Chapter 26

A month had passed since Raon began to learn the special martial arts technique.

Despite continuing his practice in the early morning, evening, and night, he had yet to create an aura.

This special training method, while possessing immense power, was also incredibly difficult to master, surpassing imagination.

Of course, the progress was slow because he had to use the cold within his mana circuits together.

"Take it slow."

Standing in the center of the training ground, Raon calmly closed his eyes.

"With the Ring of Fire, it will be fine."

As long as he had the Ring of Fire, his physical and mana talents would eventually reach their peak. Now was not the time to rush, but to build a solid foundation.

Boom!

As soon as the regular training time began, the training ground door opened wide, and Rimer entered. Surprisingly, he was not late.

"From today, we will learn martial arts in the morning."

"Wow!"

"Yay!"

"Finally!"

"Swordsmanship! Swordsmanship!"

The children raised their hands and cheered.

The trainees had only been doing physical training for a month after passing the exam. It was natural for such cheers to arise.

"The continent knows the name of Zighart because of swordsmanship, but fist techniques are no less impressive. I will now show you the basic form of fist techniques."

Rimer, after saying he would show them, lay down on the platform.

"Come to the experienced instructor."

He yawned and gestured, and an instructor from the back came forward and began to demonstrate the fist techniques.

'The Seven Form Fist.'

It was a fist technique with seven forms, the foundation of all fist techniques.

He knew the forms but had never practiced them. In his previous life, his extended hand was always a blade to instantly kill the enemy.

"Ah, the Seven Form Fist…"

"I already know that."

"Sigh, it's boring."

The children's expressions turned cold upon seeing the Seven Form Fist. It seemed they had already learned it before coming here and were not interested.

"You all look bored."

Rimer chuckled and snapped his fingers.

"I know many of you have already learned the Seven Form Fist. So, if you can show me that you have mastered it, I will let you move on to the next level immediately."

"Next level? What do you mean?"

Dorian, who was always scared but curious, raised his hand.

"You are all trainees, but not at the same level. In other words, you don't need the same training. If you surpass the line I set, I will move you to the next level immediately."

Rimer muttered that the previous training method was too rigid.

"Good. I like it."

Marta Zighart smiled and stepped forward.

"I thought we would learn the boring Seven Form Fist again, but this is right. There's no need for an outstanding person to adjust to a lesser one, right?"

"I didn't think that, but anyway, from now on, reproduce the Seven Form Fist you just saw at your respective positions. If I like it, I will let you start the next training immediately."

As soon as Rimer finished speaking, the children began to demonstrate the Seven Form Fist.

'The foundation is well laid.'

Raon's eyes sparkled as he watched the children performing the Seven Form Fist.

'They are not just a famous family for nothing.'

He thought they would have learned the basics poorly, but the children were extending their fists with accurate direction and force.

"Hmm, as expected."

Rimer nodded in satisfaction.

"Marta Zighart, Baren Zighart, Lunan Slieron, …"

He called out the names of the trainees who demonstrated the correct Seven Form Fist. Only about 20 people remained in the center.

Among them was Raon Zighart, with his red eyes shining.

* * *

"Hmm."

Rimer nodded as he watched Raon Zighart perform the Seven Form Fist.

'As expected, he didn't know it.'

His punches were raw and lacked the proper form, just as he had heard from Sylvia.

However, since Raon had followed the flow of the Gongho Fist used by Baren, he would likely master it perfectly within a few days.

'I should check the other children too…'

Although his gaze was drawn to Raon, he paid attention to the other children as well, as Glen had instructed.

'Not bad.'

Most of the children, recommended to enter, had excellent eyes and bodies. They would soon master the Seven Form Fist and move on to the next level.

'Competition is good, indeed.'

It's like a long-distance race.

The children in the lead strive to stay ahead, and those at the back work hard to catch up. This creates a positive cycle in training.

'Next, then.'

Rimer observed the trainees who had passed the Seven Form Fist, including Marta, Baren, and Lunan.

Marta had already mastered the fist techniques to be learned at the second level and began practicing the third-level Birklik Fist.

'Of course.'

Although Marta had failed in the middle, it was due to her personality, not her skills. He needed to prepare other training to prevent her from wasting time.

He also thought about ways to soften her rough personality.

'They are doing well too.'

Baren and Lunan also knew the Jinsheng Fist to be learned at the second level. They would likely move on to the third-level Birklik Fist soon.

Rimer, lying down, wrote down information about the children in his notebook.

'Now, again…?'

After scanning all the children in the training ground, Rimer's pupils dilated as he looked back at Raon.

'What…'

In the short time it took to check the children's status, Raon Zighart's fist technique had already taken the form of the Seven Form Fist.

'Is this possible?'

Rimer couldn't hold back and stood up.

Raon was different from Marta, Lunan, and Baren. Despite starting from scratch, he had completely transformed.

No matter how basic the Seven Form Fist was or how easy it was to follow, it was impossible to show noticeable growth in less than an hour.

'What a monster…'

He had just been amazed by Raon's mana manipulation ability, and now he was shocked by his martial arts learning ability. His mouth dropped open.

"Hmm."

Raon didn't intend to treat him specially.

He planned to send him to the next level after firmly establishing the basics of the fist technique, but it seemed that moment would come very soon.

'If this continues, it might be today, not tomorrow…'

* * *

Marta Zighart smiled as she threw a punch.

'I like these instructors.'

Until now, she had waited for the slower ones, but that was not the right way.

The talented should rise, and the less talented should serve as a stepping stone. This was the correct method.

Turning her gaze to the left, she saw the children learning the Seven Form Fist.

She had learned it two years ago. It was impossible for the children who were just learning it now to catch up to her in a lifetime.

By the time they mastered the Seven Form Fist and reached the second level, she would have finished the Birklik Fist and started swordsmanship.

'That guy is there too.'

Marta's lips curled up as she watched Raon swinging his fists in the center.

'Raon Zighart.'

Born with intense cold, he eventually became the top student after joining the training.

Thinking back to when he blocked her ambush a month ago, his senses and movements were outstanding. He was a talented kid.

'But.'

It's too late.

Starting to learn aura and fist techniques at the age of 13 is like starting to run long after the starting signal has been given.

'There's no way he will catch up to me.'

Her aura was already at the third level, and she had mastered not only fist techniques but also swordsmanship.

Unless it was Baren or Lunan, who started training from a young age, Raon was not even a worthy competitor.

'Just a stepping stone.'

Raon Zighart was merely a low stepping stone, not worth paying attention to.

"Hmph."

Marta snorted and turned her head, focusing on the Birklik Fist training.

As Marta was improving her Birklik Fist until sunset, a man approached her.

"Miss, it's time for direct training."

It was her butler, Kamel.

"Alright."

Marta nodded and turned around. The other children were still practicing low-level fist techniques.

"Pitiful."

"Raon Zighart."

As she was about to leave, mocking them, she heard Rimer's voice.

"Passed. Move on to the next level."

She turned around at the light, wind-like voice. Raon Zighart was nodding calmly.

"What the—!"

Marta's eyes widened. In just a day, no, just half a day, he had mastered the Seven Form Fist. It was unbelievable.

'I took four days.'

Even she, adopted into the Zighart family due to her genius, took four days to master the Seven Form Fist.

It was impossible for that stepping stone to reach that level in just half a day.

"Then, teach me the next fist technique."

"It's already sunset. I'm lazy. Let's do it tomorrow."

"Being lazy is not something an instructor should say…"

"Wait."

Marta interrupted the conversation between Raon and Rimer.

"Instructor, did you say he passed? The Seven Form Fist we learned today?"

"Yes."

Rimer nodded, his green eyes wide.

"Are you passing him too easily?"

"Too easily?"

"Even if the Seven Form Fist is a basic form, it takes quite a while to get the angles right. There's no way he could have completed them in half a day."

"Of course, he hasn't fully mastered it. But he's ready to move on to the Jinsheng Fist."

"Ha, that's too low a standard."

"Hmm…"

Rimer scratched his chin and turned to Raon.

"Is that true? Raon, show me once."

"No."

Raon firmly shook his head.

"I already heard you pass me. Why should I do it again?"

"You…"

"Then, I'll teach you the Jinsheng Fist I planned to teach you tomorrow, now."

Before Marta could speak, Rimer spoke first.

"Hmm, alright."

Raon sighed and spread his legs shoulder-width apart. He stopped breathing and extended his fist. A heavy punch pierced the evening air.

He stepped forward and threw a left punch. The direction it bent was like a boomerang.

He rotated to the right and struck with his right fist, which he had placed at his waist. The brisk wind made Marta's bangs flutter.

The subsequent poses of Raon were both elegant and powerful. He accurately expressed the seven forms and momentum of the Seven Form Fist.

Swallow.

Marta swallowed dryly.

Rimer didn't pass him easily. Raon Zighart had truly mastered the form and spirit of the Seven Form Fist in just half a day.

"You knew it beforehand!"

"No."

Raon raised his chin as if to say, "What nonsense?"

"Sh…"

She had no words. When she saw him earlier, his punches were clearly at a beginner's level.

"How about it, Marta? Is this acceptable?"

Rimer chuckled, as if mocking her.

"Half a day?"

"What did I just see?"

"Wow…"

"Really crazy."

The instructors and children were so surprised they couldn't close their mouths.

"That, I can do that too."

Marta forced a smile and turned around. She bit her lip and left the training ground.

'It's fine.'

It's just the Seven Form Fist. Not swordsmanship, but the basics of fist techniques. Even if he mastered it a bit faster, it was impossible for him to catch up to her.

Yes, that couldn't happen.

Marta calmed her mind and headed to the direct training ground, but the trajectory of Raon's punches remained deeply in her mind.

* * *

"What's the point?"

Raon wiped his hands and frowned.

"You're just surprised."

Rimer chuckled, watching Marta leave the training ground.

"To be honest, I'm surprised too. I've never seen anyone learn as quickly as you."

"Thank you for the compliment, but please teach me the next fist technique."

"Hmm, alright."

He sighed and stood up, stretching his waist and wrists, then looked at the sky.

"But, Raon."

"Yes?"

Looking at Rimer's expression, a sudden sense of unease crept over him.

"It's too late today. See you tomorrow!"

He summoned a wind to obscure his view and disappeared over the fence. His quick and decisive movements left no room for Raon to stop him.

"…"

-Didn't I tell you before? That pointy-eared guy has a traitor's face. He will abandon you on the battlefield and run away alone.

Lars, who had become a fortune-teller, always talked about Rimer's future.

'I kind of expected it.'

Raon clicked his tongue. He had thought Rimer might do this when he saw his reaction earlier.

"Raon Zighart."

Baren approached with heavy steps.

"I'm going to receive the training only the direct descendants can get."

He knew. After the evening, while the trainees practiced individually, the direct descendants received additional training.

"You can say it's unfair. But I will do whatever it takes to defeat you."

He glared at Raon for a moment before leaving the training ground.

-That arrogant look is still the same. I will definitely….

'No, it's different.'

Raon shook his head, watching Baren's back. For some reason, Baren's eyes had become clearer since a month ago.

His competitiveness was still there, but he didn't seem to do ugly things like before.

Crunch.

He turned his head at the sound of footsteps from behind. Lunan was looking at him with a blank expression.

"Aren't you going?"

"No."

"Shouldn't you go?"

"No."

"Learn strong swordsmanship…."

"No."

Lunan slowly shook his head.

"Ugh."

Raon clicked his tongue and headed to the training room. The sound of Lunan's footsteps followed him.