How sharp is the bedrock? Let's cast a healing spell.

Paul looked at Allen in surprise for a moment, finally understanding what he was about to realize.

"This Self-created Arcanum of yours requires you to constantly use Flow Arcana to deflect my attacks. However, Flow Arcana itself is merely a technique to parry an opponent's offensive, so you fundamentally cannot counterattack while simultaneously deflecting attacks."

"And if you try to counterattack with other Swordsmanship techniques midway, you'd have to stop Flow Arcana. But if you do that, you might not be able to successfully defend against my follow-up, which means even if you manage to counterattack, it could very well result in a mutual defeat, right?"

Allen rubbed his brow wearily.

"Exactly, you hit the nail on the head. That's why I didn't use this arcanum when we sparred before. There's no point in just taking a beating without counterattacking."

Paul was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Then you're truly a natural bodyguard! Those nobles in Asura Royal Capital really missed out on a talent!"

Allen rubbed his face helplessly.

"So, I wanted my uncle to give me some inspiration to improve this arcanum, so that it can effectively counterattack while still maintaining Flow Arcana."

Paul was also stumped by this. He turned and walked to the tree, pulled out his sword, and mumbled as he rubbed his chin.

"If you constantly maintain Flow Arcana, you can't counterattack with other techniques... If you counterattack with other techniques, Flow Arcana will stop... Hiss... What to do..."

After pondering for a moment, Paul frowned and said, "What if Flow Arcana completely reflects the opponent's offensive back at them? No, that won't work. Flow Arcana's essence is just to deflect the force like a flowing stream; it can't reflect the opponent's attack back exactly as it was. Then what if you maintain Flow Arcana but only counterattack with physical strength? Is it feasible not to use other styles of Swordsmanship techniques?"

Allen shook his head.

"I thought about that too, but without Swordsmanship techniques, the counterattack speed isn't fast enough. If I encounter an opponent of the same or higher skill level, they'll easily dodge my attacks. But if it's a lower-skilled opponent, there's no need for this arcanum; I could just swing my sword and cut them down. Why bother with Flow Arcana for defense?"

Paul scratched his head, looking dumbfounded.

"No wonder you were always deep in thought when practicing Sword God Style before. You Water God Style practitioners have way too much to consider, it's making my head spin..."

Allen felt quite helpless after hearing that.

Just then, he felt a tickle on the side of his face. He instinctively turned his head, only to find Lokkishi already beside him, her cowlick poking his face.

Allen blinked at her, about to say something, but Lokkishi spoke first.

"That move you used when we first met, can you do it? I remember you said it put a lot of strain on your body. Does that mean that high-speed slash relies mainly on physical ability, not Swordsmanship technique?"

Allen smiled and instinctively replied, "Twenty Slashes, huh? I've considered that too. While it's true that it relies on years of physical training to develop a few fixed quick draw trajectories, making it more like a physical reflex than a Swordsmanship technique... the problem is my physical endurance only supports a few slashes. If I encounter a strong enemy and get into a fierce tug-of-war, constantly using Twenty Slashes, I'm afraid I'd be the first to fall. In that case, it'd be better to..."

Allen's voice grew quieter and quieter until it completely faded. He stared at Lokkishi for a long time with wide eyes, then showed a look of sudden realization.

Then, with an excited look, he slipped his hands under Lokkishi's armpits, picking her up like a child and spinning her around twice.

"I've got it! Thank you! Goddess! You've helped me so much on every level!!"

Then, under everyone's bewildered gaze, Allen, the scoundrel, casually dropped the wide-eyed, panicked, and struggling Lokkishi to the ground. He turned, grabbed his sword, and began practicing Twenty Slashes from various stances.

He was incredibly focused.

Lokkishi sat on the ground with a thud, watching the scoundrel swing his sword. Her face was flushed with shame and confusion, and she couldn't speak for a long time.

She was completely out of sorts.

On the hillside, under the big tree.

"So, Sylphy's overall Magic level is only intermediate right now?"

"Yes, to be precise, it's currently at a beginner to intermediate level overall."

Lokkishi wiped the nonexistent sweat from her brow, speaking with lingering fear.

"Her control over Magic, Mana capacity, and Silent Casting proficiency all still need improvement."

If another genius shows up, I truly can't stay in this village for another second.

Rudy rested his chin on his hand, watching Lokkishi scratch her face with a hint of panic, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Lokkishi is still the same, so clumsy and lacking confidence... but she just makes you feel good about her. As expected...

This is a goddess!

He said aloud, "After all, Sylphy has only been studying Magic for two months. She's still far from you in every aspect. That's probably why Allen wants her to learn Magic from you, Master."

Speak of the devil.

Allen flashed over, nose bleeding, panting and pale-faced as he spoke to Rudy, looking very uncomfortable.

"Excuse me, I... I need a Healing Spell."

Rudy rolled his eyes at him, annoyed.

"Allen, you're the one who invited the guest, and now you're the one neglecting them. What are you thinking...?"

Before he could finish complaining, the neglected guest had already made her move.

"Oh, merciful goddess, like a mother's love, heal this person's wounds and restore his healthy body! Healing Spell!"

Allen felt a jolt of comfort, gave Lokkishi a thumbs-up, then turned back to swinging his sword nearby.

Sylphy, flustered, chased after him, saying weakly, "A-Allen, I can use Healing Spells too..."

"Your mana is limited, and you've been focused on offensive Magic lately. Your Silent Casting isn't proficient enough yet... Uh, I don't mean to look down on you, it's just more efficient this way. When you can use Silent Casting for Healing Spells later, then I'll ask you, alright?"

"T T Okay."

Sylphy pouted, glancing at Lokkishi, while counting Allen's swings from various angles. The latter's movements were slow, yet they still created gusts of wind that made Sylphy's hair flutter up and down.

"121122123"

Rudy sighed and turned to Lokkishi, who was watching Allen's practice swings with curiosity. True to her nature, her anger had quickly dissipated because Allen's engrossment in sword practice, ignoring everyone, made him seem equally aloof to all.

Rudy's gaze shifted from Lokkishi to Allen, then back to Lokkishi.

Allen is so rude, he didn't even say thank you... And I can't even use Silent Casting for Healing Spells, so how could Sylphy? Wait, maybe this is a good thing! If Lokkishi is only here for a few days, and Allen is always engrossed in Swordsmanship, doesn't that mean I'll have Lokkishi all to myself for the remaining time?! Haha, Allen, Allen, Lokkishi will definitely be mine. This time, I won't give you any chance.

Rudy couldn't help but grin, flashing his signature lecherous smile, then heard Lokkishi's hesitant voice.

"...Rudy, Sylphy, Allen's territory, the territory entry requirement is to kowtow three times to Sylphy? Rudy... So, do I need to kowtow to Sylphy now...?"

Rudy's expression froze. He turned his head in shock, finding Lokkishi staring at the writing on a nearby tree, her mouth twitching slightly.

"Allen carved that! Go find him! It has nothing to do with me!"