Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 536

The Giant of the Light (4)

Fighting Pull.

Lenox quietly repeated the words Gyeolbaek had mentioned.

“A way to move the body with the mind…”

“It is said to be the power that leads warriors who have reached their limits back into battle, and we call it the Fighting Pull,” Gyeolbaek replied, lowering his gaze slightly as he rose from his seat.

“It is a method of handling mental power that does not exist in a physical form. It is an application of the mind that re-establishes the miracle of allowing warriors who have reached their limits to move once more in a desperate moment as a technique.”

“…”

Lenox understood what Claude Azlan was talking about.

Humans are not simply machines that cannot fight when their magic power and physical strength are exhausted.

Even the powerful enemies Lenox had fought to the death had often drawn out more power than they possessed by honing their mental state to the extreme.

A miracle that allows one to take one more step with only the power of the mind at the end of all exhaustion.

To walk on the remaining mind with a body scraped to the bottom.

The Turyeon Gate was saying that they had established and could use such an outburst of fighting spirit, which was originally incomprehensible, as a technique.

“In that sense, I understand why your granddaughter reacted that way just now.”

Lenox leaned against the wall of the martial arts hall and glanced at Caria.

Caria avoided his gaze with a slightly surprised look. The sparring match just now must not have been a good memory for her.

“A way to draw out non-existent mental power, that’s not a power that can be judged by the concept of martial arts.”

“Hmm.”

“It seems like an extreme technique that could be thrown as a gamble. I’m not trying to learn martial arts because I need that kind of power.”

As he had just heard, wasn’t it closer to a gamble that could be used to somehow continue the battle after exhausting both mind and body in combat?

There might be ways to utilize it, but Lenox’s intention to learn martial arts from Gyeolbaek was not for that purpose in the first place.

He could create such a makeshift gamble with his current power.

What Lenox wanted was to use his poor physical condition to create possibilities in a different direction than now.

The Kaleidoscope Mind [a unique mental ability] is a power that can realize such diverse experiences and possibilities more concretely and powerfully than anything else.

Therefore, he needed an opportunity to establish a combat method that uses the body, not just as a mage.

At least, the technique called Fighting Pull that he had heard so far was far from the concept or purpose Lenox desired.

“That’s not wrong. The main text also strictly prohibits the actual training of the Fighting Pull.”

Gyeolbaek readily agreed.

“To move the body with the mind, in other words, means that the overflowing spirit transcends the vessel of the body. There are more than a few who have gone mad while absorbed in that concept.”

Gyeolbaek chuckled with a bitter smile and nodded.

“If a warrior is consumed by the mental state that leads them into battle and goes mad, can you imagine what will happen to them?”

“…”

“They will become ghosts that continue to move endlessly, following the consumed mental state even after their body and mind have died.”

“Are you saying that you offered me the Fighting Pull as compensation, knowing that?”

“Offering to teach you the Fighting Pull is by no means a trick to endanger your mind.”

Gyeolbaek opened his mouth with a thoughtful expression.

“Rather, it should be said that it is a method possible only for a mage of your caliber.”

“What do you mean?”

“I watched how you fought during your sparring with Caria. It was truly impressive.”

“…”

“The meager movements that react within the limits of your athletic ability. Awkward actions that do not seem to have any utility other than fighting by directly manipulating the body. An overwhelming cognitive ability and judgment that more than makes up for such shortcomings.”

Gyeolbaek said, his eyes shining sharply.

“That’s proof that you are discussing even the act of moving your own body in the realm of calculation and judgment, yet you have not learned any techniques or martial arts. This is something that can never happen to a normal physical ability user.”

“That’s…”

“Moreover, the fact that you were not unilaterally overwhelmed in the sparring with Caria in that way is proof that the method you chose was not entirely wrong.”

Lenox possessed combat intelligence, judgment, and reading ability comparable to high-level physical ability users, yet he had not learned any martial arts or techniques.

His mind had reached a level that surpassed that of a top-notch martial artist, but his body was a blank slate, no different from an ordinary person.

Gyeolbaek was asserting that it was precisely because of these conditions that Lenox was most suitable to learn the Fighting Pull.

However, Lenox shook his head at Gyeolbaek’s words.

“The reason I didn’t fall behind in the sparring just now is because she lacked information about me. Once she gets used to the fact that I’m engaging in close combat through magic power manipulation, it will be easier to find openings.”

“…”

“It’s a flawed method, and it’s true that I’m looking for ways to compensate for it. Do you think the Fighting Pull can meet the purpose I desire?”

His condition had improved considerably after taking the Archangel’s Tear [a powerful healing item].

However, even with a body plastered with painkillers and stimulants, Lenox was thoroughly avoiding overexertion in his sparring with Caria.

He was in a position where he had to participate in the operation to follow Gyeolbaek to the restricted area and investigate the secrets of the Black Consumer Project.

However, if Gyeolbaek was now recommending that Lenox take the risk of learning the Fighting Pull, there should at least be a reward for it, shouldn’t there?

“Those who learn the Fighting Pull are learning how to control and express their own mental state in a different way.”

Gyeolbaek replied.

“That mental state is, after all, an extension of the martial arts or techniques they have learned. It is not of great significance to a completer who has obtained a microcosm [a self-contained world within]. But what if a practitioner with a strong mind and heart enough to learn the Fighting Pull has not learned martial arts or techniques?”

“…”

“If no martial arts or techniques are ingrained, what will ultimately be contained at the fingertips will be their own mental state.”

Only then did Lenox, realizing what Gyeolbaek was trying to say, slowly turn his gaze.

“Perhaps it may be possible to draw out the mental state within you in the form of a microcosm, not a magnetic field.”

* * *

A huge training ground built behind the main building of the Turyeon Gate.

Several martial artists in uniforms were engaged in a fierce battle with one trainee.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Impact waves filled with magic power burst out one after another, pounding against the stone walls, but a woman with an inorganic impression calmly received them.

“…!!”

Without wavering, not hastily, one by one. As if not swayed by the fierce offensive.

She precisely manipulated the five spears orbiting her, stopping their shaking.

The woman’s body rotated quickly through the punches and kicks that were fiercely targeting her ribs, solar plexus, respiratory organs, and internal organs.

Clang! Clang!

She grasped the flow of the combined attack, which was so complex and precise that it was impossible to even discern the order, and escaped the encirclement.

The complex flow of energy and ripples that had been intertwined unraveled like a thread, dissolving like a wave in that spot.

Immediately after, the martial artists who had been launching a fierce attack stepped back and bowed respectfully.

“Ilya, it’s time. You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you for your efforts.”

Ilya, who was wiping away the sweat flowing down her face, nodded her head towards them.

Lenox, who was watching the woman with Gyeolbaek from outside the training ground, said,

“Even androids sweat like that.”

“Hmm. Have you already noticed?”

Lenox replied calmly.

“Because I wasn’t the only one who entered Area 6 with Professor Richelren.”

A skilled individual who had entered the restricted area under the pretext of escorting Lenox and Aris at the time, and even participated in the mobile fortress takedown operation.

A member of Cybrid Echo [a cyborg/android organization], and a physical ability user who wielded five hyper-vibration spears.

Ilya had also been invited by the Turyeon Gate and was here with them.

“But I didn’t expect to receive reinforcements from Cybrid Echo. The scale of the operation is more than I thought.”

Cybrid Echo, whose members are mostly cyborgs or androids, is an organization with a unique position within Vulcan.

Even before the lifting of the Prohibition Edicts [laws restricting certain technologies], they had ambiguously straddled both the shadows and the light, and their technology and products did not discriminate against the market.

This was a loophole in the law that arose because the members of the organization called Cybrid Echo were not officially recognized as human.

Is a cyborg who has modified their entire body with machines human? Is an android, who is infinitely close to human, just a machine?

They, who straddle and mock ethics, morality, and the definition of machines and humans, are not protected by the city government’s regulations or laws, but it is natural that they are just as free.

That is why they are an organization that maintains an ambiguous distance from other organizations, while not being hostile.

It was surprising that they had received approval for reinforcements even though it was not a direct request for cooperation from the city government, like during the Defense Force incident.

In the meantime, Ilya noticed them and immediately walked out of the training ground.

“Azlan-nim.”

“Is your training going well?”

At Gyeolbaek’s words, Ilya quietly nodded her head.

“It seems that I am rather being taken care of.”

Gyeolbaek, who smiled while sweeping back his white hair, said,

“How is it actually being with the training of the main text?”

“It is surprisingly systematic and orderly.”

“Is that so?”

“There is no logic in the training method or process, but it is imbued with the know-how that has been honed through long experience. It is very educational.”

“No, no logic…”

Ilya, who looked around the training ground, unconcerned by Gyeolbaek, who seemed slightly shocked, muttered,

“If possible, I would like to stay here longer and fill in my shortcomings, but since Ban-nim has come, it’s time to leave.”

At her natural reaction of turning to look at Lenox, Lenox also quietly nodded his head.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s the first time since the Defense Force incident, right? Ironically, I didn’t expect to meet again because of what happened back then.”

Ilya smiled faintly, shook hands, and said while wiping away her sweat,

“I heard it’s an operation for the safety of the city. Please leave the front lines to me.”

A level 8 spear user and a level 7 spear user.

Even considering the grand cause of entering the restricted area, it was a team that was leveled up to an unbelievable extent.

Since Gyeolbaek and Ilya were on the front lines, Lenox could focus on the rear role.

“I guess this is the minimum condition met for now.”

Gyeolbaek said that and turned his back, leaving the two alone.

“Could you wait a moment? I’ll bring the other internal candidates who were summoned for this mission.”

Gyeolbaek disappeared in a flash without giving them a chance to answer.

Ilya, who was subtly watching Lenox’s reaction, opened her mouth again with difficulty.

“Actually, I didn’t think Ban-nim would participate in this operation, so I was a little surprised. I heard you were seriously injured…”

“…”

“Of course, it would be a great help if Ban-nim participated, but wouldn’t it be better to think about your health first?”

“There was a deal.”

Gyeolbaek had said that the results possible when the Fighting Pull was fully mastered would not simply be limited to freeing his body.

To draw out the mental state of the magnetic field in the form of a microcosm.

It was a possibility close to optimism, but after hearing those words, he could not not even try.

If he could draw out the Kaleidoscope Mind in the form of a microcosm, it might be possible to solve the problems Lenox was currently facing.

In the end, Lenox had agreed to learn the Fighting Pull from Gyeolbaek during the operation as compensation for this mission.

When Lenox told Ilya about what had happened with Gyeolbaek, she looked slightly surprised.

“I see. I didn’t know that a mage of Ban-nim’s caliber would be concerned about physical training.”

“It seems like you were sparring with the martial artists of the Turyeon Gate while waiting. What is it like to actually experience the martial arts organization of the light?”

Since he had decided to learn the Fighting Pull, he needed to investigate the techniques and martial arts used by the Turyeon Gate in more detail.

Since Ilya was also sparring with the martial artists of the Turyeon Gate while waiting for the others, she could give him some good advice.

At Lenox’s words, Ilya made a troubled expression.

“Hmm… I don’t know how to explain it. This is an area that is difficult for others to understand.”

Saying that, Ilya shook her head and opened her mouth.

“Compared to the organizations of the light that specialize in training superhumans, such things are rare in the shadows, aren’t they?”

“It’s almost non-existent.”

“If you think about how important the existence of specialized educational institutions is in other fields, the difference in power between the light and the shadows should have been overwhelmingly different.”

Ilya, who had finished greeting the martial artists she had been sparring with until just now, said as she stood in an empty space in a corner.

“However, even though quite some time has passed since the Edicts were lifted, the balance on one side has not collapsed. What do you think is the reason for that?”

Lenox immediately answered Ilya’s words.

“Are you saying that the existence of educational institutions is not very effective in the field of training superhumans?”

“It means that there are advantages and disadvantages. Superhumans in the shadows survive in real battles and become stronger, and naturally seek out the best method for themselves, don’t they?”

Lenox laughed unintentionally at those words.

“It’s quite a talent to be able to beautify what happens in that world like that.”

His words sounded plausible, but they were somewhat different from the various ugly scenes Lenox had seen in the outer districts.

Wasn’t it a waste of a beautiful modifier to attach to the criminals of the outer districts, where betrayal, backstabbing, theft, arson, murder, and abandonment were frequent?

Ilya also coughed slightly, as if she had not entirely dismissed such thoughts.

“…Ahem, anyway, it is undeniable that they develop their aptitudes more freely in that process. But the way the organizations of the light I have experienced train superhumans is completely different.”

“In what way?”

“Rather than giving them order, they try to confine the trainees within it.”

It was quite a radical statement, considering that she had been praising the training methods of the Turyeon Gate.

“They present a standard that has been established through long time and history, and keep pushing one person into it. If they meet the standard, they rise up, and if they don’t, they are eliminated.”

“That’s an interesting perspective…”

Only then did Lenox understand what Ilya meant by saying that each method had its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of being able to stably train skilled superhumans, unlike the shadows where people die like trash.

However, in order to maintain that system, they thoroughly kill individuality and fit people into the logic of the system.

Could it be said that the logic of the Turyeon Gate is somewhat related to the background of how the technique called Fighting Pull was established?

“If the trainee themselves do not fit the training process provided by the Turyeon Gate, the time it takes to find their aptitude will inevitably be slower.”

Ilya said.

“A superior trainee might be able to recognize why the training method doesn’t fit and quickly change direction. But that would only be a very small exception.”

“But it is also true that the training curriculum like the Turyeon Gate is efficient.”

A deep voice was heard from behind Lenox.

“It’s just a matter of direction. It’s something that can’t be judged as right or wrong.”

An overwhelming physique that far surpassed the height of Lenox and Gyeolbaek.

The figure of a majestic bird-headed giant resembling an eagle, perched on a thick neck, was impressive.

Lenox frowned slightly at the appearance of an acquaintance he had not expected at all.

“…Felix?”

“You were having an interesting conversation, Ban. Have you finally become interested in the system of how the city works?”

Felix’s bulging eyes seemed to be looking down at Lenox as if he was proud of him.

“If you’re a mage of your caliber, it’s not a bad thing to broaden your knowledge in this area. After all, such talents may come together to help the city’s gradual development. Have you heard about the recently developed anti-gravity technology?”

“You’re talking about something that’s not relevant right now. What’s going on?”

“What does it mean that I’m here at the Turyeon Gate?”

Felix chuckled, lightly puffing air through his beak.

“This operation to fix the distortion inside the restricted area. I’ve also joined. Please take care of me.”

“I guess this is all the minimum force we need.”

Gyeolbaek walks into the training ground for the last time, looking somewhat tired.

The clear gaze he had when he was talking about martial arts with Lenox just now was nowhere to be seen, and he had returned to his original, somewhat turbid and heated gaze.

He rubbed his temples as if he had a headache, then looked around and slowly nodded his head.

“I don’t know if more members will be added in the future, but if you’re ready, I’d like to depart. Do you need more time?”

“Are you planning to head straight to the restricted area?”

“There is a place we need to go to get the access authorization. The powerful figures who established this operation and entrusted all authority to this side.”

If Gyeolbaek said that much, they must be some of the most prominent old monsters in the city government.

“I didn’t expect the Senate to be so active in sending reinforcements. I thought the uproar hadn’t been resolved due to disagreements over the expo agenda…”

“No. It’s not the Senate.”

As soon as he heard those words, Gyeolbaek shook his head.

“It’s higher.”