"Liquid Aura is cultivated differently than standard Aura," the voice explained. "Usually, you train by entering a deep meditative state and guiding soul energy into the Aura Heart. However, Liquid Aura can be cultivated even while walking. Since you've acquired the manual, the technique should already be ingrained in your soul, but it wouldn't hurt to explain how it actually works.
Liquid Aura is cultivated by fusing the Aura with your physical body and blood, not just your heart. Once fused, it circulates naturally through your entire system, even when you aren't actively using techniques. This method is all pros, provided you don't mind being tethered to this specific manual for life.
The biggest advantage is the 'refund' on expended energy. For example, take a technique like Aura Sword. Normally, extending a blade's range requires a massive amount of Aura to create and fill a spiritual structure. With a standard Aura Heart, that energy dissipates once the technique ends. But with Liquid Aura, your techniques become an extension of your own body. Instead of vanishing, the energy flows back into your system. In a drawn-out battle, this is a monumental advantage. Now, why don't you try it?"
Laniakea wondered what he meant by the technique being "ingrained," but as he began to focus, the process activated with startling intuition.
"This is strange, he thought. My body knows I've never done this, yet my body knows exactly how to do it." A new sensation bloomed in his chest, like a second Aura Heart, but far more powerful. It wasn't just his chest, he felt how it spread to his limbs and his veins. It felt as if his entire body had become a Aura heart. He could feel the Aura pulsing through his blood even without active effort.
"I'm not just using my own soul energy to cultivate", Laniakea realized with a startled expression. I'm pulling in Aura from the atmosphere! Isn't this too powerful? This means I could potentially harvest the energy my opponents exhaust to fuel myself indefinitely!
"I should get home," he whispered to himself. "I can practice while I walk home."
As he headed back home, Laniakea cultivated his Aura with every step, feeling the vitality of nature mix with his own body. Upon arriving at the orphanage, he quickly greeted the others. "Jessica, Sister! I'm heading to the tavern for my shift. I'll be back in a few hours once it's over!"
He took the main streets this time rather than the back alleys, though he kept the dagger he'd taken from the strangers tucked firmly into his waistband just in case something happened. When he reached the tavern, he called out a greeting.
"Good morning, Boss! I'm heading to the kitchen."
"Yeah, yeah," the owner grunted, looking up from his ledger. "Just come to my office when you're finished. We need to have a talk regarding 'The Lion'."
Laniakea nodded, entered the kitchen, and put on his uniform.