Chapter 74: The Underwater Kingdom, Aquavera (5)

Chapter 74: The Underwater Kingdom, Aquavera (5)

Having accepted the proposal from the white-bearded master, Kai immediately followed him to the personal training hall.

I guess the sea doesn't require worrying about land costs, so the training halls can be quite large.

The rectangular training hall, which seemed to be at least 300 pyeong[1] by human standards, appeared sturdy from floor to walls to ceiling.

"There's a special magical barrier inside so it won't collapse from most shocks."

"Impressive."

"I'll say it again, but to follow my training, you’ll need a burning desire to become stronger no matter what. If you're taking this lightly, you'd better quit now. That would be the best way to save each other's time."

"You won't need to worry about that; I won't be taking this lightly at all."

Kai's confidence rose again. Unlike before, this time, he had his reasons. His source of confidence was that he had already endured the harsh training under Huey, the master at the Training Grounds of the Dawn.

"Hmm. Then don't come back later with complaints."

"Of course not."

"Right. So, could you tell me what your original job is?"

Since the white-bearded master asked about his job, it seemed Prince Cyrus hadn't mentioned Kai's role as the Solaris Cleric.

With a proud expression, Kai introduced his job, "I'm a Cleric."

"...A Cleric?"

"Yes, a Cleric."

"Do you mean the kind who heals others among humans?"

"Yes, exactly that Cleric."

"Huh..." The master's long beard quivered in mild shock. "Well, that’s unexpected, but as long as you have the desire to learn, your job doesn't matter. There are only two things I’m going to teach you."

"I'm all ears," Kai replied in a serious tone.

It seems it will be rewarding to teach you. The master thought as he stared at Kai's eyes reflecting his determination to fully absorb the teachings.

With a faint smile, the master slowly swam around Kai with his hands held behind his back. "As you might have guessed, those two things are underwater combat techniques and Moving Casting."

"Yes, sir."

Indeed, Kai had already anticipated that, so he nodded with a neutral expression.

Underwater combat techniques can't be used on land, but Moving Casting is different.

It would overhaul his simple and straightforward combat style from head to toe. A truly revolutionary combat method!

Kai was determined to master that skill.

"I will give freedom to your sword. Do you understand what that means?"

"No. I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand it at all."

"Think about it, it's actually quite simple." When the master reached out his hand, the trident hanging on the far wall instantly flew into his grip. "To give a weapon freedom means to not be constrained by form."

"Not constrained by form? Isn't that what I already do?"

The only sword skill he had, Swordsmanship of the Dawn, had no fixed sword paths. It was a basic sword style with only vertical, horizontal, diagonal slashes, and thrusts.

Hearing Kai's question, the white-bearded master furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Don't be mistaken. Removing form doesn't mean you should swing your sword thoughtlessly like you do."

Kai fell silent, stunned by the blunt correction.

The master continued to say, "A sword that's not bound by common sense. To wield a sword that's freer than anything, you have to think even more. If your opponent dodges, what move should you make? If they counterattack, how do you avoid it? After dodging, how do you strike back? You must visualize all possible outcomes in your mind before making your move."

"I-is that even possible?"

Just hearing the explanation made his head ache!

"Of course it's possible. In fact, it's a level you must eventually reach if you hold a sword."

"Ugh..."

Kai had always fought using almost instinctive movements and tactics. Thus, expecting him to suddenly calculate everything was nearly impossible.

"But don't worry too much. In the next two weeks, I'll make you at least proficient in combat, if not a master."

Kai gulped, feeling the remarkable fact that one could break out in a cold sweat even underwater.

***

"Whew, one done. Now, the next video to edit is..."

Michael Reynold, a professional editor who specialized in MID Online videos, opened his email inbox. What appeared on his monitor was a heap of tasks that would take months to complete.

Michael clicked on the bottom-most email, and his brows furrowed. "Please fix it good...?"

Clang!

The master blocked Kai's attack with his trident, immediately twisting his wrist. At the same time, his trident spun, delivering a powerful thrust.

But I've seen this attack hundreds, even thousands, of times.

Unfazed, Kai shifted his weight backward and took a big step back. Then he launched himself up by pushing off from the ground and then the water.

Although Kai didn't have fins, he had powerful legs capable of stepping on water. This was the method Kai devised during the two weeks of underwater combat. It was a movement technique only a human like Kai could use!

After dodging, comes the attack, which...

It was an attack that would be impossible to avoid due to its speed and direction!

Swish!

In an instant, Kai's body bent at a ninety-degree angle as he dropped toward the ground. Simultaneously, he swung his sword. It was a chilling downward slash that could remind an observer of the cold winter wind!

"Argh!"

The master grunted briefly, momentarily surprised, but he was still skilled. As he swam backward with a powerful flick of his fins, he spun his trident to deflect the sword.

Of course, Kai wasn't about to let this opportunity slip. Giving his opponent no time to relax, he chased the master like a magnet.

Clang, clang, clang!

The two weapons clashed continuously. Neither side intended to yield, their intense exchanges occurring in the blink of an eye!

And now is when he would use it.

Moving Casting, the ultimate technique used by merfolk against the nagas, and a skill Kai had faced before.

Among them, the one the white-bearded master uses most is Explosion.

Explosion was a magic skill that collected air and then burst it.

And just before it was about to explode toward him, Kai's other hand moved.

"Sacred Barrier!"

A bright white barrier instantly formed in front of Kai!

Then, a powerful blast of air accompanied by seawater, crashed against the shield.

Crack!

The Sacred Barrier shattered after just one attack.

“Nice try, but the skill's defense was too weak!” the white-bearded master shouted boldly as he pushed off from the ground.

His trident spun again from his fingertips!

His left hand isn’t even ready. If he charges now, I'll win again. He still has more to learn.

The white-bearded master had been confident of his victory, but suddenly his eyes widened in disbelief.

Wait, why is his sword here...?

The sword that should have been in Kai's hand was now flying toward him at a fierce speed. Unfortunately, it was too late to dodge!

"Kugh!"

Clang!

The trident he swung instinctively barely deflected the sword.

But before he could even sigh with relief, Kai's voice reached his ears.

"Holy Explosion!"

Boom!

Water was water, and a merman was a merman! A powerful white beam blasted the seawater and the white-bearded master into the wall!

Kai, who hadn’t felt this sense of thrill in a long time, slowly descended to the floor.

“...Since when did you plan on doing that?” the white-bearded master asked as he sat in a daze.

“When you started preparing for Explosion. You knew my shield couldn't withstand Explosion, right? And it was already too late to cast Holy Explosion with my left hand.”

So, Kai had used Sacred Barrier and simultaneously threw his sword with all his might, then cast Holy Explosion with his right hand. It was a strategy that caught even a master off guard!

“...I've been completely defeated.”

Shaking his head while looking at the human before him, the white-bearded master smiled, seemingly pleased.

The nagas are going to have a hard time with you.

1. Korean unit used when measuring area and floorspace. 1 pyeong is about 35 square feet. ☜