"...?"
"...?"
"Wait, wait, wait…" Fulvio's eyes widened in shock.
"Rock Heart Visualization Method? You mean the one our old man spent half his life trying to perfect to temper spiritual will?"
"How long have you even been here?"
"He passed you the family's secret inheritance that fast?"
"Even for VIP students, isn't that rushing it?"
"And what the hell is 'Visualization Method'? Shouldn't it be 'Object Fantasy'?"
"Uh!" Teresa beside him made a face and grumbled, "Dad clearly taught us 'Mental Fantasy'!"
Merlin looked at the two of them with a strange expression. "It's the same thing, right? Just different names. It's all about holding a scene in your mind, using mental power to keep visualizing it for a long time, and tempering your spiritual will that way."
The siblings both curled their lips at the same time and spoke in unison:
"How can it be the same? If the name is different, how can it still be our family's inheritance?"
Merlin looked speechless, feeling a bit tired. But then Fulvio rubbed his chin thoughtfully and asked:
"Let's set the name thing aside for now. I changed it too, so I can't really complain. Just tell us exactly what happened to you first!"
Merlin explained how he had visualized the lynx and ended up influenced by its playful nature.
Teresa stared at him in surprise. The corner of her mouth twitched upward for a second before she clicked her tongue. "Another heretic—and even more extreme than Ful. He at least switched from rock to sea waves. You're out here fantasizing about animals."
Fulvio glared at her. "Not even calling me Brother anymore?"
A second later his expression changed to genuine surprise as he looked back at Merlin. "So that's what happened! You must have studied the lynx really deeply. You practiced until it sank into your heart and mind. No wonder it started affecting you."
He glanced at his sister, then smiled. "I think I know what your problem is, Merlin.
"Just like this silly sister of mine who visualizes the Petrel Mountain behind us. A few times at sea she actually went out to watch those storm petrels flying through storms. She even told me the birds looked exactly like the mountain back at the dojo—like it's about to spread its wings and take off.
"And my sister only managed to succeed with her fantasy a little while ago."
"Generally speaking, our family's inheritance is a kind of mental fantasy practiced inside your consciousness—what you call visualization.
"It does temper spiritual will, but spiritual will is closely tied to the mind."
Hearing this, a spark of understanding flashed in Merlin's eyes. He instinctively picked up the thought and continued:
"Spiritual will is basically the outward expression of the mind. By visualizing the lynx to temper my spiritual will, I must have gone too deep—or maybe I didn't keep my human heart firm enough—so the influence seeped from the outside straight into my mind.
"Appearance comes from the heart. Because of that, I ended up being affected without realizing it."
He didn't notice the surprised looks from Yol and the siblings as he kept speaking to himself:
"Visualization uses an external object to temper spiritual will and, at a deeper level, to train the mind.
"It's not just tempering spiritual will—it's using your own mind to confront something external and sharpen itself against it.
"Influence can go both ways, but you have to be the one who realizes and controls it."
As he spoke, Merlin's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"While visualizing to strengthen myself, I also have to constantly keep my own heart in mind. I want the benefits of visualization, but I also have to reject the bad influences that come with it.
"Humans really are greedy.
"But that same greed is the strongest driving force for getting stronger."
Merlin's eyes were shining now. The issue that had been bothering him finally made sense.
At that moment, he felt like he understood [Lynx Visualization] on a much deeper level.
His mental state smoothed out, and his own beliefs felt firmer than before.
With a thought, the Equipment Slot interface appeared in front of him.
And just as expected:
[Basic-Level Lynx Visualization]: Through conversation with others and a flash of insight, you have grasped the true essence of the visualization method. From now on, when you practice visualization to temper your spiritual will, your mind gains a slight increase in resistance to external interference.
The level of Lynx Visualization had risen. Surprise flashed across Merlin's face.
So skills I figure out on my own can level up through my own understanding and practice?
Right… that actually makes sense.
Entry-Level to Basic-Level… and what comes after Basic-Level? This is getting more and more interesting!
Fulvio noticed the subtle but wonderful change in Merlin's spirit and couldn't hide the envy in his eyes. He sighed.
"I finally get why Dad taught you this method so early. Kid, your comprehension is insane!"
"You must have gained a lot just now."
A small smile appeared on Merlin's lips. He shook his head modestly. "Actually, I have Brother Ful to thank. Without your guidance this time, it probably would've taken me a lot longer to figure it out."
Fulvio immediately waved his hand, looking helpless. "What guidance? I didn't do anything! This was all your own brain doing the work."
Yol looked at Merlin with bright, happy eyes. "Looks like you worked it out!"
Merlin nodded and smiled. "Guess the saying 'a good teacher produces a fine student' really is true!"
Teresa burst out laughing. "If you can talk that smoothly, keep going. I actually like you, kid."
She looked Merlin up and down, a spark of interest in her eyes.
"Since your comprehension is this good, want to spar with me? Deep sword theory is great, but actual sword strength still matters. Out on these seas, the strong are respected!"
Her eyes were eager.
Before Merlin could answer, Fulvio cut in with a helpless tone. "Don't even think about bullying Brother Merlin. How long has he even been learning swordsmanship?"
Then the corner of his mouth lifted. "Can I just call you Merlin? Want to spar with your brother here?"
Merlin's gaze shifted slightly. He had already seen how much stronger Fulvio was than Teresa, but he still smiled and nodded gently.
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother."
Fulvio laughed. "Just call me Ful from now on. With the comprehension you just showed, it won't be long before you're not any weaker than my sister.
"We can spar and exchange ideas often in the future—help each other grow."
Teresa narrowed her eyes, her expression turning dangerous. "Ful, who exactly are you looking down on?"
"Let's head to the training ground outside! There are practice weapons there. I don't have a proper blade on me right now."
Merlin said.
Fulvio laughed.
Teresa stood there ignored, face dark.
Before long, the four of them reached the pavilion beside the outdoor training ground.
Fulvio set his real rapier on the weapon rack, picked up a practice rapier, unsheathed it, and gave it a swing.
"A bit light, but it'll do. I won't bully you with my 'Splendid Wave'—that's a Ryo Wazamono-grade weapon after all."
Merlin glanced at the sword, then picked up a practice katana and held it.
"Then thank you, Brother."
The two quickly moved to the center of the field and stood five meters apart.
Yol, Lami, and Teresa watched from under the pavilion.
"You don't seem worried about Brother Merlin at all, Yol," Teresa said, turning her head curiously.
The corner of Yol's mouth lifted in a gentle smile. The sight was so stunning that Teresa stared for a second before shaking her head and focusing on the field again.
Yol shook her head, still smiling softly. "Of course I'm worried. But Merlin isn't weak. I believe in him."
Lami watched the field without blinking. "Brother Merlin is super strong! As strong as Sister Yol! He won't lose to Big Sister's brother!"
Teresa laughed out loud. "Lami, right? I saw you training hard this morning, little sister."
While the three were chatting—
In the field, Fulvio looked at Merlin with a refreshing smile.
"Merlin, you attack first! Let me see what level you're at right now."
Merlin smiled back. "Brother Ful, you're joking. What level could I possibly have? I've barely started learning swordsmanship!"
"But since Brother Ful is letting me go first, I won't hold back."
The moment the words left his mouth, Merlin's eyes narrowed.
He bent his knees, leaned forward slightly, then kicked off the ground hard.
The five-meter gap vanished in an instant. Merlin appeared right in front of Fulvio, katana in his right hand, and slashed upward in a clean diagonal Kesa-giri cut from the right side.
"Wha—?!" Fulvio's pupils shrank. Almost at the exact same moment, he instinctively raised his rapier to block.
Clang——
A heavy metallic ring echoed like a hammer strike.
Fulvio's eyes widened. The sudden burst of power forced his whole body backward.
Merlin took a deep breath, shifted his stance, and rushed forward again.