■ Power-Up Event □
This year, instead of the streets, I welcomed the New Year in Oz.
And instead of eating tteokguk, I grew a year older.
It’s been 28 years already since my reincarnation.
In this world, there wasn’t really any particular culture to commemorate the New Year.
While my Master and I, having lived in an Eastern culture in our past lives, were familiar with such traditions, it seemed the people here merely considered it a day to gather with family for a meal.
So on January 1st, I was content with a small outing with the two people I live with.
The roasted turkey we had after so long was surprisingly delicious.
After the wild drinking party, Dorothea seemed to take a liking to Korean drinking culture and often joined me for drinks.
Madam Maria always greeted us with a bright smile. When I asked her why, she said that my reputation among the young ladies at the brothel had improved greatly.
Apparently, unlike other VIPs, I generously tipped and had impeccable table manners.
Though I knew she was just being kind, as a man, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride.
Anyway, while Dorothea and I frequented taverns, Barnett stayed home alone and immersed herself in training.
Even though she’s already reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship as a Sword Master, she aims for a higher level beyond that.
Although theoretical levels like Tier 9 or Tier 10 still elude her grasp, I decided to support Barnett’s dream.
After living for 300 years as a Dullahan, focusing solely on the sword, shouldn’t she achieve at least one personal goal?
I once went through a similar phase of relentless practice, so I understood her mindset all too well.
Just as I was idly wasting time in Oz,
“Wait? Suddenly you want to train?”
“Yeah, training. It’s been quite a while since we last dueled, hasn’t it?”
Summoned unexpectedly to the Emerald Tower, I blinked in surprise at Master’s proposal.
“Didn’t you say it was enough when I reached Tier 6?”
“But I’ve now reached Tier 7. If it bothers you that I’m stronger, then get stronger.”
“What? Was the sole reason you called me at this ungodly hour to say that?”
“I have work during the day. There’s no time except at this hour.”
With that, Master signaled for me to hurry up with a nod of the chin.
‘Damn.’
Though I grumbled inwardly, knowing there was no escaping Master’s grasp, I reluctantly prepared for the duel.
“Huuuuh…”
Master’s specialty is unarmed combat, which I also learned directly from her.
We slowly distanced ourselves in the spacious basement of the Magic Tower.
A battle between experts begins with staking out territory.
Slowly… deeply…
We began breathing in the same manner.
Kooohhhhh—
Kooohhhhh—
It was like looking into a mirror.
The same stance, the same breathing method.
Though Master has transformed from an old woman to a young girl through reverse aging, she was still undeniably my Master.
I can’t picture myself winning against her.
Which makes challenging her all the more enticing.
Crack!
The density of mana surged rapidly, causing the ground beneath my feet to sink.
A solemn silence.
Master gestured for me to come, and I eagerly obliged.
BOOM!!
Like a missile, my figure shot forward.
I kicked at Master’s waist with a leg wrapped in wind.
“Too slow!”
But Master effortlessly deflected my leg and used her small frame to close the distance.
She twisted her body and rammed her shoulder into my chest.
Wind Devil Art (風魔神功)
Fourth Form: Wind Forest Fire Mountain (風林火山)
“Khahk!”
I was sent flying, spitting blood.
But Master’s attack didn’t stop there.
Wind Devil Art (風魔神功)
Second Form: Gentle Breeze Warm Sunlight (和風暖陽)
Dozens of air slashes bloomed like flowers in the sky, relentlessly pounding my body.
If I stayed still, I’d end up as a punching bag again, so I quickly flipped my body to counterattack.
‘One Gust Storm’
An invisible blade flew toward Master.
However, somehow sensing the attack despite its invisibility, Master easily deflected the One Gust Storm with a wave of mana.
…I’m completely overpowered in terms of power.
I immediately changed my strategy.
I switched the spell formation wrapped around my body from Wind Whirlbone to Rotating Single Island.
As violet lightning sprang from my limbs, a change appeared on Master’s face for the first time.
This is Ozma’s original spell.
Naturally, it’s a form of magic Master has never seen before.
I immediately pushed off the ground.
Pang!!
My body felt much lighter than before.
While Wind Whirlbone is a balanced offensive and defensive magic, Rotating Single Island focuses purely on speed.
“Where are you going?”
But Master reacted even to my speed, which should have been impossible to track with the eyes.
A fist closing in right before my face.
But the real terror of Rotating Single Island isn’t just increased speed; it manipulates bioelectric currents to the brain, accelerating thought processes and enhancing reflexes.
I instinctively deflected Master’s punch and struck her chest with the tip of my foot.
“Kch!”
The small body recoiled without resistance.
Though I felt the impact, it didn’t seem to have landed properly, so I immediately stepped forward and twisted my right hand.
A lightning-wrapped fist aimed for Master’s jaw.
‘I’ve got you!’
Just as I mentally cheered in triumph,
“Do you think you’ve won?”
An annoying smile appeared on Master’s face, which had just moments ago shown frustration.
Whirrrr!
Even with just a light touch, the trajectory of my punch wildly deviated.
Losing my balance, Master naturally tripped me with her leg, sending me crashing to the ground.
Kung!!
It felt like my own strength was used against me.
As I blankly stared at the ceiling of the sparring arena, Master looked down at me with her hands behind her back.
“How was the long-awaited sparring session with your Master?”
Looking up at Master, I chuckled helplessly.
“You’re still as strong as ever.”
“It’s such an obvious statement, I don’t even know what to say.”
“…What was the technique you used earlier?”
At that, Master fanned her face with her ever-present feather fan and replied.
“The subtlety of Tai Chi. I experimented a bit with the techniques of the Wudang sect.”
“But you’re from the Zhangbai Sect.”
“As the saying ‘all rivers return to the sea’ goes, martial arts ultimately converge into one path when you reach the top.”
Still speaking in riddles, Master subtly glanced at my stomach.
“Anyway, you’ve gained a bit of belly fat. Have you been eating and playing too much lately?”
I immediately made an excuse.
“I’ve been busy personally, so I haven’t had time to exercise…”
“Gah (喝)! Exercise is something you must make time for! You’ve always been the type to prioritize play whenever things loosen up even a little!”
Hearing Master’s familiar scolding after so long, I immediately stood up.
Though my whole body ached, thanks to Master’s controlled strength, it wasn’t bad enough to immobilize me.
“Anyway, since you brought me here to exercise, might as well push me around for a while since I don’t have anything else to do.”
At that, Master looked at me with disbelief.
“You’re still as shameless as ever.”
“What can I do? This is how I was born.”
As I shrugged, Master covered her mouth with her fan and chuckled.
“Are you ready?”
“If I was scared of training, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place. You know my personality well.”
At that, Master nodded and said,
“Then I’ll teach you now. The vision of our school’s new philosophy that I’ve developed upon reaching Tier 7.”
“Are you talking about the techniques you used earlier? They didn’t seem much different from what I’ve already learned.”
At that, Master shook her head and spread her hands.
“While reaching Tier 7, I realized there was a problem with the existing magical composition. I optimized it and developed a new magic technique that aligns with our school’s vision of breathing techniques.”
“What is it?”
“Heaven Devil Art (天魔神功).”
Upon hearing the familiar name, I couldn’t help but call her out.
“Isn’t that just a rip-off of Wind Devil Art?”
“Shut up.”
Slap!
“Ow! Down with dictatorship!”
After getting hit on the head with the fan, I jeered at Master.
But Master ignored my protests, sniffing disdainfully.
True to form, my Master has terrible naming sense.
If only she’d listened to me a little, we could’ve come up with a cooler name.
“Anyway, starting now, you will become the inheritor of our school’s vision, the Heaven Devil Art. It will be arduous training, so prepare yourself.”
“Master, didn’t you just say Heaven Devil Art?”
“I’m getting tongue-tied because of you, so shut up!”
With a red face, Master continuously tapped my head with her fan.
As expected, she’s embarrassed that she got caught plagiarizing.
