Chapter 700: Mind-Body Connection Realm [1]

“Hoo.”

I exhaled slowly, leaning back to feel the soft grass beneath me as a gentle breeze brushed against my skin. Reaching out, I stretched my hand toward the distant moon and closed my fingers into a fist, hiding it from view.

A month had passed since I had returned from the Mirror Dimension, and in said time, I spent most of it training.

I was trying to get used to the ‘Eye of Oracleus’ and the ‘Eye of Existence’. I spent a lot of time experimenting with the two. Well… sort of.

The thing that I was able to find out was that the ‘Eye of Existence’ consumed more mana with more people that I used it on, and that my current limit was those two tiers above me. In that sense, it would still work on a Tier 8 user, but only for a brief moment before my mana completely depleted.

In that sense, using it on someone would be stupid.

For the Eye of Oracleus…

“It’s a mess.”

The effect of the skill was certainly powerful, and using it wasn’t hard. But the issue lay in the fact that it had a long cool-down period.

According to Noel, it ranged between a year to two.

Thankfully, there were ways to reduce the cool down. But it mainly had to do with me collecting the Chalice.

I did try contacting Leon to get him to come to the house, but he rejected me, saying something about needing to do a few things in Haven and that he was currently stuck there.

‘Probably something to do with his Prince position.’

Leon’s life was anything but easy at the moment.

“…Maybe I should’ve gone to him, but it’s not like I am also in a position to move.”

The noble houses around were starting to stir. Any day now, and a conflict could arise. It was important that I remained here in order to help Noel deliver a blow to the troops of the other Noble houses.

Noel also insisted that this was more important for now.

In that case, I could only relent and focus on training by myself.

The progress…

Not so great.

‘Regardless of how much I try, it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to reach the seventh tier anytime soon.’

My previous method of reaching the seventh tier…

It didn’t work out.

In that case, there wasn’t much I could do except focus on my [Curse] Magic. I had been making steady progress, but without the system to guide me, I had no real way of knowing how well I was actually doing.

Usually, I’d receive some sort of experience notification to tell me that I was progressing.

Now…

It was just me.

I was going into it blindly.

“You seem lost.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Noel slowly emerging from one of the bushes.

Rustle~

Looking at him, the first thing I noticed was his eyes.

Although it didn’t show, I could tell.

“You’re tired.”

“…Been for a very long time.”

Noel replied, smiling.

That smile… It looked warm, but I could see the tiredness in it.

Stopping not far from me, he looked around and then settled his gaze over to me again.

“Given how much you were frowning, I take it that your training didn’t go so well. You’re still struggling to break through?”

“…I am.”

I didn’t see the need to lie to Noel.

“I don’t know what it is… I can feel that my mana is slowly increasing, and my body is growing stronger, but I somehow can’t seem to reach the next level. Is there something that I’m doing wrong?”

Rather than answering, the smile on Noel’s face deepened. But with that face, his smile only made me uncomfortable.

And….

For some reason, he looked to be amused by my struggle.

“What?”

“No, nothing.”

Noel shrugged, sitting down on the grass while leaning his hands back to support himself.

“I just… find this sight to be somewhat refreshing.”

“What are you…?”

“You usually have all the answers. Even back then, when you were still getting stronger, this kind of thing never seemed to trip you up. Maybe it was easier back then, but still… seeing you like this feels somewhat refreshing.”

I frowned.

What sort of nonsense was he spouting?

I probably didn’t show my struggle to him back then. I had that much pride.

Now…?

I didn’t care as much about nonsense like that.

“You’ve definitely changed, and…”

Noel paused, looking back at me.

“It’s not a bad change.”

“That… Haa, thanks.”

I felt a little happy about his compliment, but I also knew that he wasn’t here for some meager chatter.

“Considering you’re here, I’m guessing the nobles have made their move? Do you need me to step in or do something?”

“No, not really.”

Noel shook his head, looking rather tired.

“The nobles have indeed made their move, but there’s no need for you to move just yet. I just… wanted to come here to relax for a moment. It’s going to be a rough couple of months.”

“Tell me about it.”

I could already imagine all the chaos that was soon going to unfold.

The problem wasn’t even the surrounding noble houses. According to what I’d heard from Noel, his plan was meant to be quick and precise. The real issue lay in his intent to kill the Emperor.

The chaos that such action would bring was already giving me headaches.

‘I’m also sure it’s not going to be that easy. And what happens if he fails? No, I doubt he will fail. I’m sure he’s made a lot of arrangements in order not to fail.’

Noel had changed a lot.

He was extremely meticulous now. I knew that he could do this, but what about me?

Where did I fit in all of this?

“Oof.”

Noel slowly rose to his feet, brushing off his clothes, a fine black coat with black fur at the back and a few gold embroideries, a white shirt, and black pants, as he turned his gaze toward me. Above him, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over his figure.

He extended his hand towards me.

“Since I’ve got some time to myself, and since you’re struggling so much, should I take this time to teach you a bit?”

“Ah?”

My eyes widened involuntarily as I looked at Noel with a baffled look. Teach me? Him…?

“What?”

Noel smiled, his hand brushing against his hair.

“You don’t trust your own brother?” He suddenly shrugged. “I’ll have you know that despite my current strength, I used to be one of the Seven Gods. They called me Mortum and all of that. If it’s knowledge…”

He pointed at his temple.

“I’ve got plenty of it.”

“This…”

I wanted to argue, but realized that I couldn’t. Noel was right. If there was anyone who was more qualified to teach me, then it’d have to be him.

It wasn’t like the thought of asking him had never crossed my mind, but he always seemed so busy that I ignored it.

“Well.”

Looking at the hand, I smiled and reached for it.

“Alright.”

I grabbed it.

“Teach me.”

***

“Do you know what the difference between the sixth and seventh tiers is?”

Noel suddenly asked, his eyes fixed on his brother. It was a question that had been lingering in Noel’s mind for a while as he quietly observed Emmet.

“…There’s a major leap between each tier — Body Reformation, Domain, and the rest. But do you know what the real difference is between the sixth and seventh tier?”

Noel watched as Emmet paused before answering.

“It’s something about consolidation?”

“Yes.”

Noel nodded quietly.

“There are actually several things you’re meant to accomplish when reaching the seventh tier. It’s a major step. Not as drastic as a monster evolving from Terror to Destroyer, but you could call it the preparation stage before reaching the eighth tier. And that… that will be a critical turning point.”

The Sixth and Seventh tiers specifically were preparatory tiers.

Reaching the seventh tier granted a noticeable boost in mana capacity, physical strength, and mental function. However, beyond those enhancements, there weren’t any dramatic changes.

Nothing like the leap at the fifth tier, which marked the first true major milestone.

“This will all be preparation for reaching the Mind-Body Connection realm. I’m sure you’ve learned about this at the Academy.”

“…..”

Seeing the lost look on his brother’s face, Noel’s face grew a little slack.

Scratching the side of his face, Emmet replied.

“…About that. I do know a little bit, but it’s only small bits and pieces. I spent a lot of time outside of the Academy.”

“Oh, right.”

Noel did recall this.

It wasn’t just this time with the Mirror Dimension. Many times, too.

“Okay, fine.”

Noel pinched the bridge of his nose. He should’ve seen this coming.

“Since you’re still far away from it, I’ll just give you a brief summary of it. The Mind Body Connection Realm is the realm just before the Domain Integration one.”

“Hm?”

Seeing his brother’s reaction, Noel secretly shook his head.

‘It seems like he really doesn’t know.’

“That’s something far off into the future, but once you reach Tier 9, you’ll be able to integrate your domain into yourself. But before you can even do that, you must first connect your mind with your body.”

Noel flicked his hand, and a magic circle appeared.

This sequence of events happened in a fraction of a second.

“What are the things that usually delay a spell?” Noel didn’t wait for his brother to reply before answering,

“It’s the mind. The slower your mind is at forming the runes needed for a spell, the slower the spell itself. In the Mind-Body Connection Realm, the goal is to eliminate that delay entirely. You’ll find everything becomes sharper, faster. Spells will flow like second nature. This becomes crucial when you need to integrate your domain into your body.”

“….I see.”

Emmet nodded, seemingly understanding.

Before Noel could say anything else, Emmet spoke,

“In that case, since you said Tiers 6 and 7 are meant to build the foundation for this realm, I’m guessing Tier 6 focuses on the mind, with all the obsession stuff, and Tier 7 is about the body?”

“….Correct.

Noel smiled. Emmet had always been quick with this type of stuff, so he wasn’t that surprised that he had figured this much out. However, it was gratifying to see.

Especially when Noel saw a look of understanding on Emmet’s face as he closed his eyes and sat down on the grass.

“I understand.”

Emmet smiled bitterly.

“…I can see why it’s taking me so long to improve.”

“Actually.”

Suddenly interrupting, Noel looked at Emmet.

“There is one way to make you reach the seventh tier faster.”

“Huh?”

Emmet’s head snapped toward Noel, surprise flickering across his face.

“But didn’t you—”

“Well, it’s not like I didn’t actually have it. It’s just that this method…”

Noel paused, his expression growing a little grim.

“I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

‘Especially since it involves my blood…’