Bab 135: Martial King's Training III
"I'm beyond impressed," Magnus muttered to himself, watching Arthur scale Mount Valos without using mana, effortlessly dealing with a 6-star beast without even pushing himself to his limits.
Arthur Nightingale was unbelievably strong, almost to the point of absurdity.
'This new generation... it's going to be dangerous,' Magnus thought, recalling the other prodigies.
Sun Zenith, Ren Kagu, Lucifer Windward, Jack Blazespout, and Arthur Nightingale.
Who among them would ultimately rise to the top?
Magnus couldn't tell just yet, but he knew that each of them would one day reach his level—and that thought excited him.
"Looks like he's ready to train under me now," Magnus decided, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He rose from his spot, his gaze fixed on Arthur as he made his way toward the young man. He had watched him fight, persevere, and climb, and now it was time to see if Arthur truly had what it took to stand beside the greatest.
Arthur had just reached a small plateau, his breaths steadying as he took in the view. It was a moment of calm, but as he turned, he was met with the imposing figure of Magnus approaching him.
Magnus stopped a few meters away, his arms crossed, an amused glint in his eyes. "You're tougher than I expected, Nightingale. Most would have broken by now."
Arthur straightened up, meeting Magnus's gaze. "I'm not here to break. I'm here to learn."
Magnus's smirk widened. "Good answer. I've decided to make you my official disciple. But don't think for a second that makes things easier. If anything, the real challenge begins now."
"Tell me, what do you think is the basis of everything, what we should begin with?"
Arthur gave a nod, his eyes focused. "Footwork... you've mentioned it before. You said it's the core of every martial art."
Magnus smirked. "Precisely. Every movement, every attack, every defense—it all begins with your footing. If you control your feet, you control the battlefield." He took a step back, gesturing for Arthur to follow.
Magnus led Arthur to a relatively flat area near the summit, an open space with uneven ground and jagged rocks protruding from the earth. It was far from ideal, but that was the point. The terrain would challenge Arthur, forcing him to adapt.
"Watch closely," Magnus said, his expression serious. He then demonstrated a series of movements, his feet gliding over the rough ground with an almost ethereal grace. He moved smoothly, his steps shifting between powerful stomps that created shockwaves and nimble, evasive sidesteps that seemed to defy the laws of balance.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly as he watched Magnus. There was no wasted movement, no excess energy. It was as if Magnus flowed with the earth, his every step deliberate and precise.
Magnus stopped, turning his gaze back to Arthur. "This is a form of footwork I've developed over years of battle—adapting, learning, evolving. But I don't want you to copy me, Arthur. Your talent is too high for that. You have to create your own footwork, something that suits your strengths, your style."
Arthur looked at the ground, considering Magnus's words. Create his own footwork? It was a daunting challenge, but also one that sparked excitement within him. He had already developed God Flash, the first movement of his Grade 6 art that focused on explosive speed and overwhelming power. Now, to create a footwork technique that could support it—that was the next step.
Magnus nodded at Arthur's thoughtful expression. "The first thing you need to do is understand your own movements. The way you fight, the way you shift your weight, the way you explode into God Flash. Your footwork has to complement that—it has to be an extension of who you are as a swordsman."
Magnus then pointed to the rocky terrain around them. "Start moving. Feel the ground beneath you. Adjust your steps to maintain your balance and shift your weight with precision. I want you to experiment, to make mistakes. Only through trial can you find the right way."
Arthur nodded, taking a deep breath. He began to move, his steps cautious at first as he navigated the uneven terrain. He focused on his footing, feeling the shift of each rock beneath his boots, the way the earth pushed back against him.
He tried to emulate Magnus's smooth movements but quickly realized that his own body didn't quite respond the same way. Magnus's movements were fluid, but Arthur's strength was in his explosiveness. He needed something that allowed him to switch between power and finesse effortlessly, something that could transition seamlessly into God Flash.
Arthur paused, looking at Magnus, who stood with his arms crossed, watching intently. "Try something different," Magnus said, his voice calm. "If the ground resists you, then use that resistance. Your style isn't about flowing around obstacles—it's about breaking through them."
Arthur nodded. He shifted his weight, his foot pressing down on a jagged rock. Instead of gliding over it, he pressed harder, using the resistance to propel himself forward. He moved with more force, feeling the ground push back as he used it to generate power in each step.
Slowly, he began to find a rhythm—a balance between precision and power. He stomped down, the force of his step sending small shockwaves through the ground, then transitioned smoothly into a lighter, quicker step, ready to explode into a strike.
Magnus watched, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Good. Use your strength, your explosiveness. Make the ground work for you, not against you."
Arthur continued, his movements growing more confident. He felt the energy coursing through him, the way each step built upon the last, the way his weight shifted perfectly to prepare for the next movement. It wasn't perfect yet, but he could feel it—he was on the right path.
Magnus's voice cut through the wind. "This is just the beginning, Arthur. Your footwork will be the foundation of everything else you do. Once you master it, no opponent will be able to predict your movements. You'll be untouchable."
Arthur looked up, meeting Magnus's gaze. He saw the challenge there, the expectation. He knew this was the next step in his journey, and he was ready to take it. He would create his own footwork—something that was uniquely his, something that would elevate his martial arts to the next level.
"Keep practicing," Magnus said, turning away. "Once you've found a rhythm, we'll test it in real combat. And remember—your feet are your connection to the world. Control them, and you control everything."
Arthur nodded, a determined smile forming on his lips. He continued to move, each step bringing him closer to the art that would one day be his own.
He wasn't just learning from the Martial King; he was forging his own path—a path that would take him to the top.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone