Chapter 656
"The Song of the Wind?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Rimmer.
‘What is the Song of the Wind?’
He had heard stories of the wind carrying scents, but the idea of the wind singing was new to him.
If he had to guess, the name of Rimmer's newly created sword field was the Song of Wind and Lightning, but that didn’t seem directly related.
"As expected, you don’t know."
Rimmer scratched his nose as if he had anticipated this.
"What do you think is the most basic way for a swordsman to use the wind?"
“Enveloping oneself in wind. It enhances both speed and sharpness.”
Raon answered, drawing out the wind energy from his energy center.
Though he rarely used it due to his mastery of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier, swordsmen with wind attributes typically surrounded their bodies and swords with wind to enhance power and speed.
"Exactly."
Rimmer nodded calmly.
“When you envelop your body in wind, it feels so light that you seem weightless, allowing for swift and sharp sword strikes. But that’s not all.”
He gestured with his fingers.
"Create fire and ice above your hands."
"Alright."
Raon nodded and created ice in his left hand and fire in his right.
"The wind is a rather unique attribute."
A blue-tinged wind rose above Rimmer’s fingers.
"It doesn't have an extreme opposite like fire and water. Rather..."
As the wind unraveled from his fingers like threads, the fire and ice in Raon’s hands swelled to twice their size.
“It enhances other attributes.”
"Wasn't it incompatible with the earth attribute?"
Raon tilted his head, looking at the intensely burning fire and ice.
"No. Like fire and ice, the wind can also strengthen earth attribute sword strikes."
Rimmer laughed, saying it was a story made up by people who liked to fit things into formulas.
That statement is true.
Wrath nodded.
Wind can enhance fire, water, and earth. However, it is true that its harmony with earth is a bit lacking. It's better to see it as a complex relationship.
Wrath snorted, finding it amusing that he agreed with Rimmer for once.
“Because wind can enhance fire, water, and earth, it’s also easy to suppress all three attributes.”
As the blue light flickered on Rimmer’s fingers, the surrounding wind vanished. In the windless zone that formed, the fire and ice began to subside.
“So this is the Song of the Wind….”
“No, this is just the basic stage.”
He snapped his fingers, and the flickering embers soared into a giant fire that reached the sky.
“This is…”
“You’ve heard the Song of the Wind.”
Rimmer pointed to his pointed ears.
“Each wind sings its unique song. Some winds can fuel fire, some can deepen ice, and some can make a sword’s edge sharper than steel.”
He laughed, saying that each wind had its strengths and weaknesses.
“My sword field, ‘Eye of the Storm,’ summons a wind with a sharp nature to surround my blade.”
Rimmer indicated that he used this sharp wind instead of his aura.
“I see…”
Raon licked his lips, looking at the mountain of fire burning in his hand.
‘Now I understand.’
Until now, he thought wind was just wind. But hearing Rimmer’s explanation, he realized that each wind had its own nature, and depending on that nature, it could enhance fire, sharpen a sword, or deepen ice.
“I understand what you’re saying. But…”
Raon shook his head as he met Rimmer’s calm gaze.
“I can’t sense the differences in the wind.”
He could see the results, but he couldn't tell which wind had which strengths.
“That’s natural. You’re human, and your affinity with wind isn’t that high.”
Rimmer nodded as if it were obvious.
“Then why mention the Song of the Wind….”
“Because I can help you hear it.”
Rimmer raised his long fingers.
“I’ll teach you my aura cultivation technique.”
“What?”
Raon’s eyes widened as he looked at Rimmer.
‘What is he saying?’
Rimmer’s aura cultivation technique wasn’t from Zieghart but from Seipia.
It made no sense that he would teach an outsider such a secret technique.
“My aura cultivation technique not only accumulates aura but also increases affinity with wind, allowing you to hear the Song of the Wind.”
“That’s not the issue. Is it okay to teach me Seipia’s cultivation technique?”
“Hmm, normally it wouldn’t be, but there’s no one around, right?”
Rimmer grinned, saying there were no guardians or protector here. It was hard to understand his way of thinking.
“My aura cultivation technique is called Garunua. It means the Song of the Wind. Let’s begin.”
“Wait, hold on!”
"The cry that the wind draws..."
Before Raon could stop him, Rimmer closed his eyes and began reciting the cultivation technique’s incantation.
‘What is this!’
Raon blinked in bewilderment but started to memorize the incantation Rimmer was chanting.
* * *
After reciting the entire incantation and method of Garunua, Rimmer slowly opened his eyes.
Raon, lost in thought, was fully immersed in the Garunua technique.
‘He’s gone into a trance again?’
Rimmer couldn’t help but chuckle. Most people might enter such a state once in their life, if ever, but Raon seemed to visit it as casually as one would go to the bathroom. It couldn’t be called mere luck anymore.
Rimmer stood guard, wearing a faint smile.
'It's a good thing I memorized it beforehand.'
Even if you understand something with your body and mind, expressing it verbally is a different matter. Practicing in advance had helped him draw out Raon’s focus to the end.
Rimmer waved his hand to the swordsmen of the Light Wind who were watching from a distance. They nodded and quietly left the training ground.
Looking back at Raon, Rimmer licked his lips.
'You ask if it's okay to give Garunua to an outsider?'
Who else would I give it to if not you?
As Raon had pointed out, Garunua was a secret technique meant to be passed down within Seipia alone.
"It is a martial art given only to the elf who will become the leader of the guardians, but Rimmer had no hesitation in giving it to Raon. Even if he told his grandfather, the current protector, he wouldn’t get scolded.
Hoo.
Raon’s breathing became rough, then steady again, repeating the cycle. The wind around him pulsed along with his breath.
By the time the sun had set and the moon had risen, the wind surrounding the training ground seemed to be drawn into Raon.
“Huh?”
Rimmer sensed the swirling wind and widened his eyes.
‘No way….’
It seemed Raon was trying to learn Garunua just by hearing the incantation and method. He could feel green wind gathering inside Raon’s energy center.
‘This crazy bastard!’
Even if he was in a trance, it was insane to try learning Garunua immediately.
However, Raon’s absurd talent was producing the vibrant wind of Garunua in less than a day.
Boom!
The wind, drawn into Raon’s pores, pierced his energy center, causing a massive explosion. Normally, it would have caused significant damage, but the already established fire and ice seemed to mitigate the impact of the wind.
“Hoo….”
Raon exhaled a calm breath and opened his eyes. Green wind flickered in his red eyes.
“Wow….”
Rimmer let out a breath.
“You learned it?”
“Yes. Somehow.”
Raon nodded calmly.
“This is insane. Truly.”
“I didn’t intend to learn it from the start. As I was adapting Garunua’s structure to suit a human body, I got deeply focused….”
He scratched the back of his head, saying he inadvertently fell into a trance.
“You’re seriously incredible. Just incredible.”
Despite saying he was overwhelmed, Rimmer smiled brightly and brushed his hair back.
“So, do you feel it?”
“I can’t hear the Song of the Wind yet. But…”
Raon looked blankly into the air, touching his fingertips.
“I can slightly sense that each wind has a different color.”
“Good. That’s enough.”
Rimmer nodded cheerfully. Sensing the color of the wind meant his affinity with it had increased.
Although it was just the beginning, not even reaching the first level, it seemed Raon had properly mastered Garunua.
“But is it really okay for me to learn Garunua?”
“Hmm….”
Rimmer blinked blankly before breaking into a sly smile.
"I don't know either."
"......"
* * *
Raon closed his eyes tightly.
'I shouldn't have trusted that elf!'
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and regret started to seep in.
"It was a joke, a joke. Even if my grandpa finds out, he won't say much. Don't worry."
Rimmer waved his hand dismissively. Honestly, Raon didn't believe that either, but it brought a bit of comfort.
"And now isn't the time to think about that, is it? You've got some inspiration now, right?"
He smiled as if he could read Raon's mind.
"Yes, I do."
Raon nodded, looking at the wind swirling around Rimmer.
'I definitely feel inspired.'
Perhaps because he had learned Garunua and seen a new world, he could envision a path for his own growth and inspiration for creating the Light Wind division's martial arts.
"I'm thinking of summoning a powerful yet brilliant wind, fitting for the name Wind."
"Hmm..."
Rimmer stroked his chin, nodding as if he understood.
"Good. Try it. Even if you fail, you'll learn something."
"Vice division leader, you're acting a bit strange today. Or rather, you've been acting strange lately."
Raon narrowed his eyes, observing Rimmer, who was giving him so much advice.
"What do you mean?"
"You're too kind. Normally, you'd be off at the gambling den and wouldn't show your face for a while."
"Today's a holiday at the gambling den."
"The gambling den has holidays?"
"They're doing some internal renovations."
"Ha..."
Raon sighed and furrowed his brow. He had suspected, but now it was confirmed.
"But you, Raon."
Rimmer casually rotated his shoulder and then lay down on the platform as usual.
"There's a reason why you suddenly decided to create a martial art for the Light Wind division, isn't there?"
"Huh? What do you mean...?"
"Is it because of Kusan the commander of Koman Knights and the Thunder Hammer Barpil, whom you met in the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb?"
His green eyes gleamed with a serious light.
"......"
Raon trembled slightly at his fingertips. Rimmer's words were spot on.
Kusan and Barpil died fighting with the same purpose as him. They even sacrificed their lives to save him.
It was the first time in this life that he saw the death of someone who could be considered a comrade, which brought forth ominous thoughts.
If things had gone a little differently, he would have died, or the Light Wind swordsmen would have died. He didn't want to see anyone around him die.
He had made up his mind to create a new martial art with the hope that even if he died, those left behind would survive.
"Yeah. I knew you'd be like that."
Rimmer nodded calmly as if he had read all of Raon's thoughts. The playful glint in his eyes had turned into a solemn light.
"Raon, everyone dies."
A chilling energy flowed with his gesture.
"I will, you will, and the Light Wind members are no exception. It would be nice if we could stay like this forever, but eventually, someone will die."
"...I understand."
Raon lowered his gaze and bit his lip.
"Striving to delay that day is good. But you shouldn't fear the approaching death. You're the leader of the Light Wind division."
Rimmer patted his shoulder, insisting he accept it. His touch was heavy, but it was warmer than ever.
The heart that had been tense and anxious began to relax gently.
"Why are you acting like this today? It's not like you."
Raon squinted at Rimmer.
"Sometimes, I have to play the role of a teacher." (master)
Rimmer grinned as he stood up.
"Do you know the saying 'Don't step on the shadow of your teacher'?"
"Of course, I do."
Raon nodded. He had stepped on, no, even beaten Rimmer before. Suddenly, he felt apologetic when Rimmer brought it up.
"I've stepped on it countless times. If that's what you're talking about..."
"I don't really like that saying."
"Huh?"
"Not stepping on the shadow shows respect for the teacher, but it also means there's a distance between them."
Rimmer chuckled and shook his head.
"Not just you, but all of you can step on my shadow as much as you want, just don't fall behind."
He gave a faint smile as he stood up.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Rimmer turned back as he was about to leave the platform.
"If someone comes to you and hesitates without saying anything, just make up one helpful piece of information or mention some good deed that you haven't revealed."
"What do you mean by that?"
Raon blinked, not understanding.
"Just do it!"
Rimmer waved his hands wildly and left the darkened training ground.
"What's gotten into him?"
Raon blinked, watching Rimmer leave.
I got it!
Wrath snapped his round fingers.
That shitty ears must be hallucinating because he's lost all his money!
'...Maybe?'
* * *
Raon left the training ground and headed toward the annex building.
'It's amazing.'
After learning Garunua, he could feel the texture of the wind. He hadn't realized that something he thought of as just wind could have so many facets.
'Wrapping myself in the wind has become much easier.'
Until now, the amount of wind energy itself was so small that it was only used to strengthen the cold and the heat.
But if he continued to master Garunua, he felt he could fight using just the wind.
'Combining the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts with Garunua. I can create quite a decent martial art.'
He smiled in satisfaction as he looked at the garden of the annex building.
It was late, so the maids and Killuan were nowhere to be seen, but the soil in the garden was quite packed.
'It should be fine in about a month.'
After checking the state of the garden, he was about to head to Sylvia's room when he noticed someone standing by the garden's lake.
'Is that... Ah!'
Focusing his gaze, he saw the blond hair blowing in the wind and the black cloak. It was Glenn.
'Why is he here?'
Raon swallowed dryly and approached Glenn.
"I greet the lord."
"Hmm..."
Glenn nodded briefly without turning around.
"What brings you to the annex building?"
"I heard it was severely damaged, so I came by while on a walk."
"I see."
Raon nodded and looked at Glenn's back.
'Huh? What is this?'
Why isn't he saying anything?
Glenn remained silent, staring at the lake. It was strange for someone who came to check the annex building to focus solely on the lake.
What is that old man doing?
Wrath squinted his eyes.
'I don't know either.'
Then just leave him! Let's go see mom and get something to eat! I'm starving!
'Again, she’s not your mom...'
Raon dismissed Wrath's nonsense and looked back at Glenn.
'What is he thinking... Ah!'
As he pondered Glenn's strange behavior, Rimmer's words came to mind.
[If someone comes to you and hesitates without saying anything, just make up one helpful piece of information or mention some good deed that you haven't revealed.]
Even without those words, there was something Raon needed to tell Glenn.
"My lord, there is something I need to inform you about."
"Hmm."
Glenn nodded as if to tell him to continue.
"I have heard that the Five Demons is gathering forces in seclusion. It can't be for any good reason."
Raon relayed the information he heard from Merlin earlier, slightly adjusted.
"Where did you hear this information?"
"From my external informant."
Raon lowered his gaze, thinking of the cat Merlin had posessed.
"Considering that Eden and the South-North Union didn't show up at the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb, and the other three factions haven't posed additional threats, I think the credibility is quite high. How about strengthening the defenses of the entire Zieghart territory..."
"That's similar to what the Shadow Agents suggested."
Glenn nodded, saying that Shadow Agents' leader, Chad, had mentioned the same thing.
"I came without any particular thoughts, but I gained valuable information."
"It's nothing, my lord."
"Proper rewards should follow proper information, right?"
"Excuse me?"
Glenn didn't answer the question and snapped his fingers. A long dimensional rift opened in the air, and several martial arts books fell out.
"They're yours."
"Uh..."
Raon blinked in a daze at the stack of books in front of him.
'What's going on today?'
