Episode 521
Chapter 143: Accelerated Training (Part 2)
“Sigh… Am I seriously going to feel wronged again? I thought mastering a high-level lightning-fast thrust like this would take at least two months, even with accelerated training. And not just a day or an hour—two whole months!”
Even Talaris found it hard to comprehend.
In truth, pulling off such a refined lightning-fast thrust in just two months was already unbelievable. He had only assumed it might be possible within that timeframe, given Jin’s potential combined with his own assistance.
“You really did it all at once?”
Jin looked a bit dazed by Talaris’s reaction.
Since it hadn’t been particularly difficult for him, he naturally assumed this level of skill was within Talaris’s expectations.
‘Is it really that surprising?’
He cut off Talaris’s words briefly and bowed lightly, as an apology for suddenly thrusting his sword.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Does that even matter right now? Son-in-law, what exactly is going on? Have you been practicing this since before the secret technique?”
“Only for a few days.”
“Hahaha, so that’s it…”
For some reason, Talaris was reminded of the time when Murakan first taught Jin magic during the Storm Castle days. Talaris’s reaction mirrored Murakan’s shock at Jin’s talent back then.
“Well, I suppose I did pick a good son-in-law. It’s a waste to keep such talent just as the Lady of the Secret Bow. Joshua from the second generation has fallen into ruin… Hmm, maybe it’s time to make a marriage alliance between the Runkandel family head and the Lady of the Bow. There’s no history of such a union, but we can start one now.”
When learning magic from Murakan, Jin had deliberately held back his true strength to avoid suspicion and paced his progress. That was no longer necessary.
“I think I can split the acceleration into nine parts, not seven.”
“What?”
“More precisely, it’s divided into three stages. Nine points of aura concentration grouped in threes, each group counted as one acceleration. If you grasp the feeling of accelerating three times in total, the thrust will be properly executed.”
At that moment, Talaris was struck with another shock.
‘There was a somewhat cryptic passage in the secret manual left by Siron. Could it be that what my son-in-law is describing now is exactly what it meant…? I had thought it was just a device for Mary.’
Quickly flipping through the manual again, Talaris confirmed that Jin’s explanation matched perfectly.
“You said your sister’s lightning-fast thrust isn’t as good as yours, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then Mary shouldn’t have passed this on to you. She probably never awakened the subtle principles. She might think the reason her thrust is inferior to Siron’s is simply due to differences in achievement and skill.”
“Mary will find the answer on her own someday.”
“Hmm, that girl is special, so that’s probably true.”
But compared to you, even her incredible talent pales. Talaris held back from saying more.
“Anyway, I think I know exactly when those nine points of aura concentration occur. But showing it again makes my joints ache. Try it once more.”
“I think I need a preparatory move.”
“Take your time. Pierce as perfectly as you can.”
Jin focused his mind and adjusted his stance.
The lightning-fast thrust he unleashed seemed poised to surpass the power of the sword Talaris had shown earlier…
But the aura gathered on the blade failed to extend forward with force and crumbled pitifully. His posture collapsed, and he nearly toppled forward.
“Hahaha! You startled this mother-in-law just now, and now it’s my turn to laugh!”
Talaris laughed heartily, making Jin feel a bit embarrassed.
“I got greedy and lost my balance. I showed a shameful sight.”
“That’s fine. Everyone has their human moments. Thanks for the good laugh.”
But despite his words, Talaris knew Jin had ‘almost succeeded’ again.
‘He was too focused on the aura flow and lost his basic stance at the last moment. In reality, he basically did it all at once again… If he tries again, he’ll definitely succeed.’
Jin took his stance once more.
Talaris quietly waited for him to thrust his sword.
With a changed gaze, Jin reviewed his previous mistake and drew up his aura.
The sword he swung next tore through the air, radiating brilliance and carrying the dignity worthy of Runkandel’s secret technique.
Runkandel’s Fifth Secret Technique:
Lightning-Fast Thrust!
A blinding flash pierced the eyes. The sword extended at a speed that seemed to chase the flash itself, sharply distorting space and leaving a long, comet-like afterimage.
Only those who have reached mastery can see that fleeting afterimage. Though the sword moves first, the aura surges forward along the sword’s path only after the motion ends, rushing wildly ahead.
A massive crater formed in the ice wall of the training ground. If Talaris hadn’t reinforced it beforehand with the power of the Frozen Seal, Jin’s aura would have extended beyond the Secret Bow’s grounds, leaving a mark in the sky.
Instead of shock or surprise, Talaris let out pure admiration.
“Ho, I can’t speak to the speed, but the power definitely surpasses what I showed.”
Jin caught his breath and shook his head.
“That was just a light demonstration. In no way can my sword compare to your martial prowess, Talaris-nim.”
“No, even if you did it properly, it’d be the same. Since it’s a secret technique unique to Runkandel, there are limits to replication. And… hmm.”
“What is it?”
“Nine times, huh…”
Watching Jin’s lightning-fast thrust, Talaris felt as if he’d glimpsed a new dimension of the secret technique.
“Do you think it could be divided into ten times?”
Jin immediately sensed why Talaris was asking.
“Could it be you see potential for improvement?”
“Hmm, improvement… The lightning-fast thrust is clearly complete with nine concentrations and three accelerations, as you said. But you’re not an ordinary warrior, are you?”
Spirit energy, thunder energy, magic power.
Unlike typical warriors, Jin can wield four types of power, including aura. Talaris suspected that one of these might serve as a ‘tenth element’ for the lightning-fast thrust.
People usually don’t question something already perfect. The sword is no exception.
But Talaris wasn’t an ordinary warrior either.
“There are a few techniques in our Secret Bow’s martial arts for extremely fast thrusts or slashes. All those swords complement aura flow with the power of the Frozen Seal. I think the same method can be applied to the lightning-fast thrust. No, I’m almost certain. Those who use only aura can’t conceive of this.”
Jin felt a chill run down his neck. It was like a sudden flash of insight.
“Of course, this won’t apply to every kind of sword, but because the lightning-fast thrust is so simple, adding power shouldn’t be difficult. And I think adding thunder energy would be best.”
Some of Runkandel’s ultimate and secret techniques trace their origins to the Mingwang Sword.
Though the lightning-fast thrust is a sword technique developed by Runkandel itself, fundamentally, parts influenced by the Mingwang Sword inevitably exist.
Of course, Talaris didn’t know this. His suggestion that thunder energy would fit best came purely from the insight of a warrior who had reached the extreme.
“It’ll definitely fit well. Now, what you and I need to do is find the final point of acceleration. It’ll be a magnificent sword technique. We’ll even name it after you.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“Hmm, I know. But I can’t put my own name on it, can I? Consider this my price for making me smile, Black Prince.”
“I’m already thinking about how to kill the pirate who first gave me that nickname.”
Two weeks passed since Jin and Talaris began their training.
Kinzello grew increasingly frustrated, cursing Jin daily for not announcing the date of the summit yet. Meanwhile, Runkandel and Ziphl controlled information about the Sota Desert, waging a media war.
Dark rumors about Joshua began to spread.
Runkandel never issued an official statement about his downfall.
But even without that, the public could guess Joshua’s fall from grace, and open secrets began to form everywhere.
Still, pro-Joshua media quietly published articles defending him, claiming his fall was nonsense and that he had merely entered seclusion for training.
Rosa didn’t particularly try to stop them.
“Goodness! Our lord is practically the next supreme ruler of Runkandel, yet there are still rumors that the second generation will sit on the throne. It’s frustrating. That man is finished.”
Jet closed the newsletter and said.
“Jet, you better not say things like that elsewhere.”
“Sir Kashimir, I’m not that stupid, hehe. But our lord left that day as if to train lightly for a few hours, and it’s been half a month with no word… I’m worried.”
“You worry over nothing. Don’t you know how much Talaris cherishes the young master?”
“That’s not it. I just miss him. If I were born a true martial artist, I’d be fighting alongside him every time. Right, Enya?”
“Of course, Uncle Jet! You should train every day like me. Who knows? Your hidden talent might awaken.”
“Heh heh, dreams belong to young people like you.”
“Uncle Jet, you’re so old-fashioned.”
Others nearby chuckled softly.
But soon, leaders like Kashimir, Balkas, and Rata wore serious expressions.
“Guikyeom, I think we need to inform our lord about this.”
On the table where they sat, alongside the newsletter, there was a thick stack of reports on the Seven-Colored Bird and the Ghost Corps.
“I agree with you, Sir Valkas.”
“I’ve seen firsthand how much the lord values him. Of course, nothing seems about to happen immediately, but I think it’s best to report this as soon as possible. I have a bad feeling about it.”
The report they were reading contained the following:
(Signs of a low-level purge detected: All the Hailan Dragon Knights’ dragons are gathering at the imperial palace. Various circumstances suggest this may not be a simple precaution by the emperor.
The whereabouts of the Dragon Knights themselves cannot be determined with current intelligence.
Increasing the intelligence level would greatly increase the risk of exposure, so approval from Tikan headquarters is required.)