"Alright, all of you…" A smile forms on my face as I pause and stare at the dozen students who stand before me with their wooden blades raised.

After a moment of silence, feeling the tension finally reach its peak, I finish my statement.

"… Come!"

WHOOSH!

All twelve of them lunge at me, swiftly charging in different directions with fierce expressions on their faces. I laugh heartily, welcoming their strikes with a dance of evasion.

Not only do I easily sneak past most of their multiple attacks, but I also block the few that manage to make it near my body. Naturally, I don't resort to using the Superior Aditi Martial Techniques, or even my Leviathan Powers.

That would be cheating…

Instead, I simply utilize my skills and experience accrued over both my lives, showing them the vast disparity that exists between us.

Blades dance in the air, as sands fly within the vast field that we occupy.

It is a fleeting moment, and I feel a vague sense of nostalgia—with countless memories swirling in my mind from every swing I make.

This continues for a while, as I merely block and evade without attacking even once.

Thankfully, I ate quite a lot before starting this class, else I would have lost in this battle of attrition. It's a good thing I'm facing students, as, one after the other, they all begin to fall from exhaustion.

Before long, all of them are panting on the ground.

'Victory!' I mentally clench my fist and smile with immense glee and relief.

If that match had lasted too long, I would have hit my limits. This is the problem with exerting myself too much physically. It's why I seriously considered rejecting this position, but after a few calculations, I decided the merits outweighed the potential losses.

Luckily, nothing too serious has happened yet.

I need to get a solution to my nutrition problem soon, else I doubt I'll be able to teach in future semesters.

It's a good thing I applied for a tentative role, which means this arrangement isn't official yet.

I still have time.

"As you can see, with Evasion Arts, as well as Defense Arts, you can survive the onslaught of countless enemies, wearing them out considerably before you launch a counterattack. If you feel overwhelmed by multiple foes or stronger enemies, it is always a good idea to focus on evasion, since assault will be riskier."

A student raises his hands, and I allow him to speak.

"Why would it be riskier?"

I smile.

"Because every battle is like a chess match. Your opponents outnumber you, which means they have more pieces. If they have more pieces, it also means they have more variations. Most importantly, they can afford to sacrifice pieces to ensure victory. Attacking would undoubtedly open you up to further attacks, which makes it a risky venture. Also, you have to understand that your enemies can make feints to prompt you to attack them, but this is merely a deceptive tactic to make you act in a certain way. In combat, especially when your enemies are well synced with one another, it's hard to take them down. One person fighting multiple opponents is hard. However, you can evade and block attacks, at the very least, if you learn the proper Combat Arts like Evasion and Defense." As I teach them, I notice Balric Wolfshade staring at me in the distance, a proud smile on his face.

He nods in satisfaction, most likely praising himself for bringing me to this Department.

I mean, I know I'm an excellent fighter.

I even got a Royal Seal of Excellence in this particular department. Coupled with my High Rank Knight Status, I can be said to be overqualified for this position.

But—

'This is too draining for me…' I stare at the students and smile wryly. 'I'm lucky that there isn't a monster like Garron Starcrest among them, else I'd be in trouble. I guess talents like him only appear once in a generation.'

Looking at the bright side, though, I'm being paid for my efforts.

I can't exactly complain about my job if I'm getting compensated for it, now can I? I get paid as well as full-time instructors here, which is most likely because of my high qualifications. I also got a raise as a Senior Professor, thanks to the addition of my High Knight status.

All in all… more money is pouring in.

This is good.

Other than the Special Resources I gathered myself, I'll need to procure others from the market. The goal is to have as many on hand to work with.

Variety is also important.

"In conclusion, you cannot neglect Combat Arts. They form the very foundation of Martial Techniques. In essence, if you break down any Martial Technique, it is ultimately a series of Combat Arts arranged in a particular sequence." I tell the student, finally completing my part of the instruction for the day.

Although I rushed the class, I believe I imparted sufficient knowledge.

I didn't lie.

How did I develop my Superior Aditi Martial Technique?

I simply fused what I learned from the Mercenary Combat Arts with the pre-existing Aditi Martial Technique, using my education as well as wealth of experience to generate a compatible sequence that explosively improved its power and efficiency.

I also multiplied the cycles from just six to twenty-five.

If the students can grasp the true essence of Combat Arts, it will demystify Martial Techniques in their eyes, allowing them to pull them apart and reorganize them to make them better.

When facing off against opponents with a Martial Technique, they would be able to better predict their movements and break down the Cycles into sequences of Combat Arts. Of course, this is a high-level skill that only High Rank Knights and Royal Knights can attain.

It also requires a lot of experience and talent.

This is why High Rank Martial Techniques have to be complex; developed with a lot of thought put into them. It's easy to decipher a Low Rank Martial Technique. As for a Mid-Rank one, it will be more of a challenge.

As for High Rank Martial Techniques, they should be difficult to unravel.

Unless one actively studies them, it will be difficult to grasp their true essence and break them down. This is the unbreachable gap that exists between Knights.

If two High Rank Knights fight, the goal is not to unravel the other person's Martial Technique, but to simply overwhelm them with pure speed and strength. In ancient times, this would be a very difficult thing to do, but with the advent of Armaments, Potions, and all manner of mystical advantages, the winner is decided by who has more resources at their disposal.

It is rarely a battle of skills.

I recognize all of these things, and I know many of these students will eventually end up relying on their inherited Martial Techniques, Armaments, or Potions, rather than the analytical aspects of Martial Arts.

Who can blame them? Such is the way of modern times…

Still, it's a shame.

As a Scholar, analysis has become an integral part of me. I find myself analyzing everything with great detail, growing curious, and then satisfying my curiosity with great veracity.

Unfortunately, many Knights fit the 'brute' stereotype.

Like my father.

Even Earl Balric Wolfshade.

They can be intelligent and mature, but they are usually too self-confident and assertive, not possessing the humility that comes with seeking knowledge. Because of this, they are overly reliant on their skills and end up elevating their Martial Techniques to a high pedestal, rather than properly dissecting them and seeking ways to improve on them.

I reckon this is why many Martial Techniques remain the same rank, even after centuries.

The Aditi Martial Technique is no exception.

Without my intervention, it would have likely remained the same Mid Rank Knight Technique till it fizzled out of existence.

It is simply because of the inflexible minds of the Knights who inherit them.

The worst part is that the Knight Academy's education doesn't solve this problem, but rather reinforces it. If I hadn't come to the Royal Academy and gained a different perspective, I would not have even had the idea to improve my Household's Martial Technique.

Sigh…

Stagnant water is bound to get rotten.

It seems, in the same way the Royal Academy seeks reforms to better its educational system, the Knight Academy also requires some of that energy.

But that isn't my call to make.

I don't even think I'll ever bring it up—at least not until I establish a proper foundation for myself.

Right now, I have my own series of problems to deal with.

'Speaking of Knight Households… the Aditi Knight Household existed for about three centuries, with my Main Family holding the position for a majority of that time…' My mind trails to the history of my Household, as well as that of the Kingdom.

The Randalorion Kingdom is nearly a thousand years old, but compared to other Kingdoms, it is rather young. If not for the conquest of the First King and his most trusted Knight paving the way for the Kingdom's establishment, we wouldn't be calling this place a Randalorion Kingdom.

With my mind broadened as a result of being a Leviathan, I can't help but wonder if the King was a Leviathan himself, or if he had the protection of one.

After seeing how deep Zarius' scheme went, this isn't too outrageous to think of.

'Knight Households… Noble Families… Clergy Bodies… even Mercenary Parties: all of these institutions contain exceptional individuals who embody their essence. There are also United Kingdoms and Kingdom Alliances, organizations that consist of several Kingdoms. In that case…' My eyes narrow as I think of something interesting, but also downright frightening.

'… Could there be an organization of Leviathans?'

Such a thing—

"If there was a body like that, they'd be overseers of the affairs of the entire continent—no, the whole world!" My lips quake, and I feel a chill run through my body.

This isn't an exaggeration.

Think about it: Zarius, a single Rank 1 Leviathan, was responsible for all the major events I experienced in my past life. He manipulated two Kingdoms into war for his own benefit.

And he was only a single person—a mere Witness!

What of an organization filled with Leviathans? What about higher-ranked Leviathans?

How much more would they control?

My goodness…

Could it be that, right now, even my very actions could be according to the scheme of these otherworldly entities that far transcend my understanding?

Are these the gods of legend?

The most ancient beings since times of yore?

"Tribute be given to the Leviathans—the ones who move the world."

This isn't merely a statement.

If the contents of the Rites of Exaltation are genuine, then those words embody the truth of this world—of what we refer to as reality.

The moment I grasp this horrid possibility, I grow stiff all over.

Goosebumps fill my skin.

Suddenly, the world appears deeply unsettling.

A stifling sensation overwhelms my very core, and I shudder in sheer astonishment.

… And fear.

Deep, maddening fear.

I feel too uncomfortable, as though I am trapped in a small cage and am unable to come out.

Freedom—true freedom—is it merely a dream?

An ideal? A thing of fairy tales that is far too removed from reality to be grasped?

'No, calm down, Javier. You don't know that for sure…'

I sigh to myself, shaking my head as I feel a spell of lightheadedness wash over me.

That the world—as vast and unfathomable as it is—could merely be the playground of a select few entities… It is a frightening thing to imagine.

But… in the end, this is only something that exists in my imagination.

There's no actual proof of it.

Not yet.

To distract myself from the maddening thought that seems to lurk in the hidden corners of my mind, I think about my Aditi Household once again.

More specifically, about the Minor Families.

'I wonder what became of them…'

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.