Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 128

128. Undercurrent (4)

The blue waves of the portal subsided, revealing the familiar view of the residence.

“Oh, you’ve arrived.”

Carles was waving his hand in greeting.

Beside him, Admun was bowing his head. “You’ve come.”

He seemed more nervous than usual.

“Did you prepare well?”

“Yes. I’ve devised a strategy of my own.”

Today was the day I had scheduled to spar with him. Training alone is beneficial, but there’s nothing quite like direct physical contact to truly grasp the feel of real combat.

“Good. Drew is stuck in the lab and will be a bit late, so let’s start with Admun first.”

At that, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the corner.

“Ooh! Are you guys fighting today?”

It was Aries, who had been studying black magic near the stairs.

“I want to watch too!”

She quickly ran over. Angel and Aileen were away, so everyone in the residence was eager to watch our sparring match.

“Admun, just because your opponent is me, don’t hold back. If you fight with all your heart, this will be a valuable opportunity for you.”

He was only sparring because I suggested it.

[It’s not every day you get an opportunity like this.]

If the knight trainees were still here, they would all be incredibly envious of Admun.

Carles and Oberon, two beings who had transcended their limits, were observing intently.

‘Of course, of course. Do you think crossing swords with me is a trivial matter?’

Once, I was known as the Sword Emperor. To spar with such a master is an unparalleled learning experience.

‘It’s an experience you can’t buy for all the money in the world.’

Perhaps that feeling was conveyed, because Admun didn’t seem to be thinking of taking it easy. After putting on the iron gauntlets I had given him, he tightened the straps of his Kata shoes [special footwear designed to enhance agility and footwork].

‘Good attitude.’

When he raised his head, his eyes were filled with determination.

“Alright, today I’ll respond with a fist. Let’s go with pure martial arts.”

I beckoned him forward with a finger.

“Come at me first.”

“Understood.”

With a short reply, energy gathered at the tip of his toes. Admun, who had activated the Kata shoes from the start, pushed off the ground with considerable force.

[Ooh! He’s improved a bit?]

His movements were much faster than before. Admun was now quite familiar with using the Kata shoes.

‘He’s definitely become more natural.’

With that, he prepared his fist. He was coming at me head-on from the start.

‘He’s doing well, but…’

Watching him, I slightly twisted my right foot and took a step to the side.

‘You’re still a million years too early!’

At the same time, I kicked up my left knee.

“Cough!”

The knee accurately struck Admun’s abdomen. The momentum of his approach amplified the impact.

He was kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath.

“It’s commendable that you’ve learned to handle the Kata shoes, but speed isn’t everything. Uncontrolled speed will only lead to trouble like this.”

“I, I see.”

“Instead of just moving fast, you need to be able to vary your speed. Only then can you truly utilize the Kata shoes.”

Admun stood up again, clenching his fists, burning with determination.

“Can I try one more time?”

“Of course.”

Admun took a step back, creating distance. The width of his stance was slightly wider.

[Oh, his form is better than before?]

I nodded, and he kicked off the ground again.

‘Good. He’s a quick learner.’

Although it was slower than before, Admun was showing much more refined movements.

And then, he threw a punch at a controllable speed. This time, I tried to raise my knee towards him in the same way, but…

“Hmph!”

He quickly twisted his ankle, avoiding the trajectory of my knee.

After that, he turned his body halfway, targeting my flank.

[Hmm. That’s your martial art.]

He was using the martial art I had taught to the Dolph family.

‘This has improved a lot too. The connecting movements are becoming more natural.’

After securing my flank, he extended his left foot. A kick containing rotational force was aimed at my abdomen.

‘Cute punk.’

However, that level of movement was nothing more than child’s play to me.

Thud, I simply lifted my foot to block his shin.

“Uh, uh?”

With that, Admun’s body began to collapse rapidly. He hadn’t even considered what would happen when his attack was blocked.

In the end, Admun fell on his butt.

Whoosh!

Only one fist was reflected in his pupils, rapidly approaching.

“Eek!”

Admun quickly raised both arms to cover his face, but…

“Admun. Do you think I would really hit you?”

The fist stopped inches from his face.

“Haa… I can’t keep up with your movements at all. How did you subdue me with such simple movements?”

Admun clicked his tongue. When I extended my fist to him, he grabbed my hand and stood up.

“Originally, the most important thing in martial arts is to move concisely. I wanted to teach you that today.”

A sparring match deliberately composed of simpler movements.

[That’s right. Simplifying movements is the best.]

‘That’s the advantage of martial arts.’

The best speed through concise movements. The advantage of not using separate weapons had to be maximized.

“Oho. That was quite an interesting sparring match.”

Carles was smiling as he watched us.

“How did you see it, Carles-nim?”

“It was better than expected. Well, your skill goes without saying.”

Carles’ eyes sparkled as he looked at Admun.

“Admun’s movements are also unusual. The last movement he showed was quite fluid.”

Admun didn’t know how to react to the praise.

‘Of course. Who taught him?’

Carles’ praise made me smile for no reason.

“However, you need to widen your stance a bit to better suit your body. Your arms and legs are long, so that would be much more natural.”

Oberon nodded at Carles’ words.

[Yeah. That’s right. I was about to say that too. And when you move, it would be good to shift the weight on your heels to the front faster.]

As I conveyed Oberon’s words, Admun nodded repeatedly.

“Ah, it definitely feels smoother to move when I do as you say.”

The advice of two masters who transcended eras was being absorbed into Admun’s body.

“Hoo! I’m here!”

A voice was heard from the portal at that moment. Drew was coming down the stairs just in time.

“Sorry, sorry. Professor Andre wouldn’t let me leave, so I was a bit late.”

As soon as he arrived, he threw his robe into a corner and immediately started to loosen up his body.

“Looks like Admun hyung [older brother/respected male figure] is already done sparring?”

“Yeah. Are you ready too?”

“Of course!”

“Then let’s start right away.”

Drew cracked his neck from side to side. Then, he naturally picked up the longsword that was leaning against the wall.

It was as if he was finally wearing clothes that fit him.

‘He’s more suited to this than being a mage.’

[Gibson in a mage’s robe? Unthinkable.]

He looked much more natural with a weapon in his hand.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

This time, a sword was placed in my hand as well. Pragarakh was aimed at Drew.

Whooong!

At that moment, a yellow light enveloped Drew’s longsword.

[Oh, he’s a natural talent after all.]

Although it was still faint, there was definitely an aura swirling around it.

‘How long has it been since he started accumulating aura…’

Even considering the good fortune he had in the hall, it was an incredible speed.

‘He’s already over 3 stars.’

He had significantly more aura than Admun, who had been training with me for longer.

[His body has become much sturdier in the meantime. His posture is starting to solidify.]

The way he gripped the sword with both hands wasn’t bad.

‘The Gibson bloodline is not going anywhere.’

This time, I rushed towards him first.

The first attack was a straight downward slash.

“Kuh!”

Drew hurriedly twisted his sword horizontally to block it. It was an instinctive movement.

‘That won’t do.’

I collected the rebounding sword and slashed horizontally this time.

“Hap!”

Then, Drew took a step back and deflected the sword.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound echoed through the training hall.

[Oh, he’s faster than I thought.]

‘Then this is next.’

This time, I didn’t swing the sword. Instead, I simply stabbed precisely and quickly.

Swaeak!

Drew’s pupils widened greatly at the attack. He looked visibly flustered.

“Heek!”

Not knowing what to do, he swung his sword wildly, but he couldn’t stop Pragarakh with that method.

Thud.

In the end, Pragarakh stopped after lightly touching his abdomen.

“Haa…”

Drew dropped his longsword to the floor and raised both hands.

“How do you block that last one?”

“You need to practice making your movements more precise in the future.”

Drew’s movements were larger and less controlled than Admun’s.

‘That won’t do.’

He might be able to block slashing attacks, but it would be difficult to block precise stabs.

This time, Carles’ evaluation followed.

“Overall, it was good, but it’s a shame that your movements are too broad and you’re putting too much power into them.”

He had the same thoughts as me. Just as Drew’s expression was hardening gloomily, Carles added, “But that could be an advantage.”

“Yes? How?”

Then Carles and Oberon smiled. The two masters spoke at the same time.

[You should change your weapon after all.]

“Wield a spear. Then your powerful movements will become an advantage. It seems difficult to contain all your strength with a sword. I will guide you directly.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Blood doesn’t lie.’

The Gibson family had traditionally wielded spears or large polearms. Moreover, it was a golden opportunity to receive spear techniques directly from Carles.

“Yes! I understand!”

That’s how the midnight sparring ended.

* * *

[What are you thinking so seriously about?]

‘Is it that obvious?’

[Your emotions are all revealed in your sword. You idiot.]

It was time for individual training after the sparring. Even though I was swinging my sword, I couldn’t fool Oberon’s watchful eyes.

‘I have a lot to worry about too.’

The series of events I’ve experienced recently had filled my mind. The families of the Pentagram trying to collect the fragments of Optatio, as well as the emergence of an organization called Revoluca, whose identity is still unknown.

‘The world is changing rapidly.’

Several ominous movements had been detected.

‘There’s too much to worry about.’

At that moment, the trajectory of the sword I was swinging became distorted.

‘Crap.’

My wrist was too tense because of the distracting thoughts.

[It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, but don’t think too hastily. Otherwise, you’ll just end up like you are now.]

I swung the sword again. Thanks to refocusing, the trajectory drew a constant arc as before.

[Yeah. Just do everything one by one like that. If you’re too conscious of your surroundings, you’ll lose your tempo, and then you’ll really mess things up.]

‘One by one…’

Whoooong!

Finding my own tempo, not the flow of the surroundings.

In that way, the sword that cut through the wind gradually began to stabilize.

……

Whoooong!

The sound of the wind filled the training hall.

‘Yeah. I can just do things one by one.’

Whoong!

Doing my best in the things I can do now. As Oberon said, that was the best response.

Whoooong!

Like the constant trajectory of the sword.