"I refuse."
"Why!?"
"I haven't even finished learning Master Kaelen's Aetheric Blade Arts, so when would I have the time to learn your footwork, Master Garrick? I refuse."
As Kaelen had predicted, Julian refused without a moment's hesitation.
Contrary to his expectations, at Julian's firm attitude, Garrick spoke with a desperate face.
"With my Phantom Stride, you can run a thousand miles in a single day!"
"Eh... I will never have a reason to run a thousand miles."
"Th-Then! You can sneak into any fortress without anyone knowing!"
"Why would I sneak into my own estate? I don't need it."
Feeling Julian's expression growing more and more weary, Garrick preached the importance of the Phantom Stride in a desperate voice.
"Y-You can never become a grandmaster with just telekinetic blades! If you have an enemy faster than you, you'll be defeated without even being able to lift a finger!"
"Master, do I have to run away even after mastering the Aetheric Ten Blades?"
A sharp question disguised in innocence.
Kaelen, the creator of the Aetheric Ten Blades, shook his head and answered firmly.
"No! What do you mean, run away! The moment you master the Aetheric Ten Blades, your enemies won't even be able to touch your boots!"
"Th-This arrogant bastard!"
At Garrick's sharp glare, Kaelen shrugged and smirked with one corner of his mouth.
'Didn't I say it wouldn't be easy?'
'You bastard who deserves to be dunked in a cesspit!'
Garrick, who was burning with hatred for Kaelen, let out a deep sigh at the sight of Julian, who was melting away, unable to overcome his inherent laziness.
"Give up, Garrick."
At Kaelen's words that followed, Garrick, who was about to give up, had his eyes suddenly sparkle.
'The laziest person in the Empire... who hates to move even a single step...'
Having finished his thought, Garrick plopped down in front of Julian.
"Julian."
"Yes?"
"Watch carefully. The footwork of this master, which has reached the absolute apex of aura!"
At that moment, an amazing thing happened.
Garrick floated up in a cross-legged position and began to move around the clearing at high speed.
Of course, he wasn't actually floating in the air.
He was moving by channeling aura and pushing off the ground with only the very tips of his toes while remaining comfortably seated.
"What is this bizarre..."
Kaelen clicked his tongue as he watched Garrick's ridiculous footwork.
"Tsk tsk! Julian, there's nothing more to see. Now, let's just... huh?"
Julian, who had shown no interest in Garrick's Phantom Stride just a moment ago, was trembling.
"Th-This is... this is..."
"J-Julian?"
Garrick, who had finished his demonstration, stopped in place and looked at Julian with a benevolent face.
"Did you see? This is the ultimate footwork application, The Unwalking Hover!"
The unwalking hover!
At the amazing movement technique of an entirely new realm, Julian was completely captivated.
"Do you think Julian will fall for such an absurd and bizarre trick!"
"Master Garrick!"
"Hey!"
Julian prostrated himself on the dirt and faced Garrick with a face full of profound emotion.
"Can I... also not walk!?"
Garrick, who had stood up at some point, placed his hand on Julian's head with a solemn face and said.
"Of course. Just trust and follow this master. Do you understand, my apprentice?"
"Yes! Master!"
Watching Julian and Garrick, who had instantly formed a master-apprentice relationship, Kaelen thought.
'This damn lazy apprentice bastard!'
****
"As your senior, I advise you... teach him slowly."
"Don't worry. Unlike your shoddy Aetheric Blade Arts, this master's Supreme Phantom Wind Stride will not be easily learned."
"What is that... a technique name as bizarre as your 'Unwalking something' footwork?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? My footwork has always been the Supreme Phantom Wind Stride from the beginning."
For a very brief moment, Kaelen worried that Garrick might have dementia.
But the worry was short-lived.
Kaelen, who had noticed Garrick's cunning scheme, narrowed his eyes.
"You, you! Don't tell me...!"
"Hahaha! You foolish Kaelen. Aetheric Ten Blades? How long do you think such a featureless name will last? Julian possesses a vessel that will become the greatest in the Empire. Of course, he must have an art that befits him! And I, Garrick, the master of Julian Sterling, will be remembered forever as the creator of the Supreme Phantom Wind Stride!"
"Y-You damn bastard!"
"Hahahaha! Mock me all you want!"
Garrick, who ran off laughing, stood facing Julian in an open space.
"Master."
"What is it, my apprentice."
Garrick emphasized the word 'apprentice' as he spoke.
"When can I learn that amazing Unwalking Hover?"
"Don't be hasty. You will naturally master the Unwalking Hover when you have mastered all the foundational steps of the Supreme Phantom Wind Stride."
"In that case, how long will it take for me to master all of the Supreme Phantom Wind Stride?"
"Hmm..."
Garrick, who was calculating the period in his head, said in a monotonous voice.
"With your talent, about... ten years?"
"T-T-Ten..."
As Julian's body trembled, the startled Garrick ran to him.
"Wh-What's wrong!?"
"It's... too... l-long..."
'This brat!'
For a moment, Garrick felt a surge of anger, but he couldn't get angry because of Kaelen's blatant gaze from behind him.
'I can't be a worse master than that Kaelen!'
Garrick, who had calmed his mind and body, said gently.
"Haha! I misspoke. With your talent, you'll learn it all in three years!"
"Th-Three years? Really?"
As Julian's eyes sparkled as if nothing had happened, Garrick smiled brightly.
"Of course!"
"Haha! Let's start right away, Master!"
The word 'master' from Julian's mouth poured water on Garrick's barren heart.
'Me, a master...'
Garrick, who had said he had no intention of taking an apprentice, saying 'what kind of heir would a rogue have.'
But did he too have a desire to leave behind a legacy deep in his heart?
Garrick couldn't help but be moved by the word 'master.'
"Just trust this master!"
Garrick did not know.
That the purer the eyes, the more they hide true madness.
"Then let's start right away! Master Garrick!"