What does it mean to endure pain and failure?
Faust’s newly formed question was quickly answered.
"Next, I will reduce my path realm to a level identical to yours. Attack me with everything you have—any equipment, any technique, any method. We will continue until you can at least touch the hem of my clothes."
The calm words of the elf martial saint caused Faust to furrow his brow slightly.
The prince of Qingxi admitted he was no combat genius; compared to a legendary hero of long-standing fame, he wasn't even qualified to bash his head against the soles of her boots.
But that was based on an overwhelming numerical disparity!
Faust had, after all, received personal instruction from legendary warriors since childhood, and he possessed no small amount of actual combat experience.
If their strength were equal, surely he wouldn't be unable to even touch her clothes?
In the prince of Qingxi’s view, the transcendence of the powerful in this world relied entirely on the level of mystery one possessed; numbers decided everything.
Technique? It was merely an impure addition.
No matter how much a body was trained, how could it ever compare to the super-strength bestowed by mystery?
Mystoria’s attitude toward humans was somewhat contemptuous. Was this a common ailment among elves, one wondered? Even an esteemed elf martial saint was no exception.
Very well then. He would show his hand and let this teacher get to know him properly.
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Faust turned and walked toward the royal guard knight watching from the side of the martial field.
"Viviana, lend me your equipment."
The girl with pale-gold hair nodded. "The set I’m wearing? Or..."
"Full plate, of course!"
Viviana’s usual light armor wasn't enough. Faust knew the Roselin family possessed a set of armor passed down from the imperial era that was even better than the royal family's own.
Since he was fighting a legend, he had to go all out.
After donning the heavy armor covered in precision runes, Faust returned to the field and adjusted his rhythm, bolstering himself with the full extent of his 【sovereign monarch】 path power.
He then sank his knees slightly, feeling the power climbing within him. He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, the tip of the blade resting on the ground.
Boom—
In the next instant, the universal martial technique 【heroic charge】 erupted. This move was the standard opening for almost any warrior.
Launching like an arrow from a bow, Faust, clad in heavy armor and carrying his dragon sword, produced a terrifying sonic boom as he crashed straight toward the elf martial saint. However, the elf did not choose the most effective option of dodging; instead, she took a step forward.
Clang—
Following the crisp sound of the blade parry, the aftershock of Faust’s charge exploded behind the elf martial saint. A visible airburst cracked the floor tiles.
But despite the terrifying momentum, the prince of Qingxi was unable to advance an inch, blocked by a blade glowing with a faint, moonlight-like radiance.
"Not bad."
Feeling the force in her hands, Mystoria tilted her head slightly and gave a small tsk of praise.
But to Faust’s ears, this appreciation sounded exactly like an adult speaking to a child. It felt less like praise and more like an insult!
"Hmph!"
A low growl came from his throat. Faust immediately adjusted his tactics, treating the elf martial saint as an enemy he had to fight to the death. His momentum and domineering intent surged, intensified, and exploded!
"Hmm..."
The elf with flaxen hair looked up in surprise, looking thoughtful.
"Is this a technique you learned from your father? A frenzy that lacks all aesthetic sense."
Without waiting for an answer, she was immediately met with Faust’s storm-like assault.
Heavy, swift, and fierce strikes came wave after wave. The heavy-armored prince of Qingxi seemed to transform into a bloodthirsty, frenzied beast—yet he remained silent and cold, using only the most violent attacks to manifest his resolve to tear the enemy to pieces.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The loud sound of metal striking metal was accompanied by splashing sparks. The exchange between the two was incredibly fast, nearly impossible for an ordinary person to track with the naked eye. Without any mana involved, the mere physical combat was enough to stir up a storm-like force.
Yet, under Faust’s onslaught that almost left crimson shadows in the air, the elf martial saint maintained a single-handed grip on her sword, standing as steady as a great ship in a rainstorm.
Faust found it inconceivable. He was certain she was indeed suppressing her strength.
He could see all of Mystoria’s movements clearly; they were purely on the same numerical level. There was no overwhelming force he couldn't handle, no lightning-fast speed, and even her reaction time was in the same tier as his.
Yet, Faust used every method available, even the trump card martial techniques taught by his esteemed adoptive father, and he still couldn't budge her a single step.
Don't do this! This... this feeling of being treated like a stepping stone!
Well... maybe that wasn't the right way to put it. After all, Mystoria was indeed far stronger than him. An unfathomable teacher—this was protagonist treatment! It was a good thing!
Faust felt much better once he thought of it that way.
"Your focus is wavering. Are you out of stamina? If so, let's end this."
Mystoria exhaled softly. In the next breath, her figure vanished from the spot. In her place, a streak of bright silver light sped through the air, faster than most could track, as one after-image after another collided with Faust’s armor.
The elf was using the hilt of her sword to strike the armor. Every strike left the armor undamaged, yet it felt as if a violent storm were being whipped up inside Faust’s internal organs.
The extreme pain nearly caused the prince of Qingxi’s handsome face to contort. But Faust bit his lip and forced himself to endure it.
After being battered for a while, Faust was finally let go by the elf martial saint, collapsing to the ground with a thud.
Viviana rushed forward, pulling the prince into her arms and wiping his wounds with a handkerchief soaked in medicinal wine.
The pale-gold haired royal guard girl whispered, "You fought very well. Your Highness isn't some scrub."
What did that mean? Was she implying I fought like a scrub?!
Faust didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Viviana, are you here to comfort me or to mock me?"
Mystoria sheathed her sword.
"From now on, you will engage in this kind of combat training with me constantly until you can become indifferent to this pain. If you manage to touch me, that would be even better."
"This is my method of training... Do you need to rest before continuing? Or should we stop here for today?"
Mystoria glanced at Faust. He was breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain, his face pale, yet even so, he hadn't uttered a single plea for mercy, showing incredible toughness.
She had originally thought this pampered human prince would behave much worse.
No... if he was the one from the prophecy... then this level of effort was only natural. If not, how could he ever stand against that nightmare?
"No need!"
Faust gently pushed Viviana away, spat out some blood mixed with bits of internal tissue, and wiped his mouth.
Mystoria’s bullying and mistreatment, rather than making him cower, had instead ignited the prince’s fighting spirit.
To be honest, this feels far less terrifying than being loved by Cinderella for three months. In terms of horror, they can't even be compared.
"I completely understand, Teacher Mystoria."
Faust gritted his teeth and said, "Patience means being able to endure, staying open-minded, and not fearing the cold water. I'm not afraid of pain. Hit me again, I can take it!"
Rate on N.U.
