The training sessions that followed were, as one might expect, a series of one-sided massacres. No matter how hard Faust tried, the result was always being kicked to death like a stray dog on the side of the road by Mystoria.
Speaking of stats... Mystoria didn't use any power that defied comprehension. Every time he trained with the elf martial saint, Faust felt as though he had a chance to win, yet victory remained forever out of reach.
Encountering a legendary elf hero, her myriad martial arts as powerful as a monster's, unable to win despite giving it his all!
Defeat after defeat nearly numbed Faust, and the remnants of his superiority—the feeling that he was 'somewhat of an elite'—were thoroughly ground away.
Furthermore, this teacher was nothing like the swordsmanship instructors the prince had in the past; constrained by his status, those men neither would nor could beat Faust senseless.
Even the king, due to his health, would not deal harsh blows to his foster son. It was more accurate to say that the king never intended to train Faust into a warrior in the first place.
But Mystoria really laid into him. With fists and feet, blades and staves, she beat Faust until he felt death would be a mercy, yet upon closer inspection, he only sustained minor injuries. He had no idea what kind of high-level technique this was.
If Faust didn't know for a fact that he had no grudge against her, the prince would have suspected the elf martial saint was using public duty to settle a private score.
Any other pampered young noble would likely have collapsed under such excruciating torture long ago.
'To master peerless martial arts, one must endure pain that ordinary people cannot...'
Fortunately, Faust happened to be someone skilled at endurance. He stubbornly showed up every day to be abused, regardless of the weather, without a single word of complaint or plea for mercy.
Even Mystoria remarked more than once, "It seems that besides being handsome, your willpower is also quite impressive."
One week, two weeks, three weeks... a full month of this self-flagellating training passed.
He wasn't sure if it was just an illusion, but as time passed, Faust felt as though he was growing stronger. Although he still couldn't defeat Mystoria, he could finally manage to cope with the elf instructor's counters.
From blocking one strike to lasting a few rounds, and finally to kneeling only after ten minutes of fierce combat, his progress was clearly visible.
Faust naturally assumed the elf instructor was holding back.
"No, I am not holding back."
However, Mystoria flatly denied it: "Even with an apprentice, I am serious. Laxity and contempt in battle are signs of disrespect."
That was strange. Faust’s path was the 【sovereign monarch】. Being beaten unilaterally should not, under any circumstances, increase experience for that path, nor was it possible for the prince to grow stronger because of it.
【It is no illusion; you have indeed grown stronger.】
Just as Faust was bewildered, Mephistopheles provided a timely answer:
【It simply does not show up in that inspection spell you use to check your status. Because while your path experience in 'sovereign monarch' has indeed not increased, what has increased is your experience as a 'martial saint'.】
【In terms of raw strength, among the many son of man I have witnessed, this elf is not exceptionally powerful. However, the mystery traits she has condensed are quite rare. Combined, they make her the most excellent instructor—though even she herself is unaware of this fact.】
Faust's eyes lit up. "Oh? What traits are so powerful? I've never heard of them before."
A mystery trait is a summary of one's past life and achievements, and it is what differentiates every transcendent. Two people on the same path could have worlds of difference in strength simply because of their mystery traits.
To some extent, mystery traits represent the majority of one's power.
【Do you wish to see them? Faust, how could I not satisfy your thirst for knowledge?】
As Mephistopheles's voice faded, information regarding the traits appeared in Faust's mind.
【Mind of Clear Mirror】
【Your eyes perceive weaknesses, and your heart is flawless, no longer troubled by hallucinations or stray thoughts.】
【In combat, you can read your opponent's movements and intentions.】
【Physical Sanctity】
【Countless days and nights of diligent practice and self-discipline have borne fruit; you possess a body trained to perfection.】
【You can freely control and reproduce physical information.】
【Ultimate Intent Arrival】
【After a long period of synchronization and bitter cultivation, your soul and body have achieved a perfect balance. Every move and every style contains ultimate intent.】
【Your attacks will carry an effect that shakes both the soul and the body.】
...
"These are... Teacher Mystoria's mystery traits?"
Faust browsed through them and almost cried out of envy.
Though he knew the elf martial saint was overpowered as a legendary hero, seeing these mystery traits, who could help but laugh at the absurdity?
No wonder Mystoria could suppress her strength to his level and still spin him around with one hand. With these traits, the elf martial saint didn't need to use her brain at all.
High damage on basic attacks, and basic attacks with high damage.
She had the stats! She had the micro! She had the mechanics!
A complete aesthetic of strength!
Faust wasn't very clear on how the system for a 【warlock】 worked, but as far as the 【hero】 system was concerned, these traits likely stood at the absolute peak.
"As expected of a legendary hero. But what does this have to do with being an exemplary teacher?"
After marveling at the elf instructor's strength, Faust returned to the main topic, puzzled.
I've seen the stats, and I'm terrified, but where is the part about being suited to be a teacher?
Among Mystoria's series of mystery traits, I don't see any that grant a teaching buff.
【Regarding the three major mystery traits she has condensed: for a talented son of man, condensing one is normal, condensing two is quite rare, and as for condensing all three... in my memory, there are very few who have done so.】
【Therefore, I know that these three traits have an almost unknown synergistic effect.】
Mephistopheles explained in detail why it had chosen Mystoria.
When 【Physical Sanctity】 is mastered, it preserves one's physical information, maintaining it in an extremely balanced and stable state.
The mind-reading effect of 【Mind of Clear Mirror】 ensures that an opponent with a much lower rank than Mystoria is almost completely defenseless before her.
And as for the striking effect of 【Ultimate Intent Arrival】, Mystoria used this very method to make Faust experience pain.
However, beyond that, because the gap was so vast, 【Ultimate Intent Arrival】 could easily vibrate and alter Faust's body. What was transmitted was not just heart-wrenching pain, but also... her own physical information.
【Every one of her strikes is inputting her own perfect physical information into your body. You are continuously receiving the battle techniques and experience of a martial saint, honed through a thousand refinements.】
【Even if you have not stepped onto this path and cannot condense the corresponding mystery traits from it, basic physical strengthening and combat instincts are unaffected.】
In other words, Faust only needed to be brutally beaten by Mystoria to grow stronger.
Rate on N.U.
