Storm

"Ancient King said that the Ash of War you once used was Storm Stomp, so we'll start with Storm Stomp."

Edgar stomped down, and a storm began to howl around him.

"Storm combat skills aren't actually that complicated when you break them down."

"First, guide your magic power outward. Second, control the formation of the storm."

Lucian listened intently. Combat concerned one's life, so there was no room for carelessness.

"As long as you can successfully guide your magic power out, regardless of its strength, you've learned this combat skill."

"As for the ability to control the storm, that determines the storm's power when using the same amount of magic power."

"With Ancient King's guidance, controlling the storm will actually be much easier for you."

The Storm Stomp Edgar demonstrated this time was not particularly powerful, and that was deliberate.

Unlike the Tarnished, who could sit at Grace to recover magic power, he had to spend time accumulating it again.

So he planned to teach combat skills for a while, then teach combat fundamentals while recovering his magic power, then return to teaching combat skills, repeating the process.

"How to guide your magic power outward is your most crucial issue right now."

"Ancient King can directly draw upon your magic power to create a storm, but that won't let you learn the combat skill."

"Because of racial differences, Ancient King is actually dispersing your magic power into the air, then controlling that magic power personally to form a storm."

"Although you no longer have a weapon imbued with an Ash of War, you've used it so many times before that you should remember the feeling of releasing it. Try again."

Lucian recalled the sensation of using Storm Stomp, gathered magic power in his foot, and stomped down.

But it only stirred up a light breeze.

Lucian frowned. Without an Ash of War, it was more difficult to use than he had imagined.

An Ash of War was like a prewritten program. As long as he fed magic power into it, it would operate according to that program.

Now, however, Lucian had to operate it himself. The slightest deviation would make it fail.

Fortunately, he had plenty of magic power, two Flask of Cerulean Tears on him, and Grace right beside him. He could just train as hard as he wanted.

Again, and again, and again.

Whenever he ran out of magic power, he drank from a Flask of Tears. When the flasks were empty, he went to sit at Grace.

Through repeated releases, Lucian gradually mastered the Storm Stomp Ash of War completely.

But Lucian did not stop. As he released it again and again, he felt that the Storm Stomp Ash of War could still be improved.

To put it plainly, the Storm Stomp Ash of War was merely a remnant left behind by a warrior skilled in it. It was still far from a true storm.

Lucian found it difficult to describe the feeling. Clearly, he had only been following the Ash of War's operation all along, yet he felt that he could take it a step further.

So, following that feeling, he used Storm Stomp once more.

The flow of magic power became smoother. The places where it had once clogged now flowed freely, and less magic power was wasted where it was unnecessary.

The storm swirled around him. The grass on the plain was uprooted, then shredded bit by bit within the storm.

Lucian carefully savored the sensation from before. It consumed less magic power and activated faster as well.

After trying several more times, he thoroughly confirmed the magic power's route of circulation.

Lucian had now completely mastered Storm Stomp. His proficiency even surpassed that of the warrior who had left behind the Ash of War.

Lucian was extremely satisfied.

Seeing that Lucian had already mastered Storm Stomp, Edgar was secretly astonished. There truly was a reason Ancient King had taken a liking to Lucian.

Even if the Tarnished could use Grace to recover magic power, effectively giving him limitless magic power for practice—

Lucian had completely mastered Storm Stomp in just one or two hours. His talent was truly astonishing.

Furthermore, because he had witnessed a true storm, Lucian's understanding of storms was also remarkably profound. With the same amount of magic power, the effect far surpassed Edgar's.

Edgar suddenly felt a little sorrowful. He had been born in an era when storms had already declined, and he had never witnessed a true storm.

Thinking back to when his father had taught him, his father had always sighed with regret. Edgar had not understood then, but now he felt it firsthand.

The true storm had long since scattered along with their homeland.

Ancient King, do you believe he has a chance to recreate the storm? If it's him, perhaps he truly can.

Edgar thought silently to himself.

Seeing that Lucian had mastered Storm Stomp, Edgar began the next stage of his training.

"Next, we'll train your footwork. Footwork is very important in combat."

"Try summoning a storm directly around yourself without stomping the ground."

"Try channeling magic power into your weapon. Treat the weapon as part of your body and wrap a storm around it."

--

A day passed quickly. Edgar demonstrated each technique a few times, then silently watched Lucian train.

He only corrected him when mistakes appeared.

With Grace restoring him, Lucian trained without stopping, quickly mastering most of the training exercises.

But aside from Storm Stomp, using the other exercises in actual combat was still somewhat of a stretch.

Lightning Whirlwind Slash was even further out of reach.

Still, Lucian was not discouraged. After all, making such great progress after only a day of training was already more than enough to satisfy him.

He still had plenty of time ahead to learn.

Once he had mastered them, it would be time for him to set out for Stormveil.

Night fell, and the Erdtree's radiance gradually dimmed.

Lucian and Edgar returned to Castle Morne.

The courtyard had now been cleaned up. Aside from the lingering scent of blood, there was no longer any sign of the tragedy that had taken place there.

Lucian and Edgar ate something simple. It was only ordinary bread and vegetable soup, but it was the first proper meal Lucian had eaten since arriving.

Castle Morne was still severely short on supplies. The Misbegotten had ruined much of the food, so Edgar had no way to prepare a grand meal to entertain Lucian.

Although Edgar had already sent people to transport supplies, there was indeed nothing presentable until they arrived.

In fact, there was not even a chef at the moment. He had merely asked residents who could cook to make something.

After bidding Edgar farewell, Lucian returned to his room.

Lucian lay on the bed without sleeping, instead attempting to communicate with Ancient King.

Ancient King, why did you choose me?

There was no response for a long while. Just as Lucian thought Ancient King did not want to bother with him again—

Ancient King's voice rang out in his mind.

Similar.

Lucian was somewhat bewildered. What did that mean?

What do you mean, similar?

Literally. You remind me of my former companion. Otherwise, you would never have been able to approach my ashes.

Though Ancient King was dead, he could still command storms. Within the storm-wreathed Chapel of Anticipation, keeping Lucian from approaching would have been effortless if he had wished it.

Then... do you want to take revenge through me?

Ancient King fell silent, then finally only sighed.

There is nothing to avenge. We were the losers, and should scatter like the wind. I had no purpose in choosing you. I merely wanted to do so.

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