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Paul stared at Allen in astonishment for a while before finally understanding what he was trying to achieve.
"Your self-created secret technique requires you to continuously use the Flow technique to deflect my attacks. But because the Flow technique is inherently a method of redirecting an opponent's force, you can't counterattack while maintaining it."
"And if you try to counterattack with another sword technique midway, you'd have to stop the Flow technique. But then, you might not be able to defend against my follow-up attacks, leading to a situation where even if you land a counter, it'd likely end in mutual damage, right?"
Allen weakly rubbed his temples.
"Exactly... You hit the nail on the head. That's why I didn't use this technique during our previous sparring sessions. It's pointless if it's just about taking hits without being able to counterattack..."
Paul was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"You're a born bodyguard! The nobles in the Asura capital really missed out on a talent like you!"
Allen sighed and rubbed his face.
"So, I was hoping you could give me some inspiration to improve this technique, allowing me to maintain the Flow technique while also effectively counterattacking."
Paul frowned, scratching his chin as he walked over to the tree and pulled his sword out.
"If you maintain the Flow technique, you can't use other techniques to counterattack... But if you use other techniques, the Flow technique has to stop... Hmm... How do we solve this..."
After thinking for a moment, Paul furrowed his brows and said,
"What if you use the Flow technique to completely reflect the opponent's attack back at them? No, that wouldn't work. The Flow technique is essentially about redirecting force like water—it can't perfectly reflect an attack back... What if you maintain the Flow technique and counterattack using just your physical strength? Without using other sword techniques, would that work?"
Allen shook his head.
"I've thought about that too, but without sword techniques, the counterattack wouldn't be fast enough. Against opponents of similar or higher skill, they'd easily dodge it. And if the opponent is weaker, there's no need to use the Flow technique in the first place—I could just cut them down directly. Why bother with the Flow technique for defense?"
Paul scratched his head, looking utterly baffled.
"No wonder you've been so deep in thought while practicing the Sword God style. The Water God style requires way too much consideration... My head's spinning..."
Allen could only sigh in response.
Just then, he felt a slight itch on his cheek. He turned his head and saw Roxy standing beside him, her ahoge poking his face.
Allen blinked at her, about to say something, but Roxy spoke first.
"What about that technique you used when we first met? You said it puts a lot of strain on your body, right? Does that mean the high-speed slashes rely more on physical ability than sword techniques?"
Allen smiled and instinctively replied,
"Twenty Slashes? I've considered that too. It's more about using years of training to develop fixed slashing trajectories, relying on muscle memory rather than sword techniques... But the problem is, my physical stamina only allows for a few slashes. If I'm up against a strong opponent and the fight drags on, using Twenty Slashes continuously would probably exhaust me before I could win. In that case, it'd be better to..."
Allen's voice trailed off until it completely disappeared. He stared at Roxy in shock for a long moment, then his face lit up with realization.
In his excitement, he grabbed Roxy by the waist and lifted her up, spinning her around like a child.
"I've got it! Thank you! You're a godsend! You've helped me so much, in every way!!"
Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone present, Allen—this absolute scoundrel—casually dropped the wide-eyed, flustered Roxy to the ground and immediately turned to practice his Twenty Slashes from various stances.
He was completely focused.
Roxy sat on the ground, her face a mix of embarrassment and confusion as she watched the scoundrel swing his sword. She couldn't find the words to speak.
She was utterly speechless.
——
On the hillside, under a large tree.
"So, Sylphie's overall magic level is only intermediate?"
"Yes, to be precise, she's currently at the beginner-to-intermediate level."
Roxy wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead, speaking with a hint of lingering fear.
"Her control over magic, her mana reserves, and her proficiency with no-chanting all still need improvement."
'If another genius shows up in this village, I don't think I can stay here any longer...'
Rudeus, resting his chin on his hand, couldn't help but chuckle at Roxy's slightly flustered expression.
'Roxy's still the same as ever... a bit scatterbrained and lacking confidence... but that just makes her more endearing. Truly...'
'She's a goddess!'
Out loud, he said,
"Well, Sylphie's only been learning magic for two months. She's still far behind you in every aspect, Teacher. That's probably why Allen wanted her to learn from you."
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Allen suddenly appeared, blood streaming from his nose, panting and pale as he spoke to Rudeus, looking utterly miserable.
"Interrupting for a moment... can you... cast a healing spell on me..."
Rudeus rolled his eyes at him.
"Allen, you're the one who invited our guest, and now you're leaving her to the side. What are you even thinking..."
Before he could finish his complaint, the neglected guest had already acted.
"O loving goddess, like a mother's care, please heal this person's wounds and restore his health. Healing Spell!"
Allen shuddered in relief, giving Roxy a thumbs-up before turning back to his sword practice.
Sylphie, flustered, chased after him, her voice weak as she said,
"Um... Allen... I can cast healing spells too..."
"Your mana reserves are limited... and you've been focusing on attack spells recently, so your chanting isn't very smooth yet... Uh... I'm not saying I don't trust you, but this is just more efficient. Once you learn no-chant healing spells, I'll come to you, okay?"
"T T... Okay."
Sylphie, on the verge of tears, glanced at Roxy, then started counting the number of slashes Allen was performing from various angles. Though his movements were slow, they still generated gusts of wind that lifted and dropped Sylphie's hair.
"121... 122... 123..."
Rudeus sighed and turned to Roxy, who was watching Allen's practice swings with curiosity. True to her nature, she had already gotten over her earlier annoyance, as Allen's single-minded focus on his sword practice made it clear he wasn't ignoring anyone in particular.
Rudeus's gaze shifted from Roxy to Allen and back to Roxy.
'Allen's so rude—he didn't even say thank you... And I don't even know no-chant healing spells, so how would Sylphie? Wait... maybe this is a good thing! If Roxy's only here for a few days and Allen's always busy with his sword practice, that means Roxy's time is all mine, right? Haha, Allen, Allen, Roxy is definitely mine. This time, I won't give you any chance...'
Rudeus couldn't help but grin his signature lecherous grin, only to hear Roxy's hesitant voice.
"...Rudeus, Sylphie, Allen's territory... The entry requirement for his territory is... to kowtow to Sylphie three times? Rudeus... does that mean I have to kowtow to Sylphie now..."
Rudeus's expression froze. He turned his head in shock, only to see Roxy staring at the words carved into the tree beside them, her lips twitching slightly.
"Allen carved that! Go talk to him! It's got nothing to do with me!"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 95 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.