Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint
Chapter 323: What Doesn't Kill You

Although I was feeling anxious about my usefulness now that Hilde was with us, the Catafract, with its sides, roof, and emotions removed, sped down the road without a care in the world.

With the driving skills of a speed-demon golem, no ordinary beast could ever hope to match the Catafract now.

Except for the fierce wind, it seemed like this would be a smooth and comfortable trip… or so I thought.

“Camarilla, stabilize the balance over there.”

“You’re ordering me around for free! I’ll do it just this once, but next time, you better ask politely!”

Clang, clang.

The rhythmic sound of steel being struck echoed inside the mobile steel fortress.

The Regressor was using Jizan as a hammer to build something.

A flat platform and a T-shaped handle were firmly tied together with sturdy rope. It looked like a sled meant to be stood on with both feet.

The question was why it was necessary.

The Catafract we were on was already moving at a decent speed.

｢I can’t just sit idle during the journey. I need to make use of this time! I’ll train Hughes!｣

…Actually, I knew this because I read her mind.

I cursed my Mind Reading for allowing me to glimpse this forbidden truth, but knowing or not, it was a card that would come back to me.

The difference was whether I faced it knowingly or unknowingly. I cautiously asked.

“Mr. Shei.”

“Yeah?”

“What exactly is that?”

The Regressor answered, lightly lifting the sled.

“Perfect timing. This is a device to help with your training!”

“Training?”

“Yep! Didn’t I say I’d help you train?”

But why would a sled be a training tool?

I tried desperately to change the subject.

“Is it a weight for lifting? It looks heavy, but I suppose it could make for a good workout.”

“Are you an idiot? If it was just for that, I wouldn’t have built it as a sled.”

“But you called it a sled yourself! Isn’t that even weirder? How can a sled be a training tool?”

“It’s simple. Before you start training, I have to gauge your Qi.”

The Regressor placed the sled in front of me.

“You know the basics of Geon, Gon, Gam, and Li, right? You even gave a pompous lecture about it in Tantalus.”

“Of course, I know.”

Qi Arts are methods of strengthening the body using Qi.

“Geon” is infusing Qi into all things, “Gon” is extending it beneath your feet to connect with the ground, “Gam” enhances the body itself, and “Li” bends the Principle of the World.

I know all that. I can do everything except Li.

My body just can’t keep up.

“Mastering just Geon and Gon already earns you praise. If you can grasp Gam, you’re considered an outstanding Qi practitioner. It’s a basic requirement for becoming a general in the Military State. If you can get that far, it’s just a matter of scaling up. As for Li, it varies too much from person to person, so let’s just leave that one out for now.”

“Why is Li excluded? Is it because you can’t do it, Mr. Shei?”

“No way! It’s because everyone reaches different levels, so they can’t be compared to each other!”

｢Not that I can do it myself…! Ugh, I’ve tried training and expanding my knowledge, but I still can’t perform Li!｣

It is funny to tell someone who can rewind time to ask what they want to achieve.

Why would they need to master it when they can just try again in the next timeline?

If they can overcome even death, why bother with reaching the Axiom?

“Anyway, from what I saw, you had definitely grasped Gam, right? Some people start with Gam depending on their talent or training, but with the Military State’s curriculum, it’s Geon, Gon, Gam, and Li, in that order. That’s why I thought you were a general before.”

“Haha, I’m flattered.”

“Well, I still think you could reach the level of a general with proper training. But to do that, we need to assess your current condition accurately.”

The Regressor handed me the handle.

“Grip the handle with Geon Qi Art and plant your feet on the platform with Gon Qi Art. Stand on the sled and keep your balance. Try to hold on for as long as you can. Consider it training.”

Oh, I see. So, the plan is to tie the sled to the back of this rattling Catafract, have me stand on it, and then drag me along.

Azzy would love a game like this. Haha.

…Is this a fucking joke?!

The Catafract is moving at high speed. If I don’t want to fall off, I’ll have to grip the rope tightly with my hands, arms, waist, or legs. If any of my muscles give out, I’ll instantly lose my balance and crash to the ground.

They wouldn’t even be able to figure out where I died!

My body would get shredded across hundreds of meters, literally blended with the debris!

“How is that training?! Are you trying to punish– no, execute me?!”

“If it’s not tough and painful, it’s not training.”

“No way! What era do you think this is? Who trains with such primitive methods?”

｢Come on. I’ve been dragged around in straw sandals before. If you didn’t protect them with Qi, your feet would be torn to shreds. This is better than that, isn’t it?｣

That’s just generational abuse!

Just because you went through it doesn’t mean you should subject others to the same thing! This society doesn’t improve because people like you perpetuate harmful traditions!

“I thought you were going to give me some elixir or treasure. Why would I put myself through this? Just let Azzy use the sled!”

“Woof?”

“Yeah, Azzy. You came at the perfect time. This is more fun than just sticking your head out and staring blankly at the scenery!”

I waved the handle around, and Azzy, who had been yawning out of boredom, became interested and approached.

The handle could be her new toy.

I let her bite it and pulled on the rope in a tug-of-war.

Well, it was less a tug-of-war and more me struggling not to let go whenever Azzy twisted her head.

“Wow, you’re so strong Azzy!”

“Woof, woof! Harder!”

“Easy, easy. You’re several times stronger than me. It’s not like my effort is going to make a difference.”

The Regressor clicked her tongue, watching me play with Azzy instead of focusing on training.

｢…He’s the most training-averse person I’ve met across all my regressions. Isn’t the desire to get stronger an instinct for humans? I can’t believe he’d refuse training from a master.｣

Seeing my strong refusal, the Regressor slightly adjusted her approach.

“I think you have a lot of potential.”

“The instructors at the Military State used to say that to me too. They’d say I seemed talented but didn’t put in the effort. I resented them back then, but now I’m grateful they believed in my potential.”

“I’m not mocking you! I mean it. You’re actually skilled in Qi, mana, and alchemy. You’re not lacking in talent. It’s just… well, something seems off.”

You’re right about that. This is my limit!

If you know that, why are you pushing me so recklessly?

“Sorry, but I’m too old to imagine new possibilities for the future. Sadly, this is my limit.”

“No, it’s different. I think your body’s balance is off.”

“Balance?”

“Yeah. I’ve experienced it myself. When you train in techniques with different natures, like magic and Qi, it’s like… how should I put it? Your body leans in one direction, throwing off your balance. Correcting that balance is crucial…”

Nonsense. I’ve never had that kind of issue.

I am the King of Humans.

All human knowledge and skills are mine to wield.

I just can’t reproduce them perfectly because my mana and Qi reserves aren’t high enough.

So, if I increase my mana and Qi, everything should work out… or so I thought, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t gather more power.

I don’t know the reason.

It’s probably related to the incident that caused the King of Humans to lose his power.

As for what that incident was… I have no idea.

Honestly, I’d like to know too.

It’s no lie. Azzy carries on a promise made ages ago, but if you ask her about it, she’ll just tilt her head and go, “Woof?”

Even the most skilled detective can’t reconstruct a scene from just a vow.

Just as a promise may endure, the memory doesn’t.

I suspect it has to do with a curse, a seal, or something similar, possibly connected to the Saintess of Origin…

Anyway, since it’s not 100% a balance issue, I responded nonchalantly.

“Do you think fixing that will make me stronger? Why not just give me an elixir or a treasure? I promise to make good use of it.”

“You can’t use power properly if you don’t earn it! I’ve had similar experiences. If you do this right, you can break through your limits!”

｢The way you handle Qi and mana is completely different. Qi is about using your body to change the world, while mana is about recreating those changes with your body. Inside out, outside in. Because they have opposing natures, trying to use both at the same time can cause them to cancel out… Hmm. How do I explain this?｣

Hmph. The moment I start putting in effort, I’m already losing. I won’t fall for it!

｢Ah, forget it. Let’s just see what happens.｣

The Regressor gave me a firm push.

The action happened at the same time as her thoughts so I didn’t have time to react.

“Huh?”

She had pushed me with Qi, sending me flying back onto the sled.

I slid down the Catafract’s rear slope and found myself scraping against the ground.

Wait, did she just push me without a second thought?

“Here.”

The Regressor grabbed the handle from Azzy’s mouth and tossed it to me.

A drowning man will grab at straws and I caught the handle right as it came within reach.

“Hold on tight if you don’t want to fall.”

The rope stretched taut before my eyes.

Instinctively, I gripped the handle with all my strength.

Suddenly, I felt a pull on my hands, arms, legs, and waist.

Before I knew it, I was on the sled, just as the Regressor had intended.

Struggling to stay balanced, I shouted urgently.

“Gaaah! What the hell is this?!”

Is she insane?

She pushed me off just like that, without any warning?!

I’ve met a lot of people, but I’ve never encountered anyone as reckless as this Regressor!

And it happened so fast that I couldn’t even respond!

While I screamed, the Regressor calmly held the rope and replied.

“You’re doing well. Just hang on as long as you can. It’ll hurt if you fall, so try not to.”

“Of course, it’ll hurt, you idiot!”

｢If you’re about to fall, I’ll catch you, but if I tell you that, you won’t feel the tension, so just hang on with all your might for now.｣

I can read your thoughts, you know!

Still, I couldn’t let go. Even if someone promised to catch me and meant it, it’s hard to trust that enough to intentionally fall backward.

Even if she’s sincere, what if this unreliable Regressor fails to catch me? I’ll die!

Tsk, I have no choice! It’s undignified, but…

“Tyr! Pull me up!”

I shouted desperately, but Tyr showed no concern.

In fact, she seemed slightly amused by my predicament.

“It is good to see you persevering so diligently.”

“You call this perseverance? I’m on the verge of dying here!”

“What does not kill you will make you stronger. If you become stronger, you can face even greater dangers.”

“That’s only if I don’t die now!”

Am I just some kind of gamble?

Do you think betting on higher risks brings bigger rewards? What if I fail and lose everything?

“Do not worry. I will keep an eye on you to ensure you do not get too hurt. And…”

｢Even if you fall, I will not permit your death. If you are badly injured, I will gladly give you my blood. Who knows… maybe the King of Humans will become the King of Vampires.｣

Over my dead body!

I’ll endure this with sheer grit.

But… The Regressor isn’t completely wrong.

I’m a Mind Reader.

Instead of strengthening my own hand, I read the opponent’s hand and worked with it.

If I couldn’t win, I wouldn’t engage or recruit them.

I turn their own strategies against them.

My victories were always narrow, walking a fine line.

I’ve built my strength by expanding my options.

However… no amount of tactics can beat overwhelming force.

Even if cloth can cover a rock, it can’t cover a landslide.

Training won’t make me invincible, but if I can improve my hand even a little.

Very well, I’ll give it a shot!

“Fine! Let’s see how much stronger I can get from this stupid training!”

“Why are you grinding your teeth when you’re the one doing the training…?”