Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Is Ense’s Prince a Monster?
The scene returns to three hours earlier.
"Instructor, is this right?"
Louis moved like a startled rabbit, akin to a beast suddenly attacking, charging forward with the icy cold wind.
The Tiger Claw style is somewhat similar to Xingyi Fist from another life.
Its unique basic movements are designed to imitate animal behaviors, activating one’s ferocity and beastly instincts.
Louis was currently attempting the stance technique "Hunting Scent" from the Tiger Claw style’s level 1 martial skill set.
This martial skill stance is rare, even among low-level skills of basic professions, known for its detection-enhancing capability available at level 1.
At this moment, the raging blood energy spread across his skin, and Louis’s originally gentle demeanor became sharp and fierce.
Mastering the Tiger Claw style allowed him to gain characteristics that generally only appear in beasts.
Jino, who had been observing him, was stunned.
Such a perfect "Hunting Scent".
The essence of Hunting Scent lies in viewing the opponent as prey to be hunted.
This shift in mindset, combined with one’s blood energy, alters how the body’s organs perceive danger, ultimately awakening a latent "Sensitive Nose" ability.
But Louis was peculiar.
It was as if he had instinctively targeted certain enemies from the start, effortlessly shifting his mindset.
Watching Louis enter a state of acute scent detection, driven by Hunting Scent, Jino smacked his lips, almost speechless.
He didn’t answer Louis but decisively switched to another style, practicing with a wooden sword.
Steel Soul style, level 1 martial technique, Nightmare Sword: Jade.
The most basic yet crucial move in Steel Soul style, it uses keen mental focus to exploit gaps in the enemy’s defense.
In this state, the entire mental condition is highly concentrated, and if the opponent’s defense falters, a critical strike could easily pierce through.
Jino had a reason for demonstrating this move directly.
The fundamental difference between Steel Soul style and Tiger Claw style is considerable.
If Tiger Claw style releases the beast within, then Steel Soul style requires calm contemplation, leaning towards rationality.
The shift from Tiger Claw style to Steel Soul style, such a foundational martial technique transformation, is a favored tactic among top martial artists.
It catches the opponent off guard easily.
As Jino predicted, Louis, while mimicking the movements, lacked the essential core.
However... that talent is terrifying indeed!
Jino thought to himself: "Is Ense’s prince a monster?"
He had pondered earlier while learning combat methods and force techniques.
What the heck, had he truly never learned martial skills?
He couldn’t accept it!
As a formidable warrior who reached the theoretical pinnacle at just 40 years old, level 20, naturally, he was incredibly proud of himself.
For instance, during his studies at Knight Academy in his early years, he easily mastered the combat methods and training techniques of most professions.
His professional level rose rapidly, making him unmatched among peers.
Jino had already planned that, in a few more years, after honing his skills further, he would challenge the legendary realm.
Ideally, becoming the first human warrior, then draining those Legendary Strongmen of all their martial skills, secret techniques, and combat techniques.
But now he suddenly felt anxious.
Perhaps it’s time to speed up slightly, or else if His Highness Louis catches up easily, won’t that be embarrassing?
Jino didn’t notice that his mindset had shifted from "not letting Louis catch up" to "not letting Louis catch up easily."
Meanwhile, in Louis’s mind, Jino’s earlier sword display kept replaying.
Unconsciously, he frowned.
"Something seems off, this almost contradictory combat approach is difficult..."
Seeing Louis get lost in thought, Jino’s lips curled slightly.
That’s more like it.
Practicing the Nine Swords isn’t that simple.
Things obtained too easily can’t be cherished. When you encounter difficulties and start sharpening a calm heart, it’s a bit late...
What’s the War God doing?
Jino was dumbfounded as he saw a subtle change in Louis’s state.
His posture was as agile as a beast, with a tail flowing with beautiful magical light behind him, his body like a sharp curved blade, the practice sword in hand rising and falling with the breath of his muscles.
Only his face, basked in the morning sunlight, bore a tranquil expression, completely devoid of the beast’s ferocity, as if he were a boy napping under the campus tree in the heat of an afternoon.
He lifted his head slightly, suddenly illuminated by dappled light through the tree canopies.
Unlike Jino’s robust strength, Louis seemed like a different kind of life form, carrying a complex blend of human and magic, purity and rage, humanity and bestiality.
Then...
The wind picked up.
"Instructor Jino, please critique this sword stroke."
As the sword swung out, he felt as if some limitations on his body had been lifted.
Strength, agility, stamina, perception... all were elevated to a new level in that instant.
The speed at which the falling leaves from the tree spiraled seemed to slow, and in a daze, Louis thrust the sword forward.
In the next moment, a practice sword exceeding his limits swiftly pierced through the trees and leaves.
Ching!
Ching!!
Ching!!!
Three swords, piercing the air!
In an instant, the cocoon bursts forth a butterfly.
As Jino snapped back to reality, he stared at his own left hand in shock.
At some point, he had instinctively drawn the short sword from his waist.
His body sensed a threat, albeit faint...
But this was a level 3 warrior.
After swinging this sword, Louis only felt muscle soreness, softly expressing:
"Instructor Jino is amazing, able to switch between these states so easily.
Unlike me, who still relies on Limuru’s ’Divided Thought’ for synchronization..."
Louis clenched his fist, looking towards Jino.
Jino’s eyes widened like saucers, muttering incredulously:
"How is it possible to hold two different combat states simultaneously...
With my talent, I only mastered it after advancing to the paragon level!"
Jino’s face turned red as if he finally passed a math test only to find someone else’s child napped in class but still scored perfect marks.
Just then, a patrolling personal guard passed by, whom Jino immediately grabbed, reluctantly asking him to find Olivia.
"Tell Her Highness Olivia that a level 3 warrior, it’s time to shed some blood, let’s see if we can arrange for His Highness Louis to become an adventurer."
The guard was somewhat perplexed:
"Huh? But didn’t you just let His Highness learn the Nine Swords today?"
"Speak less and just go!"
Jino, defenseless, burst forth.
...
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
After the soldier left, Jino was unwilling.
How could such a monster exist in this world?
He truly couldn’t believe it!
Jino dashed straight to Louis’s side.
"I’ll teach you a striking technique very suitable for you, the White Crow style’s ’Leadership Attack’. Learn it well..."
Jino’s words brimmed with a tempting flavor:
"If you master it, I’ll teach you a little trick."
Louis’ eyes lit up: "Really?"
Seeing his sweat-drenched face, Jino suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
... Half an hour later...
Ching!
Accompanied by a sword flash, Jino watched speechlessly as Louis, like a charging knight, delivered a powerful strike filled with grandeur.
The dust raised stung Jino’s eyes, tears welling up momentarily.
"It’s just a little gust of wind and sand, absolutely not heartache!"
Watching the messenger guard return to inform Olivia, Jino suddenly reached out, pulling the guard to his side, calmly asking:
"When will Her Highness Olivia arrive?"
The guard, confused by the sudden pull, muddledly replied:
"Huh? But Captain, you only asked me to convey your suggestion to the Second Princess."
Jino hurriedly said:
"Stop prattling, hurry and invite Her Highness Olivia, have her quickly take His Highness Louis adventuring!"
"Hmm? Lord Jino has already guessed my purpose here?"
A clear voice rang out, Little Swan, making a grand entrance.