Kapitel 84: Valerie von Lampez
Valerie von Lampez was a renowned sword genius with numerous accomplishments to her name. She had exchanged blades with elders and masters from the sects of Murim, family heads of powerful clans, and high nobles of the Slatemark Empire. Her reputation was formidable, and she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful <Immortal>-rankers, standing shoulder to shoulder with legends like Li Zenith and Duke Blazespout.
She became the vice-principal of Mythos Academy because of her passion for teaching and nurturing the next generation of talents. Currently, she was the master of Sun Zenith, aiding him in his journey to become a formidable swordsman.
In the novel, Valerie would eventually take Lucifer under her wing after witnessing his performance in the end-of-year tournament. Her unique teaching style and insights made her a valuable mentor, even to those already trained by superior swordsmen.
Valerie hailed from a Marquis family, where she mastered a Grade 5 art in her youth before creating a superior Grade 5 art herself. She was destined to become the new marchioness of her family in a few years.
And now, this powerhouse had witnessed my swordsmanship.
"How incredible," she muttered, her face flushed with excitement.
Oh right... I almost forgot.
She was a talent fanatic. Her love for cultivating talents was almost obsessive.
"Your form is impressive," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "But I see room for refinement. To think I would see a fledgling like you attempting to create a Grade 6 art."
Her words were delivered with the authority and wisdom of someone far older, a trait she enjoyed emphasizing in front of talented students.
I tilted my head in feigned confusion, pretending ignorance of Grade 6 arts. These arts were closely guarded secrets, known only to the descendants of powerful families and those of <Immortal>-rank and above.
"Oh!" she realized her slip. She touched her lips thoughtfully, nibbling on her finger slightly as she pondered her next words.
"Ah, whatever!" she said with a dismissive wave. "Grade 6 arts, as the name suggests, are a grade above Grade 5 and they do exist."
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gauged my reaction. "They are the pinnacle of martial arts, a culmination of unparalleled skill and understanding. Most never even dream of one, let alone creating it."
I tried to keep my composure, though her sudden interest and candidness made me uneasy.
"I can't help you much since I don't practice a Grade 6 art," she said, her tone thoughtful. "But I do understand the difference between a Grade 5 art and a Grade 6 art. I can guide you to reach the level of a Grade 6 art."
There were two paths to creating a Grade 6 art. The first was to forge one from scratch, as I was attempting. The second was to expand upon an existing Grade 5 art. This involved reaching the zenith realm of mastery in the current form, then adding new movements and refining techniques until the art transcended its original limits.
This wasn't something anyone could achieve through hard work alone; it required an extraordinary level of talent. It was a sobering realization—the barrier that most would never overcome.
Of course, Valerie was simply unlucky to never have been taught a Grade 6 art, as she didn't belong to one of the superpowers of this world. However, even if she had, she might still have struggled to surpass the virtuoso realm of mastery due to the inherent limits of her talent.
'Only those with the talent to create an art can reach the zenith level of mastery in equally level arts,' I reflected.
This meant that only individuals capable of creating a Grade 6 art could achieve the zenith realm of mastery in those arts. This is why the Martial King was such an anomaly. Currently, all the Kings were stuck at the virtuoso realm of mastery in their respective Grade 6 arts.
However, the Martial King had surpassed that and was nearing the zenith realm of mastery in his own Grade 6 art.
This scarcity of talent is also why Mythos Academy could afford to provide Grade 5 arts to all Class A students. A significant number of Grade 5 arts were created each generation, but Grade 6 arts were a true rarity, with only one emerging every few generations.
Valerie was incredibly close to the zenith realm of mastery in the Grade 5 art she had created. If she could live an extraordinarily long time without succumbing to mana atrophy, she might eventually surpass her natural limits through sheer perseverance.
But that wasn't something I needed to concern myself with.
"Want to learn swordsmanship from me, little fledgling?" she grinned.
I didn't have to think twice before nodding in agreement. There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain from this opportunity.
At least, that's what I thought before I heard her next words.
"Great, come here at 5 AM in the morning for two hours of training before your classes begin!" Valerie said, her enthusiasm palpable. "For today, let's start refining your technique right now."
My stomach dropped a little at the thought of early morning training.
'Training fanatic,' I cursed under my breath.
"Show me that move again," she instructed, her eyes narrowing with focus.
I readied myself, feeling the familiar surge of energy as I activated Lucent Harmony. The sigils on my arms glowed faintly as I executed the 4-circle variant of God Flash, focusing on every muscle contraction, every shift in balance.
Valerie watched intently, her gaze dissecting my every movement. "Your form is impressive," she said after I finished, "but your transitions need to be smoother. You're wasting energy on unnecessary motions."
She stepped forward, demonstrating the proper technique with a fluid grace that left me in awe. "Like this," she said, her sword cutting through the air with precision.
Although she couldn't perform God Flash, the preparatory steps she executed were far more fluid than mine. Her movements flowed seamlessly, each one an epitome of efficiency and control. If I could achieve this level of fluidity, Ren wouldn't be able to dodge my attacks as he had before.
'Of course, the key to defeating him would be just spamming God Flashes,' I thought, a wry smile tugging at my lips.
I mimicked her movements, keenly aware of the subtle differences. Valerie was beside me in an instant, adjusting my stance, refining my grip, and guiding me through each step. Her teaching style was relentless yet meticulous, each correction pushing me closer to perfection. She didn't just point out my mistakes; she showed me how to feel the right way to move.
"Good," she murmured as I moved through the steps again, her eyes never leaving my form. "But remember, efficiency is key. No wasted motions."
Hours passed in what felt like minutes. By the time we finished, I was drenched in sweat, my muscles aching, but I felt a profound sense of progress.
As exhausting as the training was, I knew it was a crucial step toward mastering God Flash and ultimately creating my own Grade 6 art.
"See you tomorrow at 5 AM," she reminded me with a grin before leaving the training hall.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein