Chapter 120: Perception
He leaned back slightly.
"I’ll give you a tip."
There was no fake smile on his face this time.
Only calm confidence.
Meanwhile
Luna walked down the hallway, still in disbelief.
She stopped in front of a door.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," a voice responded.
She opened the door.
Inside was Michael.
"I’m done reporting," Luna said.
Michael nodded.
"Good."
He looked at her sharply.
"What did you notice?"
"...Rowan," he added.
Luna exhaled slowly.
"That boy"
She paused.
"He told me to test him"
Her expression hardened.
"But what I saw"
She clenched her fist slightly.
"He moved faster than my eyes could follow"
Michael’s expression changed instantly.
"...Explain."
Luna nodded and began recounting everything.
From the aura
To the moment the sword vanished
To the ceiling
By the time she finished
Michael slammed his hand on the desk.
"Just what the hell"
He stood up abruptly.
"Are you trying to say"
"...that boy might be moving at the speed of light"
Luna shook her head immediately.
"No"
"If it were just that I would’ve noticed"
Her voice turned serious.
"I’m a Sword Master"
"Even if it’s difficult I can still perceive movements at that level"
She looked directly at him.
"But this"
"...was different"
Michael narrowed his eyes.
"...Different how"
Luna’s voice dropped.
"I didn’t see him move"
"I didn’t feel any mana fluctuation"
"I didn’t even sense displacement"
She paused.
"It was as if"
"...he never moved at all"
Silence filled the room.
Michael’s expression slowly darkened.
"...That’s impossible"
Luna shook her head again.
"I thought so too"
"But I was right there"
"When I came close"
"I still couldn’t tell what happened"
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"That kind of speed"
"...is beyond anything I understand"
She looked at Michael.
"...And that’s what makes it terrifying"
"Do you think he’ll be able to win" Luna asked, voice low, more to herself than to anyone else.
"Win the tournament" Michael replied. "It’s hard to say. If his speed stays like that he could be on par with the elite"
Luna frowned. "But strength he’s young. Even if he moves that fast, his raw power isn’t enough to go toe-to-toe with them. Maybe speed can cover some of it, but"
Michael shook his head. "I saw it for myself. Without mana control, even on pure reflex, he’s faster than me. Not that I can’t keep up, but with proper training, with full control of his mana, he could surpass anyone"
Luna’s eyes widened. "His father may have passed on talent, sure, but it can’t be just that. Something about this boy, he’s different. If he grows, devotes himself to training, he could become the strongest"
Michael’s voice turned firm. "I’m certain of it"
Meanwhile, Rowan was walking back to the dorm with Neville, the early afternoon sun casting long shadows across the school grounds.
"Should I call you Master now, since you’re going to be training me" Neville asked, a half-smile on his face.
"Don’t," Rowan replied with a casual shrug.
"Sure," Neville said, falling into step beside him as they walked toward the back of the school, where the dorms were quiet.
"This is going to be short for now," Rowan said. "We still have to go back to class. The others are still finishing their tests"
Neville nodded. "Right. So tell me. How do you move that fast? Or even keep your mana stable? Honestly, I want to participate in the tournament, but I feel weak. I’m not on the level of Kili or Kori, they’re both Sword Lords, and there are only going to be five participants. Valkyria, Darrell, Jimmy, they’ll all be there. I’m not sure I’ll even be picked"
Rowan stopped and looked at him. "Don’t overthink it. I can give you a quick boost, teach you what to do. Not in months, let’s say two days. I can make you strong enough to match them"
Neville’s eyes widened. "Two days"
Rowan nodded. "But there’s a catch. This training, it’s going to strain your body. Physically weak bodies will struggle. Pain is inevitable, and your nerves will be tested. Even if you push for a week, it won’t be enough"
Neville’s jaw tightened. "I understand. Whatever it takes, the strain, the pain, it’s fine. Tell me, how do I make my mana stable? The way you used it, it made you fast"
Rowan smiled faintly. "I gave the class a tip on stabilizing mana earlier. I’ll show you properly. You follow my instructions exactly, and you’ll keep your speed without losing control"
Neville exhaled, determination flashing in his eyes. "I’ll do whatever it takes"
Rowan looked ahead, already planning the two days of grueling training that would push Neville to his limits and maybe push himself as well.
Rowan gave Neville a firm nod. "First, stretch both legs and hold the position," he instructed.
Neville struggled but followed, his muscles straining.
"Now, stretch both arms forward," Rowan continued.
Neville did as told, wincing. "Wow, you talk like this all the time. Like you’re some grown-up or something. Not just now, every time you talk, it’s insanely macho," Neville muttered.
"Don’t talk," Rowan said, his tone sharp. "Just focus. Close your eyes. Stay in this position, it’s the best way to start practicing"
Neville closed his eyes, his face set in determination.
"Now," Rowan said, "imagine the flow of life in the air, your mana. Mana is everywhere. Feel it around you. Imagine its deep green color, visualize it flowing around your body. Heighten your senses. Feel the butterfly land on the flower. Be completely calm. Focus"
Neville breathed deeply, following Rowan’s instructions. He wobbled, muscles trembling, before finally collapsing onto the ground.
"Ah" Neville groaned. "I tried, it’s not easy to hold this position. It’s really hard"
Rowan exhaled, his eyes narrowing. "Ah, this is going to be harder than I thought," he muttered to himself, already calculating the next steps of Neville’s grueling training.
After about two hours of training, Neville’s head was dripping with sweat.