"And as for what domains are, mine allows me complete control over my body, from my blood flow to the growth of my hair," Dallas continued, casting a glance at Julius before proceeding. "It's not as extravagant as regrowing a limb, though…"
She paused, collecting her thoughts. "Additionally, when I use my domain in combat, I can keep track of many things around me. The range isn't vast, but it's enough to significantly enhance my reaction speed. There are other advantages as well, but I don't think those come from the domain itself."
Finishing her explanation, she looked to Julius, eager for his feedback. The seventh-circle warrior gestured for her to sit down before continuing, "Sergeant Dallas is correct—domains can do all of those things. Some may offer additional benefits, but she hasn't fully captured what domains truly are."
Dallas's expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering across her face as Julius went on, "It's not that she doesn't understand; it's just that she hasn't grasped the complete concept yet. If it were easier to comprehend, we'd see many more higher-circle warriors emerging every day."
This explanation helped Dallas regain her composure, her eyes now burning with interest. "The more you understand your domain, the stronger you become, allowing you to access higher warrior circles. The domain plays a pivotal role in creating these circles, but first, let me explain what they are."
"A warrior's domain is a blend of their willpower, worldview, and mastery over one or more weapons or combat forms. When these elements surpass the natural limits of a warrior's capabilities, a domain is formed. As the name implies, a domain becomes a warrior's 'territory,'" Julius elaborated, gesturing toward Eve, who sat beside Cassian.
"It begins with complete control over one's body, enabling perfect coordination and ultra-fast movements, just as Sergeant Dallas mentioned. However, mastery over weapons is also essential for developing a domain. While I've encountered rare cases of warriors who developed domains without weapon mastery, it's far less common.
Without that skill, you miss out on the true power that warriors are known for, as domains allow you to wield weapons as if they were extensions of your own body. Initially, a warrior's worldview doesn't play a significant role, but as they progress, it becomes increasingly vital."
"So we won't be focusing on that, as knowing too much too soon isn't beneficial for developing your domains. Instead, let's understand what a domain is composed of and how it contributes to becoming a circle warrior. Remember the seals?" Julius asked, and everyone nodded, recalling his previous explanation.
Satisfied with their response, he continued, "Well, circles are formed by combining seals and domains," he said, surprising everyone.
"Didn't I mention that the warriors who discovered how to become circle warriors were those who had both seals and domains? It's quite straightforward: they found a way to create seals without relying on mages for assistance—at least not during the process of making them, although they still needed help with the design."
"I explained before that a warrior has complete control over their domain, meaning it's their territory, and not even the world can interfere. We establish our own rules within these domains, which is why even a first-circle warrior can live for centuries without the need for age-extending techniques or anything of the sort.
However, that doesn't mean we won't eventually die of old age; if a domain isn't developed, it can start to break apart," Julius said, his tone becoming more serious. "I'll teach you more about that later. Now, having complete control over your territory means you can manipulate everything within it, including the mana particles around you and in your body..." He grinned wider.
Some students exchanged looks of confusion, their expressions reflecting their shock as they grasped the implications. One student couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Teacher, does that mean warriors use their domains to create the seals now?"
Julius nodded at Roberts's enthusiasm. "Yes, warriors use their domains to create the seals on their bodies. But here's the catch: the seals are incredibly intricate, and it requires extensive knowledge to create them—knowledge that most warriors don't have time to learn. Well, we could, but..." He chuckled before continuing, "We're not exactly nerdy mages, right?
That's where the mana gathering techniques come into play; they serve as a sort of blueprint for the seals," he explained, shaking his head slightly. "No, more accurately, they are a set of blueprints."
"The creators of the new method for becoming a warrior developed a construct similar to the old mana adapter but incorporated a blueprint of the seals into it. It's important to remember that the old seals were divided into different tiers and required various resources to create.
The new mana gathering technique also demands resources to create and upgrade the mana adapter as more warrior circles are formed," Julius continued. "At this point, warriors have two options: they can either stick to the traditional method of using the blueprints from the seals themselves or hire mages, just like in the past. Alternatively, they can rely on their domains to create the seals."
"If you use your domain to create the seals, your domain encompasses everything about you—your worldview, your will, and your mastery of your weapon. By harnessing your domain, you can direct the mana to shape the seals according to the blueprint. The best part?
You don't even have to do this manually; the mana gathering technique are already influenced by your domain from the moment it first emerged. The seal blueprints will automatically fill with mana and other elements, though I can't explain how that works since research is still ongoing.
That said, it's crucial to master mana gathering techniques before developing your domain; otherwise, complications may arise." Julius elaborated. Cassian sensed that some important details were still left out, which he suspected Julius had chosen to withhold.
"As your domain infuses a part of itself into these seals, they transform into what we now call warrior circles, Warrior circles offer clear advantages over seals, especially with the integration of domains."
"While domains initially enhanced a warrior's precision and sensory perception, their integration with mana has dramatically increased their power. This evolution has given rise to a phenomenon known as Domain Manifestation, akin to the grand mages' Arcane Realms." Just as he was about to elaborate, a loud bell rang, interrupting him. "Well, that's it for today. Let's reconvene next week.
I'll be holding two lectures every week—one will be practical, while the other will vary depending on my mood. It might focus on theory, practical skills, or just be a chance for us to get to know each other. And to keep you motivated, I'll occasionally share stories about my journey from a weak noble child to a powerful warrior."