Abnormal Secret Technique

Black Cat Gemma walked along, examining one tree after another. After finding a crooked poplar tree as thick as an adult, she nodded, seemingly quite satisfied.

Little Arro followed behind Black Cat Gemma in confusion. Was Black Cat's training method related to trees?

Could it be...

"Little Arro, watch carefully."

Hearing the big black cat's words, Little Arro and Kabir hurriedly focused their attention.

Black Cat faced the poplar tree and crouched down.

Whoosh!

A black shadow flashed past as Black Cat swiftly charged up the poplar tree.

That was it?

That was it, that was it, that was it???

You got me all worked up just to show me this?

Little Arro and Kabir stared dumbfoundedly at Gemma in the tree like a pair of idiots.

Gemma held her tail high and strutted back and forth along the tree, saying proudly, "Well? Were you frightened by my tree-climbing skills? I grew this strong because I loved climbing trees when I was little."

Not frightened, but a little shocked!

"Little Arro, did you learn it? Do you want to watch it again?"

Without waiting for Little Arro's answer, Gemma jumped down from the tree and climbed it again in slow motion. She was far more enthusiastic than she had been when teaching him to read.

"Look carefully. First, hook the bark with your front claws, then pull your body upward with your upper body while your hind legs push at the same time, launching your body upward. Once you're on the tree, use that momentum to brace yourself with your upper and lower limbs separately, then rush upward quickly..."

Gemma finished with lingering enthusiasm. "Remember, don't pause!"

I know, it's basically like rock climbing.

But what use is learning this?

Little Arro smiled stiffly, wondering what excuse would be most appropriate to refuse.

"Ms. Gemma, that skill of yours is of no use in Knight Training. Young Master Arro, let's go back."

Kabir could no longer hold himself back. He considered himself Young Master Arro's Knight Instructor, yet what this black cat was teaching was an insult to the sacred profession of a knight—and an insult to him!

Just as Little Arro nodded, he suddenly froze.

Comprehended Cat Form Fist—Tree Climbing: Beginner (slightly increases Reaction Speed)

What the hell?

A notification actually appeared?

Slightly increases Reaction Speed?

Little Arro's expression changed. Seeing the disappointed look on Black Cat's face, he immediately changed his tune and praised her, "Teacher Gemma, your teaching was wonderful. I think I've gained a little insight!"

"Mr. Cabir," Little Arro said, turning back to comfort him, "I know you're concerned about me, but you can't deny what Teacher Gemma is teaching either. There is no useless skill in this world. Maybe what Teacher Gemma teaches could save my life someday. I can't officially begin Knight Training anyway, so learning more skills isn't a bad thing."

Little Arro had tried to please both sides without offending either, but that only made it difficult for Kabir to save face. He could only awkwardly apologize to Gemma.

Gemma did not care about Kabir's reaction. She had learned human language years ago, so she naturally knew what humans thought of her tree-climbing skills. When she first taught Little Arro, she had intended to tease him, but she had become enthusiastic without realizing it.

But Little Arro's attitude truly surprised her, while also bringing her a faint trace of joy. It felt as though something she valued had been acknowledged by someone else. Even the eyes she turned toward Little Arro softened.

Black Cat jumped down from the tree, turned around, and looked gently at Little Arro. "Little Arro, give it a try."

"Alright, I'll do it right away."

Little Arro was flattered. He had never experienced such treatment before. He truly had not expected Gemma to be capable of making such an expression.

Imitating Black Cat's starting stance, Little Arro stood before the poplar tree.

Since a cat's body structure differed from a human's, Little Arro could not completely copy Gemma's movements. But after recalling them, he realized that Gemma's later explanations had already mostly avoided the differences in body structure.

Recalling Black Cat Gemma's instructions, Little Arro gritted his teeth and began to accelerate.

But as the trunk grew larger and larger in his vision, Little Arro's body began to tremble. It was the self-protective instinct of his immature body, and he needed to overcome it.

Smack!

Little Arro planted both hands against the trunk. By the time he overcame his instincts, the impact force from his run was no longer enough.

Black Cat narrowed her eyes and asked with concern, "What's wrong, Little Arro?"

"Nothing. I've found the feeling. Again!"

Sweat dripped into his eyes. Fine wounds covered his tender hands, while the soreness and pain throughout his body forced Little Arro to clench his teeth.

"Little Arro, take a rest. Your body is too frail. There's no need to rush your training."

Black Cat could not bear it any longer and spoke up.

She had never imagined that this Human Cub, Lord Nicole's son, could endure to such a degree. The wounds on Little Arro's body made even her feel pain just looking at them, yet Little Arro had not cried out once.

Little Arro stopped and panted heavily for a moment before turning and smiling brightly. "I'm fine, Teacher Gemma. I never thought tree climbing, which looks so simple, could be so difficult to train."

Although Little Arro had always paid attention to exercising, and the strength in his limbs was enough to move his light body, simply finding the rhythm for switching between muscle groups while climbing the tree had taken him a long time.

A moved look flashed through Kabir's eyes. Little Arro's persistence had touched him as well. At such a young age, he possessed such willpower that even Kabir could not help but deeply admire him. He said in a muffled voice, "Young Master Arro, you should use the Knight's Breathing Technique now. It can speed up your Recovery Speed. If possible, you should maintain that breathing rhythm while training. It will benefit you even more."

Black Cat turned and glared at him. "He needs to rest now!"

Kabir did not dare argue with Black Cat and could only lower his head, muttering gloomily, "When muscles are fatigued is the best time for growth."

A true teaching takes but one sentence; a false teaching fills volumes.

And this sentence was the core insight Kabir had gained before breaking through and becoming a knight.

"You need to consider his age—"

"Teacher Gemma," Little Arro interrupted Black Cat. Taking a deep breath, he slowly adjusted his breathing. "I know my own body. Don't worry. When I truly reach my limit, I'll stop and rest."

Little Arro also knew that an immature body could not endure destructive training, which was why he had not forced Kabir to teach him.

But although he had many wounds now, they were all insignificant scratches. His muscle fatigue had not reached his physical limit either. It was only because his body had rarely been trained that his muscles became fatigued more quickly.

Recalling the knowledge recorded in his books and Kabir's guidance echoing in his ears, Little Arro gradually entered the breathing rhythm of the Knight's Breathing Technique.

"Hmm?"

Little Arro vaguely sensed a warm current flowing out from his lungs and into his tired muscles.

His entire body felt as though it were soaking in a hot spring. His tense muscles gradually relaxed, and the feeling of fatigue slowly faded.

He did not know whether it was an illusion, or whether the Knight's Breathing Technique was truly this miraculous.

There was a difference between the two. If this was truly the Knight's Breathing Technique's ability, rapidly restoring him, then he would be able to train for long periods.

But if it was merely Self-Hypnosis, merely a physical illusion, then he needed to be cautious.

After all, he could not sacrifice his future health.

Kabir carefully distinguished Little Arro's breathing, occasionally speaking up to correct him and doing his utmost to help Little Arro.

This strange breathing rhythm defied common sense, but Little Arro trusted the system's ability to identify it. He fully believed that the Knight's Breathing Technique possessed a unique ability, and under Kabir's direction, he diligently corrected every mistake.

Little Arro worked hard to maintain this breathing method. It did not merely require a special breathing rhythm; every breath also had to be deep. Maintaining that over time was likewise a test for the muscle groups near his lungs.

"That's it, keep it up! Very good, Little Arro, maintain that rhythm!"

Under Knight Kabir's Careful Guidance, your Knight's Breathing Technique has advanced to Intermediate.

After learning from Gemma that powerful knights could be considered Minor Nobles, Arro compared it with memories from his previous life and decided that "knight" was the most suitable translation.

As for the word "breathing," it was also used in daily life to refer to ordinary breathing.

So Arro renamed the Guard Breathing Technique the Knight's Breathing Technique.

Knight's Breathing Technique: Intermediate (slightly increases Stamina Recovery Speed; when activated, increases Temporary Attribute: Endurance +1)

Endurance +1?

Little Arro was delighted. Even though he had deliberately exercised during this period, most of his attributes had only increased by around 0.1. None had surpassed 0.5 yet. The Intermediate Knight's Breathing Technique could actually directly increase Endurance by one point?

Even if it was only a temporary increase, it was still great. He would have more time to train, allowing his Personal Attributes to grow faster!

Personal Attributes:

Strength: 0.2

Agility: 0.2

Nerve Reflex: 0.4

Endurance: 0.4 + 1 (Knight's Breathing Technique activated)

Constitution: 0.3

After glancing at his Personal Attributes, Little Arro Opened His Eyes.

"I'm recovered. Let's continue practicing Tree Climbing."