Chapter 11: Training Magic And Leveling Up To Level 4

In the morning that followed the quarrel that took place between his parents, Alaric saw that the home had a… strange vibe.

The energy was different, as if something had fundamentally changed, and it didn’t take him long to figure out what it was that had happened.

From that day on, his mother and father started sleeping in different rooms from one another. There was no significant statement or conversation that took place; rather, they quietly drifted away, like two ships sailing in separate ways without making any noise.

While Victor had made the study his new home and transformed it into his improvised quarters, Lyra continued to dwell in the master bedroom on the other side of the house.

Even though it wasn’t spoken out, Alaric was aware that the reason for their separation was due to the tense connection that they had.

Despite this, the tension that existed between them had decreased marginally. The lack of constant presence seems to provide them both with a type of relief that they did not express verbally.

“Father’s staying in the study again?” When Alaric was standing at the doorway of his mother’s room one evening, he posed the question as he saw his mother draw the covers into a tighter circle around herself.

There was no discernible expression on Lyra’s face as she nodded. “It’s better this way, for now.”

He did not proceed any further. It was not necessary to do so. In addition to the fact that he had more serious concerns on his mind, the underlying message was very apparent.

The typical focus of his thoughts had switched away from his father’s rants or even Kara’s growing liking for him. He was thinking about something else. His attention was now pulled to something that was more exciting, and that was magic.

—

Alaric has always known he had the power to use magic. He considered the information to be an integral part of his identity, just as his Harem God System.

However, up until very recently, it had remained a latent ability, one that he had not yet explored or stirred into life.

It wasn’t until he reached level four on the journey that he had actually felt something alter inside him. It was a stirring in his core that hinted at potential that had not yet been utilized.

During the late hours of one night, he sat on the floor of his room, seated in a cross-legged position, and focused on his breathing.

The air surrounding him had a thick feel to it, yet it was not oppressive. It was from the few books that he had scavenged from the family’s tiny library that he had learnt that the first step in unlocking magic was to acquire the ability to sense mana.

He was convinced that his one-of-a-kind gift would make the procedure easier than it would be for other people, despite the fact that meditation and focus were essential.

As he attempted to tune into the energy that was all about him, he kept his eyes closed as his breath came in and out gently.

Initially, it felt like he was attempting to grasp something that was not substantial, like he was attempting to capture smoke with his hands.

But gradually, as his concentration increased, he became aware of it: a minute pulse of warmth, the mana whirling around in the air without being visible.

A smirk appeared on his lips, and it moved slowly. The writings had given the impression that it would be much more difficult than it actually was.

It is possible that his body’s innate affinity for magic was stronger than usual, or it may be that the latent boost he had received from leveling up was the cause of his increase. Whatever the case may be, it was a satisfying experience, as if he had at long last accessed something that had been destined to be his all along.

Ding!

But not from his magic. The familiar system notification floated across his vision.

[Experience from Kara: +9 Experience]

—

The amount of time that Kara spent in his room had increased over time.

In the beginning, she did it under the premise of her responsibilities, which included making the bed, cleaning up his belongings, and providing any potential aid she could. However, it quickly evolved into something more.

As time went on, Alaric got accustomed to the presence of her, and it wasn’t long before she became a consistent part of his nightly routine.

Of course, she was completely unaware of his extensive expertise in magic. Not a single one did. On the other hand, Kara was aware of how to carry out his hidden instructions. Despite the fact that he hadn’t even explicitly requested that she remain in his bed, it didn’t make a difference, nonetheless.

It had developed into a natural state. His wants and wishes were sufficient to make her submit without question, and from that point on, she became his body pillow.

Tonight was the same as every other night. While she was lying next to him, her luscious form was perfectly contoured to his. And Alaric could feel that her body was warm and very soft.

Alaric leaned his head against her large bust, his arm loosely slung across her small waist. He did not have a particular purpose for wanting her to be there.

This was not done in order to acquire more experience for the system or to test any limits that existed between them. Simply put, he took pleasure in the sensation of her body being supple, soft, and completely his.

“Are you comfortable, Sir Alaric?” While her breath was warm on his skin, Kara’s words was barely audible above a whisper.

His response was, “Perfectly,” and he did not even attempt to raise his head.

However, he paid little attention to the fact that he could sense a slight tightness in her body and the way that her body responded to his presence.

This was a nightly ritual that she had gotten accustomed to, and she cooperated with it without any obvious protest.

It was possible that she did not entirely comprehend the reason, but Alaric did not care. There was no necessity for him to provide an explanation.

[Experience from Kara: +12 Experience]

Another subtle ding in the background of his mind, but nothing too significant. Her devotion was gradually but definitely rising, and he could see the fractures in her collected exterior becoming bigger with each passing day.

—

During the day, Alaric’s attention switched.

Although the system had provided him with a number of benefits, he would be responsible for his own road toward becoming a master of magic.

There were no shortcuts, no quick fixes like there were when it came to earning experience through his interactions with women.

Because of this, he would spend hours by himself in his room, reading through ancient books that were covered in dust, practicing the techniques that were described in the books, and studying the fundamentals of mana manipulation.

Magic was not something that interested Lyra, who was an expert martial artist. She was a swordswoman in every sense of the term, and she spent her days honing her fighting talents via several training sessions.

The power and self-control that she possessed was something that Alaric appreciated and respected in her.

However, he was aware that he was not suited for such course of action.

At least in his opinion, the art of swordsmanship was not nearly as powerful as the power that might be garnered via the use of magic.

Given that you have the ability to manipulate the forces of nature, why would you choose to use a blade?

In the texts, there were numerous phases that were discussed on the path to becoming a genuine wizard.

The first step was to just become aware of the mana that was all around you, which Alaric had previously done achieved.

The second step was to exert influence over it and force it to conform to your desires. This was where the true difficulty lay, and it was also where he spent the most of his time at this point.

He would practice alone, away from inquisitive eyes, in silence. While he was concentrating, his fingers began to quiver, and he wished for the mana to accumulate in his palm.

In the beginning, it was challenging. He appeared to be unable to control the energy, as it seemed to defy his instructions and escape his hands like water.

Every time he made an attempt, however, he got a little bit closer to the magic and became a little bit more in tune with it.

By the time the week came to a close, he had succeeded in conjuring a glimmer of mana in the palm of his hand. Even though it was so minuscule that it was virtually impossible to notice, it was there.

Despite the fact that his heart was racing with enthusiasm, he did not rejoice out loud. There was no reason to discuss this accomplishment with any other individual.

[Experience from Kara: +10 Experience]

Another ding in the back of his mind. Kara, who had been waiting by the entrance as she often did, gave him a kind grin when she saw him glance up, but she continued to be blissfully unconscious of the actual progress that he was making.

She was completely oblivious to the use of magic and had no comprehension of the power that he was beginning to exercise. And that was the way that Alaric preferred it. That was a secret that he was to keep.

—

As the days went by in a methodical manner, his training in magic continued to advance in a gradual but consistent manner.

Despite the fact that he had never experienced magic before in his previous life, his intellect was brilliant, and the process of learning, while demanding, was not unduly difficult.

Despite the fact that his body had a natural affinity for mana, the route appeared to be easier, and he felt his control over the energy getting stronger with each passing day.

By night, Kara’s body continued to be a source of comfort for him, her warm curves and smooth skin providing a welcome break from the brain tiredness that he had experienced as a result of his training.

He didn’t put on any pretenses about the reasons he kept her so close. It was not out of love or affection; rather, it was just because he loved the sensation of being in her body. Her reactions to his touch were a bonus, but not his focus.

Whether it was in the realm of magic or in his growing power over the ladies around him, Alaric was well aware that his journey was just getting started.

There was a great deal more to learn, and far more difficulties to overcome. On the other hand, for the time being, he was satisfied to take things one step at a time, with both his intellect and his body becoming more robust with each passing day.

[Experience from Kara: +15 Experience]

And Kara? She was slowly becoming more than just a body pillow.

She was becoming his.