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The Clover Kingdom, by region, can be divided from top to bottom into three: the Hui Wai Realm, the Common Realm, and the Royal Capital. Logically, the natural Mana concentration in these areas should also follow this pattern, increasing from the Hui Wai Realm, where the commoners live, to the Royal Capital, where the royalty reside.
However, this statement is not entirely accurate.
The Hui Wai Realm is bordered to the north by a strong Mana zone. Five hundred years ago, the elf tribe, blessed by Mana, also lived in this area. Therefore, the natural Mana in the air of the Hui Wai Realm is not low; it's just that people chose areas with lower Mana that were more suitable for a comfortable life.
Several kilometers from Hage Village, near the kingdom's border, a mountain range stretches before the strong Mana zone. Lush vegetation covers the scattered peaks, and a rich natural Mana flows in the air.
Occasionally, giant birds of prey soar high above. Asta and Bai En gazed at the tall trees in the forest from an open space outside the mountain range. In the depths of the quiet mountains, the faint chirping of insects and birds could be heard.
"This is the place!"
"Huh? Um, I'm really grateful you let me experience riding a flying broom, but… Bai En… where exactly are we?! Are we very far from Hage Village?" Asta nervously looked at Bai En, who was holding Father Orji's flying broom.
Bai En looked at the limp, wavy Asta, then pulled out a map and glanced at it: "About ten to twenty kilometers from the village? I'm guessing that's the distance… But we're still within the Clover Kingdom."
"No, why do you look so calm? This place is like a primeval forest, you can't even see a soul. There might be man-eating monsters, all sorts of poisonous insects…"
Asta rubbed his hands together, forcing a smile: "Ya~ Bai En, maybe we should go back?"
"We can't do that now. My Mana is depleted. If you want to go back now, you'll probably have to walk," Bai En said with a beaming smile.
"Eh! Ah~"
Asta looked as if he had been struck, squatting on the ground and drawing circles with his hand: "Bai En is really unreliable~ Wouldn't practicing swordplay in the village be more dependable? I've already experienced the feeling of flying on a broom…"
"Asta!"
A serious voice made Asta look over. "What…" Before he could finish, he saw Bai En standing there in a master's pose, hands behind his back, the sunlight above casting a golden shadow on him.
"You want to become the Wizard King, right?"
"Hm? …Hm!"
"You want to defeat Yuno and win the sister's favor, right?!"
"That's right!" Asta stood up.
"Good~ Good~" Bai En slowly turned around, raising his hand to point at the continuous mountain range, "Let's begin our secret training. Once we completely conquer this mountain range called Ito Orlsky, we will be one step closer to these goals!"
Hearing this, Asta took a deep, excited breath, looking at the mountains and trees in the range, and suddenly felt boundless ambition: "Oh, no problem!"
The next second, the mood shifted dramatically.
He scratched his head sheepishly: "But what exactly are we going to do?"
"Remember the breathing technique I taught you yesterday? We're going to use it to go up and down the mountain! Simply put, it's mountain climbing training."
"Mountain climbing?"
——————
The Ito Orlsky mountain range was discovered by Bai En yesterday while he was looking through books for materials to temper his "kitchenware." Coincidentally, it wasn't too far from Hage Village, so he came today for an early reconnaissance.
It was almost exactly as described in the book: a sprawling mountain range with rich natural Mana, and many unseen plants and animals in the forest, making it a natural treasure trove.
The rich natural Mana could cultivate affinity, allowing for early adaptation and mastery of magic. The abundant plants and animals facilitated food collection and cooking, thereby increasing one's own Mana.
The towering mountains and forests, teeming with magical life forms and ferocious creatures, could strengthen the body and improve combat abilities. For Bai En now, it couldn't be better.
Bai En and Asta entered a tall mountain within the range. The uphill path was not easy; rocks protruded from the yellow soil on the slopes, and various unknown tall trees stood tall. Needle-like and oval leaves blocked the midday sun, making the forest quiet and cool.
"Alright, Asta, let's begin."
"Mountain climbing? Great~ Let's see who reaches the summit first!" With that, Asta bent down, ready to sprint.
Bai En grabbed Asta's clothes with one hand: "Wait, we're not climbing today. Each of us will choose a path up and down the mountain, and then set up traps along the way."
"Traps?"
"That's right, just like when we hunted wild boars before. Our formal training will start tomorrow." With that, the two chose a path and separated, walking upwards along the mountain's slope.
Using vines and trees in the forest, and digging pits, Asta and Bai En each set up traps along their respective paths.
It wasn't until sunset that Bai En waited at the foot of the mountain for Asta to come down. His spiky hair was messy, his face had some bruises, and his entire body was covered in mud and leaves. "I say, Asta, why are you so disheveled?"
Seeing Bai En, Asta ran over, holding his dark greatsword: "Bai En, there are so many strange guys in the mountains! Stones that run, vines like tentacle monsters… It was incredible! I was chased and attacked by them, it was so thrilling, I almost felt like I wouldn't make it back!"
"Eh? Bai En, what happened to you? Your face is bruised and swollen, and your clothes… half of them are torn."
"Wait!" Asta looked at the large black creature lying quietly behind Bai En, a thick, sticky smell of blood wafting in the air: "So it wasn't a stone? This is… a wolf?"
"That's right, a wolf that can use wind magic. Seriously, it took me a lot of effort to kill it. Good, this will be our food for tonight. Any leftover meat will be cured and grilled as the first meal sold at 'Xiao Bai's Home' when it opens!"
Asta sat on the flying broom, carrying the Wind-Patterned Wolf. The greatly increased gravity made it difficult for Bai En to control the angle and speed of flight.
"Barbecue? Xiao Bai's Home? What are those?"
Bai En explained: "Barbecue is a method of cooking food. As for 'Xiao Bai's Home'... hehe, I'm going to open a restaurant in Hage Village, and it'll be called 'Xiao Bai's Home'."
"I see…"
"Eh, eh?! Bai En, the broom… we're going to fall!" Asta shouted in panic.
The broom, glowing with a soft white aura, plummeted from the sky like a silver thread, like a brilliant shooting star streaking across the night sky!
"I know! The combined weight of you, me, and this wolf is too much!" Bai En yelled.
The air hummed, and chaotic, turbulent currents brushed past their cheeks, their clothes wildly fluttering behind them.
"Should I just throw it away!?"
"No!"
Bai En increased his Mana output. Just as they were about to plunge into a lake, the flying broom successfully ascended, avoiding the ignominy of crashing into the water. The broom's tail skimmed the surface, kicking up a spray of shimmering water droplets and waves into the air.
They swayed in the air as they flew towards Hage Village.
——————
The next day, before dawn, Asta and Bai En woke up early and rode the flying broom to the Ito Orlsky mountain range. Yuno, also an early riser, watched the two disappear into the sky, pondered for a moment, then turned back to his own tasks.
Maintaining stable flight on the flying broom, Bai En continuously practiced the technique of condensing natural Mana to replenish his own, thereby maintaining a relative balance between Mana output and recovery, keeping his Mana in a "sufficient" state.
The moon's shadow in the sky had not yet completely faded, and the faint light illuminated the path ahead. A thick layer of mist enveloped the vast forest.
Flying into the mist, it was difficult to discern their position.
The misty forest, the traps set, and the presence of magical beasts… Under such conditions, going up and down the mountain was no easy feat, fraught with danger.
Landing steadily in an open space, Bai En looked ahead, unable to help but worry about Asta, who was about to climb the mountain without Mana. Even with the demon-slayer sword, without Mana, there were ultimately some areas where he couldn't compare to a Mage.
"Asta, why don't we wait until the mist clears a bit before we start moving."
"Why?"
Bai En voiced his concerns, but Asta, upon hearing them, laughed instead: "Training under these conditions is what's useful, right? I'm going to be the Wizard King!"
He gave a thumbs-up and ran forward: "We'll meet at the bottom of the mountain later!"
His figure, hurriedly running into the forest, was slowly obscured by the mist. In the slightly cold environment, a sudden wind blew. After a moment of thought, Bai En's glowing white Mana surged around him. Maintaining his breathing technique and activating his Mana Skin, he too rushed into the forest.
It was like two shattered mirrors.
As Asta traversed the forest uphill, he was either hoisted by ropes or fell into pre-dug pits. If he ran a bit too fast, he would trip over vines, tumbling and rolling.
In contrast, Bai En, maintaining his full concentration and constant breathing along with his Mana Skin, had abnormal motor nerves and reaction speed, almost like a beast. He dodged Asta's traps with incredible movements almost the instant he touched them.
The sun rose faster than expected. The mist in the forest slowly dissipated, and the temperature began to rise. Gradually, the sun reached its highest point, arriving at midday.
The two had set a penalty for themselves: Asta had agreed that if he couldn't reach the meeting point by the time the sun was at its zenith, he would walk back to Hage Village.
Bai En, who had expected to ride the flying broom back alone, in the last moments of hesitation, saw Asta limping towards him, leaning on his sword. Blood soaked through his tattered clothes, and new wounds were added to the old ones on his face.
It wasn't until the black figure reached him that he collapsed weakly, "I… made it…"
Supporting the unconscious Asta, Bai En murmured, not knowing if he heard, "Yes, you made it. Good job, you succeeded on your first try…"
Behind growth always lies hardship and unknown effort.
After securing a dark black snake, which had been hunted and prepared during the mountain climb, with vines, and putting the collected ingredients into his backpack, Bai En placed Asta on the front of the flying broom, watching over him to prevent him from falling.
It was a pity he didn't know any binding magic; it would have made things much easier.
Father Orji's flying broom bore a weight it wasn't meant to carry, swaying slowly in the sky like a snail. Fortunately, the scenery in the sky was beautiful, allowing them to pass the slow, leisurely time.
——————
Upon returning to the church in Hage Village, Bai En immediately found Sister Lily. "Miss Lily, please use healing magic on Asta; he's injured."
"Eh? How could that be?"
Sister Lily was stunned for a moment, then looked at the bruised and battered Asta whom Bai En had placed on the bed. Her grimoire, emitting a blue light, flew out from her waist pouch: "Water Healing Magic, Holy Radiance of Flowing Water!"
The overflowing blue light flew towards Asta's injuries. The shallower wounds slowly began to heal… "Honestly, I don't know what he went and did to get himself into such a state." Sister Lily was a bit angry. "I remember you also woke up very early today, Bai En. Were you with Asta?"
"…Eh… No, I went out to collect ingredients today. I made some new discoveries. I met Asta while passing by the Demon God's remains," Bai En lied without a blush or a hurried breath.
Looking at Bai En, who was carrying a large, full bag, Sister Lily nodded: "Is that so? I see…"
"Then I'll leave Asta in your care for now. I still have things to do."
Before Sister Lily could refuse, Bai En had already walked out of the church. Seeing his escaping figure, the sister murmured, "Ever since they got their grimoires, everyone has been even busier than before."
The orange-yellow sunlight slanted down, casting a shadow on the open space in front of the church. A gentle breeze rustled the grass and leaves, bringing a slight chill.
Before Bai En, who had just closed the door, could catch his breath, a faint voice came from beside him: "Where did you and Asta go today? I saw you leave the village."
The sudden question startled Bai En. It wasn't until he saw Yuno's familiar face that he recovered. "Hm, I went a little further afield to find some ingredients."
"If it was simply for finding ingredients, why would Asta be so injured?"
"It's also possible he fell."
"…" Yuno, leaning against the wall, frowned. "Next time, I'll go with you two."
Bai En sighed, "Honestly, first, help me out. Please get the meat I cured last night. Let's go."
"Where?"
"You'll know when we get there."
——————
Just like its name, the church where Bai En and Asta lived was on the very edge of Hage Village. It was several kilometers to walk to the center of the village.
One winter night, Yuno was sent to deliver a letter to the village chief. On his way back, he was robbed by a drunken man who tried to snatch the necklace from his neck. Fortunately, Asta, Bai En, and the village chief arrived in time, preventing the drunkard from succeeding.
The center of Hage Village was an open space, surrounded by scattered houses. It was where people usually rested and entertained themselves. In the late afternoon, as people slowly wound down, they began to gather there to chat and relax.
Unlike usual, there were two more youths in the open space. They were pushing a wooden cart, which bore the name "Xiao Bai's Home," and was adorned with the titles "Delicious Food" and "Handsome Guys." The two were selling food there.
Many people were willing to try the novel items that had appeared. First, a few girls, then gradually more onlookers gathered.
The sizzling grilled meat, spicy, exotic seasonings, paired with sweet and sour fruit syrup, sold very well on their first evening stall.
Business of nearly seven hundred yule in one night made Bai En look forward to the tempering material for his "Blade of Beauty"—Iron Essence. Although it would take a long time to accumulate, seeing hope was always good.
Looking at Yuno by the cart, Bai En took out a sum from the earnings and handed it to him: "You worked hard, Yuno, this is for you."
"No, I don't need these right now." Yuno looked directly at Bai En, as if reminding him if he had forgotten something.
"Alright, alright, actually, even if you didn't remind me, I would have come to find you…"
Bai En told Yuno everything he and Asta had been doing. "So, we're doing special training. Yuno, you should come along too."
"Together?"
"That's right. We'll increase the difficulty of the mountain climbing training, like a 'cat and mouse' game. During the climb, two people act as mice, and one person acts as the cat. The mice's task is to go up and down the mountain, while the cat can set traps and use magic to hinder the mice…"
Yuno's inclusion could further upgrade the simple physical traps, incorporating Mana-infused attacks. This would fully train Mana perception and improve effective dodging movements and speed practice… From the second day onwards, the morning mountain climbing training went from two people to three.
Hard times are always mixed with sweat. As countless drops of sweat flowed, time also quietly passed. Soon, it was September, nearing the Magic Knights selection date…