Chapter 200 Rebound Art & Druidic Dance
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The training ground was filled with a palpable tension as the unconscious students began to float off the ground, leaving those still standing in puzzled amazement. Many thought that the test had concluded, and they had all passed. However, their assumptions were soon shattered.
Suddenly, the remaining students felt an unimaginable increase in pressure. What was once a weight evenly distributed on their shoulders now felt like an oppressive force pressing down on their entire bodies. It was as if they were trapped between a solid wall and everything around them was slowly crushing them. The remaining students, who were basically all sons and daughters of proud nobles or elite families, or future heirs of the big guilds and associations - started to falter soon too. One by one even they started to drop down.
Rio watched as he saw Valtor being covered by a shadow, Katherine who built a barrier of ice around her, Rebecca who made a water bubble that surrounded her, while Amelia started to extend the space around her making the gap seem endless. Morphius and Alaric, who started showing signs of their transformation, fangs and claws appeared on their hands and feet. Leon was trying hard with his fist clenched tightly, his nails dug deep into his palms, blood dripping from his mouth slowly as he cut his lips to withstand the pain so he wouldn't fall unconscious.
When everyone was having the hardest time Rio was stIll standing there the same as before. The weight of a mountain was still pressing on him, maybe even more than any other students, yet it didn't seem to affect him. He was continuously channeling his mana into two of his techniques :- "Druidic Dance" and "The Rebound Art".
***The Rebound Art, a technique practiced by a villain in the novel. Surprisingly he didn't look for this technique, but the villain came to his door to hand him this over.
It was chosen by one of the minions of Warzy, who was supposed to be mid-villain like Beric Zastan. Two years ago, during the attack on the academy, he met the guy in the dungeon and he managed to get this technique from him.
This technique was famous for its defensive nature, focusing on redirecting an opponent's attacks or reflecting it back at them. It mainly revolved around using the opponent's energy and momentum against them, making it a highly effective and efficient form of self-defense.
This technique had 8 forms, and what Rio was using now was form zero, the Neutral Defense. In simple terms, remaining neutral in face of attack and danger. Let the attack pass through naturally. The barrier of rebound will dissolve the attack to the ground.
(Limitation - Sufficient mana to maintain the barrier needed to perform the technique's Neutral defense stance.)
***Druidic Dance, a technique developed by Druids of some past civilization. It was a unique combat technique which incorporates the elements of nature and draws inspiration from animal movements to enhance fighting abilities of the user.
Practitioners of this technique are mostly known for their adaptability to any situation. As they can learn and mimic any animal living in the forests. And if they have high masteru of the nature element they can even practice it to perfection.
(Limitation - Understanding of nature's element is a must to learn the art perfectly.)
This was a technique written in the novel, which Leon was supposed to get through a singular book after killing a professor at the academy, who was working under the orders of Stray Gods. There were some schemes and secrets involved, and as usual Leon was supposed to solve them and shine.
But since Rio joined the academy much earlier, he decided to solve some troubles for the protagonist, so he can focus on his studies, instead of roaming around doing all kinds of troublesome things.
[You just stole that technique, and the professor is still alive and looking for that book, while planning who knows what? Stop justifying yourself.]
'I'm not justifying anything. It's just a little experiment. Will Leon save someone and do something, if he gets no rewards out of it, or will fate bestow another blessing on him? It's important to know that.'
[Yeah yeah whatever.]
So anyway, back to the story, Rio just stole this technique before that professor could start translating the singular book. According to the novel, the professor would spend 3 years trying to translate the book, but in the end, like every other villain, he was preparing a wedding dress for the protagonist too. Cause just after he found the key to translate the book, Leon came and exposed him. Thus getting both the praise and the price.
Since Rio knew everything, it took a while but he finally managed to translate it, and once the contents of the book poured into his mind, both the singular book and proof of him stealing stuff just whisked away in air.
–
Druidic Dance, enhanced the close combat ability of his to next level, as it improved all his senses to a new level. Now even without any blessing or spell -his sense of sight, smell and danger was on inhuman levels. They get even more heightened if he's in an area of a forest or nature. He could also use the abilities of some different animals and their fighting abilities to get some boosts.
The technique had 12 steps till perfection, with 12th step being one with nature. Where one can achieve harmony with everything nature related. Currently Rio had learned this technique till the 4th step.
"Rooted Stance" This was the name of the 4th step, where the practitioner's body can stand firm like a tree. It focuses on stability, balance, and resilience, making it hard for opponents to topple or overpower them.
Add upon it the third move "Bear's Resilience" which enhances his endurance. Borrowing the skills of bears, this technique reinforces the practitioner's durability and vitality. They can endure harsh conditions and shrug off blows that would incapacitate others.
–
With the barrier of Rebound art to redirect the pressure on the surroundings, and Druidic Dance to fend off the little pressure that got past the barrier, Rio had little trouble to stand straight.
Eventually, only eight out of nearly 300 students remained standing. The others lay scattered in a corner, like discarded trash bags. When finally even they were in a situation where they could fall any second, the professor withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes again.
The pressure that was overwhelming everyone disappeared in an instant, like all of it wasn't even real and they were just imagining it. Yet looking at their conditions and seeing the group of students piled up in a corner, anyone could guess it was far from a dream.
Leon bent down, his hands resting on his knees, his back drenched in sweat, face gasping for breath.
He looked around and saw only a few of the students were still standing. He recognized all of them. Even though he didn't make friends or talk with any of them, yet he knew them from their reputations. He saw everyone was barely hanging on, some of them were lying on the ground with mouth wide open breathing heavily, some had totally spent their mana and were using their blessings and arts to gather some back.
'I was able to hold on. It seems I've finally caught up to everyone.' Leon thought after seeing everyone in a similar situation.
His eyes finally turned to look in the direction of Rio, whom he was getting compared to daily. He was hoping to see his condition, yet when he did, he was totally shocked by what he saw.
'How is it possible? How is he perfectly fine?'
Leon saw, as Rio dismissed his barrier and started walking away. Leon would have thought that he was exempt from the test, but he watched the ground around Rio was in disarray, bearing the brunt of the pressure he had absorbed, while he, himself seemed totally unscathed.
Rio's technique had shifted the pressure away from him, thus the surroundings near him were in a mess. With each step of his, the ground further cracked, leaving footsteps behind as big as a giant.
Leon watched as Rio moved away like nothing happened. He wasn't the only one who noticed this, others who were still conscious also had surprised expressions.
Yet ignoring everyone's eyes and without sparing them even a single glance, Rio moved towards Amelia and passed her a potion, before turning towards Rebecca and offering her one as well.
'He's strong.' That's what all of them thought after seeing Rio's behavior.
[Hel smiles seeing the arrogance of other gods getting crushed by her chosen one.]
[She suggests that next time, you should use her blessing.]
Amelia and Rebecca were hesitating if they should drink the potion or not, when Rio just said "Don't worry, the test is over. You can drink it now."
Rebecca's gaze darted towards Professor Thaddeus, who suddenly opened his eyes, nearly causing her to drop the potion in fear. However, the professor averted his eyes and began speaking to the remaining students.
"Valtor Shade, Rebecca Von Schott, Amaya Stormswill, Amelia Blake, Alaric Darhk, Katherine Winston, Leonard Heartwell, and Rio Blake," Thaddeus announced, "you all passed. You can take a rest for today. I'll start your training from tomorrow."
With these words, Thaddeus left the area, heading towards the corner where other students were beginning to stir. Assistant professors circulated among the fallen students, providing healing potions to those who were injured and splashing water on the faces of others who were simply unconscious.
As the students regained their senses, a chilling voice cut through the air, sending shivers down their spines. Thaddeus addressed the failed students, announcing their punishment.
"You all have failed my first test," he declared coldly. "So as your punishment, I want all of you to go through an hour of special training daily."
'Special training - my ass, you just want to torture us motherfucker.'
'Old foggy, don't ever meet me outside, or I'll beat you with my brothers.'
'If I ever see you set foot in my city, I'll have my revenge, you psycho professor.'
'I'll contact my parents to never let anyone named Thaddeus stay in any of our hotels. And don't let him buy anything from our shops.'
'This guy doesn't even care about boys and girls. Look at my skin. And how dare that guy throw water at me like that, all my makeup is wasted. Did my prince saw me like that?'
In their minds, curses and threats erupted against the professor. They were filled with resentment and anger, vowing revenge for the physical and mental strain they had endured during the test. And would have to suffer under his 'special training'.
Despite their inner turmoil, the fear of Professor Thaddeus compelled the students to form a line and stand at attention.
Thaddeus glanced at the students and began to speak again, a hint of amusement in his voice, "Now, where should I start..."
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A/N -?you'll learn more about techniques and their origin, effects and uses with time.
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