------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
Chapter 80: 30 Minutes At Most
“Then, Young Master.”
Before demonstrating the stances of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship, Venion adopted a serious expression and showed me a starting stance.
“Please follow closely.”
“I will do my best.”
For this moment, I, too, had no choice but to show the respect of a disciple to this detestable man. It’s because I’m not a man who disregards propriety.
“Here I go.”
Venion unfolded a sword dance that was akin to a sword dance.
[TL/N- The first refers to martial arts with sword, while the second refers to dance with swords.]
“Oh.”
Uniquely, the first three stances were defensive stances. A technique to block thrusting attacks, a technique to block downward strikes, and a technique to block horizontally sweeping attacks.
‘Indeed.’
As befitting a swordsmanship that emphasizes defense, he starts by learning defensive methods. This is impressive.
On the other hand, looking closely at the movements, there was a profound principle hidden within the seemingly ordinary actions.
“What do you think?”
“From the way you twist or fix the wrist, the method of maintaining the body’s center, to the way you maintain your posture so that it doesn’t collapse, it truly takes all kinds of factors into consideration. If executed perfectly, it would be difficult to be defeated by an opponent of equal skill.”
“Ah, excellent.”
Venion nodded with satisfaction.
“As expected, what’s unique is that it starts with defensive stances.”
“That’s right. I probably don’t need to explain the intention behind that, do I?”
“Of course not.”
After finishing the conversation, Venion moved on to the next stance.
The 4th, 5th, and 6th stances were methods of executing a counterattack after defending. A method to respond to a thrust, a method to respond to a downward strike, and a method to respond to an attack aimed at the waist.
“I’ll continue.”
Again, the 7th, 8th, and 9th stances were movements that struck unexpectedly by deflecting a sword strike, aiming for the wrist, or tripping the opponent and stepping on their instep.
‘These are techniques that can shake the opponent’s offensive during the defensive process.’
I examined the nine stances and grasped their principles.
“With just these nine stances firmly mastered, you will not be struck by a sword.”
Venion asserted.
“I agree.”
The stances in the 10s were finally based on attack.
Meanwhile, from the 20s onward, the group itself was much more complex. Basically, evasion, defense, attack, and counterattack were appropriately intertwined, and it seemed difficult for even a talented person to understand the principles with just one look.
‘Wow, excellent.’
I was mesmerized watching the series of sword forms.
The Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship was a martial art that concisely organized the essence of martial arts that could adequately deal with any situation.
‘It’s worthy of being Grunewald’s unique martial art and basic martial art.’
On the ship, on the ground—
In individual combat, in disadvantageous fights against multiple opponents.
Appropriate stances and combinations that could be sufficiently utilized at any time were unfolding in my head in real time.
“…With that, if you memorize and execute a total of 30 stances, you can be said to have reached the first level of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship.”
Despite performing vigorous movements, not a single drop of sweat formed on Venion’s forehead. This was likely not just because of his excellent stamina, but also because there was no wasted movement in his actions.
“Venion. It was an excellent demonstration.”
I said, clapping my hands.
“Thank you.”
Venion lightly bowed his head and continued.
“Now, from now on, please imagine there is a virtual enemy in front of you and execute these stances like flowing water.”
“Ah, indeed.”
The essence of the sword is ultimately to kill or subdue an opponent. In that it is completed only with an opponent, it could not help but become a completely different movement from when swinging in the air.
‘The position of Grunewald’s swordsmanship instructor wasn’t something he won by gambling.’
I temporarily forgot even the annoyance I had felt so far at Venion’s teaching method, which was different from Ulbhild’s, yet still impressive.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
From now on, I intended not to even blink.
“Then.”
In an instant, Venion’s aura changed, and he freely unfolded the stances toward the empty air.
He evaded and parried the unseen enemy’s unseen sword, then began to launch unexpected attacks, counterattacks, and offensives.
The movements were so precise that I felt as if I were witnessing the traces of some ghost wielding a sword before Venion’s eyes.
‘Amazing.’
Some sword dances allow one to estimate the performer’s level just by watching them unfold.
‘He’s not overly restrained, nor does he abandon himself to his aura in a frenzy.’
Truly, precise offense and defense without any errors were unfolding.
‘As expected, Venion is a great master.’
Although my level is low and I cannot properly grasp it—
I had the thought that he might be a more complete martial artist than even Ulbhild.
‘Just what is this guy?’
No matter how great the Grunewald Clan is, there couldn’t be many martial artists of this caliber.
‘The more I know, the more curious I become about this man’s identity.’
And why do I feel this level of wariness toward this man from the beginning? This is also not a normal situation.
Whoosh!
As if cutting off my thoughts, Venion’s sword cut down an imaginary swordsman.
“That’s all I can show you.”
“Excellent.”
I clapped and praised Venion.
“I feel like I’ve witnessed a subtle yet profound realm that cannot be known from swordsmanship manuals. It was a great lesson.”
Venion grinned.
“Now I’m curious about your thoughts. What did you think of my sword dance?”
“It was firm yet soft. Fast yet leisurely, cautious yet bold.”
“Then what kind of martial art do you think the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship is?”
I pondered for a moment and composed my answer.
“It’s a martial art that becomes a stable sword focused on defense when it meets a commoner, and a perfect sword of offense and defense combined when it meets a talented person.”
Then Venion’s eyes narrowed.
“…What if it meets a genius?”
“It would be a divine art. No other embellishment is needed.”
If I, Karzan, born a genius of the sword, combined the level I had built up throughout my life with Allenvert’s innate physique—
In other words, if I added the life of the genius Karzan to the martial arts of a prestigious swordsmanship Clan that had continued for hundreds of years…
‘I don’t need to learn higher martial arts or eat more spirit medicines.’
I can become several times stronger than I was in my previous life.
“It’s surprising that you think so, Young Master.”
Venion said, looking at me as if he were probing me.
“This Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship has ultimate techniques, but I will postpone teaching them until you reach the 10th level.”
“Oh, ultimate techniques?”
Those were a kind of finishing move, like a special technique, that existed only in some martial arts.
‘They were mostly flashy, mana-consuming techniques for show.’
I believed that Grunewald wasn’t a Clan that would teach such superficial techniques.
“So, you reach the 12th level, the great mastery, only when you master those ultimate techniques.”
“That’s right.”
Venion grinned.
“Whether it takes several years or several months depends on your talent and effort.”
Venion said, sheathing his practice sword.
“First, we will aim to master all 30 stances.”
“That’s not a difficult task.”
I said.
“Then will you finish it before lunch?”
“Goodness, what are you saying?”
When I scoffed, Venion also laughed as if that was a bit too much.
“It is indeed too much, right? Then…”
“That’s not what I meant—”
I retorted with a chuckle.
“I plan to finish it within 30 minutes at most.”
***
“Will Young Master be alright?”
Peter looked at the training ground with a worried face.
“No matter how I look at it, he seems like a strange person.”
“Hmm.”
Olivier almost nodded his head vigorously at Peter’s words.
“What do you think?”
Jeffrey asked with serious eyes.
“That fellow Venion, he smells dangerous.”
“Yes. He’s dangerous.”
Olivier agreed with that opinion.
“From the start, if someone that strong could be so unknown, it’s clearly something with intention behind it.”
“Oh, what do you mean by that?”
Olivier kindly explained to match the boy’s level.
“In short, it means he’s likely ‘someone acting under the orders of a higher-up’ that we don’t know about.”
“D-Does such a thing exist?”
“Of course. There are often such cases among those who perform intelligence-related missions, that is, assassinations or infiltrations.”
“Like people in the shadows.”
“That’s an appropriate expression.”
Jeffrey joined the two’s conversation.
“Olivier, but I feel like something is still unsettling.”
“Yes. He was like… someone harboring a secret that shouldn’t be known.”
Therefore, Olivier was curious.
‘Why did His Highness appoint such a man as the young master’s swordsmanship instructor?’
As far as he knew, Karl’s, Verdzig’s, and Ulbhild’s swordsmanship instructors were renowned martial artists. Different from a man like Venion, who wore a loose and suspicious appearance like a mask, they were people with outstanding skills and high reputations that anyone could recognize.
‘Strange. Does Uncle know something?’
But it might be dangerous for him to inquire too much about the head of the Clan’s intentions. Olivier sighed and said.
“For now, I can only hope that the young master deals with that man well.”
“That’s right. It feels different in many ways from when it was Young Lady Ulbhild.”
“We’ll have to think of every moment as no different from a test.”
Olivier thought for a moment and then added.
“…If it’s the young master, he’ll manage, but there is one thing I’m worried about.”
Peter and Jeffrey seemed to know what he was worried about even without hearing the rest of the sentence.
‘I hope our young master doesn’t explode with anger.’
‘I hope he’s not already picking a fight, saying things like “Let’s bet” or “If you have a problem, let’s have a match.”’
Considering Allenvert’s behavior so far, it was a sufficiently plausible worry.
***
“This is absurd.”
Venion could only mutter that sincerely.
‘One stance per minute, 30 stances in 30 minutes?’
He thought it was an exaggeration—
He was momentarily speechless before Allenvert’s talent, who had truly reached the first level of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship in just 30 minutes.
“Why, did you think there’s always some exaggeration in rumors?”
When Allenvert asked mischievously, Venion readily admitted.
“It seems so. I only showed you the stances once, didn’t I?”
“That’s enough, what more is there?”
Allenvert grinned like a mischievous child, enjoying his instructor’s astonishment.
“The meal hasn’t even started yet. How about we finish the next test while we’re at it?”
“Huh, I just brought this scroll to show you.”
Venion, who hadn’t even considered using it yet, shook his head.
“I don’t think you’ll be particularly scared, but I’ll give you a warning anyway.”
Venion said, taking out the magic scroll.
“Everything that happens inside the barrier is real. If you’re unlucky, you could get hurt or even become disabled.”
Allenvert chuckled.
“You didn’t say anything about dying?”
“I’ll stop it before that happens. I don’t want to be executed either.”
“I suppose so.”
“Shall we start right away?”
“Of course.”
As the scroll was torn, a large entrance like the mouth of a cave was created in the empty air.
“Now, it will begin when you enter inside.”
“It feels like I’m going to my death.”
“Haha, that’s a chilling joke.”
Seeing that Venion’s eyes weren’t smiling, Allenvert lowered his voice.
“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“Ask me.”
“Are you going in with me?”
At that question, Venion wore a strange smile.
“Of course. That’s so I can prepare for unforeseen circumstances.”
“What are the conditions for dissolving the barrier?”
“It will naturally open when all enemies are defeated.”
“Is it possible to enter from the outside?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Good. A perfect sealed room.”
‘Anything could happen inside.’
Allenvert thought.
‘In short, if that man Venion has other intentions, it means I could die without anyone knowing.’
For example, what if he was someone instigated by a sibling or any other? He could kill him by disguising it as an accident, or inflict serious injuries to make him unable to recover.
‘But I trust the way Georg Grunewald, the man I met directly, handles things.’
Allenvert thought.
‘It doesn’t mean I trust my father’s goodwill, but rather I trust his insight and ability.’
Therefore, he must now move forward without fearing the veils of deception and confusion that Venion intentionally cast.
‘Walking through a dark night where even the moon doesn’t rise requires more courage than one might think.’
This is because one cannot know at all whether they will trip over a rock, have their foot fall into a pit, or step on a sleeping snake and cause it to bite.
‘But I can’t stay in the same place.’
Allenvert threw himself toward the entrance of the barrier, which was like a cave of night. Then Venion, also wearing a strange smile, threw himself in after him.
Fwoosh!
As the barrier closed, no one was left in the training ground.
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
