Dinner

I tried again, I had gathered the remaining mana into my arm through multiple breaths. I struggled more as I had less mana stored in my core and I also didn't want to deplete the mana completely to cause me problems through mana exhaustion.

I did exactly as I did before up till the point of throwing the punch, it was a delicate balance trying to hold the mana in place while I prepared and thought about my next step. My next course of action would be to move the mana along with my arm. I knew with my current level of control I couldn't do much, however, I could try working on making the movement as natural as possible in the long run.

I exhaled slowly and launched my fist forward, aiming to replicate the thunderous impact. My fist cut through the air and I could only feel the mana slowly dissipating. Only a small percentage of it was left when it had fully extended.

The punch remained indifferent by the naked eye, but I could feel how the mana moved with my fist and its power was slightly increased.

Now my mana core was nearly dry of mana, I sat down again and started to circulate the cultivation technique as I was not yet ready to give up.

I repeated attempting the punch and circulating the cultivation technique another three times. By now it was near the time for dinner and I could feel my hunger starting to build up within me. Constantly focusing on gathering mana and controlling it had used up a lot of my energy.

"That'll be enough for today, let's go eat." Right as I failed my last attempt Silas stood up and instructed me.

I had a visible frown on my face, I felt like I didn't reach where I should have today and I didn't know what I could try and change to improve, but, over time I should still be able to slowly improve my control of mana.

Before leaving I asked Silas "Tell me! What can I do to improve?" to which I only got the response of, "Don't worry, I don't want to influence your personal idea of how mana works. Right now it's best for you to explore using mana by yourself."

I didn't really know what to think about this, it seemed like everyone had their own ideas and concepts on mana and how to utilize or control it. However, I quickly put this thought to the back of my head as we headed to eat dinner. I'll have to simply return to it later.

To my surprise in the dining room Elena and Victor were waiting and even Uncle Darius was joining us today. Uncle would from time to time join us when the guard team had some off time or if he wanted to talk to us about something.

Together with Silas, we sat at the furthest open seats from the head of the table where Father was sitting. As the current head of the family he took the seat that faced everyone at the top of the table, to his left was rightfully mother who was his wife. As Uncle Darius was here tonight, he sat to the right of father due to his position within the family being second to father. 

I took the seat next to Mother whereas Silas sat next to Uncle Darius. "You guys wouldn't believe it! Kane did fine work killing his first goblin on this morning's patrol!" Uncle Darius couldn't have waited a moment longer as right when I sat down he had to let everyone know about this.

During practice or official business of our family Uncle Darius would be serious and wouldn't tolerate any tomfoolery when something had to be done such as when the first goblins were spotted in the patrol. Everyone was immediately ready to fight at a moment's notice and any issues were dealt with swiftly, leaving any chatter behind. However, when around family he would be very open and enjoyed joking around and telling stories.

I looked around as I was slightly embarrassed, I was not ready for everyone to suddenly start looking at me.

Father was the first to say, "It seems like our prodigy is not only blessed with magic, it also seems like he's a fierce swordsman." He had a serious tone but still gave out a little laugh.

Uncle Darius joined in the laughter and exclaimed, "All the noble ladies will be after him in the academy!"

My face started to blush as I looked at Uncle Darius, it seemed like he didn't have any intentions of letting me go today so I thought it might be best to shift the conversation direction. "Speaking of the academy, what's it like?"

The first to reply was Silas, "The Royal Magus Academy… It's a gathering place for our land's noble children and some exceptional commoners, it was the 'Mystwood' family's ancestor who formed the academy over 100 years ago now."

Uncle Darius was sitting unsteadily as he let out, "Come on, don't bore the boy. I'm sure they'll bore him enough in those history lectures. Tell him some exciting stuff!"

Silas sighed. I knew he was gifted academically and was interested in the theory of magic, even overhearing that he wanted to join a guild focused on research in this topic. However, his current cultivation rank didn't permit him to be accepted into the more prestigious guilds.

"Alright, alright." he thought for a moment before letting me know, "First of all, it's not as simple as you think. All the children are sent by their families to help build their influence and connections for their goodwill, it's also the place where some noble's dreams will be crushed or some unknown Baron will rise to glory."

Silas looked right at me as he said the last part, I could see what he was trying to get at. However, he continued "You'd do well to try and make some friends at the start, you do not want to be seen as a target by others."

"A target?" I replied.

"I always forget, you don't know many nobles and the normal upbringing for them. The children are worse than the adults, they're raised like they're the center of the world and are finally set free into the academy. It's like a bloodbath of children trying to be better than each other. You'll see when you get there eventually." I somehow could start to imagine my view of a noble child trying to start fights with others because they didn't get their way in something from Silas's words.

Silas thought for a moment and continued, "With your current speed of advancement, you shouldn't have a problem with the lesser nobility like Barons, Viscounts, and Counts. However, those with deep backings like Marquis' and Dukes you cannot offend. They will simply bring ruin to our family with a single word."

It seemed like just having personal strength was not enough sometimes, transcendent rank mages usually backed a Marquis or Duke, who was two ranks higher than an integration stage mage such as Father or Uncle Darius.

After one becomes an official magus at the Integration stage there are still many steps to take before reaching the peak of our world. I don't know the details yet, however, I know that after the Integration rank were Assimilation stage mages. After the Assimilation stage were Transcendent mages. There were even more ranks too! But I did not know their details yet.

I thought ahead about what was to come, I knew this wasn't my real family but they still took me in. I don't know what their motives are but I know that they still care for me. I wasn't going to repay their kindness by disappointing them. I let everyone know, "I'll make sure to make a name for myself at the academy! I won't let you all down!"

Everyone smiled at me and Elena had even clapped at my sudden exclamation. It seemed like they could see that I was getting excited at just the thought of attending the academy.

"Now, now. We'll see about that, brat." Uncle Darius seemed to say this to himself, but I'm sure everyone had heard it but decided not to make any comments.

A moment later the maids started to bring out our food, it seemed like today we were back to a meat and vegetable stew with white bread. I was really hungry and my stomach even betrayed me a few times by releasing growling noises as I started to dig in right away.

Unexpectedly Mother decided to ask a question, "Speaking of the Academy, maybe I should bring Kane with me in two days to Trent. Me and a few other friends are planning to meet up and I even heard some of them will bring their children. It could be a great opportunity for Kane to meet some of the nobles and even get to know them!" She could not be happier with the thought of introducing me to her friends.