Chapter 28

Marta's practice sword sliced through the cool air of early summer. Her movements were sharp yet fluid, a sequence of the basic sword techniques known as the Flexible Sword.

Whoosh!

She struck the sword down with a fierce gaze, as if standing in the midst of a battlefield. The intense momentum even kept the sand from the training ground from approaching her.

Whoosh!

A similar sound of sword wind came from Marta's right side. It was the blonde boy with red eyes, Laon Ziegwart.

His blunt practice sword was performing the same Flexible Sword techniques as Marta.

After lagging far behind, Laon had finally caught up to Marta.

However, Marta's face showed no signs of the anxiety and tension she used to have.

Instead, she smiled and clapped for Laon.

"You're doing well."

Marta lowered her practice sword and smoothed her disheveled hair.

"Your speed in learning martial arts is so fast that even the word 'genius' falls short. But…."

She paused and twirled her finger.

"If your mana sensitivity is that poor, it's like giving pearls to a pig. Such a half-baked talent isn't really enviable."

Marta's voice was loud. All the trainees heard her, but no one stepped forward.

"Rather, it would be better if you had equal talent in aura and martial arts. With your talent, you might only be able to become a sword instructor, right?"

Neither the trainees who had received help from Laon, nor Burren, nor the instructors watching from the side, said a word.

'It can't be helped.'

Marta's smile deepened.

'No one would have known that this fool couldn't learn aura in four months.'

It had been over four months since aura training was included in the regular training, but Laon still couldn't master it, and his dantian was empty.

'At first, I was shocked.'

She was genuinely astonished by Laon's rapid progress.

The fear of his overwhelming talent was so intense that it kept her awake at night. Even practicing from dawn to dusk every day didn't alleviate that fear.

But everything changed after hearing Kamel's words.

'He really was a half-baked talent.'

Kamel's statement that Laon showed the worst mana sensitivity in the appraisal was not a lie.

Even after four months of practice, Laon still couldn't generate aura in his dantian.

What good would it do to learn sword techniques or martial arts if he couldn't imbue them with power?

"Hmm."

Marta sneered while Laon continued to swing his sword, beads of cold sweat rolling down her face.

'There was no point in worrying about him.'

Once a threatening presence, he was now less of a threat than even a coward like Dorian.

However, the memory of being hit by Laon still lingered in her mind.

'Now I can forget it. In a duel using aura, he wouldn't even be a match for me.'

Marta smiled confidently and turned around.

"Huh?"

Ruan Slieron stood there with a sullen expression.

"Go."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Go."

"I'll leave anyway. It's time for high-level training."

She waved her hand gently and left the training ground.

Whoosh!

Despite Marta's taunting, Laon didn't react. He continued to swing his sword, exhaling white mist from his mouth.

His red eyes reflected only the sword.

* * *

After finishing his night training, Laon looked around the indoor training ground.

'Everyone's gone.'

With a two-day holiday starting tomorrow, everyone had returned home, leaving no one in the training ground.

"Hmm."

He exhaled a breath and put down his sword. He had been so focused on his sword techniques, using the ring of fire, that he hadn't noticed it was already night.

His concentration was at the same level as when he was about to assassinate someone. It was an extreme level of focus that was hard to achieve during training.

'My sword skills have improved quite a bit.'

Thanks to his focus, his mastery of the Flexible Sword had increased significantly. With a bit more practice, he could use it in real combat without any issues.

- Finally, you've come to your senses!

Laas's voice, filled with anger, echoed in his mind as he was satisfied with today's training.

- To be provoked like that and do nothing. Pathetic!

'Provoked?'

- Didn't that sword-wielding woman keep nagging at you?

'Oh, she did?'

Laon chuckled. He had been so focused on training that he hadn't noticed Marta's taunting.

- If I had heard such words, I would have frozen her and torn her to pieces!

'I've told you before. Fighting now would be pointless.'

If he were to be provoked and fight now, Marta would easily defeat him.

It would be much better to challenge her for the top position and win a medicinal herb or a martial arts manual.

'Besides, I can win no matter what.'

Even without mastering the Manhua Gong, defeating a novice like Marta would be easy. The best time to challenge her would be when she has a valuable treasure.

'I should head back first.'

As Laon finished tidying up and was about to turn off the magic lights in the training ground, he heard a soft step from the door.

Tap.

A small, light step. It was a sound he recognized from daily experience—Ruan's step.

Turning around, he saw Ruan standing there, her purple eyes sparkling, not her usual vacant gaze.

"Here."

She extended the hand she had been hiding behind her back. It was a box slightly smaller than a brick.

"What's this?"

Ruan didn't answer but opened the box. A small pearl, no bigger than a thumb, rose from the white cold mist that billowed out with the lid.

"Uh…."

Laon alternated his gaze between the pearl in the box and Ruan's purple eyes.

"Are you giving this to me?"

"Yes."

Ruan nodded and placed the pearl in his hand. A pleasant coolness spread from his palm.

"Eat it."

She closed the box after saying that.

'What is this?'

He didn't know what it was, but the way it was stored in a box with such coldness indicated it was valuable.

"Hmm…."

According to what he had learned from his assassin's life, he shouldn't eat it, but his hand moved at the expectation in Ruan's eyes.

"Hmm…."

This kid wouldn't give him something strange.

Closing his eyes, he put the pearl in his mouth, and it melted instantly on his tongue. A cool, sweet taste, like frozen chocolate, filled his mouth.

"Huh…."

It was so cool and sweet that he couldn't help but laugh. His eyes widened.

- Such a taste! I've never felt such sweetness even in the Demon Realm! Or is it the coolness that enhances the sweetness? More, I want more! I want to eat more!

Laas, who was connected to his senses, jumped around like a child eating ice cream.

'Be still.'

Laon pushed Laas, who was flapping like a butterfly, with his elbow.

"How is it?"

"It's, it's delicious."

"It's a pearl ice cream."

Ruan nodded vigorously and stepped back, then left the training ground.

"Hey! Hey!"

He called out with a gesture, but Ruan didn't look back.

- …A unique one. But it would have been nice if she had given one more.

'She must have been worried.'

Ruan seemed to have given him the pearl ice cream out of concern for the public taunting by Marta.

Although she had occasionally eaten ice cream in the annex, this form and taste were new to her.

Given the size of the box, it could have contained at most four ice creams, and she had given him the last one.

'To give me the last one…'

Ruan, who loved sweet foods, must have been attached to the last ice cream. Giving it without hesitation must have been a significant decision.

He imagined Ruan holding the saved snack in her mind, hesitating.

"I see."

Laon chuckled. He felt a bit guilty for making even a child worry.

'But I'm not bothered at all.'

It was true.

The path he had to walk was higher and more difficult than anyone else's. And the Manhua Gong was a guide to make that path easier.

Such an excellent guide wouldn't easily lend its power. He needed to wait patiently.

'I should repay her later.'

Laon smiled softly and left the training ground. His tired steps felt as light as a leaf.

* * *

"Wow! Young Master Laon!"

As Laon opened the door to the annex, Helen, who was standing at the entrance, approached with wide eyes.

"What brings you here?"

"Laon is here?"

Sylvia, hearing Helen's voice, kicked open the door and hugged Laon.

"How long has it been! You haven't visited for months!"

"I saw you last week."

Laon pushed away Sylvia, who was rubbing his cheek. Since becoming a trainee, weekend visits were possible, so Sylvia had come to the dormitory every week.

"That's different!"

Sylvia shook her head, striking the air.

"Have you eaten yet? I'll prepare something quickly. Helen!"

"Please wait a moment, Young Master."

Sylvia led the maids to the kitchen. From the sound of her voice, it seemed she was going to make beef stew.

It was hard to describe, but coming to the annex made him feel at ease. Was this what a real home felt like, something he never had in his previous life?

"Hurry up! Laon must be hungry!"

"I know! But the ingredients…."

"Use everything we have!"

Laon headed to the bathroom, listening to the familiar sounds from the kitchen.

* * *

The next morning.

Judiel knelt in Laon's room, head bowed.

Laon, sitting on the bed, tapped the paper in his hand. It was the same kind of paper he had found in the lake.

"Raise your head."

Judiel trembled and lifted her head at the solemn voice.

"What news from the Central Martial Hall?"

"Nothing special. They were interested in your rapid progress in martial arts and sword techniques, but now that you can't master aura, their interest has waned."

"Indeed."

Laon smiled. Aura was the most crucial element for all martial artists. It made sense that they had lost interest in him.

"What about my mother?"

"The interest in Lady Sylvia has also decreased. If things continue this way, I might be withdrawn."

It might seem like a good thing to be withdrawn, but it wasn't.

'The opportunity to use her would be lost.'

The reason for making Judiel a double agent would be gone, and that wouldn't be a good development.

"By the way, have you been deliberately not mastering aura…?"

Judiel's trembling lips parted.

"Hmm."

Laon didn't answer, just smiled. That alone made Judiel swallow hard.

The fear from that day still controlled her.

"Good work. You may leave."

"Yes, yes!"

Judiel stood up, her eyes wide with relief at not having to endure more fear and pain, and quickly left the room.

- Anyone listening would think you deliberately didn't master aura.

'Using the atmosphere and situation to your advantage is also a skill.'

Laon tapped the wrist where Laas was hanging. Judiel would naturally misunderstand and increase her fear and respect for him.

- To struggle so much to master aura is pathetic. When I was in the Demon Realm, I could perform any magic or martial arts with my eyes closed.

'Indeed, it's quite pathetic.'

Laon answered calmly and left the room. His relaxed state allowed him to laugh off Laas's taunts.

"Hmm?"

As he was about to go to the garden for morning training, a man approached from a distance. An elf with red hair, bringing a pleasant breeze. It was Rimer.

"Sir?"

"Did you sleep well?"

Rimer, with his hair still messy from sleep, waved his hand.

"What brings you here so early?"

"I didn't keep my promise from before. I feel bad, so I want to help a bit."

"Promise?"

"I said I would teach you the Jinsheng Quan on the first day of your martial arts training, but I ran away."

"Oh!"

"Since it's too late for that, I'll teach you something else."

He smiled and wiggled his finger. A deep green wind rose from the tip of his slender finger.

"I'll tell you what your attribute is."