Chapter 62: The Thief’s Breath (2)

“In my opinion, it seems like it’s because the boss is too ‘conscious’ of the breathing?”

“Conscious of the breathing?”

“That’s right.”

Dayle nodded vigorously while rubbing the back of his head where I had hit him.

“Because you’re too immersed in casting [The Thief’s Breath], the balance is breaking. You’re forcibly trying to hold onto the mana, so the breathing gets tangled, and that’s why you keep failing.”

“What are you talking about? Explain it in a way I can understand.”

“Ah. Why can’t you understand such a simple thing?”

Dayle grumbled with an annoyed expression, but when I raised my hand, he instantly changed his attitude and continued the explanation.

“The boss’s problem right now isn’t with [Dark Sprint]. It’s with [The Thief’s Breath]. You know well that we humans can’t accumulate mana in our bodies, right, boss?”

I nodded.

“I know.”

“So, those who train their bodies like knights convert mana into aura and accumulate it in their bodies, and those who train their minds like mages carve paths called mana circuits between their inner world and this world to draw in mana.”

“I know that too.”

“And we thieves can be seen as combining the two. What makes that possible is precisely [The Thief’s Breath].”

“I know, I said.”

The Thief’s Breath.

This vision, created by the great thief Ian Gaius, was the most basic vision and qi gong technique that thieves of Shadow learned.

Thieves who mastered [The Thief’s Breath] basically had their five senses developed.

In addition, the ability to control the body more delicately, emotional control, and patience increased.

But above all, the representative ability of [The Thief’s Breath] was this.

Allowing mana to be accumulated in the body.

The reason we thieves could strengthen our bodies without aura and use mana without mana circuits was all thanks to this [The Thief’s Breath].

“You’re probably accumulating mana with [The Thief’s Breath] in everyday life too, boss.”

“That’s right.”

“So. That’s the cause.”

I tilted my head.

“That’s the cause?”

“Hoo. Frustrating. Listen carefully. From now on, the explanation might be difficult.”

If it were usual, I would have smacked the back of his head for being an explanation freak, but I focused on Dayle’s mouth.

“On the surface, aura and mana can’t be distinguished. But in terms of power, it’s 2 to 1 with aura being superior. In a way, it’s natural. Aura is mana that’s been refined and refined again through training to accumulate in the body. Humans have overcome the drawback of having to accumulate it in the limited space of the body through evolution and development, in their own way.”

“That’s right.”

“Naturally, visions that use the body like swordsmanship, martial arts, evasion techniques, light body techniques all use aura. On the other hand, what about [Dark Sprint]?”

“It uses mana. Because it’s a thievery technique.”

“Doesn’t something seem off?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it…….”

I adjusted my sitting posture.

Because I got a sense of what Dayle was saying.

It was definitely strange.

From ancient times, all thieves of Shadow had mastered [The Thief’s Breath].

Naturally, their bodies would have accumulated mana, not aura, and [Dark Sprint] would also have used mana as a resource.

However, [Dark Sprint] was superior to other light body techniques that used aura.

‘How could that be?’

By simple calculation alone, mana and aura should have a 2-fold difference in output.

It would make sense if other light body techniques were faster than [Dark Sprint] which used mana.

‘But why is it the opposite?’

Moreover, [Dark Sprint] was a thievery technique with sustainability, not single-use like [Dagger Shift].

It continuously consumed mana.

The reason my flow kept breaking when I used [Dark Sprint] was also here.

Because I couldn’t sustain that flow in the first place.

To summarize, structurally, it was impossible to maintain and sustain [Dark Sprint] with mana, logically.

“……It’s strange?”

Dayle also nodded.

“I think the same. It’s strange.”

“Right?”

“That’s right. The boss is really strange. Are you doing it on purpose by any chance?”

At the out-of-the-blue remark, I tilted my head.

“On purpose? What are you talking about?”

“I’m asking why you’re using [The Thief’s Breath] so inefficiently, that’s what I mean. I don’t understand. Is it a concept? Or are you trying to test if my eyes are working properly?”

I realized something was wrong.

“Am I that strange?”

“You are strange. Using [The Thief’s Breath] while being conscious of it.”

“Isn’t it natural to be conscious and focused when using a vision?”

“But that vision is [The Thief’s Breath], isn’t it?”

“So what? Isn’t it a vision?”

“It is a vision. But, it’s basic, right? Why are you focusing on using [The Thief’s Breath]?”

What bullshit has he been spouting since earlier.

Could he be getting revenge for the hit earlier?

I thought, but Dayle’s expression was genuinely frustrated.

“Then you don’t focus?”

“Of course not.”

“Why? Because of Evil Eye?”

Dayle shook his head.

“Rendal told me. That [The Thief’s Breath] should be used steadily even in everyday life. Like daily breathing. So I did it consistently, and now it just happens naturally. Probably the same for Luis?”

Only then did I realize what was wrong.

“You just said daily, right?”

“That’s right.”

Ah. Yeah.

The problem was me.

Precisely, the ‘me’ who possessed this body.

I was the problem.

Generally, humans did abdominal breathing unconsciously in daily life.

But thieves breathed with [The Thief’s Breath].

Because that was the first step to becoming a thief.

To them, it was extremely natural.

But me?

Except when necessary, in normal times, I did abdominal breathing.

Because to me, this was natural.

And this difference created the current error.

‘It probably wasn’t originally.’

Meaning when it was Gerard.

But due to possession, as the owner of this body changed to me, unconsciously, the breathing also changed from [The Thief’s Breath] to abdominal breathing.

“……Fuck. This is ridiculous.”

“Me too. Why are you doing that? Was it really to test if my eyes are working properly?”

What should I say.

Even if I told the truth, he wouldn’t believe it anyway.

If I said I didn’t know, it would be embarrassing.

“I’ve actually been curious for a while. I just passed it off thinking the boss was doing his own research. But seeing it now, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Look at this. Even now, you’re not doing it.”

Looking to the side, Dayle was narrowing his eyes and scanning me up and down.

I hit the back of his head.

Pueok!

“Uwaak!”

“It is research, you bastard.”

I turned my body.

“Wha, what. Are you leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“……What the hell did you come for?”

Dayle grumbled from behind.

I can hear everything, you punk.

Still, thanks to the guy, I got the answer, so I should give him a gift.

“I’ll put in a good word with Luis.”

“Huh? Is that for real?”

“Yeah.”

Leaving the excited, jumping Dayle behind, I returned straight to the dormitory.

* * *

The solution was simple.

Continuing to use [The Thief’s Breath] unconsciously while living daily life until it happened.

Even when listening to lectures.

Even when thinking.

Even when eating, when shitting, even when sleeping.

Even when sitting still and spacing out.

Consciously breathing in and out as [The Thief’s Breath] led.

The period was until it worked.

I didn’t know when that would be, but the hopeful thing was that this body had already achieved that state once.

So the body would remember.

On top of that, with the [Versatile] trait, my calculation was that it wouldn’t take too long.

Thanks to that, I was able to greet a lively morning after a long time.

From today, all 3rd-year classes were suspended due to the outdoor activity of the 888th class.

Originally, I should have gone too, but I was excluded because I was a failing student.

Well, it was good for me.

Because it meant more time to fully focus on myself.

The next class was ‘Monster Studies’ for 1st-years.

I headed to the cafeteria to meet Yuria.

Yuria asked as soon as she saw me.

“How’s your stomach?”

“It’s fine now. I must have indigestion from eating too fast. Professor Ilai said so. That one’s usual eating habits reflect one’s life. So she worried and told me to take it easy.”

Maybe because I was in a good mood, lies came out smoothly even though she didn’t ask.

“She gave me some tea that’s good for settling the stomach, and it was super effective. I’m completely fine now.”

Yuria smiled brightly.

“That’s a relief.”

“Yeah. And since I didn’t eat anything from last night, I’m hungry. What should I eat?”

“You should eat something easy to digest. Let’s go vegetarian.”

“Huh? Vegetarian? You hate greens.”

One of the reasons Yuria came to the academy was the food.

Due to the nature of mercenary life wandering around, there were many times to worry about meals, but the academy provided various foods at cheap prices.

Among them, Yuria preferred meat and went crazy for sweet desserts.

“It’s fine.”

“Really?”

“I said so. Let’s eat salad.”

Yuria grabbed my wrist and actively led me toward the food street.

She really looked like she wanted to eat salad, so I didn’t bring it up anymore.

‘Yeah. People sometimes crave vegetables.’

Actually, I wasn’t that interested in what to eat.

My interest was solely in [The Thief’s Breath].

I had been maintaining it for a whopping ten minutes now.

My personal best record.

‘Even though I was in a perfect unconscious state while talking with Yuria, I’m still maintaining it.’

I cheered inwardly.

‘Good. Let’s keep this up while eating. Until before entering the lecture!’

Seeing the growth accelerating right before my eyes made me feel delighted.

It might be my imagination, but I also felt like my head was clearing.

I saw it as related to [The Thief’s Breath] to some extent.

‘Oh my. Am I growing like this again? Hehe.’

At that moment, Yuria’s voice was heard.

“Are you okay, senior?”

“Yeah?”

“You suddenly smiled creepily, then stopped, then smiled creepily again.”

Did I do that?

“Ahh. Just because it’s funny.”

I couldn’t say it was because of The Thief’s Breath, so I roughly glossed over it.

“You were telling a funny story. That made me laugh.”

For a moment, Yuria’s expression changed strangely for an instant.

“I was talking about Karina.”

Aha.

‘Oh shit.’

A senior who suddenly smiles lewdly while listening to talk about Karina.

I didn’t know what Yuria would think of me.

Fortunately, it was a needless worry.

Yuria didn’t pay much attention to my reaction and continued the story she was telling.

“Anyway. Karina’s been a bit strange lately. She even dozes off during lectures, and today she was even late. She’s never done that before.”

“Ah, really? She was late?”

“Yeah.”

She could make up for class attitude with other scores, but being late was a different issue.

Karina, who maintained perfection in all aspects and aimed for the academy’s top seat, couldn’t not know that.

Undoubtedly, some important event causing recent changes in Karina’s state of mind was happening.

What could it be?

‘Obviously me.’

She seemed to be under tremendous stress.

Well, not my business.

“Here. Let’s eat.”

We received the ordered salads and sat at an empty table.

But why?

Clearly, the people who came were me and Yuria, two people.

Somehow, the people sitting at the table were not two but three.

“?”

Looking ahead, Yuria was looking at my side with a frozen expression.

So I also turned my gaze to the side.

“What are you looking at?”

They say even a tiger comes when spoken of.

An unlucky face was there.

I would have preferred the tiger.

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