NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23 - Three Techniques (2)
Chapter 23. Three Techniques (2)
The mana core, the heart of the Magic Body Technique, and the mana rod, its framework.
How these two components were designed determined the characteristics of the Magic Body Technique.
And the new Magic Body Technique that Johan had created was based on the Redner family’s technique.
To be precise, it was correct to say that Johan had improved upon the existing one.
Therefore, it was natural that the technique Yuri had learned contained the characteristics of the Redner family’s Magic Body Technique.
One of those characteristics manifested through Yuri’s body.
Tap-.
Yuri’s body moved forward as he stepped on the ground.
There was no better way to describe his movement than ‘floating.’
As if he were stepping on clouds, or entirely unaffected by gravity, it was a bizarre sight.
Cloud Step, the first absolute technique of the Redner family, also known as cloud walking.
Regarding this Magic Body Technique, which originated from an ancient Eastern sage, Johan had said this:
[If the day ever comes when you can properly use Cloud Step… then you’ll truly be able to walk on clouds.]
Yuri remembered ‘that day’ clearly.
The day Johan blew away a cliff.
The day he descended as if walking on air while holding him.
‘So that was Cloud Step.’
Johan’s words about truly being able to walk on clouds were not just empty words.
‘Although for now, it’s just at the level of running on the ground….’
One day, he believed that he too would be able to run on clouds.
Yuri firmly believed in that.
‘Well, for now, this is more than enough.’
Swoosh-.
Yuri approached the destructive red aura created by Mucci like a ghost.
Without hesitation, he dove right into it.
He looked like a moth flying into a flame.
Anyone who didn’t know better would have expected Yuri to be torn to shreds.
However, what happened next overturned such expectations.
Swish-.
Yuri moved through the red spear-like attacks swirling around him from all sides.
Swish, swish-.
Yuri’s movements could not be described as particularly fast.
But they were light, flexible, and strange.
He wove through the dense attacks like a mollusk.
Swoosh-.
The moment he dodged the red spearhead approaching him by a mere 5mm.
Johan’s words from the past echoed in his ears.
[Cloud Step cannot be used simply with strong leg strength! It’s about the whole body, the whole body! Only when you can fully utilize your entire body will the true essence of Cloud Step be revealed!]
Yuri did not forget Johan’s advice.
He repeated it thousands, tens of thousands of times, recalling it even in his dreams.
‘The lower body is the link connecting the earth and the upper body.’
Voom-.
As his feet stepped on the ground, the power he gained spread through his whole body via his legs.
The moment his mana core added mana along a predetermined path, Yuri’s movements surpassed their limits.
Shush-.
Dozens, hundreds of attacks couldn’t even brush his clothes.
* * *
Seeing Yuri moving freely within the frenzy of red flashes, Ralph let out a faint sigh.
“…Cloud Step.”
It was a fairly perfected Cloud Step.
Ralph, who knew better than anyone the difficulty of Cloud Step, could recognize it immediately.
Recalling the old memories of being bested by Cloud Step, Ralph’s face formed a bitter smile before realizing something and being startled.
‘Wait, does that mean… he mastered Cloud Step in just half a year?!’
There were numerous families and secret Magic Body Techniques in the world.
Among them, the Redner family’s Magic Body Technique would rank in the top five.
Which meant it was extremely difficult to master.
Most people couldn’t learn it even if they spent their entire lives on it.
‘To master it to that extent in half a year? That’s unbelievable.’
Of course, Ralph knew how hard Yuri had worked in the past six months.
But no matter how many times one worked hard, some people just couldn’t do it.
‘In that sense, he’s a natural.’
Moreover, a very talented one.
Ralph couldn’t help but acknowledge Yuri’s talent.
If Yuri had been given more than half a year.
If he had had a bit more time, this duel would have ended in Yuri’s victory.
But.
“Not yet.”
Ralph muttered, watching Yuri move within Mucci’s attacks.
“He can’t break through any further.”
As he said, Yuri was avoiding Mucci’s attacks effortlessly but couldn’t advance any further.
It looked as if he was trapped within Mucci’s attack range.
If time continued like this, Yuri, with his lower total mana, would undoubtedly fall first.
Predicting Mucci’s victory, Ralph grinned at Johan.
“That’s unfortunate. If Cloud Step’s proficiency was just a bit higher, it would have been a good match.”
There was a subtle sense of victory in his tone.
Ralph wanted to see Johan’s irritated reaction, but all he saw was Johan’s sly smile.
“That’s right, he can’t break through like that.”
“…?”
“Of course, if that’s all he has.”
“What are you saying?”
“Puhuhuhu.”
Ralph, sensing something, urgently turned his gaze to Yuri.
* * *
The red aura binding Yuri from all directions.
If he dodged one, another came flying, persistently blocking the direction he needed to go.
As this situation repeated, Yuri realized it.
If he continued like this, nothing would change.
Therefore, a change was necessary.
‘Faster… faster!’
To break through these red spears, he had to move faster than he was now.
‘At a speed that the lingering red aura couldn’t keep up with!’
Yuri’s mana core pulsed again, supplying mana to a new mana rod.
Mana extended along a path completely different from that of Cloud Step.
Crack-.
At the same time, Yuri heard a spark sound within himself.
[Remember what I said? You will learn the fastest and freest Magic Body Technique in the world. If Cloud Step was about freedom, what you will learn now is….]
The small spark that bloomed inside him quickly extended.
[Extreme speed.]
Crackle-.
Yuri’s whole body was enveloped in lightning.
The Redner family’s secret Magic Body Technique.
Thunder Wing.
Crackle- Crack!
The moment the white lightning sparked, Yuri moved.
Flash-.
With a flash of white light, two Yuris appeared.
The real Yuri and the afterimage he left behind.
The prison of red spears could no longer contain Yuri, who had spread his Thunder Wings.
Snap-.
The red spear area created by Mucci was about a 3-meter radius.
Yuri pierced through that area in one step.
And he reappeared behind Mucci.
Clack-.
A blade rested on Mucci’s shoulder.
As the sharp blade pressed against his neck, a slight trickle of blood flowed.
Mucci froze in shock, and Yuri, holding the hilt, grinned.
“That makes it 1 to 1, you bastard.”
* * *
Ralph burst into an incredulous laugh as he watched Yuri point a sword at Mucci’s neck.
“Ha!”
If Cloud Step originated from an ancient Eastern sage, Thunder Wing was the quintessence of the thousand-year-old Redner family.
Cloud Step and Thunder Wing.
The two absolute techniques of the Redner family, collectively called Thunder Cloud.
With just these two techniques, the Redner family had earned a great reputation on the continent.
Furthermore, Johan himself had earned the right to challenge the Sword Master through Thunder Cloud.
But it was such a difficult technique that it took years just to learn the basics.
‘And he mastered it in just half a year? Both techniques?’
Both Cloud Step and Thunder Wing.
Yuri’s level wasn’t just imitating them.
He understood the two techniques perfectly and used them beyond the basics.
Ralph, in disbelief, asked Johan.
“…What exactly did you do?”
“What?”
“That kid. What did you teach him in half a year to make him this good?”
Johan puffed out his chest arrogantly at Ralph’s question.
“Ahem, you finally realize? I have a genius talent as an educator!”
“…….”
“So, you want to know my secret? Then politely ask. Ahem!”
At Johan’s boastfulness, Ralph’s face twisted in agony.
He experienced extreme inner conflict.
Should he endure this nonsense to hear it?
Or, should he discard his pride and listen?
After much deliberation, he chose the latter.
He discarded his pride for the education of his beloved grandson.
“Cough, it would be… great if the senior would kindly teach this junior… some wisdom. Please.”
“Finished?”
“Please, I beg you.”
“Haha, it’s been a while since you took a proper stance as a junior.”
“Grr!”
“Alright, since you’re asking so nicely, how could I ignore your request?”
“…So, what is it?”
“My secret? It’s nothing special. Just….”
“Just?”
“Take a smart kid and teach them. They grow well on their own.”
“…Is that all?”
“That’s it.”
“…….”
Seeing Johan’s nonchalant face, Ralph’s hands clenched.
His fists trembled, veins bulging.
He felt like he could punch Johan at any moment.
But the last bit of rationality kept him in check.
Meanwhile, watching Ralph seethe, Johan chuckled inwardly.
‘Secret? There’s no such thing.’
Even if he wanted to share, there was no secret to share.
What he told Ralph was the truth.
‘All I did was point him in the right direction, and he grew on his own.’
In fact, Johan didn’t expect Yuri to be this good.
He thought mastering just Cloud Step within half a year would be a successful training.
Let alone learning Thunder Wing as well.
‘I never thought it possible.’
It took him a year just to grasp the basics of Cloud Step and Thunder Wing, and three years to reach Yuri’s current level.
As the greatest genius in the history of the Redner family, who created Thunder Wing, it had taken him that long.
‘I had a hunch the kid was talented, but this….’
The more he saw, the more Yuri exceeded his expectations.
[What the heck are you saying? If you taught me, why ask how it happened?]
Cloud Step was understandable.
He himself could mimic it the day he learned it.
But seeing Yuri instantly follow Thunder Wing, Johan was shocked.
Remembering Yuri’s nonchalant face as he claimed ignorance, Johan felt a sense of futility.
‘Damn talented brat.’
It was the second time in his life he felt envy and jealousy towards someone’s talent.
The first was the Sword Master, and the second was Yuri.
And fueling Johan’s burning jealousy was Yuri’s attitude.
[Old man, get up! It’s training time!]
Being able to learn anything easily could make one lose interest quickly.
Though not everyone was like that, many geniuses lost interest due to their overwhelming talent.
Especially in the early stages of learning, this phenomenon was more common.
It was the teacher’s role to guide them during such times.
But Yuri was different.
[What’s that face? I’m the one training, why do you look exhausted?]
Even without being pushed or scolded.
Even without someone to support him.
Yuri did not waver and continued on his path.
[Finished? I refuse! I decide when my training ends!]
[Wait… just… let me… finish… this… I’ll… I’ll rest… Oof! Bleugh!]
[Old man, another bowl! Eating is part of training! What you eat now will be tomorrow’s muscle and bone!]
[Wait… I can… I’m not… tired. I… I’ll… get up now.]
Despite his monstrous talent, Yuri gave his best every day.
He made no compromises with himself.
On the other hand, how was Johan at Yuri’s age?
‘I couldn’t do that.’
He had compromised, thinking, ‘I’ve done enough, I deserve a little rest.’
Especially during the most crucial period for growth.
Seeing Yuri made him feel regretful.
‘If I had been like Yuri back then… would the outcome of the duel with the Sword Master have been different?’
Maybe that’s why.
Because Yuri was achieving what he couldn’t.
Or perhaps because he was inspired by Yuri’s talent and effort.
‘I intended to just let him taste a bit for motivation and teach him only up to Thunder Wing….’
But he ended up teaching Yuri more than he had planned.
“Annoying kid.”
Despite his grumbling, Johan’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.