Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 9: Black God Martial Arts (2)

Black God Martial Arts.

Many in this world did not know the true identity of this martial vein.

However, to the veterans in the community, after I released information about Black God Martial Arts, the consensus was clear:

Black God Martial Arts was the ultimate martial art.

“Truly a crazy martial art.”

The Heaven Defying Body was a state where the body, infused with the Energy of Defying Heaven, became unable to use mana. Moreover, this Heaven Defying Body had the power to neutralize most abilities composed of mana.

Energy of Defying Heaven.

The martial arts activated by this power were as follows:

– Black God Martial Arts can only be fully utilized with the Energy of Defying Heaven unique to the Heaven Defying Body. If the user of Black God Martial Arts lacks this energy, the art is only half as effective. Nevertheless, it’s still strong enough to rank highly.

The martial art, created with the power to render all mana-based abilities, martial arts, and magic useless, was unmatched:

– To explain Black God Martial Arts, it’s simple. It turns all of the opponent’s defenses and attacks into nothingness.

Yes.

This insane martial art, named Black God Martial Arts, penetrated all defenses.

– However, the entry barrier is high. To learn this martial art, one fundamentally needs to possess a Heaven Defying Body. And that’s not all. One also requires spiritual talent, and the Energy of Defying Heaven doesn’t accumulate as easily as one might think.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword paused there.

– Well, no matter what I say, it might not make sense unless you learn it in a real battle.

Ssssss!

Black energy spewed out from the Black Heavenly Demon Sword, soon beginning to take shape.

It was the form of a woman.

Black hair and red eyes.

Dressed in a China dress with black stripes on a white background, the woman held a pipe in her hand.

– The form of the sword is difficult to discern for the owner. They should count themselves fortunate. Thanks to the efforts of the previous owner, this body was able to descend into this world.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword spoke lazily, smiling.

– Oh, or perhaps it’s the opposite. My physical form might be quite stimulating for a teenage boy.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword smirked. Under normal circumstances, this might have been quite tempting.

“I’m not interested.”

But my situation was far from normal.

I might die soon, perhaps even by tomorrow. In such a predicament, I didn’t have time to be interested in women.

-How dull.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword scowled.

“Hurry up. The sooner I master martial arts, the lower my chances of dying unexpectedly.”

-…Fine. Let’s start with some basic breathing exercises then.

“Breathing?”

-Yes, breathing. I’ll demonstrate first.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword placed the pipe in her mouth and moved behind me. She then put her hand on my back.

-The Energy of Defying Heaven is different from mana. It wouldn’t be dangerous for a typical mana practitioner, but for you, the owner, you’d be fortunate to escape with just crippling injuries, so don’t move.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword cautioned.

I nodded.

-Here we go.

Something began to flow into me from my back. It circulated throughout my body.

‘This is the Energy of Defying Heaven.’

The wild, powerful black energy began to weave through my body, directed by the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

Gently.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword was meticulously conducting the energy.

A sense of curiosity washed over me. The Energy of Defying Heaven didn’t seem as perilous as I had anticipated.

Instead of feeling dangerous, it felt almost comforting.

‘Could it be due to my inexplicable talent?’

Nevertheless, I adhered to the Black Heavenly Demon Sword’s instructions.

The Energy of Defying Heaven was treacherous. If something went wrong while channeling the energy, even with luck on my side, I could still end up severely disabled.

Maybe even touching it could trigger it, so there was no need to intentionally stir up a hornet’s nest.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword gathered the Energy of Defying Heaven in the center.

Towards the heart.

Commonly known as the Center Dantian, or the place where the magic source circle formed.

She formed a sphere towards the heart.

-Hoo. Finally created it.

“Is this the end?”

-No, this is just the foundation. Black God Martial Arts begin by harboring Black God within the body. For now, just start by creating the Black Essence (黑精) in the heart with the Energy of Defying Heaven.

“Like this?”

-…?

As I gathered the Energy of Defying Heaven in my heart, the Black Heavenly Demon Sword looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

-How did you…?“

“Just happened.”

Literally,

It just happened.

The Energy of Defying Heaven moved according to my will. Sometimes it acted capriciously, but it quickly calmed down and moved as I wished.

-…Move the energy. The Heaven Defying Body continuously accumulates the Energy of Defying Heaven within the body. By scraping all of it from within, you can create the Black Essence.

I followed the guidance of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

The Black Essence was quickly created. My Heaven Defying Body was an acquired trait since there wasn’t much Energy of Defying Heaven yet.

I gathered the Energy of Defying Heaven towards my heart. The Black Essence, the size of a seed, became about half the size of a thumb.

“I’m done.”

-…Already? I thought I wouldn’t be more surprised, but your talent is beyond imagination.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword, who had come before me, widened her eyes in surprise.

She looked quite cute like that.

[You have entered the Black God Martial Arts Breathing Method. You have learned a forgotten martial vein! 2,000 points are awarded!]

I looked at the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

On a second look, she was incomparably beautiful.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword regarded Lee Seo-ha with tranquil eyes.

This boy was extraordinary.

Honestly, the previous owner had taken me by surprise. She was remarkably talented, even in the view of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

Grandmaster.

A figure distinguished in the creation of martial arts.

She was unable to learn martial arts while possessing the Energy of Defying Heaven. So, she forged her own. The foundation was the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts. Such a choice was only feasible because she was a minor sect leader.

She birthed the Energy of Defying Heaven and wove it into her martial arts. Subsequently, she ruled as the peerless one of her time.

The time came for her to seek a successor.

10 years passed.

100 years elapsed. And as time wore on, 300 years.

No one embodying the Heaven Defying Body emerged. It was as though the heavens had erred. Thus, the owner set myriad plans in motion across the world.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword was one such contingency.

“Perhaps I will witness the culmination of your martial vein.”

The martial vein devised by the previous owner was theoretically exemplary. Despite her innate impairment preventing full mastery, the successor could be different.

Perhaps he would surpass her, undoubtedly becoming stronger than she ever was.

She was determined to ensure it.

-My plans have shifted. Initially, I intended to concentrate on the breathing technique today, but given the owner’s aptitude, simply starting the breathing technique is not enough.

“What’s next?”

-I will impart to you the form of the Black God Martial Arts.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword extended her hand. With her gesture, the Black Heavenly Demon Sword that lay on the floor levitated and was swiftly captured in her grasp.

-Have you ever practiced martial arts by any chance?

“No, I haven’t learned any.”

-That is somewhat unfortunate. The Black God Martial Arts are not confined to the use of weapons. Their core is to penetrate the adversary’s guard and deliver decisive blows.

The Black God Martial Arts were the natural enemy of all beings with mana.

Barrier spells that even exorcists and mages had put hundreds of days into couldn’t stop the Energy of Defying Heaven.

-So, the Black God Martial Arts aren’t bound by weapons. Faster. More resolute. Just having that is enough for the learner of Black God Martial Arts to have no rivals. Yes, if I borrow the words of the previous owner, it’s like this.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword added with a hint of joy.

-Black God Martial Arts are, if I may say, a way to use one’s body more effectively. In the first place, just that alone makes it impossible for the opponent. But don’t worry. The previous owner was a Grandmaster. There are many martial arts techniques within Black God Martial Arts that deal with weapons.

“Then I’ll learn martial arts and swordsmanship.”

-That’s a good idea. If you’re unarmed, you should always assume the worst. I want to stick to the owner like a barnacle, but it’s a job that can also fall apart.

“Hurry up and start the lesson.”

-You’re impatient.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword took a stance.

-One of the martial veins of Black God Martial Arts, the Black Flash Swordsmanship.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword moved her body, demonstrating the Black Flash Swordsmanship.

My impression of the Black Flash Swordsmanship was singular.

‘It’s fast.’

The Black Flash Swordsmanship was just fast.

-As you can see, the Black Flash Swordsmanship is merely a fast swordsmanship. But the story will change when we move on to the next swordsmanship. For an introductory swordsmanship, this is all there is.

“Is that so?”

I picked up one of the wooden swords scattered around and imitated the Black Flash Swordsmanship.

The next day, the lesson continued.

We focused on understanding close combat.

This lesson mainly cultivated a sense of close combat through “duels.”

Experiencing a real battle once was said to be more effective than attending several theoretical classes.

“In that sense, today’s first lesson is a duel.”

The instructor spoke with a solemn expression.

“First, I will call out Lee Seo-ha and Park Woon-hyuk.”

“What, what?! Me, with Lee Seo-ha?”

“Is Woon-hyuk scared?”

“Scared? What nonsense are you talking about? Right now, I’m just slightly behind that guy. Maybe in the future, but not right now, I…”

“In the common world, they would say you’re scared.”

Park Woon-hyuk and Kim Seo-hyun muttered to each other.

“Of course, since it’s a duel, you cannot use mana or talents. Do you understand, Lee Seo-ha?”

The instructor looked at me as he spoke. Park Woon-hyuk’s expression visibly relaxed.

It appeared he felt that a duel without the use of mana and talents was within his capabilities.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Come on, Lee Seo-ha. I’ll show you the difference in ‘class.’”

“Pitiful, Park Woon-hyuk…”

I stood up in the dueling grounds, remaining silent.

‘Because the Energy of Defying Heaven is not mana.’

I really had no confidence.

In losing, that is.