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Beneath the tree.
Allen removed his fingers from his temple.
He could no longer endure Eris' scorching gaze and raised his hands in surrender.
"I still can't use the Sword Sanctuary. First, my Flow Secret Technique isn't fully mastered yet, and my Mind Secret Technique is even further behind—I've only grasped the basics. So just now, I cheated. I closed my eyes to block out sound, color, and other visual information, focusing only on refining tactile feedback. Then, by combining it with the Mind Secret Technique, I briefly entered a state where I only perceived 'form', allowing me to release a single, fleeting Sword Sanctuary."
"Truthfully, the Sword Sanctuary is incredibly difficult. It's mentally exhausting—even Her Holiness Reida can only maintain it while standing completely still to avoid misjudgments caused by her own movements."
Eris pouted and immediately shouted back:
"That's not the point! Allen's definitely gonna become a Water God!"
Her words made no logical sense, yet she crossed her arms with absolute confidence.
Allen's eye twitched.
"Th-Thanks… for your blind, uh… devout faith in me."
Eris yelled again:
"Then Allen's definitely stronger than that other Luke from the Water God dojo, right?!"
Silence fell over the group.
Ghyslaine, who had been looking at Allen with admiration, turned her gaze to a drifting leaf instead.
Rudeus covered his face.
Allen, meanwhile, stared at Eris' expectant expression before sighing and scratching his head.
"That's your actual cousin. Are you really okay with saying that?"
Eris (._.)
"I don't even know him! The only Allen I know is you! Allen is Allen—just the one in front of me!"
The moment she finished, the sound of Rudeus rubbing his face in exasperation echoed through the air—identical to Allen's reaction earlier that morning.
Allen massaged his forehead.
"Fine. Okay."
"Let's get back to your Water God training plan."
He ignored Eris' deepening scowl, her arms crossed as she glared at him.
"First, based on Ghyslaine's assessment and Eris' own condition, it's undeniable that Eris' talent lies far more in the Sword God Style than the Water God Style. Therefore, the training I've designed will skip the usual beginner lessons—defensive counters, information perception, and calculation—which are core aspects of the Water God Style."
"Of course, these are fundamental to the style."
"But if Eris were to learn the Water God Style traditionally, the end result might be her failing to master either style properly—leaving her Sword God Style incomplete and her Water God Style mediocre."
"Not everyone can advance equally in two or more sword styles. Some people's personalities are simply suited to excelling in one. Forcing her into the Water God Style isn't the right choice."
Eris' eyes widened.
"What?! But Allen, you know two sword styles!"
Allen shook his head, about to respond, but Ghyslaine cut in.
"Three."
"Huh?"
"Allen's North God Style is also exceptional."
Allen waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm an exception. Just got lucky."
Rudeus, hearing this, suddenly grinned and chimed in:
"An exception? More like you doubt Eris' math skills could handle—OW!"
Before he could finish, Eris smacked him square on the forehead, silencing him instantly.
Rudeus clutched his head, glaring at her but not daring to argue further. He gestured for Allen to continue.
Allen sighed.
"...Focus solely on the Mind Secret Technique, especially the sensation of responding to information when striking. Even if Eris never fully masters it, this will help compensate for some of the Sword God Style's weaknesses and push her further in that path."
"The weaknesses being addressed are twofold."
He glanced at Ghyslaine, who nodded in understanding, then wrote on the ground with his finger:
"1. Sword Posture."
"The Sword God Style's Light of the Sword only has three stances: high, middle, and iaido. Even then, foot stability is crucial—otherwise, if you face underhanded tricks like the North God Style's Red Ink, failing to execute the Light of the Sword at a critical moment could be disastrous."
"The Mind Secret Technique, however, allows slashing from any angle. Though slower than the Sword God Style, it isn't restricted by posture. This gives her a contingency in extreme combat scenarios."
"2. Concealing Killing Intent."
Allen looked straight at Eris.
"Your killing intent is too obvious. It's easy for opponents to predict your strikes, which is fatal in life-or-death battles. The Mind Secret Technique can help mask it. Even if you don't master it completely, you'll still learn to control its leakage."
"Killing intent? Ghyslaine doesn't have any?"
Allen turned to Ghyslaine.
Ghyslaine looked back.
The two exchanged a glance before silently averting their eyes.
Allen spoke first.
"Ghyslaine suppresses her killing intent perfectly—it only surfaces when she swings. Unlike you, who can leak it just by glaring at Rudeus. Even an untrained civilian could sense it."
Rudeus nodded emphatically—
Then froze.
He turned slowly.
Eris was squinting at him, her crimson eyes gleaming with the familiar gaze of a predator.
He shrank back.
Just then, a finger entered his line of sight, pointing at the corner of Eris' eye.
"Extremely obvious killing intent. Even an outsider like me can feel it."
Allen's voice.
Eris stiffened for a moment—before suddenly flying into a rage and swinging a fist at Allen!
Fast. Sharp. Carried by the wind!
A furious, flustered strike!
Of course, Allen effortlessly deflected it with the Flow Secret Technique, then—to Rudeus' utter shock—pinched Eris' cheek and yanked her face toward him.
Though he wrapped his fingers in battle aura to soften the grip, ensuring he didn't hurt her.
As he did, he sighed.
"Hey, don't just throw full-powered punches at people. You could seriously hurt someone. That's a bad habit—gotta fix it if I'm your teacher now..."
Mid-sentence, Eris' face was forcibly turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
Allen's words died.
In his vision—
Even with her cheek pinched, Eris clenched her teeth, brows furrowed in frustration.
Like a young beast poised to hunt.
But Allen's expression was pure bewilderment.
Even Ghyslaine looked visibly surprised beside them.
Why?
Because the 'heavy' killing intent from earlier—
Had completely vanished from Allen's senses.
Even though Eris' expression hadn't changed much at all.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 200 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 25 power stones I will publish the next chapter.