Ch.5151. The Kaiserion Style

Half a year had already passed since Lex was chosen by Kaordix and became a Holy Engraver.

Currently, Lex had reached the level of Holy Flame.

Genius. Lex didn’t deny that word. It was an obvious fact.

As a Holy Engraver, Lex was indeed a genius.

But what about swordsmanship?

Was he equally exceptional in swordsmanship, to the point where it was difficult to find a match among his peers?

The answer was no. At least, that’s what he thought of himself.

Though he was fortunate enough to obtain a Zweihander, his skill in handling a sword was close to that of a complete novice.

That was only natural. Among all weapons, the sword was the most difficult to master. There was a limit to what one could achieve through solitary effort.

In his village, he had practiced by setting up straw bundles like scarecrows and cutting them down. After leaving his hometown, he had trained by imagining virtual opponents. Either way, these were terribly inadequate methods.

Of course, even with just that, he had managed to triumph over numerous enemies so far.

From Darbein, the apprentice knight, to the wild boar beast, to the Minotaur. The number of monsters he had dispatched in the dungeon wasn’t even worth counting.

It was all thanks to his holy power.

His swordsmanship itself—to make a harsh assessment—was merely crude skill, swinging wildly while relying on his divine strength. Like a beast, he had fought depending on his instincts.

Such a fighting style would eventually reach its limits. He intuitively knew this fact himself.

So when Berger offered to teach him swordsmanship, Lex was secretly delighted. It would allow him to compensate for his shortcomings.

And now, Lex thought to himself:

‘What nonsense is this?’

About an hour ago, he had followed Berger’s guidance to a place behind the Knights’ Hall.

A private training room. It was a space isolated from the outside world by yet another white barrier, where not even knights and their attendants could peek in. The only source of light was the sunlight filtering through the open ceiling.

In Lindenvale, the Lindenbach Barony, the family sword technique was passed down to knights and attendants free of charge.

The family sword technique was, as the name suggested, focused on the basics. Those with ambition typically sought out unique techniques through other channels.

Holy Combat Arts, which utilized holy power, were clearly classified knowledge. Even among comrades living in the same territory, human nature made people reluctant to openly share such things.

The private training room was prepared for such individuals.

Despite the word “private” in its name, the interior was spacious. Roughly enough for four or five people to swing swords comfortably.

However, before demonstrating the sword technique, Berger first explained the theoretical aspects.

“The Kaiserion Style presupposes the ability to wield Holy Flame.”

Extreme Light Sun Flash.

Piercing the high sun at a single point, causing it to fall.

Heavenly Thunder Soul Severance.

Lightning that cuts through everything, severing the soul.

Fierce Tiger Pursuit Kill.

Like a ferocious tiger, tearing at the nape of the neck.

Flame Soul Heaven Return.

The rising flames devour everything and return to the enemy.

“These four forms constitute the foundation of the Kaiserion Style.”

Lex nodded with a dubious expression.

He wanted to ask what this vague talk was all about, but Berger’s expression was too serious.

However, he couldn’t suppress the doubts floating in his mind.

There was a considerable gap between the sword technique he had imagined and the Kaiserion Style that Berger had just described. It wasn’t intuitive, and he couldn’t even understand what purpose it served.

Berger shrugged and drew his longsword.

“As I mentioned before, mental imagery becomes important from a certain level onward.”

“Mental imagery, sir?”

“Yes. Holy Engravers don’t fight like ordinary people. They manipulate holy power through sacred methods, and when they imbue it with mental imagery, their attacks become more powerful. Let me demonstrate.”

As Berger took a deep breath, blue flames rose from his longsword. Holy Flame. Since it was his first time observing someone else’s Holy Flame, Lex stared at Berger with wide eyes.

The flickering flames were surprisingly smaller than his own. However, that didn’t mean they lacked power. A chilling sensation crept up his skin, as if a blade was pressed against his neck.

Lex unconsciously swallowed.

“Watch carefully.”

Berger silently extended his longsword forward. The movement was very slow, allowing Lex to witness it clearly with his own eyes.

Extreme Light Sun Flash. Without anyone telling him, Lex instinctively realized that this posture and movement was the Extreme Light Sun Flash. At the same time, he understood Berger’s words about the importance of “mental imagery.”

On the surface, Extreme Light Sun Flash was an ordinary thrust. But with holy power added to it, and further imbued with the essence of the Kaiserion Style, what was once an ordinary thrust became an extreme light that pierced through all obstacles.

Whoosh!

Berger limited the speed of the form. After all, his original purpose was to show Lex the importance of mental imagery. Nevertheless, pressure burst from the tip of the sword, flattening the weeds in its path and creating a straight line.

Lex’s gaze was drawn to the blade that scattered an eerie light. He let out a breathless sigh. Berger sheathed his longsword. Lex had wanted to see more.

Looking at him with eyes dripping with lingering interest, Berger spoke with a smirk.

“Does it make you want to learn diligently?”

“Yes.”

Lex nodded vigorously.

***

The Kaiserion Style is an advanced sword technique among Holy Combat Arts, with a high level of difficulty.

It was too much for Lex, who didn’t even know the basics of swordsmanship, to use right away. A solid foundation is necessary before application can follow.

Therefore, Berger taught Lex not only the Kaiserion Style but also the Imperial Common Sword Technique. It was a kind of manual that newly appointed attendants in Lindenvale learned.

Compared to the Kaiserion Style, which was expressed through mental imagery, the Imperial Common Sword Technique was very easy to understand.

It was generally designed for beginners in swordsmanship, covering topics such as how to hold a sword and what stance to take depending on the opponent’s weapon.

Berger handed over two books. They contained the contents of the Kaiserion Style and the Imperial Common Sword Technique, respectively.

“I’m lending these to you. Don’t lose them.”

“Understood.”

The Imperial Common Sword Technique had almost no text, but instead had detailed illustrations of each stance. In contrast, the Kaiserion Style was filled with dense text from beginning to end.

Although he couldn’t read now, he planned to learn from Elin in the future, so he could study gradually.

“Let me say this out of concern.”

Berger spoke to Lex, who was scanning the illustrations of the Imperial Common Sword Technique with interested eyes.

“Someday in the distant future, someone who recognizes the Kaiserion Style might appear. They’ll probably ask you about the source of your technique, and when they do, mention my name, Berger von Altrich.”

“What happens if I don’t tell them?”

Lex asked with a puzzled voice. He intended to follow Berger’s instructions. It was just a question born out of pure curiosity.

Berger answered firmly.

“You’ll die.”

The leakage of classified knowledge was the most taboo act in all groups. One couldn’t teach it to others without possessing a “license.”

Of course, Berger had a teaching license. He had legitimately taught Lex, but someone unaware of the circumstances might cause problems.

The Kaiserion Style was a Holy Combat Art passed down to only a few even within Berger’s school. Berger himself wasn’t very famous, having spent almost his entire life in Lindenvale. Separately, the Kaiserion Style itself was famous.

This was because Berger’s master had a reputation throughout the continent. If Lex were to leave Lindenvale and use this classified knowledge while wandering in other regions, someone would inevitably recognize the nature of his sword technique.

It was almost a certainty that the school would send someone to verify his qualifications. The advice to mention Berger’s name was a precaution for that time.

“I understand.”

Lex swallowed hard, as Berger’s explanation was quite intimidating.

“Don’t worry too much. As my disciple, the members of the school won’t harm you.”

Berger walked slowly out of the training room with his hands behind his back.

“Follow me.”

Lex followed Berger back to the training ground.

The attendants were still diligently swinging their swords. The difference from before was that a man was now guiding the attendants from the front. The weapons held by the attendants had also changed from crude wooden swords to real swords with sharply honed blades.

Lex narrowed his eyes and stared at the attendants. More precisely, he scanned the trajectories of the blades. It was the Imperial Common Sword Technique. He hadn’t known before, but now he could recognize what those trajectories were.

“After learning the theory, you need to put it into practice to quickly internalize it.”

Berger moved with a sly smile.

“Sir Brandon.”

At those words, the man turned around. As guessed from his appearance of drilling the attendants, he was also a knight like Berger. He appeared to be over forty years old, and his face, etched with small scars, exuded a strong impression.

Brandon raised his hand to stop the attendants and shifted his gaze.

“What is it?”

“I see you’re busy cultivating talent today as well. I was wondering if I could have my disciple spar with one of the attendants over there. I wanted to ask for your permission beforehand, if that’s alright?”

As Berger placed his hand on his shoulder, Lex immediately bowed his head.

Brandon examined Lex with interested eyes.

“So you’re the one everyone’s been talking about.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Lex.”

A knight is fundamentally a superhuman with the power of at least the Radiance level. Even without manifesting his Radiance, the aura emanating from him made Lex’s body instinctively shrink.

Lex tensed his stiffening muscles and faced Brandon. He didn’t want to avert his eyes. Still, to avoid appearing disrespectful, he met Brandon’s gaze with the most courteous attitude possible.

Brandon stroked his chin, pondering something deeply, then raised the corner of his mouth in a grin.

“It seems like your level doesn’t match the attendants, and rather than wasting time with wooden swords… how about this instead?”

When Lex and Berger showed puzzled expressions, Brandon pointed at himself.

“Fight me.”