Chapter 49: Hell and intent (2/2)

”As you must know, bloodline magic uses instinct and emotions, witchcraft uses knowledge and Holy magic uses faith. But what is the fuel for mana users? Simple. It's their will. More precisely their intent.”

Lilith said as she stood in front of him. As a way to illustrate her words, suddenly, Sol felt as if he was thrown into a deep pit full of ice.

Jumping away in reflex, he looked with surprise at Lilith.

”This was killing intent. A rather simple trick as things goes. Though, some mana users have reached such a high level in this trick that they can actually kill or stun weak-willed people. But this isn't all.”

Waving her hand, all the grass around her was immediately cut.

”By fusing the intent to cut with my mana I obtained a blade that cut anything. The stronger my intent, the stronger my blade. Do not confuse emotions and intent. Intent is the will behind an action. A goal you set for yourself.”

Sol nodded at those explanations. He already had some experience with raw mana manipulation. Like how he used it to bind Camelia or create a collar for her.

”Mana manipulation isn't inferior in any way to magic. That's why Sol, never let your talent go to your head. You must work hard. Harder than anyone. A genius is terrifying, but a genius who works hard is a monster.”

At the end of those words, a new hell began for him.

In the morning, he would put different intents in his mana, reaching different results. If the result didn't please Lilith, he would have to begin everything again.

In the afternoon, he would have sparring sessions with her where she would proceed to absolutely trash him within an inch of his life. What's more, since he had such a high regeneration power, she didn't hesitate to give him wounds that would have been potentially fatal to anyone else in his position.

During the night, she would instruct him on different strategies for one VS one or one VS many situations. She would also instruct him on some elements he needed to pay attention in situations of war both as a general or as a soldier.

As he laid down while breathing heavily after taking out a sword from his gut, he remembered now why his cousin had fled from the house and joined the academy. He knew that she had completed her training, but after that, her relationship with her mother had never been the same.

Lilith was simply too harsh. So harsh that sometimes he wondered if it was really the woman who had always spoiled him rotten.

Still, he held on.

He cursed, vomited, cried, entertained thoughts about killing her, about giving up, was ready to use his mirror realm to flee in another kingdom, entertained suicidal thoughts.

But every time, every damn time he was about to give up, he would simply grit his teeth and continue.

Only one thought holding him up.

'One day, I will spank her so hard her ass will redden.'

It was a rather lascivious thought, but since he couldn't win in a fight, one day, he would win in bed.

For the time being, giving up wasn't an option.

But truthfully, what made him held on, was the knowledge that Lilith wasn't acting by some sense of sadism. Every time she hurt him, every time he suffered, he could see it in her eyes.

The way she was wincing, the way her eyes would redden, the way she would look ashamed.

He knew she did not wish to make him suffer. But it was necessary.

It was better for him to bleed here than to die on the battlefield.

Still, during all his training, one problem nagged at him.

It was something briefly mentioned by the goddess. It was something Camelia leaked by mistake but refused to explain.

Lilith had a big secret. Something related to the previous king, his grandfather.

Sol decided, on the last day of his training, he would ask her.

He didn't want to force her, but he hated ambiguous situations.

Generally, it was the kind of secret that always get out in the worst possible moment and fucked up everything.