Chapter 16

Isaac, having inadvertently entertained a sacrilegious thought, glanced back at Gebel, feeling a bit guilty. Gebel, though shaking his head, didn't seem like he was about to leap at Isaac to split his head open and check for tentacles inside.

"Well, maybe the Codex of Light thought it too much to grant you both exceptional talent in swordsmanship and miracles."

Isaac's talent with the sword clearly exceeded normal levels. If Gebel didn't use advanced sword techniques, Isaac could probably match him.

Gebel gazed at the snow-covered yard for a moment before speaking.

"It seems enough."

"Pardon?"

"I have nothing left to teach you."

Isaac nodded, his expression mixed. In truth, he had exhausted what he could learn from Gebel a long time ago. Unless Gebel taught advanced techniques, all Isaac could do was refine what he already knew.

"That makes sense. You said Avalanche techniques couldn't be indiscriminately disclosed."

Gebel stared at Isaac intently, then unexpectedly revealed something.

"What I taught you is the foundation of the Avalanche Paladin Order's swordsmanship."

"Really?"

"Avalanche swordsmanship is fundamentally a group battle technique, strongest when used collectively. That's why we first focus on building a solid foundation."

Gebel paused, then continued with emphasis on each word.

"But now, the essence of Avalanche's advanced techniques is not worth passing on."

"Why not?"

"The essence of Avalanche's advanced swordsmanship lies in its ultimate efficiency when used in a group. But now, with the Paladin Order gone... there's no one to synchronize with."

Isaac was speechless. Even if he learned advanced techniques from Gebel, there would be no way to utilize them effectively. The techniques were based on group combat, fitting for a Paladin Order, but Isaac had no such companions.

'There were no such limitations in the game.'

"So, I hope you develop your own unique secret techniques, based on the basics you've learned. Your style will vary depending on what you experience and feel each time you wield your sword."

Gebel's casual suggestion was monumental - he was asking a young man not yet an adult to establish a new school of swordsmanship. Isaac might not have grasped the full difficulty of advanced swordsmanship, but he couldn't help feeling that this was an absurd idea.

"Is that even possible..."

"You can do it."

Gebel spoke as if stating a fact.

"I've seen potential in you many times. But you always held back, probably unconsciously restraining yourself from using unlearned techniques."

In reality, Isaac's body automatically stopped due to the low HP limit of Nephilims, but Gebel seemed to interpret it differently.

To Gebel, who was convinced of Isaac's maturity, Isaac appeared as a blank canvas capable of painting anything. Had he taught him the essence of Avalanche swordsmanship, Isaac would have absorbed it instantly.

But Gebel chose not to.

"I don't want to tarnish a blank canvas set for a masterpiece."

Isaac, as if realizing something, looked at the marks his sword had made in the yard. Gebel, watching him, remembered his own hidden desires.

If he let Isaac go now, the boy would surely surpass him as a swordsman.

But that would mean failing the reason he had brought Isaac here.

"Of course, after all this effort, I can't just let you go."

Picking up a small twig, Gebel muttered.

"I'll show you one of Avalanche's advanced techniques."

"Didn't you say it shouldn't be leaked?"

"I'm just showing. And since you seem capable of self-restraint..."

Meaning it was up to Isaac to watch and learn on his own, Gebel implied. Isaac stayed silent, focusing intently on Gebel, not wanting to miss any part of his demonstration.

Whoosh.

Gebel slowly swung the twig, then suddenly swept it horizontally. The twig barely skimmed the snow, yet a blizzard erupted as if a wave had crashed.

Gebel's silhouette moved amidst the fluttering snowflakes.

"Swordsmanship is essentially an application of the three movements you've learned."

The twig gradually picked up speed, still executing the simple actions of cutting, thrusting, and striking. Gebel seemed to be giving his first and last demonstration of swordsmanship, repeating it.

Isaac realized Gebel's movements were not of fighting a single opponent, but many in a battlefield scenario.

Not one, but several, perhaps dozens of enemies converging on him. They narrowly missed his blade, fell bleeding, or attempted to surround him with shouts.

But just as Gebel seemed overwhelmed by an impossible number of soldiers, a boom-like sound of air tearing apart erupted, and a snowstorm blasted in all directions.

Isaac, who had been standing still,

was suddenly engulfed in snow.

The snow was neatly cleared in a circular area around Gebel, like an explosion.

Isaac realized it was a shockwave caused by breaking the sound barrier. But could a human body achieve such speed? Could it withstand it?

'...That's what advanced swordsmanship, or skills, make possible.'

Isaac noticed three explosive-like traces radiating from where Gebel stood. Anyone there would have been obliterated.

"This is one of Avalanche Paladin Order's advanced techniques, 'Omen.' If you look closely, you'll see it's based on what you've learned."

Gebel, wiping sweat from his forehead, explained.

"As I've said before, when swordsmanship reaches a certain level, it can take on a form and manifest its attributes, like magic. Avalanche's techniques embody the ferocity of an avalanche. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Isaac nodded, recalling the movements Gebel had demonstrated.

The moves Gebel performed...

"I can do it."

Isaac felt a surge of confidence that he could execute the movements Gebel had just demonstrated. The flow and movement of the sword, as if etched in his mind, made sense to him.

The 'Omen' technique Gebel had just displayed was simply a combination of the moves Isaac had been practicing throughout his stay at the monastery.

Those relentless slashing and cutting moves were the ones Isaac had trained in. When connected organically, they formed a complete sword technique.

"Avalanche Paladin Order's techniques are based on the form of an avalanche," Isaac recalled Gebel's words.

'What form am I adopting for my swordsmanship then?'

Gebel placed the twig on the ground and spoke.

"Advanced techniques aren't something you can replicate just by seeing them once. And with your body still developing, trying them could be dangerous. But you've learned all you can from me. Even though I didn't teach you advanced techniques, the essence of Avalanche Paladin Order is infused in your movements, your breathing..."

Gebel pondered whether to elaborate but then decided against it.

It was greed from hereon. The desire to leave his mark on a future master knight.

And the desire to pass on his burdens to him.

"From now on, you should find your own path."

It meant Isaac was to develop his advanced sword techniques on his own. Isaac thought about the irresponsibility of his mentor but understood his intent.

Avalanche techniques were too heavy and powerful for him.

There must be a sword technique suitable for Isaac. And just before Gebel arrived, Isaac had discovered a hint of it.

Isaac felt his fingers itching already.

"Isaac."

Gebel, facing the falling snowflakes, spoke to Isaac.

"Next year, you're scheduled to go to Lancel Monastery, right?"

"Yes."

Orphans in the monastery naturally leave when they become adults. Some become monks, some get recommended for further education in the order, but most become apprentices to learn a trade.

But Isaac had a different path. He was to go to a city monastery for proper Paladin training.

Lancel Monastery, located in a major nearby city, specialized in training priests and Paladins, with over 1,600 residents. Isaac was set to receive higher education there.

If he had truly learned all the sword techniques from Gebel, there was nothing left for him here.

To ascend higher, he needed to leave this place.

As long as he wasn't suspected by the order of being a tentacle monster, Isaac's rise was assured.

"If you become a Paladin, there are things you should know."

"Like what?"

"Why I left the Avalanche Paladin Order and other minor details."

Gebel hesitated to elaborate. But the moment he spoke of it, Isaac sensed Gebel was also planning to leave the monastery.

Isaac's presence, his training process, had significantly impacted Gebel.

"I only taught you the basics, but there will be those who recognize it as Avalanche swordsmanship. They will be wielding the same techniques as me."

Anyone using Avalanche Paladin Order techniques would likely be from the same order. Was he suggesting hiding his techniques? Technically, Gebel was guilty of leaking the order's techniques.

"Kill them immediately upon encounter."

Isaac was taken aback.

"But, to kill someone just because they caught me secretly learning their techniques..."

"What are you talking about? The Avalanche Paladin Order is long gone. There's no one left to accuse."

Isaac recalled their earlier conversation.

'Then why insist on killing?'

It wasn't reluctance due to the moral weight of murder. Paladins are essentially soldiers, and killing is part of a soldier's duty.

More importantly, Isaac had already killed, even consumed others, though not by his own hands.

"They'll surely try to kill you. So for your own sake, you should kill them."

"Is there no other characteristic besides using Avalanche swordsmanship?"

"Their appearances have likely changed, so any description would be useless. And there's no need to worry about confusion. The only people who can use Avalanche techniques now are you, me, and them."

Isaac wanted to ask more about the story behind this, the reason for this proxy killing. It must be related to why Gebel gave up his Paladin duties and sought refuge in the monastery.

Certainly, it had to do with concealing Isaac's identity.

'I need to find out more.'

Just then, a crow cawed loudly.

Looking up, Isaac locked eyes with a crow perched on the monastery head's window sill. After another caw, it took flight, a red string tied to its leg. It was a messenger crow.

Gebel frowned at the sight.

"A carrion crow."

"Is that a bad omen?"

"It's not the carrion crow but those who use them that are the problem."

Gebel spoke with a meaningful tone as the monastery door opened with a clunk.

Monastery head Evhar emerged, his face pale and hurried.

Isaac sensed something ominous. Gebel's expression hardened too.

"What's the matter, Head of the Monastery?"

"Gebel."

Evhar, pale and fidgety, mumbled.

"The Inquisition is planning to visit our monastery."