Chapter 1156
"Wait... what?"
"Huh?"
As Glenn strode past Raon, giving him no more attention than a stranger on the street, the surrounding martial artists gasped in disbelief.
"Is the Light Wind Palace Master not being included?"
"That’s strange. Normally, Lord Raon’s name would follow right after the Blade Queen."
"Usually, the Light Wind Palace Master is the very first one he addresses."
"Do you think his memory slipped?"
"The Great Head of House wouldn't make a mistake like that..."
The warriors exchanged confused glances, their eyes darting back and forth, holding onto the hope that Glenn simply wasn't finished with his declarations.
"The primary asset of the Central Martial Palace is his keen perception and his level-headedness when pinpointing a foe's vulnerability. His adherence to traditional blade styles, which strike with pure spiritual intent, proves potent even against elite adversaries. However, his glaring flaw is an overabundance of hesitation."
Having called out Karoon, Glenn began a detailed breakdown of the man’s combat profile.
"I see."
Karoon, who had been observing Raon, instantly snapped his focus toward Glenn the moment the critique started.
"Prudence can be a virtue, but in a clash between Transcendents where a heartbeat decides the victor, it can result in a fatal loss of momentum. From this point forward, endeavor to fight with the fire in your soul rather than the logic in your mind."
Glenn's counsel to the ever-stoic Karoon was an invitation to let the heat of passion override his analytical nature.
"I shall take your words to heart."
Karoon bowed with deep reverence, signaling his total commitment to Glenn’s direction.
'This is odd...'
Raon tilted his head slightly, watching as Glenn offered further guidance to Karoon.
'He definitely noticed me, didn't he?'
It wasn't just a passing glance; their eyes had met directly. Despite that, Glenn hadn't uttered his name, offered a single critique, or even acknowledged his presence, choosing instead to walk right by.
'For what reason?'
Even if Raon hadn't revealed his full hand during the bout with the Blade Queen, a master like Glenn would have easily seen through to his core capabilities and flaws. He couldn't fathom why Glenn would suppress that insight and ignore him entirely.
-He’s likely just sick of looking at your face every single day.
Wrath bobbed his head, pretending to sympathize with Glenn’s supposed exhaustion.
-He obviously wants you to stumble around and figure it out yourself.
The small entity smirked, clearly delighting in the prospect of Raon’s upcoming frustration.
'He’ll probably pull me aside later.'
Recalling how Glenn often saved his name for last during award ceremonies in the great hall or when tallying military honors, Raon remained calm. He assumed this was just another instance of that habit. When he didn't protest, the others relaxed as well, turning their concentration back to Glenn’s lecture.
"Warlord Yuber. Your integration of high-level sword theory into your high-impact destructive styles was exceptionally well-executed."
With Karoon’s assessment finished, Glenn turned his critical eye toward the Warlord.
“Unlike the Blade Queen, you handle the sword with the raw force of a heavy blade. It is evident that the two of you have shaped each other’s path in the martial arts.”
He gave a small nod, acknowledging the mutual growth sparked by the rivalry between the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
"That is accurate. We were at each other's throats almost daily."
"I have every one of his forms etched into my memory, even if I don't know his inner secrets."
The Blade Queen and the Warlord exchanged thin smiles, clearly finding a sense of pride in Glenn’s recognition.
"Your shortcoming is also shared. Your execution is far too guarded for the nature of your weapons. Much like Karoon, I want you to rely on raw reflex and instinct throughout this training cycle."
After delivering a similar mandate to the Warlord, Glenn moved down the line.
"Me! Father, what about me?"
Alice's hand shot up instantly, clearly unwilling to be bypassed the way Raon had been.
"Alice. You..."
Glenn gazed at Alice and released a heavy, weary breath.
"That blunt temperament of yours serves as both your greatest weapon and your heaviest chain. Your technique is already polished to a near-perfect sheen. If you can cultivate the wisdom to know when to strike and when to hold back, your achievements will dwarf your current standing."
He opted to address Alice’s psychological makeup rather than her physical movements.
"And how am I supposed to learn that distinction?"
Alice cocked her head, puzzled by the abstract concept of tactical patience.
"In the drills to come, you will be forced to learn the art of restraint."
In a departure from his advice to Karoon or the Warlord, Glenn ordered Alice to chain her impulsive spirit.
"Next, Balder Zieghart."
Glenn summoned Balder with a sigh that seemed even more exhausted than the last.
"Present!"
Balder surged to his feet, his voice booming with enough force to make the very ground of the training area tremble.
"You are a simpleton, so continue to exist as one. Moving on..."
Glenn tossed those words over his shoulder and didn't slow down.
"...Wait, what? Hey! Father!"
Balder stood there blinking in confusion before shouting after him, but Glenn didn't offer a second look.
"Burren Zieghart. Your greatest asset is your meticulous technique. Your style, which blends natural gift with grueling practice, is a formidable barrier for anyone in your rank. However, like Karoon, you lack the spark of spontaneity. You possess immense ceiling; try to unlock a more instinctive approach to your blade."
Glenn suggested that Burren explore the realm of intuitive combat and flicked a training manual toward him.
"Oh, yes, sir!"
Burren caught the volume with shaking hands, cradling it as if it were a holy relic.
"Martha Zieghart. Your tenacity after the White Blood War is commendable, and your dedication is clear, but you are pushing too hard. Your posture is rigid with tension. You must dial back the physical repetition and find some mental breathing room."
Glenn threw several texts toward Martha, instructing her to focus on study and reflection.
"Understood..."
Martha’s shoulders slumped, her voice sounding uncharacteristically hollow after receiving such unexpected feedback.
"Runaan Sullion."
Glenn turned his attention to Runaan, who stood beside Martha with her eyelids heavy.
"Yes..."
Runaan gave a tiny nod, her eyes barely cracked open.
"I’ve received reports that you’ve been doing little but sleeping on these grounds lately, yet your progress has inexplicably accelerated."
Glenn exhaled, appearing genuinely intrigued by the phenomenon.
"Given that your technique, physical conditioning, and even your elemental resonance have all intensified, you should attempt to manifest a sword domain, similar to Rimmer."
He stroked his chin, proposing that Runaan aim for the pinnacle of spatial mastery.
"Okay..."
Runaan bowed to Glenn and let her eyes slip shut once more. Though she looked indifferent, her pulse was racing far too fast for her to actually drift off.
'It's true...'
Raon nodded to himself while observing Runaan, who appeared to have returned to her slumber.
'She has undergone a massive transformation.'
Perhaps because of her synergy with Sloth, Runaan hadn't just boosted her internal energy and physical frame; her affinity for frost had reached a new level. Just as Glenn noted, if she set her sights on a sword domain, she truly had a chance.
-The King of Essence agrees!
Wrath chimed in, confident that the "ice cream girl" was capable of the feat.
"And now, for the rest..."
Glenn proceeded to break down the capabilities and flaws of every single warrior present, providing tailored paths for their advancement.
"...Sylvia Zieghart and Sia Zieghart. Both of you exhibit the kind of overwhelming brilliance that makes it obvious why the Light Wind Palace Master recruited you. Yet, you are green. My command for both of you is identical: you must engage in a duel with every single martial artist here at least once."
Glenn concluded his individual assessments with Sylvia and Sia. It was a staggering display of observation; he had prepared specific guidance for dozens of people based on a single session of sparring.
"That concludes our first day. The grounds will remain open at all hours; feel free to practice on your own if you wish."
Glenn gestured as if the true ordeal would commence the following morning, then began to descend from the speaker's dais.
"Grandfather!"
Sia raised her hand high and hurried toward him.
"You forgot to say anything to Raon!"
She tugged at Glenn’s sleeve, pleading for him to offer some words of encouragement to her younger brother.
"Ahem!"
At Sia’s touch, Glenn’s face flushed slightly, though he maintained his stern facade, clearing his throat before shifting his gaze toward Raon.
"Hmm."
Raon felt his throat go dry as he locked eyes with the patriarch.
"I have no words for the Light Wind Palace Master."
Glenn stared at Raon for a heartbeat before shaking his head. He turned and walked toward the training ground's gates as if he truly had nothing to offer, ignoring even Sia's persistence.
"Father!"
Balder charged toward Glenn, his eyes wide with indignation.
"You really only called me a fool?"
"You are a fool, are you not? Then live as one."
Glenn tilted his head, acting as if the statement was self-explanatory.
"I mean, I know I'm a fool, but I came here for actual advice!"
Balder scowled, unable to accept that being called a name and dismissed counted as instruction.
"That was the advice. Exist as a fool."
Glenn gave a small nod, suggesting he should ponder those words, and then stepped out of the Lord's Manor.
"That... that stubborn old man!"
Balder stood frozen for a second, but the moment Glenn was out of sight, he began stomping the dirt and shadow-boxing the air in a fit of rage.
'Actually, that is advice.'
Raon watched Balder’s tantrum with narrowed eyes.
'For Balder, it’s better to train with the simple mind of a fool.'
Balder was currently standing at the precipice of Transcendence. If he began to overcomplicate his path, he would only lose his way. It was far more effective for him to keep battering against his limits with the raw, unthinking force he was known for.
'If that's the case...'
Raon’s brow furrowed as his grip tightened on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive, the leather creaking under the pressure.
'Then what am I supposed to be doing?'
Starting the following day, the formal training of the swordsmen commenced under Glenn’s direct supervision.
"Martha. You aren't fully inhabiting your technique. Stop obsessing over raw speed and find your center."
Glenn observed Martha as she practiced the forms from her new manual and immediately pinpointed the missing link in her execution.
"No. Instinctive combat relies on the gut, not the brain. Guide your blade with your spirit."
He also clarified the path of sensory-based martial arts for Burren, who was training just a few paces away.
"The Blade Queen and Alice will engage in a duel now."
After setting Martha and Burren on their paths, Glenn summoned the two women.
"Understood!"
"Finally!"
"However, you are only permitted to execute a technique once every ten seconds."
At those words, the excited expressions on the Blade Queen and Alice vanished, replaced by looks of utter misery.
"Karoon and the Warlord will begin their own duel alongside them. For you two, shut off your minds. Simply unleash your arts upon one another without pause."
By contrast, Glenn imposed conditions that forced Karoon and the Warlord to abandon logic and sink into their reflexes.
"Dorian. Your pace of growth is quite impressive. It is time for you to diversify your style."
He handed out additional techniques to those showing rapid development, widening their potential.
"Runaan. I am aware you gain strength even in your dreams, but it is time to open your eyes and swing. The physical feedback of the body in motion is essential."
"Balder. I told you to be a fool. I did not tell you to be an idiot."
"Krein. With such sloppy execution, you won't even be able to catch Dorian's shadow, let alone surpass him."
Even while juggling the entire group, Glenn was able to instantly spot anyone who was losing focus or straying from their intended path. It was clear his awareness blanketed every corner of the massive training yard.
"Aaaargh!"
"This is brutal!"
"I think... I'm dying..."
After a grueling session that stretched from the first light of dawn through the noon hour, the warriors were finally granted a lunch break. Most of them simply collapsed where they stood.
"It's hellish, but don't you feel... different?"
"Yeah. Just by listening to the Head of House, my entire approach to the sword is shifting!"
"It's not just the sword. My internal energy and physical strength are surging. I feel like I've smashed through a wall I've been stuck at for months."
"It's everyone. Look around."
"You're right. I heard even masters like the Blade Queen and the Warlord are seeing breakthroughs."
"There's a reason he's the Continent's Best Sword. We're lucky the Destructive King of the North is our patriarch."
"I can't even imagine how strong we'll be by the time this is over."
The swordsmen shared exhausted laughs, feeling as though a single week of this training had yielded the results of an entire year.
"But..."
Dorian stopped laughing and glanced toward the figure standing in isolation at the far right edge of the field.
"Is the Palace Master going to be okay?"
He bit his lip as he watched Raon, who was drenched in sweat, relentlessly swinging his blade.
"Oh, shut up!"
Krein gave the back of Dorian's head a playful smack.
"Don't you know who we're talking about? That's our Palace Master. He's the kind of guy who would crawl back from the grave just to finish a set!"
He waved off the concern, insisting that Raon didn't need their pity.
"..."
Unlike Krein, Burren, Martha, and Runaan remained silent, their eyes cast downward as they watched Raon.
"..."
Raon pressed his dry, cracked lips together, his breathing coming in heavy, jagged bursts. He seemed entirely deaf to the chatter of Dorian and Krein.
'What exactly am I supposed to be doing?'
