Chapter 9: So-called Geniuses Are Beyond Ordinary People's Imagination |
.....
After drinking the nutrient solution, Olivia quickly recovered and continued her training.
Next came the teaching of sword techniques and skills.
Asher originally wanted to make things difficult for Olivia by selecting some particularly challenging sword moves.
But... as the training progressed...
He was astonished to discover that Olivia was becoming increasingly proficient.
The sword techniques he taught were quickly mastered by her.
What's more, she even added her own unique interpretation.
How was this possible?
He had only seen such a scene with the young lady before.
No, even the young lady during her initial training phase!
Couldn't possibly develop her own interpretation so seamlessly between each sword stance.
Could it really be as Jonas said - that this person's talent surpassed even the young lady's!
He had originally intended to use the sword training to humble Jonas.
Yet now, he found himself speechless.
Where did Jonas find such a genius?
...
Some time later.
As the training continued, it was actually the other students who couldn't keep up.
Class leader Mofort said to Asher: "Report, instructor!
Your sword techniques are too fast, too difficult!
We've only been training for a few months, how... how can we possibly keep up?"
Following Mofort's complaint, other students also stopped their sword practice and chimed in: "Exactly! Instructor, we can't keep up!"
"You need to consider our skill level!"
"It's too difficult!"
...
However, Asher remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the back of the formation.
This unusual silence puzzled the students, who all followed their instructor's line of sight.
When their eyes landed on the person at the very back of the formation, everyone froze in shock.
There stood Olivia, completely absorbed in wielding her wooden sword, each stance and movement executed with startling precision.
The wooden sword in her hands no longer seemed like ordinary training equipment, but had transformed into a real weapon.
Olivia was immersed in her own world.
As if nothing existed in her eyes except that wooden sword.
Her movements flowed naturally, each action perfectly matching the techniques the instructor had just taught, executed with flawless grace.
The training ground fell completely silent.
Huh?
She's... she's already practicing like this?
How is this possible?
They had been training under Asher for months and still couldn't perform these sword techniques smoothly!
And this person, on her very first day... is already performing like this?
This was the same Albino they had always looked down upon and disparaged?
Asher also watched in disbelief.
To memorize after seeing just once, and to practice with such presence!
Truth be told, this was his first time witnessing such talent.
No wonder the young master had been so confident when making that bet with him.
....
As Olivia continued practicing in her absorbed state.
Her swordsmanship value kept increasing steadily.
[Olivia]
[Swordsmanship value increase: +1, +1, +1....]
[Jonas]
[Swordsmanship value increase: +8, +8, +8....]
Seeing this, Jonas smiled as if it was only natural.
This was S-rank talent, this was a true genius!
Completely different from the world of ordinary people.
And for him, advancement came so effortlessly.
...
The class continued their sword practice, but the scornful and disdainful voices had disappeared.
Although most people discriminated against Albino, in the military camp, ability commanded respect!
Noon arrived.
The students went back to rest one after another. Training under Asher's strict regimen left everyone exhausted.
The moment training ended, the students scattered faster than anything.
Only a solitary figure remained on the training ground.
Repeating the sword techniques over and over again.
Though physically exhausted, Olivia's eyes grew increasingly determined.
She only had ten days - she couldn't disappoint the young master, nor did she want to return to that terrible place.
Nor let her younger sister face that cruel fate.
For others, sword practice meant becoming stronger.
But for her, sword practice meant her only lifeline.
She had to be useful to the young master!
...
In the distance.
Jonas said to Asher:
"Asher, what do you think now?"
"..."
Asher remained silent for a moment, watching the girl practicing her sword moves repeatedly.
Olivia's expression was completely focused, as if nothing existed except the sword before her.
This sight seemed familiar to him.
The Empire's chief swordsman standing atop that high platform had looked exactly the same.
Asher let out a long sigh.
With such talent and such diligence, she was bound to achieve greatness.
Sometimes changing a person's perspective only takes half a day.
Asher: "I admit... she has talent, but defeating my students in ten days is impossible!"
Jonas smiled and said: "Just wait and see.
So-called geniuses are beyond ordinary people's imagination."
....
Approaching evening.
Olivia dragged her exhausted body back to her room.
The room had been arranged for her by Jonas, and Olivia loved it.
She had never dared imagine she would ever have such beautifully decorated and comfortable quarters.
During training, she had countless times wanted to return to that incredibly soft bed.
But she dismissed those thoughts every time.
The only reason she could stay here was because she was useful to young master Jonas.
The cruelty of life at the bottom had made her see everything clearly.
If she became useless, she might return to that rat-like existence.
So she kept practicing until the end.
Only when she could barely lift her arms did Asher order her to go rest.
...
Tap tap tap—
When Olivia reached her door, she found Jonas already waiting there, though she didn't know when he had arrived.
He was holding some clothes.
She immediately raised her head and said:
"Young master."
Jonas said directly: "Have you bathed?"
"Ah?" Olivia's face instantly flushed red.
The young master couldn't possibly be thinking...
"I-I-I... n-no... not yet..."