The Rise Of Third Rate Villain-Chapter 8 - Training With Leon [II]

A week had passed.

During that period however, I had only been swinging around this ridiculous training hall with a bloody sticks (wooden sword) for the sunrise to sunset.

"Ha... Finally!" I gasped, leaning on my sword, drenched in sweat. I'm actually swinging a blade with perfect form right now!

If I watched my blistered hands I couldn't hold on.

...Yeah, this wasn't exactly a flex.

"I mean, come on. I spent a whole week learning what a skilled swordsman probably has in the course of a few days, I remarked to myself, gasping for air. "Well, it's not like I was some Olympic athlete in my past life. I wasn't a Kendo champion or a martial arts prodigy. I was just a normal guy! Cut me some slack!"

But despite my complaints, a sense of accomplishment swelled in my chest. I did it.

And that meant...

"Alright, System, let's see my reward!"

With a soft chime, the familiar blue screen popped up.

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[Ding! Quest Completed: Master the Basic Swordsmanship Stance]

[Calculating rewards...]

[Adjusting for host's ridiculously slow completion time...]

[Sigh...]

[Final Reward: Daddy Mahoraga's Ability]

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I froze.

"Huh?"

Did I read that right?

The screen flickered again, and a more detailed explanation appeared.

---

[Daddy Mahoraga's Ability]

- Endows the user with a learning adaptability and thus the skill to progressively adapt to any attack, to any type of attack, and any fighting method by exposure to repeated exposure.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

- Allows the user to both learn and mimic movements watching them.

- Does not grant the full power of Mahoraga.

---

There I was, frozen to the spot in front of the screen, my mind refusing to take in anything.

Then it hit me.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL F—"

I grabbed my head, feeling my sanity slipping.

"This is—this is insane! You're telling me I got THE ability to adapt to anything?! The thing that makes someone basically unstoppable?! This is beyond broken!"

The system pinged again.

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[Correction: Host is still a weakling. Only the adaptation ability has been granted. You do not have the power, speed, and toughness to support it. Don't get cocky. ]

____________________________________

My excitement deflated instantly.

I gritted my teeth. "So, I don't get his ungodly durability, his insane healing, or his brute strength?"

____________________________________

[Obviously not. You're still a weak-ass noble brat. Be grateful I'm even giving you this much. ]

____________________________________

"I swear to god, one day I'm going to uninstall you."

The system ignored me.

Indeed, although it might not have been the complete capability, this was a paradigm shift.

"With this..." I muttered, clenching my fists. "I can really survive."

A new sense of determination burned in my chest.

That was when a familiar voice broke my thoughts.

Wow, you look like you just won the lottery, Young Master," model of the image said.

I nearly jumped.

Turning around, I saw Leon approaching, his arms crossed with an amused expression.

"Nothing," I said quickly, shaking my head. "Actually, forget that—I've finally mastered the stance. Teach me real swordsmanship now!"

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You're eager."

"Damn right I am!" I grinned. "Come on, let's go!"

Leon smirked. "Before that... let's have a match."

I blinked. "...What?"

"I need to see what you can actually do." He casually drew his training sword, spinning it effortlessly. Seeing that you have spent one week just practicing stances, how are you going to perform in a real fight?

The classic Valerian would have just run for it, given some lame reason that they hadn't heard of a basic slash.

But me?

After getting this ability?

I grinned. "Alright. Let's do this."

---

We both took our positions.

Leon's stance was relaxed, almost casual. At the same time, I gripped the wooden sword tighter, my heart racing with anticipation.

"Whenever you're ready, Young Master," Leon said.

Alright... let's see how much I've improved—

Before I could even react, Leon disappeared from my vision.

Wait, where—

WHAM!

Something slammed into my stomach, and I flew.

I hardly had a moment to think when I was being rolled onto the ground gasping for breath.

"Ghk—!"

My entire body screamed in pain. I barely managed to lift my head—only to see Leon standing exactly where he was before.

"You're too slow," he said calmly.

I groaned, pushing myself up. "No sh*t..."

Leon sighed. "Again."

And thus, the beating began.

I lost count of how many times I got knocked down. It was like fighting a ghost. I'd barely notice his motion before I'd continue to eat dirt.

But even as my body screamed in agony, something. changed.

At first, I didn't notice.

But after two straight hours of getting my ass handed to me.

I blocked an attack.

It was instinctual, my arms moving before I even thought about it. My wooden weapon just failed to catch the blow of Leon's attack, which sent a jolt through my arms.

Leon's eyes widened slightly.

"...Huh?"

I was too stunned to respond.

I actually blocked it.

Not dodged. Not got lucky. Blocked.

And that's when I really felt it.

My body was adjusting.

As soon as Leon struck, I was a bit reactively faster each time. A little bit sharper. The blurs of movement were becoming clearer. My body was adapting.

Leon attacked again.

And this time—I blocked twice.

Leon narrowed his eyes, watching me carefully. "Was that a coincidence, or...?"

He pressed harder, increasing his speed.

But by the third hour...

I was blocking thirty percent of his attacks.

Leon finally stopped, lowering his sword slightly. His expression was unreadable.

"...Young Master."

I smirked, still breathing heavily. "Yeah?"

"What the hell are you?"

Before I could answer, my vision blurred.

And then—

**THUD**

I collapsed.

Leon caught me before I hit the ground.

He saw down at my sleeping shape, with a slow smile curving his mouth.

"...Maybe a genius monster has finally started to appear."