Chapter 178: A Question of Wind
Lyra noticed it clearly.
Arthur was improving right in front of her eyes.
The reinforcement around his body became smoother.
His reactions became quicker.
The adaptive density reacted faster.
She had spent weeks refining that part when she first created the technique.
But Arthur was doing it in minutes.
She clicked her tongue softly.
"What a monster."
Arthur heard her.
"Did you just compliment me?"
Lyra threw another punch.
Arthur blocked.
"Don’t get cocky."
Arthur grinned.
"Too late."
They clashed again.
Arthur took another hit to the shoulder but the mana layer softened it.
He answered with a quick counter that forced Lyra to step aside.
She laughed quietly.
"Not bad."
Arthur wiped sweat from his forehead.
"You’re still faster though."
Lyra shrugged.
"I’ve had years of practice."
Arthur nodded.
"Fair."
They circled each other for a moment.
Then Lyra spoke while watching him closely.
"Different people develop different effects with this technique."
Arthur tilted his head.
"Oh?"
Lyra stepped forward slowly.
"You already showed two."
Arthur blinked.
"Really?"
"Physical reinforcement," she said. "And adaptive density."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"Makes sense."
Lyra continued.
"There may be more later. It depends on the person."
Arthur rubbed his chin.
"Now I’m curious."
Lyra smiled slightly.
"You should be."
She paused before adding,
"Ryn is another example."
Arthur immediately remembered the captain.
"The way he moves in battle?"
Lyra nodded.
"He always seems ahead of the fight."
Arthur smiled.
"I noticed that."
"I believe this technique enhances his natural sensitivity," she explained. "Even I can’t fully explain how it works."
Arthur laughed.
"So everyone gets their own version."
"Something like that."
They exchanged a few more strikes while talking.
Arthur’s movements were noticeably smoother now.
Lyra noticed the change.
He’s adapting fast.
Finally she stepped back and raised her hand.
"Enough."
Arthur stopped immediately.
He took a deep breath.
"That was fun."
Lyra looked at him for a moment.
"You improved a lot in a short time."
Arthur shrugged.
"Good teacher."
Lyra shook her head slightly.
"Good student."
Making Arthur smile as he appreciated.
The skill was new.
But he could already feel how useful it would become.
The spar had come to an end.
Arthur stood there for a moment catching his breath while the last traces of mana faded from his skin. The thin layer of Intent Skin slowly dissolved and the strange lightness he had been feeling disappeared with it.
He stretched his shoulders.
"Man... that was something."
Commander Lyra was already walking toward the side of the hall.
"You did well," she said calmly. "But don’t get used to surviving my punches so easily."
Arthur chuckled.
"I’ll take surviving as a win for today."
Lyra gave a small shake of her head but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
The training hall felt quiet again.
Arthur grabbed his shirt from the ground and pulled it back on. His body still buzzed slightly from the fight. It was the good kind of fatigue though. The type that made him feel alive.
Intent Skin...
He still couldn’t get over how useful the skill felt.
It wasn’t just defense. His whole body had moved better during the spar. Stronger. Faster. More stable.
Arthur smiled to himself.
That skill is going to change a lot.
He glanced once more at the commander who was already reviewing something in her mind. Probably replaying the spar.
Arthur rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well... I guess that’s it for today."
Lyra nodded.
"Yes. You’re dismissed."
Arthur didn’t argue.
He turned and started walking toward the exit. The large doors of the private training hall were already glowing faintly with the light of the evening outside.
There was still some time left before night.
Arthur pushed the door open and stepped halfway through.
Then he stopped.
"...Hmm."
He stood there for a second thinking.
Should I ask?
He almost walked away.
Then he sighed.
Ah screw it.
Arthur turned around.
Lyra noticed immediately.
"You forgot something?"
Arthur scratched his cheek and walked back toward her.
"Actually... yeah. Kind of."
She waited.
Arthur looked directly at her.
"Commander... do you know if there’s something like the fire seed core?"
Lyra’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"But for wind."
The moment he said it, she already understood.
As Arthur saw the realization in her eyes.
She studied him quietly for a moment. Not suspicious, just measuring his seriousness.
Arthur didn’t look away.
His expression was calm but focused.
Lyra sighed softly.
"I thought that might be where your mind was going."
Arthur shrugged.
"Worth asking."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"You already gained the fire element. I can see how much control of it you have, despite not awakeningit from the beginning."
Arthur nodded.
The fire seed had definitely worked.
"But don’t get ahead of yourself," she continued.
Arthur raised a brow.
"I’m listening."
Lyra spoke slowly.
"Wind is not the same as fire."
Arthur waited for her to explain.
"Wind affinity is delicate," she said. "It’s harder to stabilize and harder to awaken naturally."
Arthur leaned against a nearby pillar while listening.
"And there’s another problem."
"What’s that?"
Lyra’s expression grew more serious.
"Very few people in this world carry more than one element."
Arthur nodded slowly.
He had heard that before.
"Most awaken with one element and stay that way," she continued. "Trying to force another one can destabilize your mana."
Arthur understood what she meant.
Mana compatibility.
Elemental conflict.
Plenty of ways for things to go wrong.
Lyra looked directly at him.
"And you didn’t even have an element originally."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
"So chasing another one now..." she said quietly.
"...is unrealistic."
Arthur stayed silent for a moment.
Then he shrugged.
"I get what you’re saying."
Lyra waited for the rest.
Arthur straightened.
"But I know what I’m doing."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Arthur raised both hands casually.
"I’m not trying to blow myself up or anything."
Lyra almost laughed at that.
"Good to know."
Arthur continued.
"I’m not forcing anything. Just testing the possibility."