The Abyssal Water Flow Technique
"Abyssal Water Flow Technique, huh…" Anos muttered as he reached his mother's door.
"Anos? Do you need something?" Celestia Ruth's gentle voice drifted out, catching him off guard.
Anos blinked. "Uh… how did you know I was here?"
The door opened with a soft creak, revealing his mother's smile. She chuckled lightly, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You should step inside before asking questions, my son."
"Mm, alright," Anos said, slipping into the room.
He had always imagined his mother's private chamber to be shrouded in mystery, but instead, it was simple and elegant. Shelves of books lined the walls, their spines filled with knowledge of the Soulspire World. A single polished table stood by the window, adorned with a delicate tea set.
'Mother rarely lets me in here…' Anos thought, scanning the bookshelves with hidden curiosity before resting his gaze on her. She sat with perfect composure, that calm smile never leaving her face.
"So," Celestia said, folding her hands neatly. "You want to know how I sensed your presence, right?"
Anos nodded quickly.
"It's simple, really. Training your senses." She leaned forward and tapped his nose, then his ears. "Learn to feel the world, not just look at it."
'Sense, huh…' Anos mused. His mind drifted back to the breathing art he had just fused. 'Wait… the Abyssal Water Flow Technique.'
Without hesitation, he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with controlled precision.
Celestia tilted her head, curious.
'This pattern… it's neither Shadow Breathing nor Turtle Spirit Breath. But there's a resemblance to both.'
Her eyes widened slightly as realization struck.
"Don't tell me… you fused them?" she whispered, covering her lips with her hand.
Anos' body eased into tranquility. His senses sharpened—the rustle of pages on the bookshelf, the faint tea aroma, even his mother's steady heartbeat—it all became crystal clear. His breathing was smooth, his spirit calm, his perception elevated.
Celestia's chest swelled with pride as she watched him.
'Genius… he's truly different from any child. Even I didn't reach this clarity so young.'
"How does it feel?" she finally asked, voice warm with curiosity.
Anos smiled, cheeks faintly flushed. "Amazing… I can't describe it better than that."
"I see…" Celestia nodded slowly, studying him with both a mother's love and a teacher's sharp eye. "You combined the techniques I gave you, didn't you?"
'Ah, crap…' Anos thought, resisting the urge to smack his forehead. He hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod.
"Mm… yes. I combined them."
'Technically three… and Zara did the fusion, but I can't tell her that.'
Instead of scolding him, Celestia's face bloomed into joy. She bent down and hugged him tightly.
"Hehe, my son really is the best."
Relief washed over Anos. 'Safe…' he thought, allowing himself to enjoy her embrace as he released a long sigh in his heart.
Two Years Later
The streets of Sunrise Village bustled with life. Merchants called out, children ran past carrying baskets, and the fragrance of roasted meats mixed with fresh bread filled the air.
Anos, now appearing like a six-year-old despite only being four, walked confidently beside Celestia Ruth.
"The village has grown so much these past years," he remarked, scanning the new shops and crowded gates.
Celestia nodded, her eyes watching the caravans entering.
"Mm. Its distance from the empires makes it the perfect stop for merchants and travelers. Growth was inevitable."
Anos' eyes narrowed, thoughts flickering. 'She's right. The village changed fast. And in two more years… my martial spirit awakening will change everything too.'
Just then, Zara's voice chimed in his mind.
[Host, there is something that may be useful in that stall.]
A glowing arrow appeared in his vision, pointing toward a small stall tucked into the shadows of an alley.
'Oh? Interesting…' Anos mused, tugging at his mother's sleeve.
"Mother, can we check that stall?"
Celestia glanced at him, then followed his finger. "Of course."
The two approached. The stall was cluttered, a mishmash of old goods and forgotten relics. Anos' eyes darted quickly over the items until three stood out.
First, a chunk of stone, half-covered in hardened mud.
[Name: Cold Iron Ore]
[Type: Material]
[Grade: Uncommon]
[Description: Stronger and denser than common iron. Ideal for forging weapons, armor, or accessories.]
'Not bad,' Anos thought, already planning its uses.
His gaze shifted to two worn books stacked carelessly.
[Name: Cherry Blossom Sword Style (Incomplete)]
[Type: Sword Art]
[Grade: Low-Rare]
[Description: A graceful style once wielded by a lonely swordmaster. Half the technique was lost to history, but what remains carries sharp elegance.]
[Name: Lightning Sword Art]
[Type: Sword Art]
[Grade: Low-Rare]
[Description: A sword art born of thunder. Focused purely on speed, it mimics the strike of lightning itself.]
Anos' lips curled into a faint grin.
'Jackpot. Who would expect to find rare sword arts here? My Reincarnator title proves its worth again.'
He raised a finger toward the rock. "How much for this?"
The merchant, a sly man with a fake smile, replied smoothly, "Two gold coins."
Anos frowned. "Two gold? For a rock? This thing's worth ten copper at most."
The merchant's grin twitched. Celestia's eyes sharpened, her mere gaze making the man shiver as cold sweat formed at his temple.
"And these books?" Anos asked, pointing at the sword arts.
"Four gold coins," the merchant said, trying to sound casual.
Anos stared at him, unimpressed. "Where did you even get them?"
"Cemetery," the merchant shrugged, as if it were nothing.
'This liar…' Anos thought, his patience thinning. "Let's go, Mother. He's trying to scam us." He grabbed her hand and started walking.
But then, he paused mid-step, turning his head with a sly smirk.
"Hmph. I'll just tell the village housewives that you're scamming travelers with junk. Let's see how long your business survives."
The merchant's blood drained from his face. He knew the terror of housewife gossip in Sunrise Village—it spread faster than wildfire and ruined reputations overnight.
"W-Wait!" he blurted, desperation replacing arrogance. "Fine! I'll sell all three items for two gold coins."
"Seventy silver," Anos countered without hesitation, his voice calm but sharp.
Celestia raised a brow, amused at her son's negotiation tactics.
"One gold, seventy silver!" the merchant tried again.
"Fifty silver."
"One gold, twenty silver!"
Anos leaned closer, smirk widening. "Then I'll tell Aunt Anna Walker about this. You know how she talks."
The merchant nearly collapsed. He slammed his palm on the table, face twisting. "Fine! One gold coin! That's my bottom line."
"Deal." Anos grinned, glancing at his mother.
Celestia simply smiled and handed over a single gold coin. Together, they walked away with the ore and the two sword arts, leaving the merchant behind.
The man stared at the coin in his hand and let out a mocking laugh.
'Hahaha! Foolish child. Those things aren't even worth three silver coins.'
If only he knew the true value of what he had just lost, he would be coughing blood in despair.