James stared at Amon as though he were a monster and asked, his eyes wide with stupefaction:
"How did you do that?"
Amon looked puzzled.
"Do what? I just displayed the same set of techniques you displayed."
James shook his head vehemently.
"That's not possible. I displayed these sword techniques once, but you've already comprehended more than 70 percent of it, which is practically impossible. In fact, comprehending even 50 percent of it is an absurd feat."
Hearing James' explanation, Amon was also similarly filled with confusion.
Then he recalled the strange sensation he felt when his instructor was displaying the sword techniques.
It was as though a subtle Primordial Energy was acting on its own, faintly blending into his mental memory and physical actions as though it were a subconscious gesture.
'Could this be due to my Limitless Physique?' Amon's mind raced in alarm at the thought.
He couldn't link this to Primordial Energy since that was mainly for Gifts and Battle Arts. However, if it was his Limitless Physique that modified his body at birth, then it was highly possible.
Amon kept his thoughts to himself, acting similarly confused as though he couldn't understand what James meant.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Amon muttered with child-like curiosity.
James was dumbfounded.
Right. Wasn't it supposed to be a good thing? Why was he complaining?
"I… you. Forget it, stand to the side. Let me demonstrate the sword techniques again. Let me see how much you can understand."
After he finished speaking, James made the sword stance once more.
His gaze was briefly fixed on Amon before he shifted his attention to his sword.
Again, he began displaying the same Basic Techniques, but Amon quickly noticed something was different.
'His speed this time is almost twice as fast!' Amon's eyes flashed in surprise at the realization.
Nonetheless, just like before, he could faintly follow the trails of the sword techniques and barely keep up with them.
Internally, changes were happening to his body, and he could feel his muscles subtly shifting and adapting to a new window of understanding the sword display.
James was soon finished with his display.
He gave a teasing smirk at Amon and said calmly, "Display what you've learnt so far."
Amon nodded, stepped forward, and casually began moving his sword just as James had done.
Although his speed was still at the same pace, it was obvious he had comprehended a lot from the display.
"80—no! 85 percent? What?"
The more James studied Amon, the more astonished he grew, noting that despite increasing his speed, Amon had still increased his comprehension of the sword arts, reaching a staggering 85 percent.
'How? How is this brat doing it?'
James didn't want to believe this was talent alone.
'Could it be related to his Gift? He should have recently awakened, so there's a high chance this is related to the Gift he got from his Celestial Dragon. After all, I've seen cases like that.'
Not willing to give Amon the title of that 'one in a million' genius, James instead settled for this explanation.
He watched silently as Amon gradually finished his display.
"Good!" Because he had 'caught' Amon in the act, he no longer seemed surprised by the display.
He casually smiled and then displayed the Basic Sword Techniques once more.
…
"Good. Good. Good. You have comprehended 95 percent of the Basic Sword Techniques. That is truly impressive, though it's nothing remarkable. Rest for a bit, and after you are done, you'll finally finish learning about the Basic Sword Techniques."
Amon nodded; however, he was slightly confused.
Why did the instructor suddenly change from being surprised by his comprehension to 'just accepting it as it was?'
'Could that be his method of consoling himself?' Although Amon was curious, he didn't dare ask.
He sat by the side, his chest heaving up and down as he struggled to calm his wildly beating heart.
Aside from the excitement of finally learning how to battle, Amon was also filled with anticipation toward the future.
'Just Basic Sword Techniques are already so entertaining, then what of when we delve into the knowledge of training in Sword Arts?'
Amon could hardly wait until he could wield a Battle Art of his own.
…
More than an hour passed by in a flash.
With a cool expression, James smoothly remarked, "You did well, Amon. Mastering the Basic Sword Techniques on your first day of lessons. Your muscles should be weakened for now since you are still too young. Rest for today, and tomorrow I will begin teaching you a Sword Art."
Amon nodded excitedly and bowed politely toward James, who calmly waved his hand dismissively.
Just then, the skies darkened and rumbled.
Drop!
Drop!
Drop!
The pitter-patter sound of raindrops began resounding, and Amon felt a liquid drip onto his face.
He reached out his hand to gently touch the rain.
"Huh? A black rain?" James' startled voice interrupted Amon's thoughts.
Amon also realized that the rain was black.
'What's going on?'
Amon's eyes were filled with curiosity.
At that moment, Seth and Vela, who were watching the two from the edge, finally approached.
"This rain…" Amon heard Seth mutter toward James.
"When a great expert dies, a Blood Rain falls, and when an even deadlier Gifted one dies, it's a Purple Rain… What does black signify? Could it be the death of a God?" James muttered in disbelief.
Vela cast James a sharp glare, and noticing Amon, he immediately shut his mouth.
Vela turned warmly to Amon. "Come, baby. Let's go eat… you must be famished after training today, right?"
She tried to change the topic, but even as Amon followed her, the words of Seth continuously echoed in his mind.
The death of a God.
'The death of a God?'
'Perhaps… the death of a Primordial Dragon…'
Amon didn't know why, but he felt this was the Heavens' way of bidding farewell to the Primordial Dragon.
His mood turned melancholic once more, but he acted calm on the outside, following his mother with a warm smile.
"Baby, go and soak in the bath while I serve the meal," Vela gently cooed, noticing Amon dripping black water.
"Okay, Mom." Amon nodded, then quietly left for his room.
On the way, he clenched his fist.
Stronger. He truly had to grow stronger.
Thankfully, tomorrow he would finally learn Sword Arts!