"——The premise of counterattack is to observe the opponent's intention."

"Thus, the so-called 'counterattack' is essentially a 'reaction' based on the opponent's actions."

"However, it differs somewhat from a typical 'reaction.'"

Principal Charlie raised a finger, adopting the style of a school principal.

At this moment, he was not the high-level personnel of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, but a teacher elucidating knowledge:

"Ordinary reactions either initiate a counter when the opponent completes their attack or launch a counter when the opponent intends to act but hasn't yet started. One strikes at the end, the other is at the beginning."

"Counterattack Technique, however, specializes in launching a counterattack when the opponent has already initiated their attack but hasn't fully exerted force—right when their power is halfway through. It shouldn't be too early, nor too late."

"The advantage is that the opponent cannot change tactics because they've already exerted half their force, and it's unfavorable for them to clash head-on since their power is at half and not at its peak yet."

"Most importantly, the force exerted halfway by the opponent is easily utilized by you. You can counter the opponent and simultaneously incorporate part of their strength into your own, reflecting it back together!"

"Counterattack Technique, as a set of tactical systems, is based on magic. Once you've mastered its secret technique, it can further enhance your magical power!"

"The inherent power of your magic, coupled with a counterattack strategy against the opponent's half-way exerted strength, combined with harnessing their force to utilize it against them, and finally, the counterattack technique's feedback enhancement to your magical power—all these combined and skillfully executed, will enable you to enter a special 'instant open' state during the counterattack."

"In the instant open state, your combat power will soar to the theoretical limit of your tier!"

At this, Principal Charlie looked solemn and summarized, "Utilizing 'counterattack tactics' to achieve 'instant open state' in real combat; this is the core secret of the counterattack technique exclusively created by the president."

Andrew listened carefully, contemplated for a moment, and pondered, "So the so-called 'counterattack' is not mindless head-to-head confrontation, but rather intercepting the opponent's actions... an interception?"

"Exactly!" Principal Charlie's eyes lit up, seemingly surprised Andrew grasped the concept so quickly.

But in reality, Andrew wasn't knowledgeable about combat reasoning.

He was merely prompted by the theory to recall intercepting techniques from the world before his transmigration.

He even thought of how some tennis masters return the ball not when it reaches the peak of its bounce, but during its "rebound ascending phase."

It felt... conceptually similar?

Of course, listening to concepts is one thing.

For a real understanding of a tactical concept, practical training is necessary.

Indeed, Principal Charlie began to lecture on the specific training methods for "Counterattack Technique": "In real combat, 'Counterattack Technique' mostly responds to the opponent's magic moves, adhering to a 'follow the opponent' tactic. Yet, in daily training, it's more about practicing based on one's own characteristics, making it a 'follow oneself.'"

"Follow oneself?" Andrew murmured.

Understanding Principal Charlie's intention meant tailoring the training and practice of counterattack techniques based on one's own strengths and magic cultivation.

The same Counterattack Technique training yields different results because each cultivator is unique.

Andrew feared his understanding might be off, and confirmed, "So what I should be doing is integrating my existing magic and abilities into the tactical framework of the Counterattack Technique, right?"

"Correct." Principal Charlie replied, "The core of this phase is not about addition but rather subtraction. Simplify your moves as much as possible. If you can effectively counter the opponent with one spell, don't use two."

"Simplification and subtraction..." Andrew scratched his head, somewhat perplexed.

Reflecting on his cultivation journey: constantly accumulating fire extinguishing value through the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, and expending it to continuously unlock new Water Magic from the Water God Mark.

Since becoming a Water Magic Lord, he could innovate Magic Lord abilities based on traditional Water Magic, such as the core ability of business fire extinguishing, "Enchanting Finger."

In essence, his cultivation so far was all addition! The Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method inherently emphasizes addition, an accumulation process leading to qualitative change.

Now, Principal Charlie suddenly suggested subtraction!

This… really isn't easy?

Andrew carefully recalled the various magic and abilities he currently possessed—

Perception centered on "Water Spirit Sensing."

A self-defense system built from "Seed of the Water Spirit" and "Flame Immunity," combining soul defense and physical defense.

Whole power recently gained from "Gate of Enlightenment."

The mobility in combat made possible by the "dynamic spellcasting" due to his "Water Soul Constitution," constantly enhanced with tier advancement.

The control the scene ability brought by summoning various elemental creatures through the "Water Element Series."

Combined with "Enchanted Finger" and "Long-range Water Needle/Zero-Distance Water Cannon," he would draw magic circles with one hand and string them together with the other, showcasing the strongest finger's defensive break, siege, and counterattack capability.

The healing ability from the "Water Priestess Series."

——Andrew also carefully recalled in his mind, only to realize that unknowingly, he had already learned so much magic and mastered so many abilities!

Such a varied and scattered set of magic abilities, and now, he is supposed to simplify them?

How to simplify, that's the question?

So many abilities, each serving its own purpose, you tell me how to simplify them!

"Hmm, well…"

Charlie, the dean, gave a slight cough, and then said, "I know, Andrew, you really do know quite a lot of magic, and they are indeed diverse…" With a meaningful look, he glanced twice at Andrew, "The president also understands this point. Therefore, the simplification you need to do is somewhat different from the simplification work that others need to do when practicing the counterattack technique."

"What is the president's suggestion?"

"The president suggests that you can integrate your various magic like you integrated your magic power during the first stage of special training — to simplify through integration."

"Uh... specifically, what does that mean?"

"It means if you don't know how to make a choice, then simply don't make a choice! Most people, because of their limited magic power reserves, have to give up some in order to simplify." Charlie said seemingly casually, "The president says your total magic power far exceeds other mages of the same tier, so if you don't want to make a choice, you can also change your thinking — integrate all the magic you consider valuable and burst them out simultaneously. This way might suit you better."

"Oh, so the president's idea is that I can use the 'Water Spirit Sensing' to perceive the opponent, investigate his intentions, and then counterattack accordingly. During the counterattack, first summon a large number of elemental beings to control the scene, help me hold down the opponent, then I draw magic circles with my left hand and use Water Needle/Water Cannon with my right hand to give the opponent a hard hit, while using 'Flame Immunity' and 'Water Spirit Technique' to withstand the opponent's attacks. After the confrontation, use the 'Water Priestess Series' combined with the self-healing power of the 'Water Soul Constitution' for immediate self-healing — integrate like this? Is that what it means?"

——Andrew really almost couldn't help but ask out these words!

Of course he couldn't really ask, since it involved so much water magic that would expose his Water Element identity.

Moreover, there was no need to actually ask.

Because it is clear, the president probably means this!

Andrew felt a bit odd inside.

Listening to the core logic of the counterattack technique, Andrew felt a sense of elegance, efficiency, simplicity, and advancement.

Yet, specifically applied to himself, the suggestion given by the president seems a bit like letting him use the advantage of being a Water Magic Lord, burst out brute force, and crush the opponent with his far superior Whole Power at the same tier?

This is of course not bad, but just... feels a bit weird.

Especially hearing the words "The president says your magic power far exceeds mages of the same tier"...

Andrew was silent for a moment, then asked, "The president seems to really understand me?"

This question was something Andrew wanted to ask when conducting business cooperation in Warm Fire City, and the president was giving him the green light all along.

Now he finally couldn't help but ask.

But saw Charlie the dean's eyes also flash a trace of confusion, sighing lightly, and answering: "I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I really don't know. In fact, this is also a question for me and many other executives in the Commerce Association."

"..."

Soon, Andrew officially began the training of "Counterattack Technique" —

Learning how to integrate his current abilities within a moment, coordinating them and gradually incorporating them into the "Counterattack Technique" system, ensuring they can flexibly and comfortably be used in battle.

Because the first step of special training took a very short time, the time left for the second step of special training was much more sufficient than originally planned.

Andrew spent one day practicing for a while, then consulted Charlie the dean about the issues encountered during practice, then practiced again.

He then spent about a day and a half basically in solo practice.

While Andrew was deeply focused on training, Charlie the dean contacted Beiru the president from Warm Fire City again.

After explaining the situation on the airship to Beiru the president, hardly came a reply from the other side.

"President?" Charlie tentatively asked.

"...Yes, I'm here." Beiru the president replied, "You said you have already apologized to Andrew? Then also say sorry for me to Andrew... No, when I see him, I will tell him personally."

"Alright." Charlie nodded, then asked, "Are you almost out of seclusion?"

"Almost." Beiru the president said and then fell silent again.

This time, Beiru the president was silent for even longer, until he transmitted a new practice content through "Heart Net", then he spoke again: "The counterattack technique is also divided into different stages, and Andrew is practicing only the most basic counterattack technique. What I am now transmitting to you is more advanced 'Continuous Counterattack' and 'Infinite Instant Opening'. You should also teach them to Andrew."

Charlie was taken aback: "What? 'Continuous Counterattack' is understandable, but even 'Infinite Instant Opening' to be taught? Won't that... be too early?"

"Not early. Rather, it's late." Beiru the president seemed to sigh from over there, then no longer said much, and temporarily disconnected the "Heart Net" link.

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