Overthrow the Spirit King (1)
"I'm planning to train Aqua in turning the enemy's power against them."
The fighting style Aqua needed was judo. Deflect the opponent's force, or better yet, add a bit of your own and send it right back at them. When facing foes stronger than yourself, that was the ultimate way to fight.
Jeong Ri-on nodded slowly at my words.
"Turning their power against them—solid strategy. One problem, though…."
Mulsuja picked up the thread. "There aren't any spirits strong enough for Aqua to redirect."
"That's why I want to train against something that's not a spirit."
Jeong Ri-on and Mulsuja leaned in, intrigued. I stroked Aqua's back and Mandu's, then said, "Against the ocean."
Everyone's eyes flicked to the sea outside the window, then back to me.
"Sparring with the ocean?"
"Hard to picture."
[Am I to fight the sea?]
I chuckled softly and added, "I'm thinking of teaching Aqua to surf."
Surfing was one of the beach's main leisure activities. Samcheok Beach even ran temporary surf schools in summer to capitalize on the hype.
"Surfing, huh…." Jeong Ri-on rubbed his chin, then grinned. "That could work."
"A few water spirits do surf," Mulsuja said with a nod of approval. "Surfing's a sport where you 'ride' the waves. Get used to letting the ocean carry you, and she'll handle Niagara's power with ease."
Exactly as Mulsuja said. Yield to overwhelming force and redirect it. Surfing was the sport optimized for that.
"Figuring that out on your own—impressive," Jeong Ri-on said, flashing a satisfied smile at Mulsuja. "These juniors are scary these days. Climbing the ranks like nobody's business."
"Only because it's Hyunwoo. Think he'd contract a Spirit King's heir otherwise?"
The sudden praise left me with nothing but an awkward smile. Luckily, Jeong Ri-on shifted topics.
"So, you need Phoenix Resort's help for this surf training? Renting out a private beach?"
"Haha, I'm not that shameless."
Samcheok's waves weren't huge anyway. Fine for beginners, but not serious training.
"I'd like to borrow the indoor surf pool at the Water Park."
Phoenix Resort's Water Park had a small indoor surf setup. Compact, but adjustable wave strength made it perfect for training.
"Water Park, got it." Jeong Ri-on stroked his chin, then grinned—that sylph-like smile again. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Hey, Master."
I blinked at "Master." He was calling Undead, the Immortal Guild's master.
"The Water Park. Can we use it at dawn? Not a party—training. Yeah. Thanks."
He hung up and grinned again. "Water Park's ours till dawn."
"…Pardon?"
"Surf pool's tiny, right? Need a full wave pool for proper training."
I was speechless.
[Mm! That's our spirit master!]
[Captain-level generosity!]
[Casually pulling off something this cool! I'm in awe!]
I finally managed a late, "Thank you so much."
"No big deal."
His humble shrug was effortlessly cool.
I stopped by the underground training hall with Jeong Ri-on and Mulsuja. We'd gotten chatting, and they perked up at my "new technique."
"New technique plus surf training—you're prepped," Mulsuja said.
"Gotta give it my all."
"True. One tip: always create variables."
"Variables, huh."
"Key in any fight, but essential against superior skill and power."
I knew the value of variables.
"Like when you burst that water tank sparring the captain? Classic variable."
I was surprised. Hadn't consciously thought of it that way.
Reading my face, Mulsuja smiled. "Using variables without realizing it—that's real talent. Been thinking since last time: you've got serious spirit warrior potential. An academy kid beating a pro? Unheard of."
[Of course! He's the one I chose!]
"Heh…."
Mulsuja chuckled softly at Aqua.
[Guh… such humiliation!]
[Won't lose next time!]
Jeong Ri-on's sylphs bristled indignantly. He just smiled innocently.
As we discussed variables, we reached the corner sandbags.
These sandbags? Really?
They were five times normal size, and no way filled with sand.
"Metal powder inside—don't punch or kick."
"Metal powder?"
"Spirit warrior sandbags need to take a beating."
Spirit warriors unleashed magic blasts; regular bags wouldn't last.
Mulsuja and Jeong Ri-on stepped back. Her undines cheered excitedly.
[Lady Aqua's new technique!]
[Yay! Can't wait, Lady Aqua!]
Aqua nodded proudly at her fans. [Of course! Expect great things!]
I stood before the bag with Aqua. "Ready. Destruction Orb."
[Let's crush it!]
Aqua drew water from the wall hose—one of the fixtures for undine training. I swiftly encased it in Water Shield. We pulled in opposite directions.
Brand-new technique from yesterday, but we prepped smoothly.
Piiiing—!
I pierced the shield; high-pressure water shot like a laser, punching through the bag's center.
Drip. Black metal powder leaked from the hole.
I glanced at Mulsuja for feedback.
"Impossible…."
She stared blankly.
"Mulsuja?"
She snapped to, stammering in awe and shock. "We've tried water jets, but nothing this powerful."
Her undines were stunned too.
[Whoa! Like a gun!]
[Total water cannon! Water gun!]
[Hehehe…!]
Aqua's shoulders puffed with pride.
"Viable in real combat?"
Mulsuja nodded seriously. "Absolutely. Might even need to dial back the power."
[Whoa…!]
[Insane!]
The sylphs buzzed around the bag in admiration.
[Can't fall behind!]
[New technique!]
[Gotta make our ultimate move—not losing to Lady Aqua!]
As the sylphs chattered, Jeong Ri-on checked the back.
"Clean through. Monster wouldn't drop a magic stone. Killer tech."
His eyes sparkled as he asked Mulsuja, "Why can't our spirit warriors use this?"
"Tried before, but no fitting skills, or spirits lacked power."
He smacked his lips regretfully.
Destruction Orb fused top-tier spirit power with raw destructive force. Niagara-level only; tough for other water spirits.
"Sigh… such a waste."
Muttering oddly, he approached me. "Saw something good—mind if I suggest upgrades?"
"Please do. I'd appreciate it."
"Make the water stream a line, not a point."
"A line?"
Lines cut deeper than points—slicing, not piercing.
"Ah… yeah, makes sense."
Pros saw it instantly.
"And the Water Shield base. No need for a full sphere?"
"Hemisphere?"
"Halves the Spirit Affinity cost."
I soaked it up like a sponge.
Our new technique, Destruction Orb, kept evolving.
That night, I prepped for Water Park training.
"Jeong Ri-on rented the whole place?" Jang Gilsan shook his head in disbelief. "Overkill."
"Grateful, though."
As I grabbed Aqua post-prep, Gilsan—who'd been pondering—slipped on his coat.
"You coming?"
"Surf training piqued my interest."
I headed out with him and his secretary.
Aqua asked en route, [What's a Water Park?]
Spirits mastered all languages—nature's tongue.
She knew the words, not the place.
"A playground made of water."
[Ooooh!]
Her eyes sparkled. I was excited too—for different reasons.
Surfing in a wave pool….
Unimaginable. But more thrilling: Aqua surfing.
Surfing Aqua.
The thought alone had me grinning like a fool.