The next day, after training and doing his own exercises in his room, Enrico arrived at the room where his older brother was. Upon entering, he saw Valerio reading some books on how to train someone.
[Even with that expressionless face, it's kind of cute how hard he's trying.]
'What, did you fall in love with him or something?'
[No, he's not my type.]
"Hello, Lord Valerio, I'm coming in."
He nodded to Enrico and asked him to sit in the chair in front of him. Sitting down, Enrico noticed that Valerio was very focused. He was the type who cared about being above average for the sake of the family—especially because of Matteo—and because of his dream of making his family reach greater heights no matter the method.
'Someone obsessed with strength who would sacrifice himself if it meant a family member could reach a level above the others.'
"Very well, Enrico. Let's start with the basics of one of my spells."
"You're going to teach me one of your spells?"
"Yes, so pay close attention."
It seemed this training would be the most ordinary of all, but also very useful, especially now that his magic had grown. He truly wanted to learn something different besides that enhanced arrow.
'Of course, that doesn't take away from how strong my bow is now, but the problem is I only managed that improvement because I'm in Circle Three.'
At the very least, to recreate that level, he'd have to reach seventy percent of his Circle Two, and the rest would come from his improved circle and his thirty-percent enhancement.
"This spell is called Flame Thread. It was one of the first I created. Maybe I don't use it as much now, but it was very useful in the past."
In Valerio's hands, several lines of fire formed between his fingers, connecting to others like a spider's web.
"To make it, you have to mold a thread and infuse concentrated fire mana until it becomes physical. These lines have a monstrously sharp cutting ability for your circle."
Enrico remembered this spell somewhat, since Valerio had used it to cut down several mages he fought against. It was a dangerous technique, but since his circle was only two and his mana average, his cuts would be smaller—still, he could use them against other students.
"First, hold this line."
Valerio placed in his hands a thread connected to a glove. This line had the ability to cut through nearly anything at its level. Enrico knew this because it was Valerio's special weapon, used in the final moments of battle to further enhance the magic, giving him the ability to cut even people stronger than himself.
'This item has an excellent cutting level… I shouldn't expect less from Titanza.'
Titanza could forge things with her iron magic, able to transform and create a line of iron that acted like a normal thread but far superior to any magical thread. She was one of the best at crafting weapons, and her main buyers were the knights.
"I trained this spell every day by experimenting with exactly this."
Snapping his fingers, three fire mannequins appeared around Enrico. None of them attacked, simply standing still, waiting for orders.
"First, I need you to put your fire magic into the line, to feel how to mold it with your mana."
'Must be like this…'
Infusing his magic into the lines, he noticed that since Valerio always used them, they were accustomed to his mana amount. For Enrico to connect, he had to pour almost all of his mana in.
"Good work. Now put on my gloves."
Wearing them, he felt his hand go slightly numb for a second, but then it returned to normal.
'Even just by wearing them, I feel the difference between us… That must be how my bow will turn out.'
Valerio was someone in the perfect stage to obtain an ego weapon. Enrico debated whether to tell him, but remembering that ego weapons for magi would first be tested in Astrong and then across the continent, he decided to bring it up soon.
'I have to tell him and gain some favor. It won't be hard to convince him since he wants to put the family on top. But first, my training.'
"Now that everything is ready, let's begin. Stay sharp and don't let your guard down, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"One more thing—only use the threads during the fight."
"Got it."
Valerio snapped his fingers again, making a fire shield protect all the furniture. Enrico moved to the center of the mannequins and saw a number two appear in flames above them, meaning all were at Circle Two level.
'They can go up to Circle Five, which is one level below Valerio, but they always have zero percent, every time.'
The first attack came from behind, so he spun, focused his mana, and managed to make several cuts on the mannequin's arm.
'That won't be enough, and I have little mana left… so I'll have to use my body combined with the glove and lines.'
Focusing his thread on one point, he managed to tie up one mannequin's legs. Pulling it in, Enrico struck the same one he had cut before.
'Since they're not regenerating, Valerio must still be holding back.'
[What brotherly love.]
As if the world wanted to contradict the system's words, Enrico saw the mannequin vanish, turning into fire and hitting him from behind, causing great pain.
'Damn, he sacrificed the mannequin to deal damage. Good thing I managed to put magic on my back in time.'
Enrico also had to be careful not to let the mark of the fire cancer be revealed to them—that was something he didn't want.
"Good strength, good speed, excellent endurance, and even your reaction speed was great. Physically, you're above all the Astrong companions I've had in the past."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Valerio."
"However, you seem to be low on mana, which means your mana is average… Well, I'll leave that part for our mother's training."
Approaching, he summoned five clones this time, but before continuing, they received a message from Titanza's personal maid, asking them to train outside.
"Let's go to the yard, Enrico. We'll continue at the same level of five for now."
"Okay. While we walk, can I talk about ego weapons?"
"What about the knights' weapons?"
"Well, they're being tested by the academy, and all the older magi already know about it…"
The maid overheard this exchange, and Valerio's curious eyes widened slightly as he sighed, never expecting to hear this within his family.
'I think my lady may be able to use this to her advantage.'