Paul stared at Alan in astonishment for a long moment before finally understanding what he wanted to achieve an epiphany for.
"Your self-created technique requires you to constantly maintain the Flow technique to deflect my attacks. But since the Flow technique itself is just a skill for redirecting an opponent's attack, you can't counter-attack while deflecting."
"And if you want to use another sword technique to counter-attack midway, you have to stop using the Flow technique. But if you do that, you might not be able to defend against my follow-up moves, leading to a situation where even if you land a counter-attack, it's likely to be a mutual defeat. Am I right?"
Alan rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily.
"Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. That's why I didn't use this technique when we sparred before. It's pointless to just take hits without fighting back."
Paul was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"You're a natural-born royal guard! The nobles in the Asura Kingdom's capital really missed out on a great talent!"
Alan rubbed his face in frustration.
"That's why I was hoping you could give me some inspiration, Uncle, to improve this technique, so I can maintain the Flow technique and still launch an effective counter-attack."
Hearing this, Paul was also at a loss. He walked over to the tree, pulled out his sword, and rubbed his chin, muttering.
"If you maintain the Flow technique, you can't use other techniques to counter… If you use other techniques to counter, the Flow technique has to stop… Hmmm… What to do…"
After a moment of thought, Paul frowned and said.
"What if you use the Flow technique to completely reflect the opponent's attack back at them? No, that won't work. The essence of the Flow technique is just to redirect the force like a stream of water; it's impossible to return the attack exactly as it was… What if you maintain the Flow technique and just strike back with physical strength? Would that work without using techniques from other styles?"
Alan shook his head.
"I've thought of that too, but without using sword techniques, my counter-attack isn't fast enough. Against an opponent of equal or higher skill, they would easily dodge it. And against a weaker opponent, there's no need to use this technique in the first place; I could just swing my sword and cut them down. Why bother with a defensive Flow technique?"
Paul scratched his head, looking stumped.
"No wonder you were always thinking so hard when you practiced the Sword God Style. You Water God Style users have to consider way too much. It's giving me a headache."
Alan also looked helpless.
Just then, he felt a tickle on his cheek. He turned his head and found Roxy right beside him, the stray lock of hair on her head poking his face.
Alan blinked at her, about to say something, but Roxy spoke first.
"The move you used when we first met… could that work? I remember you said it put a great strain on your body. Does that mean that high-speed slash relies mainly on physical ability rather than sword technique?"
Alan smiled and answered instinctively.
"You mean Nijūzan? I've considered that too. While it is a rapid draw-and-slash technique that relies on physical conditioning to develop several fixed sword trajectories over the years, making it more like a physical reflex than a sword technique… the problem is my body can only handle a few swings. If I encounter a strong enemy and get into a prolonged battle, continuously using Nijūzan would probably make me collapse first. In that case, it would be better to…"
Alan's voice trailed off as he stared at Roxy, his eyes wide. He stayed like that for a long time, then a look of sudden realization dawned on his face.
Excitedly, he put his hands on Roxy's waist and lifted her up like a child, spinning her around twice.
"I've got it! Thank you! You're a god! You've been a huge help in every sense of the word!!"
Then, under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Alan, the scoundrel, casually dropped the wide-eyed, struggling Roxy to the ground, turned, drew his sword, and began practicing Nijūzan from various starting positions.
He was completely focused.
Roxy landed on her bottom on the ground. She stared at the scoundrel practicing his sword swings, her face a mixture of anger and confusion, speechless for a long time.
She was not okay.
—
On the hillside, under a large tree.
"So, Sylphie's overall magic level is only at the Intermediate rank right now?"
"Yes, to be precise, it's currently between the Elementary and Intermediate levels."
Roxy touched her forehead, where there was no sweat, and said with lingering fear.
"Her control over magic, her mana capacity, and her proficiency with silent casting all still need improvement."
'If another genius shows up, I won't be able to stay in this village for another second.'
Rudy rested his chin on his hand, watching Roxy's faint panic as she scratched her cheek, and couldn't help but find it amusing.
'Roxy is the same as ever… clumsy and lacking confidence… but that just makes her more endearing. As expected…'
'She is a god!'
He said aloud.
"After all, Sylphie has only been learning magic for two months. She's still far from your level, Teacher. That must be why Alan wanted her to learn from you."
Speak of the devil.
Alan appeared in a flash, a nosebleed streaming down his face. He panted, his face pale, as he spoke to Rudy, looking extremely unwell.
"Sorry to interrupt. A-A healing spell, please…"
Rudy rolled his eyes at him in annoyance.
"I mean, Alan, you were the one who invited our guest to stay, and now you're the one ignoring her. What are you thinking…"
Before he could finish his complaint, the neglected guest had already acted.
"O benevolent goddess, like a mother's love, please heal this person's wounds and restore his healthy body. Heal!"
A jolt of comfort shot through Alan. He gave Roxy a thumbs-up, then turned around and started swinging his sword again.
Sylphie rushed after him, weakly saying.
"A-Alan, I can use healing magic too…"
"Your mana is limited, and you've been learning attack magic recently, so your chanting is still not very practiced… Uh, I'm not saying I dislike your magic, it's just that this is more efficient. When you can use silent casting for healing spells, I'll come to you, okay?"
"T_T Okay."
Sylphie, with a sad face, glanced at Roxy and started counting Alan's swings as he practiced drawing his blade from various angles. His movements were slow, but they still created gusts of wind that lifted and dropped Sylphie's hair.
"121… 122… 123…"
Rudy sighed and turned to look at Roxy. She was watching Alan's practice swings with curiosity. Her anger had naturally subsided after a short while, as Alan's complete absorption in his sword practice, ignoring everyone equally, was impartial.
Rudy's gaze shifted from Roxy to Alan, and then back to Roxy.
'This guy Alan is so rude… he didn't even say thank you. And I can't even use silent healing, how could Sylphie? Wait… maybe this is a good thing! If Roxy is only back for a few days, and Alan is always obsessed with his sword, doesn't that mean I get Roxy all to myself for the rest of the time?! Haha, Alan, oh Alan, Roxy will surely be mine. I won't give you any chance this time!'
Rudy couldn't help but grin his signature pervy smile. Then, he heard Roxy's hesitant voice.
"…Rudy, Sylphie, the condition for entry into Alan's territory is to kowtow to Sylphie three times? Rudy… do I have to kowtow to Sylphie now?"
Rudy's expression froze. He turned his head in shock and saw Roxy staring at the carving on the large tree, her mouth twitching slightly.
"Alan carved that! Go talk to him! It has nothing to do with me!"
Join my patreon For Early access to Chapter : patreon.com/TheWorldGod
Tiamat 200 Chapter (Final)
Honkai 333 Chapter
Lobotomy 110 Chapter
MushokuTensei 160 Chapter
'Pure Evil' Simulator Chapter Ending
Crossover Fic Blapterue-Eyes Chapter Ending