Chapter 52
Leonhardt continued demonstrating the first form of Storm Swordsmanship.
The five sword paths.
When he finished demonstrating them…
“May I give it a try?” Seron asked.
Oh?
He wanted to try it after seeing it just once.
In his current state, it might actually be possible.
“Go ahead,” I said.
With my words, Seron raised his sword and began moving slowly.
Thrust.
Slash.
And even the natural adjustments to his footwork, following the sword paths.
The way he executed Storm Swordsmanship was no different from what my escort had demonstrated moments ago.
With his calm gaze, Seron completed the demonstration and quietly looked at Leonhardt.
At that moment, Leonhardt gave a slight nod.
“Well done.”
“Thank you.”
These ice-cold individuals, honestly.
If it were any other swordsmanship instructor, they’d be gaping in astonishment after seeing what had just happened. Seron had perfectly replicated the sword paths after seeing them only once.
Seron.
He was a once-in-decades genius. Even I, who knew about his talent, was slightly taken aback by what I had just seen.
But Leonhardt was different.
What was this?
His impassive face revealed no emotion, making me wonder if he was some kind of cyborg.
‘Exactly the same as in the game.’
The only fortunate thing was that Seron mirrored Leonhardt’s demeanor.
“Thank you.”
That was all Seron said in response to Leonhardt’s praise, spoken in an utterly indifferent tone.
Master and student—they were like two peas in a pod.
“From now on, practice this swordsmanship for one hour every day. I’ll teach you the corresponding mental technique soon,” Leonhardt said.
“Yes.”
As their conversation wrapped up, I interjected.
“About that Storm Swordsmanship.”
“Yes?”
“While watching it, I thought there might be better sword paths. Would you try moving the way I describe?”
My escort’s expression turned curious at my suggestion.
“…A better sword path, you say?”
“Yes.”
I asked Leonhardt for this favor for a simple reason.
As a high-ranking knight, he would immediately notice any changes if the sword path I suggested made a difference.
Moreover, even if there were issues with the new sword path, his skills would allow him to adapt.
In other words, he was the perfect test subject.
“…Understood,” he said, his expression of curiosity vanishing.
“Seron.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Hand me your sword.”
“Yes.”
Taking the sword from Seron, I continued.
“Start with the first sword path of the first form. Could you assume the stance?”
Leonhardt adopted a thrusting stance.
To an untrained observer, it would have looked flawless, like something straight out of a textbook.
But I saw it differently.
“Stay like that for a moment.”
Squinting slightly, I began scrutinizing his posture.
After a while…
“When you extended your foot earlier, you moved your right foot forward and thrust toward the neck, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Instead of that, try lowering the sword slightly from the upper section to the middle section as you thrust. Like this. And take three steps instead of two.”
I demonstrated the posture, and Leonhardt immediately mirrored it.
The new posture was much simpler than the original. After all, player-developed methods were designed for convenience.
“Like this?”
“Yes. For the second sword path…”
The first form of Storm Swordsmanship.
It was a technique where the initial five sword paths connected seamlessly, increasing in power with each successive movement.
The second and third forms had similar structures.
Though their postures became more complex and their aura movements noticeably different, the core idea remained the same—connecting the sword paths to amplify power.
After adjusting all five sword paths of the first form, I instructed him.
“Without using aura, execute the swordsmanship with the adjusted stances I just showed you.”
“Understood.”
Leonhardt began performing the slightly altered sword paths.
Then…
“…”
He tilted his head slightly, as if he had noticed something.
“Well?” I asked.
“It feels much smoother. However…”
“Yes, go on.”
“If we change the stances like this, there might be issues when linking them with the mental technique. The way aura was traditionally moved in the first form wouldn’t align with this approach.”
“That’s true. Since the movements have changed, the way aura is handled will naturally have to change as well.”
“Even so… it’s a remarkable method. After linking all five sword paths, I can clearly see its potential.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But…”
Leonhardt looked at me with a serious expression and asked.
“…How did you come up with such sword paths?”
His question was laden with curiosity.
It made sense.
Storm Swordsmanship had been refined over centuries, becoming more efficient with countless adjustments.
Many skilled knights had poured their time and effort into improving its stances.
Being the flagship swordsmanship of the Seltarion Family, this was only natural.
The fact that I had improved the technique after seeing it once naturally raised questions.
If I were a knight, it might be understandable, but right now, I was a mage.
Still, it didn’t matter.
“I just figured it out by watching.”
Playing the role of an unparalleled genius was all I needed.
What else could they say to that?
Nothing but acceptance.
Honestly, there wasn’t much else I could say either.
“……”
“I’m serious. Watching the slow movements of the sword gave me a feeling.”
At my response, Leonhardt let out an exasperated sigh. It was a rare expression of emotion from him.
“…Am I supposed to believe this?”
“Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Either way, the result is good, isn’t it? You said it feels smoother.”
“…That is true.”
“Then get me a book about the first form of Storm Swordsmanship. Something like a swordsmanship manual.”
“A swordsmanship manual?”
“Yes. It should include information on how to circulate aura along the sword paths, just like how magic books detail mana circulation methods when casting spells.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll modify it to match the new sword paths.”
Truthfully, I wanted to share the aura circulation methods I already knew, but it felt too early for that.
While I could justify altering the sword paths after witnessing them firsthand, aura circulation was a different matter.
Kyle Seltarion.
This guy had never learned Storm Swordsmanship.
Naturally, he had never been taught how to circulate aura while using it.
Because he lacked talent.
Therefore, revealing a modified aura circulation method to fit the altered sword paths right now would be a stretch.
At the very least, I needed to pretend I’d studied it from the swordsmanship manual so they could accept it somewhat convincingly.
“A once-in-a-lifetime genius!”
That’s how they would frame it, anyway.
“It’s not difficult to get you a manual, but… shouldn’t you be focusing on your magic training? I’m concerned it might waste your time.”
“Aura and mana are both forces that enhance humans, right? At higher levels, they overlap. Researching this won’t stall my progress, so don’t worry.”
Of course, I could speak so confidently for a reason.
I had no intention of spending long hours researching.
I’d simply apply the methods I already knew.
Once I recreated the swordsmanship and aura circulation methods from the game, I’d pass them on to Seron and Leonhardt.
‘If my theory is correct.’
The two of them would become significantly stronger than before.
For now, I’d apply it only to these two and keep it under wraps until a critical moment.
‘It’ll be a big help.’
Even if it only brought half the power I demonstrated with magic, it would still be a blessing.
Since I didn’t possess aura myself, I couldn’t create a hybrid casting method equivalent to magic, but it didn’t matter.
Seron and Leonhardt didn’t seem to need such a method.
With their innate talent, simply using regular Storm Swordsmanship would suffice.
But in moments of danger…
‘They can use the method I taught them.’
Of course, I still needed to confirm if the method would actually increase their power.
‘But it seems promising.’
Maybe because I had already applied it to magic? I had a good feeling about it.
It seemed like it would work.
***
A few hours after my request, Leonhardt brought me a swordsmanship manual.
[Storm Swordsmanship – First Form]
The book had a simple title.
“As you know, this cannot be leaked.”
“I know.”
If not for my status, obtaining a swordsmanship manual this easily wouldn’t have been possible.
After my escort left, I opened the book and began examining the aura circulation paths.
The content was straightforward.
It included detailed illustrations of the movements required for Storm Swordsmanship.
Additionally, it described in detail how to circulate aura in tandem with those movements.
‘So this is how it works.’
I took out some paper and a pen and began jotting down my modifications to Storm Swordsmanship.
I started with how aura should circulate for the first altered stance and detailed the five stances I had modified.
Though I couldn’t provide overly intricate instructions, I outlined the general direction of progression.
Leonhardt, with his skill level, would certainly be able to apply the method I documented.
Moreover, since the first form was a foundational technique, even if there were issues…
‘His skill will allow him to handle it.’
At the very least, there was no risk of an aura explosion.
My test subject was an expert knight of the highest rank. If the knowledge proved successful, then…
‘I’ll teach it to Seron.’
This modified swordsmanship would likely become an invaluable asset for Seron.
For Leonhardt, who had already reached a certain level of mastery, enhancing a foundational swordsmanship technique wouldn’t lead to an explosive increase in power.
However, for someone like Seron, who was just starting his swordsmanship journey, it would be a different story.
After sharing it only with these two for the time being, once I dealt with Adolf…
‘I’ll sell it to the Seltarion Family.’
The true method of activating Storm Swordsmanship.
I planned to present it to my family.
They would become a reliable ally in our battles against villains.
As such, enhancing their forces was essential.
Of course, it wouldn’t be free.
I intended to ask for an exorbitant price.
However…
No matter the cost, the marquess and Abel would undoubtedly purchase this version of Storm Swordsmanship.
That’s if it showed the kind of power I envisioned.
Selling it would benefit me as well.
Though Leonhardt was a skilled knight, he might find the third form too risky to execute.
But for the marquess, a Sword Master?
He could apply the method I taught all the way up to the fourth form.
He was one of only three Sword Masters in the entire empire.
Even if something went wrong…
‘A Sword Master would overcome it.’
With their wealth of experience, they could resolve any crisis with their wisdom.
Once I successfully applied my knowledge to the third and fourth forms…
I’d ask the marquess for a favor.
I’d request that Leonhardt and Seron receive training in this method.
By offering the modified Storm Swordsmanship as compensation, even the fourth form couldn’t be refused.
This way, both of them could safely gain the full benefits of the technique.
I’d get paid, strengthen my allies, and enhance the forces of my family to battle villains.
It was the perfect win-win situation.
Of course, to make this deal, I first had to test my results.
***
Two days passed since I received the manual.
By now, it would appear I’d invested enough time into it. With the modified manual in hand, I approached Leonhardt.
“Can you try what’s written in this book?”
Leonhardt flipped through the pages for a while before nodding.
“Yes. I think it’s possible. Should I try now?”
“Yes. But I just created this, so it might be incomplete. You’ll need to handle aura with extra caution. Is that okay?”
“Yes. Since it’s a foundational technique, it shouldn’t be too dangerous.”
That was reassuring.
With that, Leonhardt, Seron, and I headed to the training ground.
It was time to test if the modified Storm Swordsmanship, implemented with game-like methods, could truly unleash its intended power.
—
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