Chapter 18: Training in Martial Techniques
Chapter 18: Training in Martial Techniques
"You must be joking with me..."
Alan was about to retort, but as he looked at Lin Sai before him, he realized that he was still just a child, and it would probably take another two years before he could even be called a youth.
The rebuke he was about to utter changed:
"Um, your name is Lin Sai, right?"
"When one first learns combat techniques, there's a period where it's easy to think you've mastered it. But in fact, mastering combat techniques requires time and effort, and the details especially need careful adjustment."
Hearing Alan's reply, Lin Sai also understood.
He had been learning language with Red Moon in the morning and was familiar with the learning process using the Experience Bar, and now subconsciously brought this habit here.
For ordinary people, or for most Awakened, this learning method was hard to imagine.
—He had made a mistake.
Lin Sai hastily added:
"Mr. Alan, I don't think I'm some kind of genius who understands everything in one go. I just wanted to ask if there's anything else to learn today."
Hearing Lin Sai's explanation, Alan actually breathed a sigh of relief first.
After all, at any time, teaching a child who can admit their mistakes is much easier than dealing with a stubborn mule.
Alan showed a satisfied smile:
"Like this—you practice what you've learned, and I'll show you the problems you have now."
"..."
Lin Sai started to hesitate.
With the meticulous guidance of an Ascended-level mentor like An Rui, plus the practice just now.
He had successfully added Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Footwork to his Attribute Panel and even upgraded the former to the Beginner level.
Facing Red Moon, Lin Sai could demonstrate his specialty without reservation.
But if it were anyone else, it would be better to be cautious.
With a decision in mind, Lin Sai took a stance and began to demonstrate what he had just learned.
He tried his best to get his posture right.
But the transition between each stance revealed the true state of a beginner.
A few minutes later, it was Alan's turn to stay silent.
He felt a lot of pressure.
The young man before him, though flawed in his stance techniques, was still far superior to an ordinary beginner! But when it came to the transitions between moves, Lin Sai seemed rather clumsy.
If he encountered this phenomenon in others.
Alan would mostly suspect that they were trying to be clever and hiding their true skills from him.
However, Lin Sai...
Alan had personally witnessed the entire process of this child's practice just now. Every move was purely that of a novice, without a hint of pretense.
But how, in the blink of an eye, did he become like this?
"I... you... um..."
Alan was completely baffled.
He raised his hand, but didn't make any moves, then lowered it.
He opened his mouth, but couldn't form a complete sentence, so he closed it again.
After pondering for a while, Alan finally figured it out.
He didn't care what state Lin Sai was in; he just needed to point out the actual problems the other had, fulfilling his responsibility as a mentor.
As for those inexplicable things, let his lord figure them out!
With this thought, Alan picked up a short sword and immediately demonstrated the stance Lin Sai had just attempted.
"In this move, your center of gravity should be a little further forward. This way, when attacking, the force is driven by your body, making it harder for the enemy to resist."
"And this is a blocking stance. Human joints are very fragile, so the wrist must be careful..."
Alan began to guide seriously.
Lin Sai followed along, and the Experience Bar's growth was faster than when he practiced alone.
By noon.
Although the winter temperature was low, he was still sweating from the exertion.
And the result of such diligent study was that the experience bar for Basic Swordsmanship increased by one-tenth. Even without further guidance, Lin Sai was confident that she could advance again within a week with her solo practice.
"Alright, let's take a break now."
Alan, standing by, maintained his usual composure.
Seeing that it was about time, he called a halt to the training and led Lin Sai back into the manor.
Inside the manor, the maid had already prepared the meal.
The lord's family had a simple lunch, but due to their martial arts training, there was more meat than in an ordinary household.
Lin Sai followed Alan and took some bread and a bowl of thick vegetable meat soup.
They didn't stay in the manor's main building but went directly to the clearing in the forest outside, eating by the fallen beech tree.
"Big Brother Alan, you're also on the War Sect path, right?"
During lunch, Lin Sai struck up a conversation with Alan.
After becoming more familiar, she addressed An Rui's apprentice as "Big Brother Alan."
Alan, who was soaking his bread in the meat soup, nodded:
"Yes, I completed my first Skill Ascension seven years ago and was officially taken as an apprentice by Lord An Rui."
Lin Sai cautiously asked,
"I'm curious, what does Skill Ascension feel like?"
"Oh, can I ask about this?"
Alan looked at Lin Sai, and a surge of indescribable nostalgia welled up within him.
"There's nothing you can't ask."
"I'm not sure about other paths, but ever since I joined the War Sect, I've been following my teacher, learning the art of battle. Until I completed my basic skill training, my essence started to combine with my combat techniques, and the trait of Advantageous Strike naturally ascended."
As Alan explained, he raised his palm.
He aimed at the beech tree they were using as a table and struck the trunk with his bare hand.
Slap—
The strike didn't seem to exert much force and appeared light.
However, defying logic, the tree bark was directly cut open, and the inner wood was also marked.
Lin Sai cautiously touched the tree.
The surface of the beech tree looked as if it had been chopped by a dull axe.
Up close, her fingertips could sense the essence left on the trunk.
But at that moment, Alan sighed:
"Unfortunately, I have poor comprehension. I awakened seven years ago, and it's only now that I've completed my second ascension. I wonder when I'll achieve my third one..."
"If possible, I'd really like to visit Narckbondok."
Alan's sigh was filled with yearning. Lin Sai couldn't help but ask,
"Narckbondok?"
Alan nodded firmly:
"Yes, Narckbondok."
"That's the War Sect's headquarters. The entire world takes pride in the name of that city."
"Right, Lord An Rui is from there. Whether it's Defenders, Battle Essence Warriors, or Rampaging Brigands, all the great figures on the path of war can be found there!"
"If I could see it for myself, maybe things would be different..."
Alan's thoughts wandered.
He was in his seventh year, just one step away from his third Skill Ascension.
While he couldn't compare to those rare geniuses, expanding his horizons and gaining more knowledge might open up a grand future!
Seeing Alan's expression, Lin Sai tactfully refrained from asking further.
He focused on his lunch.
This was the time to cultivate Life Essence, in the little details of daily life.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from the direction of the manor.
A girl's voice, tinged with tears, rang out from the back gate:
"Alan, what...what happened?"
"My beech tree has fallen!"
(End of Chapter)
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