Bear School Astartes

Chapter 813: Chapter 796: Debts of Gratitude

”Moreover, the power that breathing can bring is far stronger than a nail file.”

Lann gestured meaningfully with his chin, pointing at the wooden short sword in Ciri’s hand.

The little girl raised her training sword, and simultaneously with Rong Buqiu, they exclaimed ’Wow!’ and ’Meow!’.

On the surface of that wooden short sword, there was a smooth, slender incision.

The cut neither matched the length nor the shape of Lann’s nail.

So it couldn’t have been made by simply scratching with nails, such a crude method.

”Qi Flow Blade.”

Under the gaze of the human and the cat, on one of Lann’s upright fingers, with the subtle movement of breath and muscles.

The air around the finger emitted a continuous ’hissing’ sound, which started weak but became increasingly sharper.

Finally, as the sound reached its peak, a small ’blade’ resulting from different air densities appeared at the tip of Lann’s finger.

”As I’ve said, [Torso Breathing] is the basis of a technical system. And this Qi Flow Blade is a derivative of that system.”

”Is this not... magic?”

Ciri stared blankly at the high-density, high-velocity air at Lann’s fingertip, murmuring.

Having grown up in a Magic Middle Ages, her first reaction to supernatural phenomena was definitely magic.

But Lann’s response was straightforward.

”Pure technique, requires no innate ability to control Magic Power, no mutations for spellcasting abilities. Once you’ve learned it, you have it.”

”Want to learn?”

Rong Buqiu and Ciri’s eyes suddenly shone with expectation.

So Lann knew now they could focus on learning.

-----------------

After explaining [Torso Breathing], Lann left Rong Buqiu and Ciri to practice on their own for a while.

He then walked towards the edge of the tower not far from the training ground.

In the shadow of a small door over there, Vesemir was leaning against the door, casually tossing some little snacks into his mouth.

”She’s too impatient, too diligent, which is the problem.”

Seemingly knowing the Old Demon Hunter was waiting here, Lann said as he approached, spreading his hands.

The Old Demon Hunter merely drew a bitter smile while chewing on the snacks.

”We’ve all noticed, but there’s no solution. Demon Hunters can hunt monsters, even use knowledge and experience to banish those invisible, magical creatures, but we can’t affect others’ psychology and thoughts.”

In fact, ’mental health’ as a subject had only a history of about a hundred years in Lann’s homeland.

Before this, people generally referred to psychological and mental issues as being possessed, demon-possessed, or devil’s seduction...

Lann has occasionally witnessed how villages in this world dealt with it.

Villagers would invite the priest of their believed Divine Beings; if it was a gentle type like Meretelli, it was fine.

But if it was the type like Eternal Fire...

”She’s very strong and brave.” Lann said while standing beside Vesemir, the two watching the training ground not far away.

In the training ground, Ciri was watching Rong Buqiu with an unyielding posture.

”And most importantly...” Lann grinned, ”What I teach her is difficult enough to keep her from thinking about other troublesome things.”

Keeping oneself busy. That should count as a very simple form of psychological therapy.

As for Lann’s techniques, even Vesemir raised his eyebrows.

”Swordsmanship that controls airflow.”

The Old Demon Hunter couldn’t hide his curiosity this time.

”I’m quite old, and I’ve seen most of the famous swordsmanship across the continent, but I’ve never heard of this already supernatural swordsmanship.”

Given Vesemir’s age and skills, he should’ve witnessed more than just those famous sword techniques.

He probably taught each of those sword masters a lesson.

The old guy looks burly and clumsy now, but Lann guessed that even if Geralt took some potions and fought him, he wouldn’t gain much.

The old guy’s experience and vision are too rich.

Youngsters just take off their pants before him, and the guy knows what fart they’re gonna let out the next second.

”Are you interested?” Lann said bluntly, ”I can teach you.”

”Geralt said you’ve been having back pain lately? Learn this breathing method and you should be fine.”

”Swordsmanship has this effect?” Vesemir’s interest grew even more.

”Health is also part of swordsmanship.” Lann shrugged, explaining the key points of [Torso Breathing] to Vesemir.

Although it’s not the same system, the Old Demon Hunter’s knowledge and experience are extraordinary.

Lann didn’t need to supervise as if teaching a child; he could feel the subtle changes in his body under the breathing method himself.

”Is this what you got from those Divine Beings?”

Vesemir muttered while experiencing the breathing method for the first time.

Lann had previously talked with Geralt and Vesemir about their views on Divine Beings.

The other two somewhat knew Lann did work under some Divine Beings, though not very specifically.

”I got a long-term commission from the Lady of the Lake... You can understand it this way. This is the spoils during the commission process.”

”You must’ve been pretty tough when you got these spoils.”

Vesemir smacked his lips.

”People practicing this stuff should be quite remarkable.”

”Not too bad.” Lann scratched his head. ”Not everyone has the talent to learn, most are ordinary people with not much skill.”

Among the ghosts and goblins in Iwami Country, he almost got killed by the Immortal Peak Temple and the Eight Hundred Nuns.

Thinking back now, it has been a quite long time ago.

”If Ged comes around, I think you could teach him.” Lann said to the Old Demon Hunter, looking down.

”Last time, he got involved in a war to help me out, so I owe him a favor.”

”He was quite interested in one of my moves before, but his joint and bone strength isn’t great. If he learns this, he might figure out some interesting moves himself.”

”Knowing how to repay friends is a good virtue, kid. But there’s a problem...”

Vesemir said, pulling a face at Lann.

”If speaking of owing favors, the whole Wolf School owes you and Ged because Ciri is all of our ’destiny’. You risked for our ’destiny’, suffering pain and paying the price. We owe you.”

”But with your generosity now, the repayment standard gets so high... tsk tsk, making it difficult for the old guy.”

”If it’s difficult, then don’t bother.” Lann tilted his head indifferently. ”Ged probably doesn’t mind.”

”Bullshit.” Vesemir scoffed, ”Making me look unreasonable.”

”Alright, I’ll consider how to repay Ged’s favor, but I already thought about how to repay yours. Follow me.”