It's been a week since the library. I'd like to go back, but I can only enter the city with Father since he says it's too dangerous for just me and Mother to go.

  He might be a bit too overprotective, but I can't blame him, I was sick for a long time.

  He did leave me with another set of sword techniques, which more than made up for the lack of library trips!

  This time, it was a longer combo that incorporated a faint.

  A diagonal slash to the right, stepping forward with a stab, fainting another stab then spinning the tip down then upwards to slash the opponent's sword arm, using the free hand to push, then another upwards slash.

  This one is good for humanoid opponents specifically. I guess that makes sense, Father is a City Guard, not a monster slayer.

  I spent the morning after he showed me practicing the move set with an imaginary shadow opponent.

  I really should have taken up HEMA or something in my past life… I didn't expect swordplay to be so fun!

  "Pheeew…"

  I exhaled and opened my eyes. I picture an imaginary enemy. A shadowy humanoid holding a longsword.

  It slowly circled around me but I matched its position, always keeping my sword tip facing him.

  After a few seconds in this little dance, he lunged forward with a stab but I was ready for him. I parried the attack, letting the shadow pass to my left.

  He recovered quickly and slashed diagonally upwards, but I ducked under the attack.

  I aimed my sword tip at his abdomen, but the shadow pushed my shoulder and stepped out of the way, causing me to miss.

  I plant my right foot to regain balance and shoulder-check the shadow, preventing him from following up with another attack.

  Now that I've created space, we once again circle each other.

  This time, I was the one to attack first. I swung my sword diagonally to his neck, but he parried my blade with the flat side of his sword.

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  Using the momentum of his parry, he brought his sword down, but I quickly shortened the distance and came into his pace, avoiding the sword altogether.

  Of course, that left me unable to actually cut him, so I grabbed his arm and kicked out his knee, taking him off balance.

  Now on the floor, I straddled the shadow and reversed my sword grip, driving it into the shadow's chest.

  With a poof, the imaginary shadow disperses from my imagination.

  I won again.

  Well, it was only a shadow duel, not an actual fight where I could feel my opponent's weight and movements. Of course, I'd win.

  Still, it's good practice, but having an actual sparing partner would be better.

  Maybe I just need to focus on something else for now.

  Let's try opening my mana veins!

  After a bath with Mother and dinner, I sat cross-legged on my bed. The sun was still setting, but the moon was as full and clear as I've ever seen it.

  For a moment I was mesmerized by it. It's bigger than the moon on Earth, and unmarred by any holes from asteroids. It looked like a glowing white marble in the sky. It is beautiful.

  I open my window and close my eyes, getting into a meditative state.

  The cool wind caressed my face, and for some reason, it was like I could actually feel a warmth coming from the moon.

  Well, it makes sense, the moon is reflecting the sun's warmth, and because its surface is so smooth, I can feel the warmth coming from it, right?

  The cool wind and warm moonlight feel good… but, there's something else.

  When I opened my eyes again, it was completely night outside. It felt like only seconds passed, but it seemed it was actually quite a few minutes passed. Possibly even an hour.

  Other than it being night now… there were waves in the air. Light blue and white waves.

  "Is this… mana?"

  The book explained that pure mana is either white or has a tinge of blue. Some of the ambient mana may also get charged with different elements depending on the weather.

  On a particularly sunny day, the ambient mana may take a fire element charge, or when it's humid or cloudy, it may take a water element charge.

  Since it was a clear and cool night, the mana had no element and is more pure than during the day.

  I didn't want to let this focus go, so I started attempting to open my veins to allow the mana in the air to enter.

  After a few seconds, I feel my body uncomfortably twitching every now and again. I could feel something flowing through me.

  It felt foreign at first, but after it circulated my body for a few minutes, it felt warm and natural.

  My eyes snap open and I look down at my body. It looks normal, but I notice a small glow on my chest.

  It's my… mana core, or something? It's the entry point for mana. Where mages take in mana and spread it to their veins.

  The entryway becomes bigger the more you train and increase your mana vein size, allowing you to absorb more mana at a higher efficiency.

  Right now, it seems I absorbed all I can. If I focus harder, I can see the mana veins sprawling across my body. They were thin lines.

  Judging from how they look, if I knew basic spells, I'd probably be able to use one or two of them before running out of mana.

  While I'd like to continue training in mana, I need to get a full night's rest since I exercised today.

  "All right… I'll modify my training schedule. From now on, sword training in the morning and mana vein training in the evening."

  Hmph~ Like those Isekai protagonists, I'll be an expert swordswoman and mage by the time I'm 13, surprising everyone in the village!