Thunder Qi Gong's Unexpected Legacy
Thunder Qi Gong... the chance to learn it.
My eyes trembled faintly. Norton was offering to pass down to me what could be called the foundation of his very power—his unique martial art. And not as master and disciple, but simply as a gift.
"Is this too burdensome for you? Think it over carefully. This will be entirely to your benefit."
"It's not burdensome. It's just... so unexpected..."
As I trailed off, Norton seemed to think I found his request too heavy a burden.
As if.
I knew better than most, having reached the Ultimate Body myself. The value of even a single piece of advice from one who had attained such heights was immeasurable. And learning the very essence of that art firsthand? It was worth more than swallowing some once-in-a-millennium elixir.
He's really pushing me forward.
Before accepting, I gave it one last thought. Why was Norton making this offer?
I get that he wants to raise me as a dagger against the Amar King Centipede clan. But handing over his core technique without any master-disciple bond feels excessive.
So why teach me Thunder Qi Gong?
...He's genuinely wanted me as his disciple all along.
It was clear he'd been searching for ages for someone to inherit his art. And perhaps he hadn't found anyone better than me since.
He's decided to train an heir for his technique, unbound by formalities or traditions.
I pieced together his intentions well enough. Sorting my thoughts, I turned to Norton.
"I'll accept. I'll never forget that you've thought so highly of me and given me this chance."
"Haha! Good choice, lad. But even without a formal master-disciple bond between us, there's one thing I must ask."
"...?"
I gazed at him steadily. Norton's eyes burned with intensity as he spoke.
"I'm not forcing the bond on you. In return, I ask that you never form one with anyone else."
Ah.
That was all? Easy enough to grant. Even in my previous life, I'd climbed to the continent's pinnacle alone.
"No need to worry. As you said, I'll never take another as my master."
"Perfect. That's all I needed."
And so, I sat cross-legged in the center of the training ground, beginning to receive Thunder Qi Gong from Norton.
An unexpected stroke of fortune! I accepted it without hesitation.
* * *
"Hoo."
A soft breath escaped my lips.
Thunder Qi Gong truly is a tricky art to master.
Circulating ether according to its formulas, I murmured inwardly. As Norton's ultimate technique, it demanded tremendous effort to advance. I could confidently say it rivaled Wind Qi Gong.
Though Norton's stuck at the first stage right now, this art's depth could carry one to the very edge of the Ultimate Body.
Proof? It had been over a week since I started learning it, and it still hadn't skillized.
Kahaha! To grasp it and circulate on the first try! As expected, Aleck—you're a heaven-sent genius, a once-in-history prodigy who'll echo through the continent's annals!
The day he first taught me, Norton had burst into booming laughter upon my immediate comprehension.
To him, I must have seemed like a peerless genius. After all, a mere Juvenile Stage mantis grasping his ultimate art at first hearing?
In truth, it's because my enlightenment reached the pinnacle of the Ultimate Body.
But while my spirit comprehended it effortlessly, my body hadn't caught up. A Juvenile Stage common mantis clan body could only handle so much.
Without me forcibly dragging it along, this flesh wouldn't have even attempted circulation.
And even then, skillization is distant.
Wind Qi Gong had maxed proficiency, making it easy. But Thunder Qi Gong was still far off.
This body's pathetic.
I needed to hit Growth Stage soon, unleashing Limit Break to accelerate physical growth. Or awaken my Megaera Mantis powers to improve my constitution and build proper physical prowess.
Pzzt! Pzzt!
As I gripped my sword and circulated ether per the formulas, lightning began crackling along the blade.
Norton would've gaped in shock. Infusing thunder ether into the sword mere days after starting?
Even as the sole Ultimate Body in the mantis clans, he might doubt his own talent.
Not skillized yet, so efficiency's low.
Tsking, I lowered my sword.
Still, thanks to Norton, I've reined in the rampaging thunder ether for now.
It was barely basic circulation, but enough to control the ticking time bomb of thunder ether.
Another testament to Thunder Qi Gong's excellence.
Not perfect, though.
Heading out of the training ground, I pondered.
This was just a stopgap.
Even skillizing it won't change that.
The root issue: Circulate Wind Qi Gong, and I can't do Thunder Qi Gong. Vice versa.
I need a way to harmonize and fuse them.
Koon. The eldest of the Shinseon Butterfly clan.
The grand sorcerer known as the "Reclusive Grand Sage."
I needed to visit him. I was already planning to deliver the assassin bug egg, but now I had another purpose.
Having reached the pinnacle in sorcery, he might hold the key to resolving this.
The known facts were impressive, but I knew the true depth of his power.
Could he wipe out the Amar King Centipede clan alone?
Despite such transcendent might, he lived as a hermit.
I only realized upon reaching Ultimate Body third stage that he matched my level.
Why he secluded himself from the world.
A forgotten ancient species. The apex predator that once brought ruin to the world before the current Abian Continent.
He's single-handedly sealing one such apocalyptic entity.
Koon is this continent's unsung savior.
His direct aid would've been invaluable against the Four Great Clans—or the true puppetmaster behind them.
Regrettable.
Anyway, I resolved to seek him out for a clue on merging the two arts.
Lost in such thoughts as I headed to my quarters—
Thud.
"...?"
A sudden presence snapped me from my reverie. Looking up, I saw a familiar face.
"Takwin?"
It was Takwin, my finals opponent just days ago.
* * *
Of all people!
Takwin couldn't hide his expression upon running into Aleck.
Damn it.
Seeing him stirred a storm of emotions: shame, humiliation, anger, jealousy.
He'd felt these unfamiliar pangs intensely through Aleck. Worst of all...
I could've set the record for perfect tournament sweep!
Then I'd have been this league's MVP.
And the sole candidate for Chung Hak Gwan dispatch.
Everyone would've looked up to me!
Especially the junior girls, fawning over me.
But that damned bastard ruined it.
"You got lucky last time. Without my slip-up, I'd have won."
Takwin blurted out his inner turmoil. Seeing Aleck made the words spill impulsively.
Only by venting could he salvage his pride and ease the regret.
"Hm... Not graciously accepting defeat looks pretty bad."
"What?"
"If you want a rematch anytime, just ask. Since it came up—wanna go again?"
"......"
Aleck responded as if asking what nonsense this was. Takwin had no retort to the rematch offer.
He knew the truth deep down.
Wearing those heavy iron weights on limbs, he crushed me and the others effortlessly. Without Zadan's Armor Rune, even Zadan would've fallen to him weighted.
Takwin glanced at Aleck's wrists and ankles. Still those thin bracelets and anklets—the same iron weights from the finals.
Stubborn bastard!
How does anyone live daily with those on? He felt the insurmountable wall again.
Fine, your antennae are thicker.
Gritting his teeth, cursing inwardly, he forced a smirk.
"Wh-what's with that attitude toward your senior...? I'm busy anyway. Gotta prep for Chung Hak Gwan dispatch. Oh, right—you're a candidate too? Don't get your hopes up. I'll be the one picked."
His voice trembled faintly as he spat that at Aleck, then brushed past without waiting for a reply.
Damn! Embarrassing.
He knew how pathetic he looked. But he couldn't swallow the surging emotions.
And it's not wrong. Everyone says I'm the top pick.
Rumors acknowledged Aleck's feats but dismissed him as common mantis clan. His potential couldn't compare to a Shield Mantis like Takwin.
Between him and Zadan...
Zadan's passing on Chung Hak Gwan, so it's me.
Smirking as he passed Aleck, Takwin thought: In the end, the last laugh wins.
He'd go to Chung Hak Gwan, achieve explosive growth, return...
And crush him mercilessly!
Dreaming of that sweet future. Unaware the rumors were planted.
He'd learn soon enough his visions were delusions.
* * *
More pitiful types than I thought, regardless of clan.
The thug broad-mantis and Antla punks before, and now Takwin from the proud Shield clan.
Reaffirmed: Every clan has its losers.
A new revelation(?) as I reached my quarters.
"Aleckniiiim!"
Kind came barreling toward me from afar.
Another summons?
Tilting my head at his flushed, excited face, he panted out his words.