Chapter 521

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"Hmm... Am I being unjustly treated again? I thought it would take at least two months for you to achieve such a perfected Light-speed Thrust even with my help. Yet, you did it not in a day, but in just one hour."

It was not easy to understand even for Talaris.

In fact, it made no sense to execute a perfected light-speed thrust in two months. She just thought that if Jin's potential and her own assistance were combined, it would be possible in that amount of time.

"... you did it in one go?"

Jin was taken aback by Talaris' reaction.

Since he did it without much difficulty, Jin naturally assumed that achieving this level would fall within Talaris's expected range.

'Is this surprising?'

First of all, Jin apologized for cutting off Talaris' words and slightly bowed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it."

"No, is that the important part now? Son-in-law, what on earth? Were you practicing this technique even before coming here?"

"It's been a few days."

"Ahaha, that's right...."

Somehow, it reminded Jin about the first time he learned magic from Murakan during the storm castle days. Talaris was showing the same reaction as Murakan who was shocked by Jin's talent back then.

"Well, I guess I chose a good son-in-law. It's a shame to have such talent just for the hostess of the Hidden Palace. The second flagbearer, Joshua, also fell into the abyss...… Huh, should I send my daughter to Runcandel? There is no history of a marriage between a patriarch and the master of the hidden palace, but we can make it now."

When learning magic from Murakan, Jin deliberately lowered his skills and adjusted the progress so as not to arouse suspicion. There was no need for that now.

"For Acceleration... rather than seven times, it seems I can split it into nine."

"What did you say?"

"More precisely, it's better to say it divides into three times. I can bundle nine aura focus points in groups of three that count as accelerations. If I catch the sensation of accelerating a total of three times like that, it will be a proper thrust."

At that point, Talaris was shocked once again.

'There was a rather difficult passage in the book left by Chiron. Could it be that what my son-in-law is saying now is what it meant...! I just thought it was a problem for Mary.'

Talaris quickly reviewed the book again, and she was able to figure out that Jin's words were exactly right.

"Didn't you say that your sister's light-speed thrust is inferior to mine?"

"Yes."

"Then Mary shouldn't have passed this on to you. Because she couldn't understand the mystery. She might be thinking that the reason why her light speed thrust is inferior to Chiron's is just the difference between the achievement of martial arts and experience."

"If it's Elder sister Mary, she'll find the answer on her own someday."

"Hmm, that child is definitely special, so that might be true."

But compared to you, even that great talent is dull. Talaris swallowed those words.

"Anyway, I think I know where the focus points of the nine aura concentrations are. Just showing it again makes my stomach ache. Show me yours one more time."

"I think I need some preliminary action."

"Take your time, thrust as perfectly as possible."

Jin concentrated, refining his posture.

And the light-speed thrust he showed is more powerful than the sword that Talaris showed him at the beginning...… as it seemed likely to be revealed.

The aura on the sword continued to break without being able to stretch forward as much as possible. His thrusting posture also collapsed, and Jin almost fell forward.

"Ahahaha! You surprised this mother-in-law just now, and now it's your turn to be embarrassed!"

Seeing Talaris laugh so heartily, Jin couldn't help but feel a bit awkward as well.

"Perhaps my greed took the lead, and my center of gravity collapsed. It's embarrassing."

"Yes, you should have that kind of human side too. Thanks to that, I had a good laugh."

However, contrary to her words, Talaris was not unaware that Jin had 'almost succeeded' this time.

'He was so focused on gathering aura that he just missed the basic posture at the last moment. In fact, he practically succeeded this time as well... If he tries again, he will undoubtedly succeed.'

Jin took up his stance again.

Talaris silently waited for him to unsheathe the sword.

Jin, who changed his gaze, raised his aura as he checked the mistake he had just made.

Soon, a brilliant sword burst through the air, exuding an aura worthy of being called the secret technique of Runcandel.

Runcandel 5th secret Technique:

 Light-speed thrust!

A flash of light pierced the eyes. It sharply distorted the space extending at the speed of "chasing" the flash, leaving a long afterimage like a comet's tail.

Only those who had reached a certain level could see that fleeting afterimage. It was because the line of aura, which started from the sword but only moved forward after the motion ended, rushed forward into the trajectory pointed by the sword.

A huge crack formed in the ice wall of the training ground. If Talaris hadn't strengthened it with the power of myriad ice in advance, Jin's aura would have gone all the way outside the hidden palace and left a trace in the sky.

Now instead of being surprised or shocked, Talaris expressed pure admiration.

"Hoho, I don't know about the speed, but the power definitely surpasses what I have shown."

Jin, finishing the secret technique, caught his breath and shook his head.

"It was just a light demonstration. In any aspect, my sword can't possibly be compared to Madame Talaris's martial arts."

"No, it's the same even if I used it properly. Since it is Runcandel's secret move in the first place, there are limits to imitate. And... Well."

"Why is that?"

"Nine times...."

Talaris had just watched Jin's light-speed thrust, and felt at first glance that she was facing the next level of the secret technique.

"Could you divide your aura focus points into ten times?"

Jin instinctively realized why Talaris was saying that.

"Could you be considering the possibility of improvement?"

"Well, it's an improvement... In the first place, it is clear that the light-speed thrust is the complete form of the nine focus points and three accelerations you mentioned. However, you are not an ordinary martial artist, right, son-in-law?"

Shadow force, Lighting energy, Mana.

Unlike ordinary martial artists, Jin can use a total of four powers, including Aura. And Talaris judged that maybe, one of those powers could serve as the 'tenth element' of the light-speed thrust.

People usually don't question something that is already perfect. The same goes for swords.

But Talaris was no ordinary martial artist like Jin.

"There are several martial arts of our Hidden palace that are extremely fast thrusts or slashes. And all of those swords reinforced with the power of Myriad ice. It looks like the same method can be applied to the light-speed thrust. No, I'm almost certain. Those who only use aura can't think like this."

Jin felt a shiver down his spine. It was like a flash of enlightenment.

"Of course, this may not be the case for all types of swords, but it will not be difficult to add other power in the lightspeed thrust because of its simplicity. And I think it's best to add lightning energy."

Some of Runcandel's decisive killing moves and secret techniques originated from Plutonian swordsmanship.

In the case of the light-speed thrust, it is a sword that Runcandel formed on its own, but fundamentally, if you follow the source, there is no choice but to have a part affected by Plutonian swordsmanship.

Of course, Talaris doesn't know that. The reason why she came up with the idea that lightning energy would be the most suitable was purely based on the insight of a martial artist who had reached the peak.

"It will definitely fit. Now, what you and I have to do is find the final point of acceleration. It will become a splendid sword. I'm going to name it after my son-in-law."

"I didn't do anything."

"Hmm, I know. But I can't give it my own name, right? Consider this as a reward for giving me a good laugh, Black Crown Prince."

"I'm thinking about how to kill the pirate who first gave me that nickname."

 * * *

Just like that, two weeks have passed since Jin and Talaris started training.

Kinzelo continued to curse Jin every day for not notifying the date of the meeting, and Runcandel and Zipfel controlled information about the Sota Desert, engaging in a media war.

And dark rumors about Joshua began to circulate around the world.

Runcandel never officially commented on his downfall.

However, even the general public could infer Joshua's fall from that alone, so the secrets were openly formed everywhere.

Yet, Joshua's pens were publishing articles subtly covering him. They insisted that his failure was a groundless rumor and that he was just entering closed-door training.

Rosa didn't particularly object to that.

"Hmm! Now, our lord is no different than the next patriarch of Runcandel, but there are still rumors that the second flagbearer will sit on the throne. It's frustrating. That gentleman is finished."

Jet said as he closed the newsletter.

"Jet, you shouldn't say such things in other places."

"Sir Kashmir, I'm not that foolish, hehe. Anyway, our lord left as if he were going to learn for a few hours, and it's been two weeks without any news... I am worried."

"You worry about everything, are you saying this because you don't know how much Madame Talaris cares for Lord Jin?"

"It is not. I just miss our Lord. If only I were born with a real talent, I would have fought alongside our Lord every day. Right, Enya!"

"Sure, uncle Jet! If you practice every day like me, you might find hidden talent, you know?"

"Hehe, dreams are for young folks like you."

"Old man Jet."

Nearby companions burst into laughter.

But soon, leaders such as Kashmir, Valkas, and Lata had stern expressions.

"Ghost blade. I guess we should inform the lord about this."

In front of the table where they sat, there was a pile of reports of the Seven Colored peacock and Ghosts mercenaries along with newsletters.

"I think so too, Sir Valkas."

"I have seen with my own eyes how much our lord cares for him. Of course, nothing seems to happen right away, but still, it's better to inform him quickly. I don't have a good feeling about this."

The reports they were reading contained information such as:

(Confirmation of low-level purge: All dragon knights of Hairan are gathering in the Imperial palace. There is a possibility that it is not a simple check by the emperor, judging by various circumstances.

The whereabouts of the dragon knights cannot be grasped with the current level of intelligence.

If we increase the intelligence level, the risk of detection is very very high, so approval from Tikan Headquarters is required.)