I don't like to brag about my own intelligence, but there are times when even I myself am surprised by my own work. That's why I can clearly say that I'm not like the typical geniuses like Henry and others, who study every field to find what they could develop, thrive in, and excel at. I'm someone who stepped into the Time Path directly, without concern for the others. My study of other paths solely depends on whether it can help me learn something to advance further in the Time Path.
I don't exactly remember the date or time, but it was around the period when I studied the Body Enchantment Field—a field where magicians enchant their own bodies using mana. As a result, they can either harden their bodies, make them as light as a feather, or extract more raw power from their limbs. It was an easy field to study, and many magicians have already graduated by creating a thesis in it.
While I was studying this field, I came extremely close to developing a theory for it—without even intentionally pursuing it. However, I didn't continue developing that theory because I already had my own field to dedicate my focus to. Still, the thoughts I gathered for developing that theory remain vividly in my mind.
It's quite a coincidence, though… because I believe that those thoughts would come in handy someday.
"Let's see… What was it again…? The mind is the operator and the body is the machine. Right. The mind is the operator and the body is the machine."
. . . . . . .
In the arena—or more specifically, in the circle surrounded by the prisoners—the opponent on the other side was already close to Auran, his hand delivering a strike through the air.
The crowd cheered, and Kahla was gritting his teeth, expecting a devastating blast to Auran's face.
However, in the next second, everything changed. Auran, who stood still in the face of the strike, finally moved in a very skillful way. Deflecting the striking hand, he struck back at the Slave Crusher's face.
The crowd went silent once again… until the announcing woman's voice rose.
"It looks like we underestimated our newbie, gentlemen. He actually has talent in his hands," the woman's voice resounded as the others continued to cheer in the fire-lit circle.
Between Auran and the Slave Crusher, several strikes were delivered, and a few rounds of battle went on. The more this battle was observed by the onlookers, the more a strange and odd feeling began to rise in everyone's hearts—especially Marian.
"Hey, the other Malckoy family guy… is it just me, or does his way of fighting look familiar?"
She asked Henry standing beside her. He was also baffled for a moment but soon came to a realization.
"Yeah... he fights exactly like I did. And even this fight is following the same pattern as mine."
"So you two really trained in battle arts together?" asked Marian curiously, because that was the only reason she could think of.
However, Henry didn't respond. He continued to observe the battle between Auran and the Slave Crusher. He didn't have an answer for what Marian asked—because, honestly, he didn't know whether Auran had previously trained in battle arts or not.
Finally, after a few rounds of trading strikes with each other, the battle between Auran and the Slave Crusher came to an end with Auran delivering a solid blow, knocking the Slave Crusher out of the circle—securing his victory.
Kahla was in disbelief, and the crowd erupted in cheers, louder than ever, impressed by Auran's display of skill and asking for more.
"You were hiding your skills, huh? Was that for a surprise? Good job, by the way. Our boss is pleased with your performance,"
the woman whispered into Auran's ear after announcing his victory.
"So does that mean we can go back to mining?" Auran asked.
"Why the hurry? Relax, you're a rookie now—you deserve some free time. Let the slaves below your rank take care of that work,"
the woman said while turning Auran's head toward the mining area and pointing at the slaves that dragging rocks and digging deeper into the mines.
Almost all of those working in the worst conditions were slim and showed no extraordinary physical strength. But they were forced to work because they had fallen in battle and ended up as slaves. Although it's a cruel fate, in a place like this—where the strong rule—having sympathy for them means nothing unless someone has overwhelming power to make others obey their words.
Auran understood this very well. That's why he remained silent when looking at those who worked hard. He saw old men, women, and even children among the slaves, working while falling and getting up again, continuing out of fear of being beaten by those ranked higher than them.
"Then I'd like to take my free time now," said Auran.
"But don't you want to challenge someone else? Maybe someone in the same rank… or someone even higher?"
The announcing woman said this as she turned Auran's eyes toward Kahla. She followed up with a few more words, clearly trying to ignite a fire in Auran's heart—but it was pointless.
"No, I'm tired now. I'd like to use my free time," Auran replied, stepping out from the circle. A few boos were thrown at him from the crowd, but it was undeniable that Auran's sudden display of skill left a surprising impression on their hearts.
Afterwards, although the battle rounds continued, no new members stepped in to fight. Only those in the lower ranks tried to challenge those in the higher ranks in hopes of raising their own status.
After his battle, Auran did not stay to watch the rest. He moved to a solitary spot, and soon Henry, Marian, and Nimuk arrived.
"You sly little brat! You should've told us if you knew battle arts. We worried for nothing,"
Marian said, grabbing Auran by the head.
"I didn't know you were worried about me," Auran said nonchalantly.
In truth, Auran didn't really know battle arts like Henry did. What he actually did was imitate Henry's movements. In his mind, he first visualized the battle he saw between Henry and his first challenger. From the basic theory he had grasped from the battle art field, he operated his body using his mind like a puppet.
Although the result wasn't a hundred percent identical to what Henry did—since their bodies were not structurally the same—it was effective enough to convince everyone that Auran truly knew battle arts.
"Of course I would. How else would we escape from this place?" Marian said as she slapped Auran back.
"But with your capability, you could have easily gone for a cadet or even a leader rank—the same rank I'm in."
"Why? Why would I waste my time for a title that'll soon be pointless?" Auran replied as he sat on the ground.
Hearing him, the other three looked at each other's faces. And among them, Henry was the first to speak.