Chapter 5 Part 3
After the subjugation of the Orcs, the daily routine for Marvin seemed to have changed. To be exact, his relationship with Luke was what had changed. For the 2 people who had lived together in the same house, yet never saw each other, were now seeing each other face to face at least once a day.
Marvin was currently on his way to Luke’s secret spot within the forest.
Although he had a displeased expression, because he had to go visit Luke, Marvin did not reject the idea of it.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
Having reached his destination, Marvin was surprised to notice a fire burning and smoke rising into the air. However, he soon realized that it was a campfire and released a breath of relief.
Sitting in front of the campfire, Luke had his hands out and his eyes closed. As if responding to Marvin’s shout, Luke flipped over his hands and released the breath that he had been holding in for a while. As he did, something amazing happened.
Hwaaaaaaaaaaaak!
The fire suddenly grew by two folds and the tip grew long, as it rushed towards Luke. As soon as Marvin decided to rush forward in surprise, Luke opened his eyes and swung his arm.
Hoooooooooo!
Suddenly, the fire that had been rushing towards Luke followed the movement of his arm, drew a circle in the air and disappeared. Returning his arm back to its original position, Luke evened out his breathing and the campfire went back to its original state.
Luke smiled and muttered to himself.
“Sigh, I can finally control it somewhat.”
“What is that?”
Marvin asked dumbfoundedly. Judging from what had happened moments before, it seemed like Luke was controlling the fire’s movements.
Luke stared at Marvin and spoke.
“This? This is a form of application of gangchesul. Every school has different names for it, but the most common name would be ‘Fire Control’. It’s a very useful skill if you want to block a type of fire skill or want to escape out of a field of fire.”
“There’s a skill like that?”
“Gangchesul is very profound. The things that you’ve learned thus far is similar to picking up a pebble against the side of a mountain. The gangchesul that the Knights practice are specialized towards battle, so it’s a bit stiff. But, I’m sure father can easily do something like this.”
<As I thought, you really have talent in being a con artist. I guess it’s true that humans are good at lying?>
Volkar spoke as if he was disgusted. Of course, Luke had ignored him because Marvin was standing in front of him.
Moments before, the thing that Luke had done was not an application of gangchesul. It was an elementary usage of his attribute powers that he had gained against his fight with the Giant Lizard. Although there really was a skill called ‘Fire Control’ amongst the many applications of gangchesul, it was impossible for one to strengthen the power of fire, or handle the fire so freely.
Staring at the campfire, Luke lightly muttered. From Marvin’s point of view, it seemed like Luke was talking to himself, but he was speaking with Volkar.
“Hmm. It’s so weak. Although it’s easy to control or amplify an existing fire, if I start a fire out of a nothing, it becomes nothing but tiny embers……..”
<The source of an attribute power is magic. With little to no magic being available, there’s a limit to what you can do. You should find it fortunate that, with the awakening of the attribute power, you at least have a feeble amount of magic.>
While Luke had awakened his attribute powers, he had gained a feeble amount of magic. However, his foundation had yet to be completed to start learning magic. Using Volkar’s expression, Luke’s current magic was even smaller than his fingernail. His physical constitution was still empty of magic.
Marvin asked.
“Can I learn that too?”
“It’s too soon for you. At the least, you need to comprehend how to apply gangchesul to your sword first. Today, let’s train in the ways of grasping the opponent’s senses.”
“Grasping the opponent’s senses? You mean to detect my surroundings?”
“Not that, it’s training to grasp the opponent’s senses whilst confronting them. For example, like this.”
Luke Fixedly stared at Marvin. Thinking that Luke was suddenly going to attack, Marvin quickly retreated backwards.
“Huh?”
Marvin who had retreated backwards instantly, was perplexed. Luke had just stared at Marvin, and did not move. Yet, why did Marvin think that he would attack?
Luke spoke.
“A person who can utilize gangchesul, can control his energy to disturb an opponent’s senses. You’ve sparred with me quite a bit of times now, so you know the feeling that I give off when I’m about to attack. That’s why, when I produce a feeling similar to that, you get fooled easily. When you’re fighting with a random person, something like this wouldn’t happen so smoothly.”
“Such a thing is possible?”
“Of course. For reference, you’re too honest so it’s very easy to read your movements. I can close my eyes and still be able to accurately read you. Let’s have you learn this for today.”
After saying this, Luke began teaching Marvin how to use the skill.
It’s already been a month and a half since the two have been meeting together to polish their gangchesul. Luke wanted to get a little closer to Marvin before he left on his journey, so he began training him in gangchesul, unbeknownst to the Count and his wife.
At first, Marvin was filled with suspicioun, but as time passed, he began falling deeper into the training of gangchesul. Excluding the things that he learned in the Sigma Order, Luke taught Marvin all the normal techniques. Even still, Marvin felt as if he was seeing a whole different world. Furthermore, Luke had become proficient with the gangchesul that was taught through the Astal family, so he was able to present Marvin with the most perfect method.
Having had a pleasant workout with Luke, Marvin lay on top of the grass. As Luke fixed his hair and sat next to Marvin, Marvin regulated his breath and spoke.
“Hey.”
“Call me elder brother.”
“With who’s consent?”
“So not cute. So, what do you want?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask……what thoughts do you have by teaching me?”
“……..”
Luke didn’t respond and looked up towards the sky. As his silence continued, Marvin lifted up his body and continued to speak.
“I honestly don’t understand why you’re doing this. The more I think about it, you…….”
“Can you not overthink things?”
Luke asked as he interrupted Marvin. Having his eyes meet Luke’s and seeing an unexpected face expression, Marvin’s face became stiff. Looking much older than a 15-year-old, Luke seemed as if he was an adult, staring at a little boy named Marvin and being embarrassed.
“I just…..wanted to get closer to you.”
“………”
“I’ve said this many times before, but I have no interest in becoming the heir to this family. I understand that you and your mom feel uneasy, because of father and his whimsical actions……but I just wanted to know who my father was, which is why I came here. I don’t want to threaten your position or fight with you.”
“You want me to believe that?”
“Just believe it. If I was interested in becoming the heir, would I be doing something like this? I would’ve done whatever I could to kill you when we were facing the Orcs. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true, but……”
Seeing Marvin come to an agreement, Luke looked up towards the sky again and spoke.
“I honestly don’t have any talent in becoming closer with people, so this was the only way I could think of doing it. I had many friends that were good at speaking, so they always became close with strangers quickly……I can’t do that.”
Although he had become much softer than the past, it was still difficult for Luke to build a good relationship with people. That’s why, even though it had already been 5 months since he’d come to the Astal Domain, Luke did not have anyone to comfortably converse with.
Although there were servants that Luke was conflicted with, because of Marvin and Marvin’s mother in the past. Even when he found the servants that had supported him, he did not go out of his way to become friendly with them. He had only become friendly with them in the past, because that was his way of survival. He needed to use them for his own benefit, and did not need them for anything else.
“Well, I understand that you and your mother that believe me. However, don’t worry. I’ll be gone very soon.”
“What?”
At those words. Marvin’s eyes grew wide with surprise.
“Are you planning on leaving the family?
“You didn’t hear about it from your mother?”
Luke had thought that the Count’s wife would have informed Marvin. However, it seems like she had chosen to be silent regarding their bet.
Marvin asked.
“I didn’t hear anything. Why are you planning on leaving?”
“It was what I had planned since the beginning. I just came here because I wanted to see father, and because I had a favor to ask.”
“What kind of favor?
“That’s a secret for now. Either way, it’s better for you if I leave, right? Whatever thoughts I may have in my head, it does not change the fact that seeds of trouble will sprout within the family. If father continues to have such an ambiguous attitude, even if it’s not me, someone with ill intentions will appear. That’s why, it’s best that I leave here as soon as possible.”
“That’s true, but…..”
“What? Are you sad? It seems like you’ve started liking this elder brother?”
“There’s no way! Hearing you say that you’re going to leave, I feel refreshed.”
As Luke spoke in a joking way, Marvin flew into a rage and turned his head. Luke stared at the back of Marvin’s head and laughed.
“You’re the only one that can stop father’s immature actions, Marvin. Don’t feel intimidated, and at least do it for your mother.”
“I understand even if you don’t say it. I’m leaving.”
Marvin got up and left with a sour mood. Seeing his figure disappear between the trees, Luke muttered.
“I’ll trust you with the back-end work, Marvin. I’ll at least lay the correct foundation for you before I leave…….”
<Your love for your brother is extreme.>
“Yeah. I hated him so much in the past, yet now he’s just cute. Is this the normal way a family is supposed to see each other?”
<I wouldn’t have an answer to that.>
“That’s true.”
Wind blew around Luke’s surrounding. The ash from the campfire rose into the sky, and amidst the ash, a comparatively whole leaf could be seen.
Luke threw out a fist towards that leaf, while still being seated. The distance was about 3 meters away and it looked like he wouldn’t be able to reach it, yet the movement seemed so natural, as if he was right in front of the leaf.
Pak!
Surprisingly, at the same timing as when Luke threw out his punch, the leaf had split into multiple pieces. Bringing back his fist, Luke muttered.
“Finally. If I polish this a little bit more, I should be able to fight against father.”
Chapter 5 Part 3 Completed.
Chapter 5 Part 3
After the subjugation of the Orcs, the daily routine for Marvin seemed to have changed. To be exact, his relationship with Luke was what had changed. For the 2 people who had lived together in the same house, yet never saw each other, were now seeing each other face to face at least once a day.
Marvin was currently on his way to Luke’s secret spot within the forest.
Although he had a displeased expression, because he had to go visit Luke, Marvin did not reject the idea of it.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
Having reached his destination, Marvin was surprised to notice a fire burning and smoke rising into the air. However, he soon realized that it was a campfire and released a breath of relief.
Sitting in front of the campfire, Luke had his hands out and his eyes closed. As if responding to Marvin’s shout, Luke flipped over his hands and released the breath that he had been holding in for a while. As he did, something amazing happened.
Hwaaaaaaaaaaaak!
The fire suddenly grew by two folds and the tip grew long, as it rushed towards Luke. As soon as Marvin decided to rush forward in surprise, Luke opened his eyes and swung his arm.
Hoooooooooo!
Suddenly, the fire that had been rushing towards Luke followed the movement of his arm, drew a circle in the air and disappeared. Returning his arm back to its original position, Luke evened out his breathing and the campfire went back to its original state.
Luke smiled and muttered to himself.
“Sigh, I can finally control it somewhat.”
“What is that?”
Marvin asked dumbfoundedly. Judging from what had happened moments before, it seemed like Luke was controlling the fire’s movements.
Luke stared at Marvin and spoke.
“This? This is a form of application of gangchesul. Every school has different names for it, but the most common name would be ‘Fire Control’. It’s a very useful skill if you want to block a type of fire skill or want to escape out of a field of fire.”
“There’s a skill like that?”
“Gangchesul is very profound. The things that you’ve learned thus far is similar to picking up a pebble against the side of a mountain. The gangchesul that the Knights practice are specialized towards battle, so it’s a bit stiff. But, I’m sure father can easily do something like this.”
<As I thought, you really have talent in being a con artist. I guess it’s true that humans are good at lying?>
Volkar spoke as if he was disgusted. Of course, Luke had ignored him because Marvin was standing in front of him.
Moments before, the thing that Luke had done was not an application of gangchesul. It was an elementary usage of his attribute powers that he had gained against his fight with the Giant Lizard. Although there really was a skill called ‘Fire Control’ amongst the many applications of gangchesul, it was impossible for one to strengthen the power of fire, or handle the fire so freely.
Staring at the campfire, Luke lightly muttered. From Marvin’s point of view, it seemed like Luke was talking to himself, but he was speaking with Volkar.
“Hmm. It’s so weak. Although it’s easy to control or amplify an existing fire, if I start a fire out of a nothing, it becomes nothing but tiny embers……..”
<The source of an attribute power is magic. With little to no magic being available, there’s a limit to what you can do. You should find it fortunate that, with the awakening of the attribute power, you at least have a feeble amount of magic.>
While Luke had awakened his attribute powers, he had gained a feeble amount of magic. However, his foundation had yet to be completed to start learning magic. Using Volkar’s expression, Luke’s current magic was even smaller than his fingernail. His physical constitution was still empty of magic.
Marvin asked.
“Can I learn that too?”
“It’s too soon for you. At the least, you need to comprehend how to apply gangchesul to your sword first. Today, let’s train in the ways of grasping the opponent’s senses.”
“Grasping the opponent’s senses? You mean to detect my surroundings?”
“Not that, it’s training to grasp the opponent’s senses whilst confronting them. For example, like this.”
Luke Fixedly stared at Marvin. Thinking that Luke was suddenly going to attack, Marvin quickly retreated backwards.
“Huh?”
Marvin who had retreated backwards instantly, was perplexed. Luke had just stared at Marvin, and did not move. Yet, why did Marvin think that he would attack?
Luke spoke.
“A person who can utilize gangchesul, can control his energy to disturb an opponent’s senses. You’ve sparred with me quite a bit of times now, so you know the feeling that I give off when I’m about to attack. That’s why, when I produce a feeling similar to that, you get fooled easily. When you’re fighting with a random person, something like this wouldn’t happen so smoothly.”
“Such a thing is possible?”
“Of course. For reference, you’re too honest so it’s very easy to read your movements. I can close my eyes and still be able to accurately read you. Let’s have you learn this for today.”
After saying this, Luke began teaching Marvin how to use the skill.
It’s already been a month and a half since the two have been meeting together to polish their gangchesul. Luke wanted to get a little closer to Marvin before he left on his journey, so he began training him in gangchesul, unbeknownst to the Count and his wife.
At first, Marvin was filled with suspicioun, but as time passed, he began falling deeper into the training of gangchesul. Excluding the things that he learned in the Sigma Order, Luke taught Marvin all the normal techniques. Even still, Marvin felt as if he was seeing a whole different world. Furthermore, Luke had become proficient with the gangchesul that was taught through the Astal family, so he was able to present Marvin with the most perfect method.
Having had a pleasant workout with Luke, Marvin lay on top of the grass. As Luke fixed his hair and sat next to Marvin, Marvin regulated his breath and spoke.
“Hey.”
“Call me elder brother.”
“With who’s consent?”
“So not cute. So, what do you want?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask……what thoughts do you have by teaching me?”
“……..”
Luke didn’t respond and looked up towards the sky. As his silence continued, Marvin lifted up his body and continued to speak.
“I honestly don’t understand why you’re doing this. The more I think about it, you…….”
“Can you not overthink things?”
Luke asked as he interrupted Marvin. Having his eyes meet Luke’s and seeing an unexpected face expression, Marvin’s face became stiff. Looking much older than a 15-year-old, Luke seemed as if he was an adult, staring at a little boy named Marvin and being embarrassed.
“I just…..wanted to get closer to you.”
“………”
“I’ve said this many times before, but I have no interest in becoming the heir to this family. I understand that you and your mom feel uneasy, because of father and his whimsical actions……but I just wanted to know who my father was, which is why I came here. I don’t want to threaten your position or fight with you.”
“You want me to believe that?”
“Just believe it. If I was interested in becoming the heir, would I be doing something like this? I would’ve done whatever I could to kill you when we were facing the Orcs. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true, but……”
Seeing Marvin come to an agreement, Luke looked up towards the sky again and spoke.
“I honestly don’t have any talent in becoming closer with people, so this was the only way I could think of doing it. I had many friends that were good at speaking, so they always became close with strangers quickly……I can’t do that.”
Although he had become much softer than the past, it was still difficult for Luke to build a good relationship with people. That’s why, even though it had already been 5 months since he’d come to the Astal Domain, Luke did not have anyone to comfortably converse with.
Although there were servants that Luke was conflicted with, because of Marvin and Marvin’s mother in the past. Even when he found the servants that had supported him, he did not go out of his way to become friendly with them. He had only become friendly with them in the past, because that was his way of survival. He needed to use them for his own benefit, and did not need them for anything else.
“Well, I understand that you and your mother that believe me. However, don’t worry. I’ll be gone very soon.”
“What?”
At those words. Marvin’s eyes grew wide with surprise.
“Are you planning on leaving the family?
“You didn’t hear about it from your mother?”
Luke had thought that the Count’s wife would have informed Marvin. However, it seems like she had chosen to be silent regarding their bet.
Marvin asked.
“I didn’t hear anything. Why are you planning on leaving?”
“It was what I had planned since the beginning. I just came here because I wanted to see father, and because I had a favor to ask.”
“What kind of favor?
“That’s a secret for now. Either way, it’s better for you if I leave, right? Whatever thoughts I may have in my head, it does not change the fact that seeds of trouble will sprout within the family. If father continues to have such an ambiguous attitude, even if it’s not me, someone with ill intentions will appear. That’s why, it’s best that I leave here as soon as possible.”
“That’s true, but…..”
“What? Are you sad? It seems like you’ve started liking this elder brother?”
“There’s no way! Hearing you say that you’re going to leave, I feel refreshed.”
As Luke spoke in a joking way, Marvin flew into a rage and turned his head. Luke stared at the back of Marvin’s head and laughed.
“You’re the only one that can stop father’s immature actions, Marvin. Don’t feel intimidated, and at least do it for your mother.”
“I understand even if you don’t say it. I’m leaving.”
Marvin got up and left with a sour mood. Seeing his figure disappear between the trees, Luke muttered.
“I’ll trust you with the back-end work, Marvin. I’ll at least lay the correct foundation for you before I leave…….”
<Your love for your brother is extreme.>
“Yeah. I hated him so much in the past, yet now he’s just cute. Is this the normal way a family is supposed to see each other?”
<I wouldn’t have an answer to that.>
“That’s true.”
Wind blew around Luke’s surrounding. The ash from the campfire rose into the sky, and amidst the ash, a comparatively whole leaf could be seen.
Luke threw out a fist towards that leaf, while still being seated. The distance was about 3 meters away and it looked like he wouldn’t be able to reach it, yet the movement seemed so natural, as if he was right in front of the leaf.
Pak!
Surprisingly, at the same timing as when Luke threw out his punch, the leaf had split into multiple pieces. Bringing back his fist, Luke muttered.
“Finally. If I polish this a little bit more, I should be able to fight against father.”
Chapter 5 Part 3 Completed.
