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chapter 64




The next one that Frey instructed after Beniang was Fianne.
He stared at Frey with apprehension as he recalled the dull and lifeless look in Beniangs eyes when she returned home.
Without noticing Fianne’s anxiety, Frey asked.
“What is the name of your martial art?”
“It is called Baekwanggwon(White King Boxing).”
“…”
It was a tacky name.
He couldn’t understand why the practitioners of martial arts liked to use ‘king’ in their technique names.
If they deviated from the stereotype, he was sure that they would be able to come up with some better sounding names.
Frey shook his head, remembering Kasajin.
“First let’s spar. So that I can know your skills.”
Fianne nodded with a stiff expression.
He had seen Frey teaching back at the village.
Of course, among those who had been dissatisfied, there were a few Magic Warriors.
They had attacked Frey with extreme determination but they had not even managed to touch his collar.
It was then that Fianne had realised.
This young man before him was not just a talent Wizard, but he was also a First Class Magic Warrior.
At the very least, he was an opponent that Fianne had no guarantee he could beat.
“Come.”
Tat.
Fianne quickly narrowed the distance, his fist outstretched towards Frey’s face.
Huk.
Frey avoided the attack simply by moving his head.
‘Fast.’
It was a fierce attack.
If it had landed, his face would definitely have been deformed.
Fianne wasn’t disappointed when his attack failed to connect, instead, he quickly retracted his arm and attacked Frey’s abdomen with his left hand.
Fianne knew that because he was so close, such an attack would be in his opponent’s blind spot.
However, Frey caught his fist as though he was expecting the attack.
“Kuk…”
How did he know?
No, there was no time to think about that.
Fianne twisted his body and roughly shook his hand free.
And using the rotational force, he turned and fired a kick.
Although it was called Baekwanggwon, that didn’t mean that it only consisted of fist techniques.
There were times when one would use their feet, knees, elbows, hands and even their forehead to attack.
Kwak.
“…!”
It was blocked again.
Frey had managed to stop Fianne’s attack with just one arm.
If it had landed, he might have been able to end the fight at once.
He clenched his teeth and pulled his foot back.
Frey didn’t pursue him and remained standing in the same spot.
‘I need to understand your skills.’
This was what Frey had told him and that’s what he was demonstrating right now.
It was not time for him to make a move yet.
Instead, it was time for Fianne to show Frey just what type of martial art his Baekwanggwon was.
Taat.
Once again, Fianne rushed forward and delivered a flurry of blows.
Frey avoided all of these attacks with only minimal movements and blocked the ones that he couldn’t avoid.
‘This is frustrating.’
That was truly how he felt.
Obviously, it was his first time fighting Frey, but it felt like he was fighting against someone who had carefully examined all of his strengths and weaknesses.
No matter how he attacked, it didn’t seem like he would be able to do any damage.
‘It’s like punching a rock.’
Fianne continued his attacks for nearly a full minute.
His body was covered in sweat and he was panting slightly.
“That’s enough.”
“…”
Fianne stopped his attacks.
He didn’t expect that he wouldn’t even be able to land one hit.
Frey looked at Fianne’s expression of indignation and shame before speaking.
“Honor Fianne, you have the skill of a Second Class Magic Warrior or below.”
Fianne was much weaker than Liamson who could be considered to be a peak Second Class Magic Warrior.
Although this level was quite impressive, it was not enough for an executive of a circle.
He should at least be able to be him(Frey) who only learned martial arts in passing.
“…”
Fianne bit his lip fiercely to the point where it became white.
Frey approached him and patted him on the shoulder.
“This wounded your pride.”
“…yes.”
“That’s a good thing. Fianne, never forget the resentment you are feeling right now. Pride is very important for those who walk the path of magic. Others might not understand, but sometimes you will even have to risk your life to defend that pride.”
“There are situations where you would have to put your pride before your life?”
“That’s right. It’s not that hard to imagine. You are prepared to risk your life to defend the honor of the Trowman Rings. The details might be different, but the determination is the same in this context.”
“…I see.”
Fianne nodded as he felt that he understood what Frey was saying.
Then he looked at Frey with a strange gaze.
“Are you a Dragon, Round Frey?”
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s because it doesn’t feel like you are younger than me. They didn’t say it, but I’m sure the circle members and Master Beniang think the same.”
Frey laughed.
“Is it because I helped Master Beniang who is half Dragon?”
“Yes.”
“Your reasoning is amusing, but I am human. I just know a bit more than other people.”
Fianne recalled their previous engagement before asking.
“Is martial arts one of those things?”
“That’s right. Of course, my martial art skills are lackluster. I can barely be considered a Second Class Magic Warrior.”
“Huh? Is that true? I could’ve sworn you were a First Class Magic Warrior…”
It was not unreasonable for Fianne to be mistaken.
However, it was true that Frey’s skills could only pass as a Second Class Magic Warrior.
Nevertheless, it was his eyes and his experience which allowed him to beat Fianne in such an overwhelming manner.
“Anyway. Did you say the name was Baekwanggwon? It seems to be a standard martial art. There are no anomalous attacks and few tricks.”
Fianne smiled bitterly.
“That’s correct. This makes it easy to read, which means that after a few exchanges, someone can recognize the patterns.”
“That’s because of your lackluster skills. A standard isn’t called a standard for nothing. The Baekwanggwon will grow stronger as your level increases. Even a First Class Warrior might not be able to find a flaw in your movement. On the other hand, your attacks will crush your opponent’s guard.”
“Really?”
There was a flash of joy on Fianne’s face.
This was because he was happy that the martial art he practiced was recognized.
“Your martial art would be able to show results regardless of whether your opponent is weaker, stronger, or the same strength as you. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Well…it’s a bit of a headache.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because of the nature of Magic Warriors, there are no shortcuts on your path. You have no choice but to climb the stairs one step at a time.”
It was very different from Beniang who would be able to achieve explosive growth after simply destroying her mana room and correcting a few mistakes.
Fianne nodded to show that he understood.
“Ah…I see.”
“Of course.”
Frey let out a laugh.
“There are ways to help you climb the stairs quickly.”
“…yes?”
“One of my close friends had a method of training for Magic Warriors, if you are able to digest it, you can become a First Class Magic Warrior in three months.”
If you can digest it.
Frey said this again in his head and let out a short laugh.
Unfortunately for Fianne, he failed to notice this.
The image of Beniang’s staggering figure had already disappeared from his mind.
Instead, he looked at Frey with a burning gaze.
“Can you teach it to me?!”
* * *
Basic Physical Strength Enhancement.
Although the name sounded simple, Fianne felt that the name should be changed to ‘Torture of the Twisted Executioner instead.’
Fianne was laying face down on the hard ground.
No, that was wrong.
The truth was that he had collapsed and no longer had the energy to move even one finger.
‘I’ll just pretend to be unconscious…’
Splash-
Cold water landed on his face and Fianne hurriedly got up.
“You’re not even halfway done. How can you be this tired already?”
“Kill…”
“Kill?”
“You might as well kill me…”
Frey smiled and said.
“Stop being a crybaby. Don’t worry. I’ll relieve your muscle pain with my mana. I also picked some nutritious herbs on the way, so you can eat those to recover faster.”
‘I’m not a crybaby!’
Fianne wanted to shout with all his might, but at that moment, he did not dare.