Chapter 25

After forming a contract with Greed and training with the eccentric sword, Klaus felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew that his path to becoming a powerful mage-slash-swordsman and achieving his goal of revenge was a long and challenging one, but he was ready to face it head-on.

Inhaling deeply, Klaus shifted his focus to the intricate art of crafting a mana core. Countless hours spent immersed in ancient tomes and manuscripts had endowed him with a profound understanding of the process. Armed with knowledge and determination, Klaus, with Greed clasped firmly in both hands, embarked on the arcane journey within.

His closed eyes visualized the internal mana pathways, resembling an intricate network of rivers and streams that wove through the tapestry of his body. Dark energy flowed along these channels, converging at the epicenter—his heart. To birth a mana core, Klaus needed to distill a potent and stable source of mana within the lower reaches of his navel.

Silent incantations, a fundamental spell serving as his guide, resonated in the air. Klaus could feel the intricate dance of his mana pathways responding, drawing mana toward his heart. This dance mirrored the process mages employed to etch magic circles within their hearts. As energy amassed around his heart, Klaus synchronized his breath, absorbing ambient mana from the air and melding it with the dark energy enveloping his heart.

The amalgamated energy was then directed beneath his navel, navigating the labyrinthine channels of his mana pathways. A spectral dance of black energy began to emanate from his body, a testament to the intricate fusion taking place within. Focusing this energy on Greed, the sword pulsated with newfound vitality. Klaus continued this rhythmic exchange, each breath infusing Greed with intense black energy until both sword and wielder throbbed with an otherworldly power.

The ground trembled beneath the surging energy, cracks forming as the air itself distorted around Greed. Amidst this spectacle, Klaus recognized the pivotal juncture approaching—an apex of difficulty that would test the limits of his endurance.

"Now comes the tricky part," Klaus mumbled to himself. He redirected all the energy fireworks back to his navel, shaping the volcanic black energy into a ball. His body wasn't having it—bones cracking, blood playing peek-a-boo from his face holes. It hurt so bad Klaus could feel his brain waving the white flag.

"Nope! Gotta tough it out," he grunted, clenching his teeth until they did a little dance.

Within his mind realm, the two magic circles inside his two spiritual eyes spun violently, sparking with ethereal energy.

Summoning the resilience within him, Klaus invoked the Second Circle Magic: High Heal. The curative energy mingled with the black energy within his navel, orchestrating a delicate ballet of restoration and fusion. The energies, now intertwined, swirled and compressed within the core of his being.

As Klaus persisted in this meticulous dance of magic and endurance, Greed observed in silence. The sword's condescension intertwined with a burgeoning curiosity, acknowledging the unorthodox yet effective nature of Klaus's approach.

Undeterred by the passage of time, Klaus maintained his focus on the formation of his mana core. The mana within the lower reaches of his navel grew denser, stabilizing into a delicate equilibrium. It was a process akin to sculpting a gem from raw minerals, each movement deliberate and precise.

Minutes stretched into hours as Klaus sustained his concentration. A profound connection with the ambient mana enveloped him, a communion with the very essence of the world. This novel sensation filled him with awe, a testament to the extraordinary journey he embarked upon.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Klaus sensed the completion of his mana core. Pulsating within the lower sanctuary of his navel, it radiated with power—a reservoir of energy at his beck and call. Yet, within the confines of his frame, an excess of energy lingered, a testament to the enormity of the undertaking.

"No way I'm wasting this. Time to unlock the Third Eye of the Ten Eyes Mantra," Klaus thought, redirecting the excess mana to the upper part of his body. The overflow surged upward, opening a spatial rift in his head. Intense energy coursed into his Mind realm, causing his already open eyes to vibrate under the strain.

After a brief but intense ordeal, the third eye unfolded, marking the completion of Klaus's mana core.