Chapter Thirty: The Core Principles of the Water God Style and the Abilities of Water God Reida

By the second day, Paul’s anger had subsided. However, energized by his stern lectures to the two children the night before and the "recuperation" of the past two days, he marched them into the courtyard right after breakfast and signaled for them to take their stances.

As the three of them stood in a triangular formation, he struck a parental pose and addressed them.

"You’ve had enough fun these past two days; it’s time to get your swordsmanship training back on track! We’re adding extra practice today, and I’ll be supervising personally. Especially you, Allen—what kind of teacher spends all his time just sparring with his student? Have you even been teaching Rudy properly?"

Rudy felt his hand instinctively tighten around his sword hilt. It was true that he hadn’t practiced much since Allen arrived, but that was clearly because Paul had been obsessed with sparring with Allen, leaving very little time for his own lessons. Still, now was not the time to point that out; if he argued and ended up causing his one-hour lesson to revert to the previous grueling schedule, it would be a poor trade-off.

Allen, watching Paul’s serious face, couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

*'I’ve only been here a week, and most of that time has been spent fencing with you. How the hell am I supposed to teach anything?'*

Outwardly, however, he remained respectful. "Reporting to you, sir, although I haven't been here long, I believe Rudy shows great talent for the North God Style."

*After all, piloting magic armor certainly counts as North God Style.*

Paul’s face fell, and he wore an expression of disdain. He had been teaching Rudy the Sword God Style and Water God Style because...

"North God Style? That stuff is just fighting with a sword; it’s not true swordsmanship."

As someone with deep expertise in the North God Style, Paul held it in low regard. Thanks to the North God II, who opened a North God Style dojo in the Asura Kingdom, the style had become popular across the Central Continent, but in Paul’s eyes, it was perhaps too unorthodox. Then again, Paul was hardly a conventional man himself.

Allen cleared his throat, maintaining a respectful demeanor. "Then, sir, perhaps today you could help us refine our understanding of the Sword God and Water God Styles."

Paul nodded in satisfaction, let out a loud "Let’s begin!", drew his sword, and pointed it excitedly at Allen’s forehead. "This time, you attack!"

Silence fell over the courtyard.

A breeze blew past, and a withered leaf landed on the face of Rudy, who looked like a complete outsider, staring blankly at the tense atmosphere between the two.

*'Should I... should I leave?'*

Allen gazed at the tip of the wooden sword. To Paul’s surprise, he reached out two fingers, pinched the blade, and pushed it aside.

"Sir, I believe that post-combat review is quite important. Perhaps we could start by analyzing our experiences today. Honestly, I have many questions I’d like to ask you."

Paul blinked, suddenly realizing that Allen was highly proficient in the Water God Style, and that this request was likely an attempt to learn the Sword God Style, which he clearly wasn't as skilled in.

"I see... fine. But I’ll warn you, I’m an intuitive fighter; I might not be good at explaining the theory."

"That’s still much better than me fumbling in the dark."

The three of them pulled up small stools and sat in a circle. The rural breeze brushed against them, gentle and warm—much like the smiling face of Zenith, who was watching from the second-floor window, chin resting in her hand.

Allen looked at Paul, who sat with his arms crossed, staring back in grim silence. Allen’s expression turned serious. His current level in the Sword God Style was still stuck at intermediate. As someone who had read the story, he knew he shouldn't be stalled at this level, but the descriptions of sword training in the book were too abstract. If it weren't for the fact that he had undergone systematic training in the Water God Style since childhood, he would have found it nearly impossible to reach the advanced level on his own.

With that thought, he turned to Rudy. "I don’t know if your father has ever thoroughly broken down the three sword styles for you. I’m quite proficient in the Water God and North God Styles, so let me explain the unique characteristics of each."

Rudy blinked. "I actually know them..."

Allen smiled dismissively and asked, "Then... what do you think is the core essence of the Water God Style?"

Rudy scratched his cheek. "Defense?"

Allen shook his head. "That is merely the manifestation. The core essence of the Water God Style is—perception."

Paul raised an eyebrow. *'...This kid... he’s interesting...'*

Rudy, however, looked confused. "Perception?"

"Exactly. Perception."

As Allen spoke, he exhaled a long breath, his spirit steadying until his mind was as still as a windless lake. Through his five senses, he felt everything: the rustle of leaves, the scent of the soil, the hint of a smile on Paul’s lips, the way Rudeus raised his eyebrows, and even the sensation of his own fine hairs being stirred by the breeze.

He opened his eyes, looked at Rudy, and extended two fingers in front of him. "Perceiving all information in the surrounding environment: the direction of the wind, the source of sounds, the tremors in the air, the shape of objects. Deeper still, one can even sense the onset of killing intent and the flow of mana..."

As he spoke, a falling leaf landed precisely between his two fingers. His fingers twitched slightly...

The unfinished sentence hung in the air.

"Then, based on the judgment of the information gathered, you make the most appropriate response, find the opponent’s opening, and deliver a fatal counterattack."

Under the surprised gaze of Rudy and the appreciative look of Paul, the leaf was instantly severed into two pieces between Allen’s fingers, sliding down from either side of his digits.

The movement was so fluid that Rudy almost thought the leaf had actively bumped into Allen’s fingers to meet its own "end."

Rudy shook off his stupor, suddenly realizing the unreasonable part of Allen’s statement, and asked, "I understand everything up until now—that the brain needs to be calm, analyze an immense amount of information in a short time, and choose the perfect counter. I can even interpret 'killing intent' as something like a murderous aura... but... what is this about the flow of mana? Can something like that be felt by someone who isn't a mage?"

Allen smiled. "Yes."

Rudy’s eyes widened. Allen retracted his fingers and rubbed his nose, looking a bit embarrassed. "But... I can’t actually do it yet under normal circumstances."

Rudy’s face fell. "So you were just tricking me..."

"He isn't tricking you."

Rudy turned to look at Paul, who had interrupted. Paul nodded at Allen with a grave expression. "If a Water God Style swordsman is high-ranking enough, it is said they can reach that level. But to be honest, I’ve never seen it myself."

Rudy frowned. "So it’s still just a rumor... how could that be possible..."

"I have seen it with my own eyes."

Rudy and Paul both looked at Allen. The latter didn't meet their gaze, instead looking down at the sword at his waist. After a brief pause, he said, "The Water God at the main Water God Style dojo in the Asura capital—the Water God herself, Reida Reia. She can do it perfectly."