Chapter 138

On Earth, there existed a profession called ‘evaluators’. Inheriting Bison’s divination formula, they served as government officials worldwide, accurately assessing the talents of individuals visiting monitoring screens or local offices.

Attribute: None (無)

Suitable Abilities: None. Affinity for low-grade mana

Attributes: Extraordinary athletic reflexes, extraordinary mental strength, inexplicable combat premonition, inexplicable body control

These were the results I received at that time. A spiritual cripple with no innate attribute. It was a cruel outcome, but its accuracy was unquestionable. While my case led to despair, every human in District 34 had their aptitudes verified by evaluators’ power.

After discovering their talent, it was up to them whether they chose to pursue it or not. At least, there would be no aimless wandering due to ignorance of one’s psychic affinity.

‘However, Ardenia doesn’t have any evaluators.’

This wasn’t just a problem that could be solved with Bison’s divination technique alone; it required infrastructure built upon numerous ultimate magic spells, making it unfeasible in Ardenia.

Thus, I employed an alternative method: Three Essences and Six Harmonies Art (삼재육합공).

‘It took considerable effort to find this skill, as it is rarely used on Earth.’

The Three Essences and Six Harmonies Art serves as a foundational cultivation technique, allowing individuals to develop in any direction. It lacks specific attributes, philosophies, or ideologies, focusing solely on establishing a base for cultivation.

I arranged for all martial arts aspirants in the Human Empire to learn Three Essences and Six Harmonies. Regardless of their speed, it could be mastered within 100 days at the slowest or just one week for the quickest learners. This training method was significant as it laid the foundation for future martial arts development but also had potential applications beyond that.

‘One can gauge a cultivator’s talent based on the time taken to achieve mastery.’

What if someone took more than three months to master Three Essences and Six Harmonies? They should then focus on learning Quick Advances instead. With such limited talent, they might never complete even one cycle of circulation with advanced techniques like Divine Art before their demise.

‘Of course, determination can sometimes overcome lack of innate ability.’

However, systems must cater to the majority of cases. For instance, to learn the widely practiced Heavenly Dragon Sword Art within the Human Empire, one needed at least fifty days’ mastery of Three Essences and Six Harmonies before being allowed to begin training.

‘There are exceptions, though.’

Individual talents varied greatly; while it might take some three months to complete, others could achieve proficiency in just ten days. Considering that the two-month-and-ten-day difference wasn’t merely about time but reaching different levels of mastery, those destined for greatness as sword masters often displayed exceptional achievements even during their introductory phase.

“Huh? Did you understand? I said, they usually show outstanding progress.”

“Yes…”

“No way! How can someone who generated sword energy struggle with even the basics of Three Essences and Six Harmonies?”

It was undeniably true that Edward had manifested sword energy. Ironically, however, there were significant issues with labeling him as a Sword Master or Completed Being just yet.

“I got it wrong again!”

“Agh! Why do I have to study? Isn’t moving mana enough?”

“Of course not! And besides, the mnemonic for Three Essences and Six Harmonies has only forty characters. How can you keep getting them wrong?”

Edward’s affinity for mana and light attributes was so exceptional that one might question whether he was truly human or perhaps a fallen celestial being. His insane talent allowed him to generate sword energy within just a week after accessing proper martial arts literature—what more needs to be said?

However, there was one problem: his intelligence.

“Is this guy completely clueless or what?”

“That’s too harsh!”

This idiot couldn’t even recite the forty verses of the basic cultivation technique properly. Even when he thought he had memorized them all, he’d get confused and end up practicing breathing exercises incorrectly.

“How can you mix up the characters for ‘heaven’ (天) and ‘eye’ (目)? They look and mean completely different things!”

“Oh, right. It’s heaven, isn’t it?”

“…”

The situation with the Nine Lights Sword Technique was no better.

“Sword energy…try creating it again.”

“Hold on, please.”

Edward held a sword in his right hand and the manual detailing the Nine Lights Sword Technique in his left. After about five minutes…

Hwoooom!

Sword energy shimmered from his blade.

“Success!”

“Darn it!” Edward protested angrily, “Why are you always getting mad?”

“Why? Why indeed?! Who fights with a sword while holding a book in one hand? Are you some kind of mage?”

Having personally memorized countless cultivation techniques like Jeong Gong, Sa Gong, Shin Gong, and even Magi Gong despite my low affinity for mana and inability to properly train Inner Force, I couldn’t help but feel infuriated at this blatant cheating. Seriously, is this open-book combat now?

“Sigh… Yes, if your mind is weak, you must learn through physical practice.”

I postponed my trip to Earth and began teaching Edward. The Human Empire currently had only two Sword Masters, including myself. However, given their current training system, it would take a considerable amount of time before another Sword Master could emerge.

The current results were due to Stonestone practicing the offensive-focused Reverse Flow Water Visualization Technique for 20 years, while Haze brought memories and boundaries from his future self who survived the Age of Destruction. It was impossible to estimate how much time other newly trained knights would need to catch up with them.

‘Well, even if it wasn’t this situation, he still needs to be managed.’

On Earth, where there were over 100,000 Completed Beings, someone discovered manifesting sword energy after just one week would immediately receive special attention. This would apply regardless of their background or connections.

“The next posture.”

“Yes.”

”…No, what are you doing? Your heels aren’t touching the ground.”

“Like this…”

“No…”

However, after teaching him for half a day, I discovered something new.

‘This guy is even physically clumsy.’

When watching idols dance, some people can follow it immediately while others maintain strange postures no matter how many times they see it. This isn’t just about memory but differences in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. It meant that talent was needed to handle the body, and if this talent was lacking, it was natural for combat, which required peak physical utilization, to be problematic.

“I-I’m really that messy? Even though when I was younger, I beat my older brothers and later on, adults as well…”

“That’s because you won with your aura power. What technique is needed when an adult hits a child?”

After several tests, I was able to organize Edward’s talents:

[Mythical Mana Aptitude]

[Mysterious Light Attribute Power]

[Bullheadedness]

[Unfit Body]

As I sorted out the situation, I realized something:

‘He is completely opposite to me.’

Unlike myself, who possessed a fighting aptitude capable of breaking gangster heads with beginner-level inner force but had no future due to poor mana affinity, Edward had immense mana aptitude yet lacked the ability to harness it.

‘To put it simply… he is like a mouse that has achieved the pinnacle of strength versus a tiger only skilled in grappling.’

If I had met him earlier, I would’ve been overwhelmed by feelings of inferiority and self-loathing. After all, despite being a peak-strength mouse, there seemed no way to defeat a grappling tiger.

However, now as a cosmic monster surpassing both the mouse and tiger, I have the luxury of being patient and merciful with him.

“Firstly, I’m confiscating this book.”

“H-How can you take back something you already gave me?!”

“I’m not taking it back; it’s simply not suitable for you. Upon further consideration, attribute-enhancing techniques aren’t beneficial for your case.”

Edward’s innate affinity for light is so strong that any technique he learns will naturally imbue his movements with the light attribute. Ordinary techniques designed to manifest attributes would only overwhelm his energy uncontrollably.

“So what should I learn then?”

“Tai Chi.”

Specifically, the Twenty-Four Form Tai Chi (二十四式太極拳). Often referred to as Simplified Tai Chi, it aligns perfectly with national sports principles due to its smooth, uniform movements, correct posture, and comfortable stance.

Tai Chi is known for its simple movements and has been modified to be easily learned by both children and seniors. Honestly, it’s closer to a health regimen than martial arts. Compared to the highly advanced Nine-Light Sword Technique, Tai Chi could be considered virtually effortless.

Of course, mastering all twenty-four moves enough to use them effectively in combat would still prove challenging.

Unlike Nine-Light Sword Technique, which requires deep understanding of the formulas, Tai Chi can be honed through physical practice.

Although Edward may be stubborn, he doesn’t have any learning disabilities. With endless repetition and movement, he should eventually grasp these techniques.

“First, memorize these eight characters: Void Spirit Governs Vigor (허령정경), Chest Contains Back Raises (함흉발배).”

“Uh…uh? This is simple! It’s just a posture?”

“Yes. Governing Vigor means to straighten the head and spine. Imagine there is a string attached to the top of your head. If you pull on that string…”

Time passed. I lived a regular life. In the morning, I woke up and ate breakfast prepared by the actors at the Great Hall before teaching Edward throughout the day.

Understanding his stubborn nature, I meticulously controlled every aspect, from his gestures to the angle at which his feet touched the ground.

After lunch, we continued training in the afternoon. Despite being both stubborn and clumsy, Edward wasn’t foolish enough to disregard the significance of dedicating most of his day to self-improvement as an emperor.

Despite sweating profusely and occasionally emitting steam from his head as he struggled to memorize the incantations, Edward never gave up and devoted all his energy to training.

One week, two weeks, one month, two months passed by. I spent most of my time at Flame City, flying on Kasim only when necessary to handle pending matters at Iron Castle. Perhaps it was because I, the emperor, resided there? Despite being located thousands of kilometers away, an enormous number of people flocked to Flame City.

Moreover, it attracted various refugees: those hiding from the Flame Monarch’s kidnappings, exiles drawn to the allure of the Human Empire after Ignition, Ming Empire refugees who fled westward, and Ahjins from the Crystal Alliance. Flame City welcomed them all, significantly increasing its population.

After relocating to Flame City, Flower and Haze arrived once their affairs in Chrome Kingdom were settled. Stonestone followed with the Steel Cross Knights Guild. They categorized, trained, and even transformed some of these individuals into Players.

Meanwhile…

I taught Edward.

“Daoquan Hong.”

Whip!

Stepping back while crossing his arms in a circular motion, all his movements flowed swiftly like water. Surprisingly, light coursed through Edward’s body during this maneuver. Tai Chi lacks any attribute formulas, yet energy was beginning to manifest from even this simplified martial art. The aura that had been stored in his lower dantian vaporized along his spine, indicating he had reached the realm of refining essence into energy (Lian Jinghua Qi).

As his brain was stimulated, his innate pyrokinesis activated and flowed along his skin like protective clothing or armor.

“Lighter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“More fluidly.”

“Yes.”

I hadn’t planned to train him for this long. Considering his prodigious talent, I assumed he would become reasonably proficient with advanced martial arts from Earth without much effort on my part.

However, while instructing this stubborn fool…

I sensed something unique about him.

“Slower. And even lighter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Even more so.”

“Yes.”

Never once had I struggled with finding the correct posture, either within martial arts or specific techniques. It wasn’t because posture wasn’t important; rather, I effortlessly discovered the optimal stance every time.

Humans lose their sense of distance if they close one eye. If the ground is slightly inclined, there will be errors in balance and it becomes difficult to control their limbs perfectly. Normally, humans only understand that something is wrong through pain, and even then, they can’t pinpoint exactly where it hurts.

However, I am different.

Regardless of my posture or terrain, I have complete control over my body. I can move my penis like a finger and regulate my heartbeat at will. When my stomach hurts, I can accurately determine whether it’s due to issues with my liver, stomach, small intestine, or large intestine.

However, this made me think less deeply about it. The meaning of posture in martial arts, the flow of strength according to body movements… Even if I told Edward to lift his arm, he would do it at completely different angles. When instructed to step forward, Edward’s crazy party saw him stepping 5 centimeters ahead, 8 centimeters back, or lifting and lowering his heel. In this chaos, I gradually began to see aspects of martial arts that I hadn’t considered deeply before.

“Flow…”

It was present everywhere—in my breathing, in each step I took. I became aware of it.

Goo-ooh…

“Your Majesty?”

“Everyone back off.”

“Shh. Quietly leave.”

At some point, my martial arts lost their flow. There was no need for it anymore. As my level increased and I completed various collections, the performance of my physical body became too high. Why did I need flow when all attacks could be resolved with one strike? Even Land Breaker, primarily used for industrial purposes, overshadowed any thoughts about flow in combat.

However, flow existed even in a single attack. It also existed within my own body itself.

Clunk!

A new element was ‘completed’ and engraved in the symbolic world. This wasn’t just a simple element but the opening of a self-existing small universe, causing a torrential downpour of knowledge to flood into my mind on a different scale than before.

After what felt like an eternity—or perhaps merely an instant—I quietly opened my eyes.

”…Excellent.”

On a day close to the deadline of the competition:

The chakra of Body reached Gate 5: Hyunmun (贤门).

The chakra of Martial Arts reached Gate 6: Inmun (人門).