Chương 22: New Skill

Since reaching that conclusion, I began exploring alternative applications for my left eye. As of now, I knew it could read stats, grant night vision, and track high-speed movements. Recalling the moment I "perceived" the flow around Kale, I wondered: was my eye actually seeing that? The only way to know for sure was through direct observation. I needed someone with a substantial mana pool who knew exactly how to wield it. The first person who came to mind was Liam, the swordsmanship instructor.

He was also one of the most accessible experts available to me. Liam was easygoing and approachable. His maximum mana sat at 80 - not exceptionally high, but certainly not low either. When I expressed interest in seeing the ultimate technique he was most proud of, he happily obliged. After all, I had been playing the role of the "eager-to-learn student" quite convincingly.

"Well, my signature move is all about speed, but since your eyesight is top-notch, you should be able to keep up," Liam said, gripping his wooden sword. I widened my eyes, focusing intently. The moment Liam dropped into his starting stance, I saw it—something resembling a luminous current circulating throughout his entire body. As Liam moved, the current accelerated. I strained not to miss a single detail, sensing a distinct rhythm in that flow.

Liam's ultimate technique consisted of six consecutive strikes executed with blistering speed. To an ordinary observer, it looked like a magic trick; his torso and arms barely seemed to change direction, yet they produced multiple distinct slashes upon the straw dummy. But thanks to my left eye, I uncovered the secret. It was all in Liam's wrist. His wrists were incredibly supple, moving significantly faster than the rest of his body.

"So? Did you catch anything?" I replied, "It's your wrist, isn't it, sir?" Liam didn't feel threatened or insulted that his ultimate technique had been seen through. He laughed.

"Exactly. You really do have a sharp set of eyes. But simply seeing it won't get you far. Most opponents fall to my blade because even if they see it, they can't keep up with it." I nodded and made another request.

"Could you show me the starting stance again, sir? I want to observe it more closely." This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Liam dropped back into his ready position, and his mana followed suit, mobilizing instantly. This time, I saw it clearly. His mana moved according to a specific pattern. It started from a single point, circulated once around his body, and returned to the same spot.

In Liam's case, that point—the "core"—was located in his right wrist. I stepped closer, pretending to examine his posture, and then made a seemingly accidental touch right on that spot. In just three short seconds, I had the answer I was looking for.

"I understand now, sir. This technique is a bit beyond me for the time being." Hearing this, Liam sheathed his sword and wiped away his sweat.

"Right you are. Just keep practicing the basics for now. Man, it's hot today, isn't it? I've barely started and I already feel exhausted..." I didn't respond. He didn't feel tired because of the heat; it was because I had just "accidentally" siphoned a significant chunk of mana from him. The moment I touched his wrist, I finally felt it. The flow I had been searching for within my own body. Mana from Liam surged into me like a rushing stream, only stopping when I pulled my hand away.

And I was currently wearing gloves. Siphoning mana without even needing direct skin contact? With my capacity to store limitless amounts of mana, couldn't I turn anyone whose "core" I touched into a mere commoner? A Jullius who can no longer bolster his strength with mana in every swing? An Andrew who can no longer manipulate fire? I felt like I could actually defeat them. Isn't this exactly what people mean when they say:"If you can't rise to someone else's level, drag them down to yours"? I like it.

I can hardly wait for those Hero candidates to return. Exactly one week after their departure, the candidates returned. I remembered from my first isekai life that they had come back brimming with excitement and confidence. Jullius had spent an entire week droning on about the first magical beast he'd slain and how much safer the soldiers felt the moment the candidates arrived to reinforce them. I expected this time to be no different.

But as the group of twenty-one candidates currently studying at Imperia marched through the school gates, I sensed something was off. They still bore the relief and pride of their first victory, yet there was an underlying sense of confusion on their faces that was hard to describe. The entire school had gathered to welcome them back, so few noticed these subtle cues. Most simply assumed they were exhausted from the battlefield. Then, quite suddenly, Iris burst into tears.

With my experience, I'd wager eight or nine times out of ten that it was pure acting; but it certainly served a purpose. Drawn by her sobbing, everyone crowded around to offer comfort. Between sniffles, Iris spoke in a pained voice:"I... I feel so ashamed. I couldn't save everyone." Standing beside her, Jullius clicked his tongue.

"There was nothing to be done in that situation. We're just lucky the one who died wasn't the Princess." The surrounding students were dying of curiosity, shouting questions all at once:"Who was it? Did someone die? Was it one of the candidates?"

"It wasn't a candidate," Andrew reassured them.

"It was an attendant following Princess Claire."