Chapter 35: The Elf Royal Family Makes an Exception? The Passion of the Amazons!
The next morning.
On the training ground, the mess from yesterday's fierce battle had been cleaned up and looked brand new by the diligent Familia members.
Arthur's gaze swept over the resolute faces, but he did not find Tiona and Tione among the executives.
Finn spread his hands, a knowing smile on his lips.
"Loki wasn't idle last night; she was busy all night and finally managed to get Tiona a high-level Magic Conduction book."
"Now Tiona is busy awakening her magic, and Tione is guarding her."
Arthur nodded understandingly, then turned to the crowd and began to explain in detail the key points of practicing the Breathing Technique.
"First, everyone's magic affinity varies greatly, so the Breathing Technique that perfectly suits each of you will naturally be different."
"Second, this is your first time encountering the Breathing Technique, and the introductory stage is crucial. I will personally guide you from the side, ensuring you are on the right path. It can be said to be hands-on teaching."
"Please wait a moment."
Riveria's clear voice rang out, a subtle hint of emotion crossing her delicate face.
"Could you please explain what 'hands-on teaching' specifically refers to?"
Arthur's reply was calm: "It's nothing more than helping you correct subtle errors in your breathing. For females, a light touch with a fingertip on a specific spot on their back is enough to guide them."
The Magic Breathing Technique, compared to the ancient Breathing Technique passed down by the Demon Slayer Corps, is vastly different in its difficulty to master.
Beginners must constantly focus on the coordination of breathing and magic in the initial stages, without the slightest carelessness.
Otherwise, it is extremely easy to trigger a magic backlash, which can cause minor internal organ damage or, in severe cases, the possibility of an explosion.
And Arthur, possessing the Transparent World, can accurately perceive the subtle changes in everyone's state during practice, giving him full confidence to provide guidance with ease.
As for the little secret that the Transparent World can see through the human body—
He decided to bury it deep in his heart forever, never to reveal it!
"This…"
Upon hearing this, Riveria's delicate brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, clearly finding the need for physical contact difficult, and she couldn't help but hesitate.
As elves born flawless and of noble blood, a kind of fastidiousness that ordinary people could not understand was etched into their bones.
This fastidiousness was not only reflected in the impeccable cleanliness of their daily lives but also deeply imprinted on their way of interacting with the outside world.
Elves only allowed beings they truly recognized from the depths of their souls to touch their bodies; besides that, even an untimely touch from a god would be regarded as desecration and offense.
…
After some thought, Riveria finally decided to address the matter directly.
Otherwise, if the other party was offering such a powerful secret technique that could elevate one to a higher level out of good intentions, but she resisted it due to instinctive aversion?
Such a scene would only lead to awkwardness and unpleasantness for both sides.
"Sorry, I…"
"Is it because of the elves' almost stubborn fastidiousness?"
Arthur seemed to have already seen through her thoughts, yet he showed no sign of minding at all.
If one were to inquire about the reason?
Because his intuition was clearly conveying this message to him.
Riveria would never reject his touch.
Arthur calmly took two steps forward and stood in front of Riveria.
His deep eyes still held the same faint smile as always, and he extended his long, powerful hand with distinct knuckles.
"Why not try it yourself? See if your fastidiousness truly rejects me?"
At this moment, Bete, who had been silently observing, unconsciously lowered his folded arms, secretly clicked his tongue, and his eyes were complex.
Meanwhile, the more experienced Finn and Gareth exchanged a knowing look, a meaningful, mischievous smile playing on their lips.
Only the innocent Ais tilted her head in confusion, showing some incomprehension at Riveria's current hesitation.
Then, the noble Elven royalty took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision, and tentatively extended her slender, fair hand, gently grasping Arthur's outstretched palm.
The moment their palms clasped, the expected repulsion and discomfort did not appear; everything was as calm as usual.
Riveria's beautiful eyes were full of surprise, and she suddenly looked up at Arthur, a tumultuous wave rising in her heart.
"But… we've known each other for such a short time. Why is this happening?"
Arthur's fingertip exerted a slight pressure, raising their clasped hands to their eyes, a reassuring smile on his lips.
"In any case, this isn't a bad thing, is it? Now, we can officially begin our training, right?"
Riveria then came to her senses, a blush quietly creeping up her cheeks.
She somewhat flusteredly withdrew her hand, unnaturally tidied the stray hairs around her ears, and feigned composure to change the subject.
"Speaking of which, Tiona and Tione, why have they been gone so long and still haven't returned?"
"Who? Who's thinking of me? Is it Riveria?"
A spirited shout came from far away and grew closer.
Tiona, holding up a yellowed parchment, ran over like a fawn in the forest.
With a nimble leap, she directly jumped onto Arthur's back, rubbing against him affectionately.
"Look, look! I finally have my own magic now!"
Arthur was caught off guard by this sudden "attack" and quickly reached out to steady the overly excited Amazon girl on his back, a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"Yes, yes, I'll look now, but first, please get off me."
"Oh~"
…
Tiona Shiryut
LV.5
Strength: A (889)
Endurance: A (867)
Dexterity: B (778)
Agility: A (801)
Magic: I (0)
Punch: G
Diving: G
Abnormal Resistance: H
Break: I
〖——Magic——〗
[Passion Poem]
・Reinforcement magic, activated during battle.
・Increases Strength and Endurance, the degree of increase continuously rises with battle duration.
・High bonus when fighting alongside a recognized hero.
〖——Skills——〗
[Frenzied Rage]
・Attack power increases each time damage is taken.
[Great Battle]
・All ability values receive a high bonus when near death.
…
Arthur's gaze quickly scanned every word on the parchment, understanding everything.
This [Passion Poem], as reinforcement magic activated during battle, combined with Tiona's own [Frenzied Rage] and [Great Battle]—two highly explosive skills—would undoubtedly significantly enhance her ability to turn the tide in adverse battle situations and her resilience for sustained combat.
Although its amplification might not be comparable to top-tier enchantment magic known for extreme buffs, it could definitely be considered a very practical type of magic.
Moreover, the core of practicing the Breathing Technique lies in being able to condense and control one's own magic, so there was no strict requirement for what type of magic Tiona ultimately awakened.
Subsequently, perhaps because Arthur's earlier public display of his ability values among the executives set a somewhat unideal "precedent."
Tiona was now also beaming with excitement, unreservedly passing the parchment in her hand among everyone, seemingly having completely lost any concept of keeping ability values secret.
"Cough!"
Arthur let out a slightly helpless dry cough, clapped his hands to regain everyone's attention, and explained in a clear voice.
"Alright, idle chatter is over for now. Next, I will individually confirm which Breathing Technique is most suitable for each of you."
"So, who wants to be the first to try?"
"Me!" × 2
Ais and Tiona shouted almost simultaneously.
Then, their eyes met, and Tiona was the first to casually scratch the back of her head, laughing heartily.
"Since that's the case, let Ais go first."
The doll princess, who yearned for power and was focused on revenge, did not hesitate at all. With firm steps, she walked directly to Arthur and stood in front of him.
She neatly raised her hand, sweeping the soft golden hair from the back of her neck to the front.
This revealed her form-fitting combat skirt armor, which accentuated her graceful curves, and also fully exposed her smooth, flawless, slender back, devoid of any excess flesh, to Arthur's eyes.
Arthur's expression remained normal. For him, who had already activated his Transparent World vision, a mere girl's back could not stir his mind in the slightest.
Soon, the Breathing Technique style most suitable for Ais was confirmed—
Just as expected, it was the swift and agile Wind Breathing.
And the suitable Breathing Techniques for the others were also determined—
Finn, Thunder Breathing.
Gareth, Stone Breathing.
Riveria, Water Breathing.
Bete, Moon Breathing.
Tione, Flame Breathing.
Tiona, Flame Breathing.
Arthur personally guided each person through the basic introduction of combining breathing and magic.
Except for Riveria, whose delicate body remained slightly tense, everyone else immersed themselves in this novel training with great enthusiasm.
Perhaps because the formidable physique of LV.5 adventurers was already far superior to that of ordinary humans, the executives rarely made mistakes in mastering the Breathing Technique, progressing at an astonishing speed.
Especially Ais and Riveria, whose magic values were already the highest among everyone.
Under Arthur's guidance, sparkling magic particles, like fireflies, had already begun to dance around their bodies, looking quite beautiful.
"Hoo—cough, cough!"
The overly eager Ais unconsciously quickened her breathing, trying to accumulate magic faster, but accidentally caused internal injury, and a trickle of striking fresh blood overflowout from the corner of her mouth.
She quickly raised her hand, somewhat flustered, to wipe away the blood.
However, this subtle scene was still keenly noticed by Riveria, who stood nearby.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she reprimanded with a hint of uncharacteristic sternness in her tone.
"Ais! You cannot act recklessly on your impulses! Especially when trying a completely new training method you've never encountered before, you should be even more cautious!"
Ais pursed her lips somewhat aggrievedly and retorted in a low voice.
"But I…"
Riveria's expression was serious, allowing no room for argument.
"No 'buts'!"
Arthur glanced at the two squabbling individuals and timely interjected a reminder.
"Riveria is right; you really shouldn't rush things. After all, what you are doing now is just the first step of a long journey."
"Subsequently, you will need to maintain this breathing frequency twenty-four hours a day, constantly, to truly meet the introductory standard."
"Twenty-four hours!?"
Bete, who had just barely grasped a glimmer of the Moon Breathing under Arthur's guidance, subconsciously clutched his still faintly aching chest, a look of solemnity and horror flashing in his eyes.
'This guy… he really is a complete monster. Such a demand…'
His heart was bitter, his understanding of Arthur deepened, and at the same time, he felt an unprecedented pressure.