren't allowed up there." He said as he tried to console me.

Disappointed I listened to Brian rant on about the many other good books, they had on the first floor and that I should just read those for now. I just half listened as he continued to drone without end. He told me that there were only 10 more days until my rookie period was up. So I should just wait and then he can let me up there.

I decided to not go to the library for the last 10 days since I couldn't go to the 2nd floor. Instead, I focused on my training and on the 3rd day in, it finally happened.