The next day, I heard about the training observation from Linfred.
“I’ve barely entered swordsmanship, and now clown show in front of others? Not thrilled.”
“Isn’t it a good chance to show your resolve?”
“Skip that talk; start the lesson.”
Where Linfred and I were now wasn’t the usual stamina training yard but a private training room inside the mansion.
For a while, I’d be learning family secrets, so public places were out.
Swish!
Linfred drew his sword from the sheath at his waist and said gravely.
“Watch closely. This is the form of Stroke Swordsmanship.”
He then performed the Stroke Swordsmanship forms in the room’s center.
Fast, straight, rigid.
The grand duke family’s secret swordsmanship wasn’t flashy at all. But it had a plain yet concise charm. I watched Linfred’s movements entranced.
Then at some point, a strange discomfort arose. It lingered subtly until he finished.
After the demo, he asked me.
“Young master, did you feel anything off in the forms I just showed?”
“Lacked spirit. How to say… seemed impractical.”
“Correct. Just now, I used no energy operation. And Stroke Swordsmanship without its pair, Stroke Heart Method, is an empty shell. Strictly ceremonial… no, worse since not even visually appealing.”
The explanation made sense.
Some ‘arts’ not only fail to exert full power without specific heart methods but become mere show.
Designed assuming particular energy aid. Not depicted properly in the novel, but Stroke Swordsmanship was like that.
And the pairing heart method has similar issues. Specialized for one art, poor compatibility with others.
Of course, no issue for me with Harmony Heart Method.
I took a wooden sword and reproduced the Stroke Swordsmanship form Linfred showed.
Whoosh!
Family secret technique.
Unlike featureless Northern Basic, clearly strong-sword property, much higher execution difficulty.
Seemed worse than ceremonial as Linfred said, but embodying it felt profoundly deep.
Finished forms, caught breath.
“Whew…”
Glanced at Linfred; rarely, he looked at me impressed.
“Why?”
“…Ahem. Lost in thought momentarily.”
I smirked at him clearing throat to deflect. Genius talent is nice.
Getting such reactions for natural actions.
“Now, I’ll teach the breathing unique to Stroke Heart Method.”
My relaxed expression turned serious at that.
Core of energy heart methods is breathing.
Special breathing methods altering user’s biorhythm, collectively ‘energy breathing’.
Users can somewhat change blood properties and direction via biorhythm manipulation. Then flow heart-accumulated mana into blood, circulate energy veins once; mana assimilated with blood reacts chemically, transforming to alien energy.
That’s energy.
“Hiuuuuuuuu”
Linfred breathed deeply; room air stirred, mirage formed around. Soon his overheated body reddened, emitting smoke.
That’s energy circulation state. Accelerates blood flow, greatly enhances physical abilities.
“Hup!”
Moments later, Linfred stopped. Red skin normalized instantly. Mirage and smoke subsided.
He approached, catching breath.
“Grasp it?”
“Honestly, couldn’t imitate.”
“Is that so?”
I raised hands in surrender; he tilted head surprised. Probably expected possible after self-learning Harmony.
Sadly, my mana operation trait is Magic Prodigy (B)—growth promotion, not sense-boosting like Mana Sensitivity (B).
“Hm… Normal to struggle at first. I’ll assist blood flow control—no big worry.”
I heard breathing tips and theories from Linfred. Settings from novel, nothing new. Key: knowing theory doesn’t mean smooth practice.
Sat cross-legged.
Mimicked Linfred’s energy breathing as much as possible.
“Hwi yuuuu…”
But sound far different. No body change.
“Breathing disrupted early! Maintain throat-to-lung resonating flow regularly for seconds!”
Linfred shouted. Corrected per words. When stuck, advice scratched exact itch—learning joyful.
Followed guidance over half-day; grasped breathing somewhat.
Facing new teaching, immersed in energy breathing day and night.
***
Three days passed.
“Hiuuuo”
“Not perfect, but breathing quite settled. Can enter energy vein opening soon.”
Must create unique energy veins in body for proper circulation. Vein opening start of all heart methods, but most tricky.
Nodded to Linfred.
Upon consent, he placed hand on my back while breathing, flowed mana in. Alien energy spreading from back chilled body.
Soon, under guidance, my blood and mana flow changed, circulating body.
That instant.
“Ugh!”
Body convulsed wildly along paths. Like cramps everywhere. Lose focus, writhe in pain rolling floor.
Linfred yelled.
“Endure pain! Breathing disrupt, vein opening work all futile!”
Bit teeth at words. Twisting agony whole body, yet maintain breathing—maddening.
Damn, completely different level from Harmony!
Without aid, surely flailed in pain, collapsed unsightly.
Eons-like moment passed.
[Acquired Stroke Heart Method (B).]
[Entry stage. Effects minimal.]
Message appeared; hot energy settled near solar plexus.
Probably ‘Striking Urgency’ energy from Stroke Heart Method. Unlike bland Harmony energy, explosive and fierce—rampage if mind slips.
Linfred marveled.
“…Endured well. Rarely succeed first try—very painful.”
“Ha, ha…”
Rough breathing, yet satisfied inside.
He chose words to prevent arrogance, but truth: B+ heart method entry often months.
Accelerated thanks to pre-yard Yin-Yang tea.
Boosts stats, potential, doping—truly no sweet dew like it.
“Post-vein opening exhaustion indescribable. End today’s practice.”
Immediately sprawled on room floor. Maybe imagination, but felt Linfred’s pleased gaze.
***
Next day after creating Striking Urgency energy via Stroke Heart Method, woke refreshed.
“Good morning, young master.”
“Yeah.”
Naturally took water bottle from Linia. Gulped Yin-Yang tea inside, asked her.
“How much left?”
“Enough to fill your bottle six more times.”
“Drinking like water, depleting fast. Quietly source more from herbalists like before—no rumors.”
“Yes, young master.”
Linia nodded without question.
Yin-Yang Grass still weed-price. Easy replenish now, but only because sole demander. Fundamentally rare, near-zero supply.
Not just for me; need to reduce consumption.
Currently stuck in yard desperately training, but once stronger, leave mansion without regret. Goal: recover Reca Chronicles MacGuffins, reach true ending.
Prerequisite: survive continent-wide catastrophe in part 3—past heroes’ tales revive as nightmare engulfing world.
First, survive that.
Prepare thoroughly for future, minimize original allies’ sacrifices. Only then strength against part 4’s transcendent villains.
Obviously impossible alone. Upon leaving, recruit talents.
Fortunately, ~6 years until original start.
Countless gems buried unseen now. Plan to find, recruit.
Even neighboring territory has pre-marked S-grade: high status, hard normal approach, but one sure persuasion if met.
Pondering, noticed Linia eyeing me. Told her speak; cautiously opened.
“Um… soon, Prince Litton and family will observe your training.”
“Yeah. So?”
“And… heard from another maid Duke Utland visiting mansion.”
“…”
Utland family?
Croa Kingdom’s ducal house?
Ruling territory right next?
Utland mentioned often late novel. Due to luxury side character active boldly through power-inflated parts 3-4.
“…Neighboring, maybe visiting for friendship. Not exciting topic to mention separately.”
“No, listen—Lady Chesa coming with Duke!”
“So what the fuss?”
Truth: I was shocked too.
Chesa Utland, just-mentioned duke’s daughter—exactly pre-marked S-grade next territory.
Future Continent Twelve, among strongest ‘Triple Star’ or higher great mage.
But future talk.
Current her: ordinary noble lady no magic prominence. Her visit no reason for excitement.
Said that; Linia pouted.
“Too indifferent, young master? Lady Chesa your fiancée by prenatal engagement…”
“What?”
The story seems nice but the translation needs editing. The flow of reading feels rigid annoying because it feels like some words are missing.