Chapter 30: The Core of Water God Style, and the Power of Water God Reida

The next day, Paul's anger had already cooled. After his lecture last night and the two days of rest, he was full of energy. Right after breakfast, he took the boys out to the yard and told them to get into stance.

Once the three of them stood in a triangle facing each other, Paul took on an adult-like air and said sternly:

"You've had enough play these past two days. It's time to get sword training back on track! So today's a special session, and I'll be personally supervising. Especially you, Allen—what kind of teacher spars constantly with his student? Have you even been teaching Rudy properly?"

Rudy clenched his sword hilt. Ever since Allen arrived, he hadn't received proper sword lessons. But the reason was obvious—Paul had been too fixated on sparring with Allen, leaving little time for Rudy's lessons.

But now wasn't the time to argue. He didn't want to risk returning to the old, longer training hours. Better to hold his tongue.

Allen, meanwhile, looked at Paul's overly serious expression and had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.

'I've only been here a week, and more than half of that has been spent fencing with you. How would I even have time to teach Rudy?'

Still, he responded respectfully.

"Master Paul, although I haven't been here long, I believe Rudy has potential in the Hokushin-ryuu (North God Style)."

'Opening a magic suit totally counts as Hokushin-ryuu.'

Paul's expression fell.

"Hokushin-ryuu? That's not even real swordsmanship—it's just using a sword in battle."

Despite being skilled in Hokushin-ryuu, Paul held disdain for the mainstream style of the Dragon King's domain. Perhaps he found the flamboyant techniques a bit much.

Even though Paul himself wasn't exactly what you'd call modest.

Allen coughed lightly and said politely:

"In that case, we'd appreciate it if you could walk us through the basics of Keryuu-ryuu (Sword God Style) and Suishin-ryuu (Water God Style) today."

Paul nodded in satisfaction, then shouted, "Let's begin!" and pointed his wooden sword at Allen's forehead.

"This time, you attack first!"

Silence.

A breeze blew through the yard. A leaf fell, landing squarely on Rudy's stunned face. He watched the two preparing to duel and looked around dumbly.

'Should I just... go?'

Allen looked at the sword tip in front of him. To Paul's surprise, he reached up and pinched it between two fingers, gently moving it aside.

"Master, I believe reviewing actual combat results is more important. Perhaps we could start by discussing techniques? I have several questions I'd like to ask."

Paul blinked, then realized Allen must be referring to Suishin-ryuu. Paul himself wasn't as proficient in that style.

"Well, alright then. I'll admit, I'm more of a 'feel' guy than a teacher, but I'll try."

"Even so, that's more helpful than me fumbling around blindly."

The three of them grabbed stools and sat in a circle in the gentle countryside breeze, much to Zenith's amusement as she watched from a second-floor window.

Allen looked at Paul, who was sitting with arms folded and an intense expression. Then he turned to Rudy with a serious face.

Right now, Allen's Suishin-ryuu was at the Intermediate level. As someone who had read the novel, he knew he should've advanced further, but the book's description of sword training was too abstract. If not for his own real-life martial arts training, he wouldn't have reached even this level.

He turned to Rudy and said:

"I'm not sure if Master Paul has broken this all down for you before, but I specialize in Suishin-ryuu and Hokushin-ryuu. Let me go over some of the key differences."

Rudy blinked.

"Actually, I know a bit..."

Allen smiled.

"Then tell me: what do you think is the core principle of Suishin-ryuu?"

Rudy scratched his cheek.

"Defense?"

Allen shook his head.

"That's just its outward appearance. The core of Suishin-ryuu is—perception."

Paul raised an eyebrow.

'This kid... interesting.'

Rudy tilted his head.

"Perception?"

"Yes. Perception."

Allen inhaled deeply and steadied his breathing. His body relaxed completely, like a calm lake.

His senses sharpened. He felt the rustling leaves, the scent of soil, the twitch in Paul's lips, Rudy's raised eyebrows, and even the breeze brushing the hairs on his arms.

He opened his eyes and reached out, two fingers extended before Rudy's face.

"It's the ability to sense everything: the direction of wind, the source of sound, air vibrations, object shapes. At advanced levels, it even includes detecting killing intent and mana flow."

As he spoke, a falling leaf landed precisely between his fingers. They twitched.

And the leaf split cleanly in two, drifting apart.

The motion was so smooth Rudy almost believed the leaf had flung itself onto Allen's hand.

Then Rudy snapped out of it, frowning.

"I can understand most of that. Stay calm, analyze your opponent's info quickly, and choose the best counter. Killing intent, sure, but... mana flow? Can people really sense that if they're not mages themselves?"

Allen smiled.

"Yes."

Rudy's eyes widened.

Allen sheepishly withdrew his fingers.

"Though, I can't do it yet under normal conditions."

Rudy slumped.

"So you were lying."

"He wasn't."

They turned to Paul, who nodded at Allen.

"It's true. Highly advanced Suishin-ryuu practitioners are said to reach that level. I've never met one myself, but it's not unheard of."

Rudy frowned.

"Still sounds like a legend..."

"I've seen it."

Both turned to Allen. He didn't meet their eyes. He gazed down at the sword on his waist and spoke:

"The Suishin-ryuu main dojo in the Asura Royal Capital—its master, Reida Rea, can do it flawlessly."

(End of Chapter)

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