n

n

nBefore Wallace could fully comprehend the new forging method. For now, it was just a lump of information in his brain. He first had to learn the Secret Arts.

nOnly a couple of minutes had passed for him to fully absorb the surge of information coming from the crystal. He now had time to analyze all some things that were put into his brain.

n'The memory crystal was arranged to last for just three days. That should be the time limit for the examination but this timeframe they gave was too short... Sigh~ They just wanted for us to work all day in this room, huh.' Wallace concluded after calming his thoughts.

nAfter being surprised by his discovery about the possibility of sixth-generation mana artifacts, he realized that the country was still full of mystery to him.

nThere were still a lot of things he hadn't discovered about this world even with his Avalon. This made him even more hopeful about creating more powerful objects in the future. After all, he didn't plan to build a spaceship, mech frames, or other superior technology devices that were only fully based on advanced science.

nHe had wanted to integrate magic to science and his Ravencroft Printer was currently his best sample followed by his Combat Simulator Pod.

n'Anyway, as long as I completed this task within three days, they would most likely give us something to retain our memory. After all, once I became Sir Slaine's apprentice, he would still teach us the complete Secret Arts and this new forging method was probably the biggest reward once we passed the examination.' Wallace thought which perfectly made sense. Everyone was aware that Sir Slaine's apprentices would be allowed to practice Awakening of Thunder and Lightning. The first apprentice, Lacus Minerva, was living proof for this. But for the second, third, and fourth apprentices, they weren't active or it can be said that they are not registering their creations for some reason. There were only rumors about their artifacts that were barely being seen to the public.

nWallace sits on top of his bed to start practicing the breathing technique. He also didn't forget to compile a bit of information about this Secret Arts for the A.I. as his backup.

n Awakening of Thunder and Lightning

n Also known as A.O.T.L, is a Secret Art belonging to the Cloud Hawks Manor's Grand Arcanist, Slaine Allusia. The AOTL is the only one from the 3 known Secret Arts that allows the user to focus on the manipulation of the thunder and lightning using a unique circulation method of mana or also called as a breathing method. The breathing method of AOTL amplifies the presence of the metal element of mana in the atmosphere and collides it with a medium, creating lightning. AOTL had long evolved and no longer constrained with traditional movements and forms and has instead been taught so that each successor could incorporate AOTL into their own styles as a way to advance the art.

nThe method to awaken or learn the AOTL depends on how the user incorporates it into their body.

nEssentially, the AOTL uses the

"quality, not quantity

" approach, as the Secret Art relies on having a very refined and pure Mana even if not much in amount, instead of an enormous quantity of unrefined Mana. The breathing method is the key to purifying the Mana to be used, similar to how only pure uranium can be used to create an atomic explosion ( Wallace's own comprehension ).

nIncluded in the memory was a simpler statement that explains the Secret Arts breathing process. It needed Mana within the Mana Pool of a magician and Mana from the outside and then turns them like negative and positive charges which are then collided.

nThe focal point of breathing is inhaling outside Mana (negative charge) and exhaling of Mana from the Mana Pool (positive charge).

nTo learn this method, a tough body was required. During Sir Slaine's Arcana Test, the metal element's presence in the examinee's body was further enhanced allowing everyone to have an easier time learning the breathing method that normally takes half a year.

nWallace summarizes the information about the AOTL. Unfortunately, he used a loophole during the examination so his body didn't receive that metal enhancement in his body.

n'So that was actually some kind of enhancement. I thought that it was just torture. I should've worked harder instead and bear the pressure.' Wallace thought but there was no point regretting the past so he could only start practicing the breathing method.

nThe method heavily relies on the practitioner's good control in their bodily functions so he had to fully concentrate in order to achieve any significant progress in this breathing method.

n***

nIt was tiring. Six hours had already passed but Wallace couldn't maintain the correct rhythm.

n'What's missing? I followed all the instructions...' Wallace thought for a while and suddenly had an idea

n'No, maybe it's not that I'm missing something but I just needed time to practice it and be more natural.'

nTo be able to tell whether the breathing method was mastered or not wasn't just to complete a single correct cycle of inhaling and exhaling mana but it must be to the point that you can complete the perfect cycle unconsciously.

nHowever, Wallace was too conscious whenever he completed the cycle and it reaches the point that he notices everything. Everything in terms of the changes within his body.

nBeing sensitive about any abnormal changes within the body might be good at some other time, but Wallace doesn't want that at the moment as his concentration was being lost.

nHe then tried to immerse himself and studied the changes in his body but it only resulted in him finding fault in his breathing method.

n'No, it not a fault. I was just unable to complete the cycle correctly. I have to do it more naturally.' Wallace thought after analyzing his method. He was having a hard time.

n'I need to relax. I can do this.'

nDuring this time, the waiters or probably butlers had brought them some healthy foods in their rooms. Anyway, it was impossible to just practice the Secret Arts non-stop. Sir Slaine was fully aware of it. It is up to the magicians how to use the three days that were given to them as long as they were in the room.

nWallace took his time to eat the food.

n'This meat...'

n Red-Eyes Black Serpent's Meat

nIt was analyzed by Avalon's scanner, one of the functions of his armguard. It is a highly nutritious food that helps blood circulation and smoothens Mana flow during digestion.

n'They at least care about us, huh.'

nWallace couldn't help but say in his mind. It seems that they were also aware of the difficulty of the examination so they were being helped through their food consumption.

nAfter eating the meal, Wallace decided to go all out. He spread out his Divine Sense and confirmed that there's no surveillance within the room. There was only a special magic array that he didn't notice before which would activate once he had successfully created an artifact using the new forging method bestowed upon them.

nHe didn't dare use it before as he worried that it will be detected. But he gambled instead and maximized his Divine Sense this time. Anyway, there's still these Soul Arts. He can probably explain the Divine Sense as something related to Soul Arts in case he was asked.

n

"Avalon, record my body changes as I complete a cycle of the breathing method.

"

nWallace then instructed Avalon after using his Divine Sense.

n Understood. Requesting permission to take Number 7 form.

n

"Permission granted.

"

nWallace approved Avalon's request. The metal armguard on his hand suddenly removed itself and floated in front of him. After a few clicking noises, the previous armguard now became a floating metal ball with a single mechanical red eye at the center.

nWallace smiled seeing the transformation. This floating machine in front of him wasn't a magic but a pure product of advanced technology.

nThe floating drive that he used was something that the Mech Frame was using before. Anyway, since the Mech Frame has 4 of them, he took one of the floating drives it possesses and stuffed it into his new version of armguard. Well, the Mech Frame only requires 2 of these floating drive tools for it to work and the other two were just a spare.

n

"Start the recording now.

"

n Affirmative.

nThe floating Avalon could also speak but Wallace instructed it to just use the earpiece in communication.

nHe wasn't capable of using his Divine Sense while doing the breathing method yet so he needed Avalon's help. Its human scanning ability could even rival Divine Sense so he was sure that this will be a fruitful attempt.

nSure enough, after a few cycles of breathing method, Avalon found the key points that require further refining.

nThe problem was his originally pure mana within his body.

n