Chapter 263

The more I spar with Rod, the more I realize something.

No matter how much I struggle, defeating this guy is going to be extremely tough.

The closer I get, the clearer it becomes just how far away I really am.

Of course, if it’s a life-or-death fight, it might be a different story. Didn’t Hector prove that?

But at least in a sparring match, I had no choice but to lose. If I fought without holding back, maybe I could win.

“That tactic of sacrificing flesh to gain bone isn’t exactly the best. No matter how exceptional your regeneration is, there are limits.”

Rod explained that the moment my limbs get severed, the fight would turn overwhelmingly unfavorable.

After listening to his explanation, I paused for a moment and asked innocently, “Can’t I just put it back on?”

“··· ···”

The look on Rod’s face was priceless. It was as if he wanted to smack me but held back.

But something similar happened last time, too. The incident where my wrist got sliced off when I stuck my hand into the space Rod cut.

Back then, I hastily reattached it, and somehow, it stuck. Maybe Rod remembered that, as his eyebrows furrowed, and he said,

“······I’m not sure if you’d have time to pick up your hand. Anyway, don’t think that way.”

“… ···”

“Are you thinking that it’s possible to regenerate even without reattaching the severed parts?”

“Nope.”

How did he know? I had thought something similar before, but it seemed pretty convincing.

Because this body of mine belongs to a demon. There’s a faint hint of color, but it’s a demon’s body.

Demons are like undead. Unless it’s a lethal blow, most injuries can regenerate.

‘Though I’m red, so I can’t say for sure.’

Here, regeneration differs greatly depending on the color.

The closer to red, the slower the regeneration, and as it shifts towards purple, the regeneration rate increases.

For example, let’s say someone gets their neck sliced. If it’s red, that’s a critical injury. If it’s purple, it’s not so fatal—just a minor injury.

To kill a demon without divine power typically requires either piercing the heart or slicing the neck.

But for those with blue or higher, slicing the neck is pointless, and purple ones are impossible to defeat without divine power.

‘Purple ones are near godly beings, after all.’

In that sense, I’d say my regeneration is quite good.

Demons with red are about as regeneratively strong as an ordinary human. So, I tend to take care of myself.

“Anyway, try not to get into the habit of throwing your body away when fighting. Did you do the same when living in the forest?”

“I ambushed when hunting.”

“Ambushing, huh… That method does suit you.”

Rod has taught me much more than others, especially compared to Kara, who manages just fine, and Luna, who’s a genius and seems to learn naturally.

On the other hand, while I have some talent, I had many shortcomings compared to those two, which meant I had to be taught intensively.

“Typically, combat styles divide into three: strength, softness, and sharpness. Like rock-paper-scissors—strength is weak against softness, softness against sharpness, and sharpness against strength.”

“Isn’t sharpness really important?”

Though I had never heard of that in the Soul World, I got the gist. What mattered here was sharpness.

Sharpness is akin to landing a critical blow, increasing both critical hit probability and damage.

The other two focus on basic power or agility, but just boosting sharpness could land a decisive hit.

“Exactly right. But it’s also quite difficult. You have to exploit your opponent’s openings. However, I don’t think you really need to learn it.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re already doing well. There have been more than a few times during sparring that I felt a shiver down my spine.”

Thinking back, I noticed it more during recent sparring sessions. Rod’s surprised expressions were happening more frequently.

Where he used to respond leisurely, now, thanks to my slight improvement, I could see tiny openings here and there.

Of course, it’s also possible that Rod intentionally leaves openings. But the fact that I noticed it is impressive.

“Your lips are twitching.”

“Me?”

“I can see everything.”

I started to trace my lips. It seemed that, being praised so rarely, I unconsciously twitched my lips.

Still, it felt good to receive compliments after constantly getting feedback.

“Grandpa.”

“Speak up.”

“Then what about lightning strikes?”

I want to learn that. Didn’t I get hit hard last time I tried to show off?

Rod also retaliated seriously, and I ended up burnt to a crisp.

If I could learn it, it would be a handy skill. Striking with lightning would mean I could redirect other things too.

Especially since it’s the ultimate counter for magic, learning it could only be beneficial.

“Oh. That’s going to be tough for you to learn. It’s the pinnacle of softness, ‘yu.’ But you’re more about strength, right?”

“Can’t I just learn it?”

“Hmmm…”

As I protested, not really arguing, Rod looked around. I followed his gaze.

I noticed Luna and Eli sitting side by side, watching us.

“Eli student.”

“Yes?”

“Could you bring me two apples from inside? Don’t peel them.”

“Sure thing.”

Rod naturally called out for a favor. Eli stood up and went inside.

That left Luna all alone, and Rod, upon seeing her, called Eli back.

“Wait a moment, Eli student. Make that three apples.”

“Three? Okay!”

“And Luna, you come here too.”

“Me?”

Luna asked, pointing at herself with wide eyes, looking a bit dazed.

Of course, she really was a bit dazed. Each time she shows that side, I can’t help but wonder if she’s really the protagonist.

Anyway, Luna got up and came over to us, casting a curious glance our way.

It seemed like she was pondering something. Maybe checking out our stats or something.

“I brought them.”

“Thanks. You two take one each.”

Rod handed one apple to Luna and me. I wondered if that meant we should eat it, so I glanced at Rod.

“Don’t eat it yet. Just hold it.”

“Okay.”

So we weren’t supposed to eat it. I quietly waited.

Luna seemed equally confused, her eyes darting around.

“Shivar, what you want is softness, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, peel the apple just like this. But don’t use your other hand.”

“······?”

What does he mean by that? I blinked and looked at Luna.

It was an unspoken question of whether she understood. Coincidentally, she also looked at me.

The expression said it all—she didn’t quite get it. I’d probably have a similar look on my face.

“It seems we’re both somewhat lost. Let me demonstrate.”

Rod, as if expecting this, began to showcase an example. Luna and I watched the apple resting in his hand.

Soon, Rod started moving the apple in his hand, not using his other hand as he mentioned earlier.

Though it looked like he was rolling a stone, surprisingly, the apple skin slowly began to peel off.

And it was peeling quite thinly. The thin layer revealing just enough flesh showed impressive magic control.

Not long after, the skin was entirely off, leaving only a delicious-looking apple behind.

“Done this way. How does it look?”

“··· ···”

What am I supposed to do with this? I was utterly clueless.

Even learning to counter in the Soul World took considerable effort. I didn’t expect it to be this tedious.

Could I really master such magic control? I’ve got this ridiculously strong Red Magic output, after all.

“Do I have to learn this?”

“You should. Otherwise, you’ll end up electrocuted.”

“Hmm······”

I couldn’t help but let out a groan. Now that I mention it, there wasn’t a sound when he peeled it.

It’s so precise, it’s on par with a surgeon performing brain surgery. Sure, talent matters, but higher efforts are needed too.

“Like this?”

“Huh?”

Just as I plunged into thought, Luna reached out her hand.

On her palm was a neatly shaped apple, slightly bumpy but cleanly polished.

The skin looked similar. She had peeled it quite well, even if not as perfectly as Rod.

“Oho. So it’s Luna after all. This is quite difficult, but how did you do it?”

“I just followed what the principal did.”

Luna scratched her head, shyly answering. As I looked at her apple, I realized how much effort must have gone into it.

In the Soul World, I had to put in effort to earn results, but in reality, it exceeds that. I guess protagonists really are something else.

Or maybe she just picked up on some hints due to her keen observation. I couldn’t help but feel envious.

‘Did I get the Mouth of Chaos but sacrificed divine talent?’

That might be it. I shifted my gaze back to the apple resting in my hand.

Maybe this could be simpler than I thought. Somehow, Luna succeeded way too quickly.

Even with the strong output of Red Magic, I could manage if I focused carefully.

‘Just treat my thumb like a knife. That should work.’

I felt eyes on me. Most likely, Rod and Luna were watching me.

I got nervous for no reason. To ease my tension, I took a deep breath.

“No need to be nervous, Shivar. This is surprisingly easy.”

“··· ···”

Easy for you, that is. This is why I can see why geniuses are so irritating.

I listened to Luna’s encouragement with half an ear as I concentrated magic into my hand. I already felt the intense energy swelling.

If I kept going like this, the apple would burst. I needed to control it as much as possible.

Then, as I placed my thumb against the apple skin to peel it,

Bang!

The apple exploded like a bomb, scattering everywhere.

Not just the skin but the insides flew all over the place. What a total bombshell.

I was stunned for a moment, then stared blankly at what remained of the apple ‘that was in my hand.’

It wasn’t just the skin—it had turned into apple smoothie and was dripping everywhere.

“··· ···”

“Uh······”

Luna next to me was clearly caught off guard. I looked at the smoothie flowing from my hand before raising my head.

Rod was wearing a gentle smile. The problem was, his face was smeared with bits of apple and skin.

Just when I thought I might get scolded again, feeling a bit down,

“It’s okay.”

“······Grandpa?”

“Everybody starts that way. I didn’t expect it to explode, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

Rod patted my shoulder and comforted me. His reassurance eased my earlier gloom.

Indeed, scolding someone at a time like this can make them more anxious. Rod knows when to correct and when to comfort.

Rod then wiped off the apple bits and skins stuck to his face and called Eli.

“Elie student.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, you’ll be in charge of fruit juices for Shivar. Hehehe.”

“··· ···”

I felt strangely embarrassed. My face started feeling warm from the awkwardness.

I pretended not to notice and slurped some of the apple smoothie from my hand, trying to change the subject.

“Is it tasty?”

“······Shut up.”

She’s definitely teasing me.

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