...

  A body had many parts, but among the more obscure were the mana organs—a seldom-used set of components that were often overlooked and frequently sacrificed for more practical alternatives. On rare occasions, divine skills could be employed to enhance the [Energy Organs], fortify the body overall, or repurpose the mana organs for entirely different functions.

  The reasons for this were evident: mana skills and their usage were often shrouded in secrecy or acquired by sheer chance. Occasionally, rumors surfaced about hazardous methods with abysmally low success rates, but such knowledge was scant and unreliable. This changed when Alexander, leveraging his personal experiences, devised a groundbreaking method with an impressive 90% success rate. The remaining 10% required forcible infusion and indirect application through other means. This innovation ignited a revolution as waves of mages were trained and educated, ready to reshape nearly every field of study and practice.

  As was often the case, mana manipulation was neither simple nor straightforward. How did one manipulate mana? On the surface, it seemed like a basic, almost na?ve question—akin to asking how one breathes. The conventional answer, the skill [Mana Manipulation], felt incomplete and invited deeper scrutiny.

  While roaming his school and Wolfsteeth, Alexander observed students employing hand gestures and physical movements to channel mana. This struck him as peculiar, given his ability to direct mana effortlessly through thought alone. Further investigation revealed that some students lacked the [Intelligence] attribute required to construct abstract mana frameworks mentally. Surprisingly, he also discovered that certain physical traits naturally compelled individuals to use gestures, as though their bodies were innately designed to channel mana through motion.

  Additional research into mana organs clarified why gestures were essential. The hands' high density of mana veins helped released particles stay nearby, enabling more precise spell construction through motions. Similarly, an increased density in the mana core made it easier to concentrate and control mana around the solar plexus, where the core was typically located.

  Because of these insights, many magic teachers revised their lessons, incorporating the discoveries—especially to benefit younger or less adept students. For Alexander, however, this knowledge revealed an intriguing new application: employing his [Mana Sense] to detect and unmask disguises with precision.

  Since the assassination attempt, Alexander had become far more observant, diligently searching for inconsistencies: the lingering aroma of expensive and potent drugs on supposedly delicate maids, the stance of guards that hinted at assassin training, or speech patterns far too polished for their apparent roles. Despite his meticulous scrutiny, the entire process felt more like an elaborate game than a genuine threat. With Lili by his side and given his strength, hardly anyone below Tier 4 could hope to challenge him—apart from those with exceptional training and body enhancements like Freya. Yet those were rare exceptions in the grander scheme.

  When he began sensing the flow of mana within people's bodies, Alexander uncovered universal patterns in their mana veins and cores. These veins intertwined with every muscle, blood vessel, and organ. In one notable case, a severely disabled individual had malformed mana veins, causing physical abnormalities that hindered daily life. Correcting these issues required surgeries, lengthy therapy, and many follow-up visits—a nightmare for the patient but a goldmine of insight into how physiology, anatomy, and mana interacted.

  Upon examining one of Zafiro's guards, a wolfkin who appeared in perfect shape, Alexander was astonished when he discovered a stark contradiction: the guard's body would break bones and tear multiple muscles with just two steps. The conclusion was immediate and clear—this was no ordinary guard but a disguised assassin.

  A Count's son had no reason to employ a visibly disguised guard; only those like Lili, who could remain entirely invisible, were truly practical. Once a guard's presence was known, concealing their identity offered little benefit, especially with the existence of numerous skills capable of assessing an individual's strength.

  But why would Alexander bring Zafiro to Wolfsteeth under such peculiar circumstances? His motive was straightforward: remove the assassin from the equation and disregard the potential fallout, hoping for a swift resolution without anyone's parents finding out. Having a guard trailing him even to the bathroom was both irritating and a stark reminder of his already compromised freedom and privacy. Resolute in his decision, he chose to address this immediate threat, leaving the consequences and future enemies for his later self to manage.

  As Alexander stepped out of the carriage and had his brief monologue, he raised his hand, forming an earthen bullet spell with lethal precision. A secondary lock was in place to counter possible trickery. The projectile tore through the air with a high-pitched hiss, spinning so fast it generated both a shockwave and a deafening blast.

  "What the—?"

  The wolfkin guard spun around in alarm. A shield shimmered into existence just in time, an unforeseen complication that made Alexander click his tongue in frustration. He should have expected an infiltrating assassin, especially one brave enough to murder the Count's son, to carry some form of protection.

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  The bullet slammed into the shield, ripping through three layers before deflecting away, leaving only a superficial wound on the wolfkin's shoulder. "Fuck it," Alexander muttered, scanning the area. Nearby onlookers gawked their faces a mix of shock and confusion—a sight that brought a brief smirk to his lips.

  "Darling, get Zafiro to safety. Lili, keep an eye on him," he commanded, his voice crisp. Immediately, Sarah sprinted to a wide-eyed Zafiro, shielding him. Lili's spirits materialized in a flash, unleashing panic in the crowd. People fled in a frenzied wave, clearing the area so he could go all out.

  Lili appeared to tolerate this action, likely because the guard seemed weak. However, Alexander could sense multiple spirits surrounding him, unseen yet poised to sacrifice themselves if necessary.

  "Wait—" Zafiro started, but Sarah's eyes glowed fiercely. She fixed him with a commanding gaze and said, "I command you to calm down."

  Zafiro's eyelids drooped, and the tension leaked from his posture as her skill took effect.

  Another guard stepped forward nervously, but Alexander ignored him, casually shrugging off his blazer. "You see," he said, tossing it aside. Then he vanished in the blink of an eye, reappearing beside the wolfkin. His eyes blazed with killing intent that poured out like a flood, and wind spells crackled along his mana veins, forming tempestuous claws around his fingers.

  "I really dislike assassins," he said, lips curling in a dark smile. "It's very personal." Without wasting another second, he lunged at the guard.

  ...

  "We made it!" Luise exclaimed, arms raised in triumph. Joy and relief laced her voice as she took a slow, satisfying breath. "I thought we'd be stuck in that filthy brothel forever!"

  Henry inhaled deeply; his ringed raccoon ears twitched to catch every sound around them. "Yeah," he replied, his eyes bright with anticipation. After weeks of ceaseless toil and one unfortunate event after another, they were finally here at Wolfsteeth. "I can hardly believe it."

  They soon booked a modest hotel room and saved enough coin to stay for some time without the need to work. For now, they wanted to visit the school to register. Asking around—questioning students, guards, and even a particularly rude lizard-kin girl at the Helping Paw—resulted in a mix of helpful tips and warning stories.

  The first drawback was the waiting list, which could delay their enrollment by as much as five years. Fortunately, evening courses were available, allowing them to join the so-called owl group. These courses, while introductory and limited to fundamental concepts compared to the entire curriculum, offered a valuable opportunity to prepare for the main lessons. For Henry and Luise, it already sounded like a dream.

  "Though," Luise muttered, frowning as her cat tail swished restlessly, "Never expected so many people to be here chasing the same rumors."

  Indeed, Wolfsteeth's poorer Southern and Northern districts teemed with hopefuls like them—dreamers seeking to master magic, combat, and everything in between. The school's requirement was simple yet almost suspiciously generous: vow a small percentage of future earnings and assist in mandatory community tasks.

  "Look," Henry said, pointing ahead. A young cat-kin girl with bright orange hair stood outside a dilapidated adobe building, wearing a school uniform and sweating profusely as she stretched her hands forward. "What do you think she's trying to do?"

  Strangely, no one else appeared to notice her struggle. Luise arched an eyebrow. "I thought you were the clever one," she teased, bumping him gently with her hip.

  Henry's tail flicked in mild annoyance. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  With a sigh, Luise nodded toward a nearby black-haired canine kin girl who seemed content to lounge against the wall, absorbed in a book. "That one's just lazing around, reading. She doesn't look like she's helping."

  "And here," she said, pointing her tail toward the other side of the small plaza. An older pig-kin man sat on a bench, muttering incoherently. "Cranberries," he mumbled, his body trembling violently as if on the brink of collapse.

  Henry suddenly realized they were engaged in the mandatory community service required by the school. He recalled seeing other students involved in similar tasks, often squabbling while assisting those enduring harsh and unfortunate circumstances like the old man who apparently lost his mind in the last days of his life.

  Before Henry could comment, the orange-haired girl glared at her canine companion. "Nina, help me!" she yelled, stamping her foot in fury. "I can't do it alone, damn it!"

  The black-haired canine girl merely nodded vaguely, turning a page that fluttered in a sudden breeze. "Aha… interesting… oh!" she murmured to herself, eyes dancing with amusement. "He's kissing his rival? How... disgraceful... hehe."

  Luise opened her mouth to say something, but Henry suddenly stiffened, his eyes going wide. A prickling dread coursed through him—danger. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted toward the students, frantically signaling for Luise.

  "Quick! Grab one of them and run!" he called.

  They reached the two girls just in time. Henry lunged for the orange-haired catkin, practically shouting, "We've got to get you out of here!"

  On the other hand, Luise simply snagged the canine kin girl, making her raise an eyebrow. "Hold tight, pup!" and took off at a sprint.

  But Henry's senses still blared warnings—too late.

  "Shit!" he spat through clenched teeth as an ear-splitting boom shook the street. A shockwave crashed into them with staggering force. Henry clutched the catkin protectively, bracing himself as the little bit of [Energy] he could muster surrounded them. Something tore through the air below him like a blade. For a single heartbeat, time felt suspended.

  He glanced down. His leg—gone. Sliced off in one cruel instant. A figure hurtled past him, sword glinting, and smashed into the building, sending rubble crashing down. Red-hot agony and disbelief roared through Henry's mind.

  A chilling voice echoed through the dust and debris. "Come out!" It was followed by a twisted laugh and a flood of killing intent so palpable it weighed on the lungs. "How many artifacts do you need to destroy to behead someone? No need to guess since we will soon find out!"

  Henry's vision swam. Blood poured from the stump where his leg used to be, soaking the ground beneath him—they had escaped one outer circle only to be dragged into another.