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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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I hit a wall trying to master the walking technique skill.
I thought of the instructor as the solution to this problem.
‘Since skills are taught within the Academy itself, the instructor must certainly know about them.’
So asking him for advice should be enough to solve it.
However, there was one huge obstacle here.
‘How did I, without background or skills, obtain the movements and incantations of the walking technique?’
Explaining the source was the biggest problem.
I found the answer in [Unimplemented Characteristic].
‘Aren’t unimplemented characteristics filled with abilities that can’t be measured by common sense?’
So without revealing everything, if I elaborated a story, it would be believable due to the nature of unimplemented characteristics.
In other words, I believed he wouldn’t dismiss my story as completely absurd.
This was actually proven through the instructor’s reaction.
“…Could you explain in detail.”
He showed interest, just as I expected.
‘At least the start isn’t bad.’
I calmly began with the story I had thought out.
“You asked me before. If I had experienced anything strange, like seeing blurry visions.”
“…Don’t tell me you’re also seeing something like visions?”
“It seems so.”
This was from a conversation with the instructor a few days ago.
I got a clue from the ‘blurry visions’ he had mentioned with a peculiar expression.
‘Even if I don’t know exactly, the instructor already knows that such types of unimplemented characteristics exist.’
If so, the chances of him not finding my story strange increased even more.
Based on this, I continued confidently in a calm tone.
“I’ve been having dreams for some time. Someone unidentifiable appears and shows me something.”
“Shows you? Could it be?”
“Yes, they repeatedly take countless steps, and mutter something that sounded just like reciting incantations.”
“…!”
The instructor fell silent at my words.
Soon after, he muttered in a small voice.
“…A foresight type perhaps. The subject seems unclear though.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, excuse me.”
The instructor apologized, then continued with a rather serious expression.
“It must not have been easy to bring this up. You did well.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll guide you. About how to learn skills, that is.”
“…!”
The desired response flowed from the instructor.
My plan had worked perfectly.
I inwardly rejoiced.
While composing my expression and waiting for advice.
“Before that, there’s one thing you must keep in mind.”
A slightly different story than expected came from the instructor.
“Clearly, what you’re experiencing is special. But that doesn’t mean you’re peculiar or problematic.”
The instructor emphasized forcefully.
From his tone, I felt he was being cautious yet resolute.
Unable to gauge his thoughts, I quietly listened.
“As I said, the abilities of unimplemented characteristics are never within the realm of individual comprehension.”
“What does that mean…?”
“Even if something unfortunate happens related to the visions you witnessed, it’s absolutely not your personal problem.”
A realm beyond individual comprehension, unfortunate incidents.
Hearing such extraordinary statements continuously made me quite bewildered.
‘Is there something profoundly complex about unimplemented characteristics…?’
It was just a story I brought up to get advice on the walking technique.
Therefore, I hadn’t anticipated he would take it so seriously.
Perhaps because of that?
“It doesn’t have to be unfortunate incidents. Like now, if you have questions related to characteristics, come find me. I promise to never turn you away and to help you, anytime, under any circumstances.”
I received a response beyond expectations.
It felt like receiving a blank check of guaranteed advice and help endorsed by the instructor.
Gathering my dazed emotions, I slowly answered.
“…Thank you.”
“My speech went on too long. You said you needed advice on mastering the walking technique, the skill?”
The instructor, who had returned to an expressionless face, asked briefly.
Finally, the main point had arrived.
Nodding my head with anticipation.
“Then stand up.”
The instructor immediately rose.
Not understanding the meaning, I tilted my head slightly, to which he added a word.
“As the word ‘mastery’ suggests, experiencing skills through the body is the quickest way.”
“Ah.”
I unconsciously let out an exclamation.
Because the instructor’s words’ meaning was clear.
“Follow me. I’ll personally guide you until dinner time.”
None other than private tutoring.
At the response beyond expectations, I stood up right away.
*
The place I arrived at following the instructor was the weapons training room.
Perhaps because it was dinner time, the inside was completely empty.
“How convenient.”
The instructor murmured softly and turned his head toward me.
Then he began the private lesson by asking me a question.
“First, do you know the principles of skill acquisition?”
“Direct acquisition through relics, and mastery through movements and incantations. I know these two ways.”
“Correct. Among those, you want to know the specific techniques of the second method, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then first, demonstrate the walking technique you know.”
At the instructor’s command, I gulped nervously.
Then focusing my mind, step by step.
I carefully performed the Black Shadow Step.
Swish- Swish-
My stride was still in disarray and my posture was utterly sloppy.
Nevertheless, thanks to my efforts so far, I was able to complete it without losing balance.
The instructor, observing me, opened his mouth with a peculiar look in his eyes.
“Hmm, how long have you practiced?”
“Just under a week so far.”
“Considering you don’t know the technique, that’s not a bad achievement.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head, and the instructor also nodded slightly.
Then he assumed a posture as if to demonstrate something.
“From now on, I will personally show you the technique, so watch carefully.”
With the instruction, the instructor closed his eyes.
Then his mouth slowly opened.
“…All steps begin by stepping correctly.”
An extraordinary comment.
Simultaneously, the instructor’s right foot moved.
It was a motion with nothing special, yet the feeling was peculiar.
‘…It looks natural?’
An extremely clean, well-organized feeling.
It might sound like a somewhat strange impression, but the instructor’s body just now seemed to move by itself.
As I was watching with wide-open eyes, he said to me.
“The movement I just showed is a skill called ‘Three Disaster Steps.’ It’s one of the basic skills provided by the Academy later. What did you feel from that movement just now?”
I answered cautiously.
“It seemed like your body moved by itself, instructor.”
“You have good eyes. This is how you master skills through movements and incantations.”
“…!”
“The moment the movement according to the incantation is imprinted throughout your body, the movement and incantation merge to become a skill. In other words, you must first surrender your body to the incantation. If you can’t get the feel, reciting the incantation out loud will help.”
Surrendering the body to the incantation, reciting the incantation out loud.
While inwardly repeating these, the instructor continued his explanation.
“Once the skill is formed, this kind of movement becomes possible.”
The instructor took a step without saying anything more.
Then a movement clearly different from before came out.
It had become much more natural yet sharper than before.
“You no longer need to recall the incantation. Also, the final form of utilizing the walking technique is like this.”
Without fail, the instructor’s right foot rose.
At that moment.
Crack-!
A bluish light burst out right in front of me.
Then the instructor’s figure instantly disappeared from my sight.
“…!”
As I opened my eyes wide, the instructor’s voice flowed from right behind me.
“For your information, that wasn’t the Three Disaster Steps but the ‘Flash Seven Steps.’ It’s a personal skill that I possess.”
“Ah……”
The instructor quietly added to me, who was still unable to hide my shock.
“The final utilization is only possible when mana-related skills are generated after going through the 5 stages of mana breathing methods. So keep practicing diligently. Any questions?”
Thoroughly immersed in the true power of the walking technique, I finally regained my senses.
Then I unraveled one by one the doubts I had been harboring all along.
“How long does it take to acquire a skill?”
“It depends on individual innate sensitivity. As short as a few days, as long as 1-2 weeks. Usually, the part that takes longer is completely mastering the movement.”
“Once a skill is generated, can it be used simultaneously with martial arts?”
“Martial arts. That depends on the characteristics and strengths of each walking technique, as well as proficiency.”
According to the instructor, walking techniques seemed to be divided into two main uses based on their characteristics.
The first was movement and evasion.
The second was maneuverability, or body movement.
“Although walking techniques specialized in maneuverability would be more smoothly linked with martial arts, proficiency is more important. Skilled practitioners not only utilize opportunities but also create them directly.”
I kept the instructor’s explanation in mind and thought.
‘Proficiency……’
If used well, it could be effectively utilized not only for virtual duels but also beyond.
While expanding the possibilities freely in my mind.
“Is the reason you’re asking about the connection with martial arts perhaps because of the ‘virtual duel’ class in two days?”
Suddenly the instructor asked me.
I answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Specifically, my goal was to master it as quickly as possible.
It wasn’t just about mastering the skill.
‘To perform skillfully, I’ll need to invest a certain amount of time.’
Moreover, I realized during last week’s weapon experience time.
The fact that with weapon techniques, the gap with experienced people was even greater than stat circuit training.
In ordinary ways, not only would it be impossible to surpass them, but even competition would become harder as time went on.
‘So the sooner the better.’
As if understanding my thoughts, the instructor smiled faintly.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“From what I can see, it seems to be at least D-grade level.”
At the instructor’s sudden mention of grades, I quietly tilted my head.
Only after hearing the instructor’s subsequent words could I understand his intention.
“I’m talking about the walking technique you obtained. There aren’t many students with such distinctive walking techniques. So don’t be too hasty.”
It was none other than encouragement.
Feeling not too bad, I also answered with a faint smile.
“Yes.”
“There’s still about 10 minutes left, so I’ll guide you a bit more.”
At the instructor’s direction, I concentrated.
‘He said that reciting out loud helps at first.’
First, I closed my eyes and searched my memory.
Then the incantation of the Black Shadow Step clearly came to mind.
“…The shadow always accompanies in the hidden side.”
The moment I recited one phrase, I became completely immersed.
Perhaps that’s why.
“…!”
I heard some sound, but didn’t register it.
Only that both my hearing and vision were faint and distant.
In a state of complete selflessness, I witnessed.
‘Shadow? Do I need to move there?’
The sight of an unusually deep shadow filling my vision.
Instinctively, as I took successive steps toward the shadow.
“…Student Il-han!”
I heard the instructor’s shout right in front of me.
‘Huh?’
When I came to my senses, my arms were firmly held by something.
Not only that, for some reason it was dark in front of my eyes.
I realized belatedly.
“…Instructor?”
That I had my face buried in the instructor’s chest.
The instructor opened his mouth with a dumbfounded expression toward me, who was equally perplexed.
“…I take it back.”
“Pardon?”
“The walking technique you possess. It can’t possibly be D-grade, so I’m taking back what I said earlier.”
Then the instructor sighed and said.
“To think you’d master it this quickly. The speed of the student is truly beyond the level of common sense.”
“…Does that mean.”
“Congratulations. You just mastered a skill.”
At the instructor’s praise, my lips twitched involuntarily.
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