Chapter 23. The Three Techniques (2)

The mana core, the heart of the magic construct, and the mana rod, its framework.

The characteristics of a magic construct are determined by how these two components are designed.

And the new magic construct that Johann created was based on the Redner family's magic construct.

To be precise, it was more accurate to say that Johann had improved upon the existing one.

Therefore, it was natural that the magic construct Yurii had mastered possessed the characteristics of the Redner family's magic construct.

One of these characteristics manifested through Yurii's body.

Thud.

Yurii's physical form moved forward with each step, and there was no better way to describe it than "floating."

It was as if he were walking on clouds, or unaffected by gravity, a bizarre sight.

The first technique of the Redner family, known colloquially as "Cloud Walking," originated from the ancient sages of the East.

Regarding this magic construct, Johann had said:

"If you can use Cloud Walking properly one day... you'll really be able to walk on clouds."

Yurii remembered that day clearly.

The day Johann blew away a cliff.

The day he descended from the sky as if walking, carrying Yurii.

'That was Cloud Walking.'

Johann's words that one could really walk on clouds were not empty promises.

'Although now I'm only at the level of running on the ground...'

One day, he believed, he would be able to run on clouds.

'Well, this is enough for now.'

Swish.

Yurii, who approached like a ghost through the destructive red aura created by Mutsu, leaped into it without hesitation.

He looked like a moth flying into a flame.

If someone who knew nothing about it saw this, they would have expected Yurii to be torn to shreds.

But what happened next defied such expectations.

Swish.

Yurii moved amidst the swirling red spear attacks from all directions.

Swish.

Yurii's movements were not particularly fast, but they were light, flexible, and strange.

He wriggled through the dense attacks that seemed impenetrable, like a soft-bodied creature.

Swish.

The moment he narrowly avoided a red spear blade by a 5mm margin, Johann's past words echoed in his ears.

"Cloud Walking isn't something you can use just because you have strong legs! It's your whole body, your whole body! When you can fully utilize your entire body, then the true nature of Cloud Walking will be revealed!"

Yurii never forgot Johann's advice.

He repeated it thousands, tens of thousands of times, even in his dreams.

'The lower body is the link between the earth and the upper body.'

Rumble.

His feet touched the ground, and the power he gained from this spread through his legs to his entire body.

The moment the mana core supplied mana through the designated path, Yurii's movements transcended their limits.

Swoosh.

Dozens, hundreds of attacks failed to even graze his collar.

* * *

Seeing Yurii move freely in the midst of the frenzied red light, Ralph let out a faint sigh.

"Cloud Walking, huh."

It was a fairly well-executed Cloud Walking.

Ralph, who knew better than anyone the intricacies of Cloud Walking, could recognize it at a glance.

The old memories of being caught by Cloud Walking brought a bitter smile to his face, but he soon realized something and was startled.

'Wait, does that mean this kid... mastered Cloud Walking in just half a year?'

There were countless families and secret magic constructs in the world.

If they were ranked comprehensively, the Redner family's magic construct would be among the top five.

In other words, the Redner family's magic construct was extremely difficult to master.

To the point where most people couldn't learn it in a lifetime.

'To use it at this level in just half a year? It's astounding.'

Of course, he knew the extent of Yurii's efforts over the past half year.

But no matter how hard someone tried, if they weren't cut out for it, they wouldn't succeed.

'In that sense, this kid is someone who will succeed.'

And he was a very talented one at that.

Ralph couldn't help but acknowledge Yurii's talent.

If Yurii had been given more than half a year, this sparring match would have ended in his victory.

But,

"It's not enough yet."

Ralph said this while watching Yurii move within Mutsu's attacks.

"You can't break through anymore."

As he said, Yurii was successfully evading Mutsu's attacks, but he couldn't advance any further.

It was as if he were trapped within Mutsu's attacks.

If this continued, Yurii, who had less total mana, would be the first to fall.

Ralph, anticipating Mutsu's victory, smiled at Johann.

"Well, that's a shame. If his proficiency in Cloud Walking was just a bit higher, it would have been a good match."

His words carried a subtle sense of victory.

Ralph wanted to see Johann get riled up, but all he saw was Johann's sardonic smile.

"You're right, he can't break through like that."

"..."

"Of course, that's only if that's all he can do."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hmm."

Ralph, hearing Johann's low chuckle, suddenly realized something.

"Impossible?!"

His gaze urgently turned back to Yurii.

* * *

The red aura that enveloped Yurii from all sides.

If he dodged one, another would come, stubbornly blocking his path.

As this repeated, Yurii realized that nothing would change if he continued like this.

Therefore, a change was needed.

'Faster... even faster!'

To break through these red spears, he needed to move faster than he was now.

'Faster than the red aura that keeps following me!'

Yurii's mana core pulsed again, supplying mana to the new mana rod through a completely different path.

Crack.

At the same time, Yurii heard a spark inside him.

"Do you remember what I said? That you would learn the fastest and most free magic construct in the world. If Cloud Walking represents freedom, then what you will learn from now on is..."

A small spark that bloomed inside him quickly spread its branches.

"Extreme speed."

Zzzz.

Soon, Yurii's entire body was enveloped in lightning.

The Redner family's secret magic construct.

Thunder Wing.

Crackle! Crack!

The moment the white lightning wriggled, Yurii moved.

Flash.

A white flash appeared once, and two Yurii appeared.

The real Yurii and the afterimage left behind.

The prison of red spears could no longer contain Yurii, who had unfurled Thunder Wing.

Snap.

The area of red spears created by Mutsu was about 3 meters in radius.

Yurii pierced through it in a single step.

And when he reappeared, he was behind Mutsu.

Click.

The blade of the sword rested on Mutsu's shoulder.

The sharp edge pressed against the boy's neck, causing a slight trickle of blood.

Mutsu, startled, froze, and Yurii, holding the hilt, smiled.

"That makes it 1-1, you bastard."

* * *

Seeing Yurii with his sword at Mutsu's neck, Ralph burst into a bitter laugh.

"Huh!"

While Cloud Walking was a technique that originated from the ancient sages of the East, Thunder Wing was the essence of the Redner family, which had a thousand-year history.

Cloud Walking and Thunder Wing.

The two techniques of the Redner family, known as Thunder Cloud.

The Redner family could achieve a lofty reputation on the continent with just these two techniques.

Moreover, Johann had also gained the right to challenge the Sword Master through Thunder Cloud.

However, because they were so difficult, it took several years just to master the basics.

'He mastered both in just half a year? Both of them?'

Both Cloud Walking and Thunder Wing.

Yurii's level was not just a matter of imitating them.

He had a perfect understanding of both techniques and used them beyond the basics.

Ralph, amazed, asked Johann.

"Exactly how did you do it?"

"What?"

"About that kid. How did you teach him to this level in just half a year?"

Johann puffed out his chest arrogantly.

"Hem, it seems you've finally realized. I have a genius talent as a teacher!"

"..."

"Want to know my secret? Then ask me politely. Hem!"

Ralph's face immediately soured at Johann's arrogance.

He was in severe internal conflict.

Did he really need to listen to this annoying guy?

Or should he swallow his pride and hear the secret?

After much deliberation, he chose the latter.

For the sake of his beloved grandson's education, he swallowed his pride.

"Cough, if... if you, the senior, were to teach me, your junior, after so long, it would be... very good... indeed. Heh!"

"Is that it?"

"Please, I beg you."

"Heh, it's been a long time since you've shown the proper attitude of a junior."

"Thump!"

"Alright, since you're begging so much, how can I ignore a junior's request?"

"Then what?"

"My secret? It's not much. Just..."

"Just?"

"Find a smart kid and teach him. He'll grow up well on his own."

"Is that it?"

"That's it."

"..."

Seeing Johann's smug face, Ralph's hand clenched.

His fist trembled so much that his veins bulged