Chapter 215

Even a slug crawling on the ground has the skill to roll.

The Beastmen Race, boasting a long history and tradition, may have been inferior to humans as a group, but in terms of individual strength, they weren’t far behind.

While humans developed and advanced Power Techniques, the Beastmen had something similar—Water Technique. It’s another method of using magical power.

“Water Technique is a very simple and straightforward skill. Not complicated at all. However, those without talent can train for ten years and still not grasp this simple secret. Absolutely not.”

The Lion roared. Power Techniques, which anyone can use if they know the method, are a very common approach.

Though developed by humans, now all races use it. It’s that easy and standard. Even the Beastmen, who have been in conflict with humans, had no choice but to accept Power Techniques.

Even Epirna, the self-proclaimed Beast King, Harmail, the Demon Race Emperor, and even Grimudo, the Primal Demon King, all use Power Techniques without exception. In comparison, Water Technique heavily relies on talent. It’s not something that can be achieved through effort alone.

The Wolf, with arms crossed, muttered with a doubtful expression.

“I need to be able to trust it…”

“Ahem, we must acknowledge what deserves acknowledgment. Water Technique is a powerful secret, but it’s indeed a very demanding skill. Even during the Lion Tribe’s golden age, few could use it. Only a handful of males in the clan could do it.”

On the other hand, Tigers, though fewer in number than Lions, could all use Water Technique. If they hadn’t been destroyed by Epirna and had united with all races, history might have changed.

“Wolves are also a race capable of Water Technique, but it’s usually impossible. Rovo, that guy, wasn’t born with it. He acquired it later.”

“What’s this? You talk as if it’s something special, but it’s just a skill anyone can learn. Are you lying now?”

“Hey, watch your words!”

The Lion, who had shouted, began to ramble excuses.

“It’s true that it’s usually impossible. But… there are always exceptions in the world.”

This is easier said than done. If you don’t have the innate qualification, you can acquire it later. If the conditions are met, theoretically, anyone can learn Water Technique.

“The core of Water Technique is ignition. It ignites your own magical power and potential in an instant, unleashing power you normally couldn’t. If used correctly, there’s no better enhancement technique. It’s just that using it correctly is a bit difficult.”

In fact, it’s not just a bit. Water Technique is extremely difficult to train.

If it were just difficult, it wouldn’t be a big problem. Time and effort could overcome it. But the issue is that if someone unqualified attempts it, their magical power goes berserk.

Your own magical power boils like water, tearing through your body’s magical circuits. Those who can protect their circuits from the berserk magical power wouldn’t fail the Water Technique in the first place.

In other words, once the berserk state occurs, the caster is as good as dead. Even if they survive, they lose their realm and become crippled.

“To learn Water Technique, three conditions are necessary: a strong body, innate magical control, and the capacity to withstand magical explosions. If even one is missing, the risk becomes astronomically high. If two are missing, failure is certain.”

A technique that offers no second chances to those who fail.

Only those born with immense power, like Lions and Tigers, can perfectly master this technique from the start.

“Though not a Beastman, Sister Yanid could probably do it. But for someone like her, a Dragon, there’s no need. She can always unleash her full power without Water Technique.”

Dragons can do it, but they have no need to learn something like Water Technique.

They are a race that can perfectly control their magical power at any time.

‘It feels like it’s not a big deal.’

Though it sounds like a fearsome technique, that’s just in theory. Roka had already met the qualifications, even overflowing with them.

Listening carefully to Leon’s instructions, she ignited her own magical power. If this power exploded all at once, it would be the end, but she wouldn’t let that happen.

“I knew it.”

The Lion clicked his tongue. He felt the pulsating power of the magical energy.

With each heartbeat, immense force moved and writhed. It seemed like explosions were heard in sync with the throbbing. Even at the moment of explosion, it was under control. Not one big explosion, but many small ones continuously occurred.

“I knew you could do it.”

This is Water Technique. A skill that even a Master would struggle to endure, consuming magical power.

But it’s clearly worth it. The Wolf, feeling the power surging through his body, clenched his fist. Strength and speed. For the duration of Water Technique, he was much stronger than before.

With this power, he felt he could kill a Death Worm barehanded. Unfortunately, the duration wasn’t very long. Roka clicked her tongue. It’s not just about running out of magical power.

While maintaining Water Technique, you must perfectly control the ignited magical power. This means your mind tires before your body does. Roka fell deep into thought.

“If what you say is true, Epirna has been able to use this technique for a long time, right?”

“Of course. She’s a Tiger. A race born with talent.”

“And she’s trained much longer than me.”

“That’s… right?”

She would have had enough time to adapt to Water Technique. Leon muttered awkwardly. He had just realized what she was getting at.

“But it doesn’t matter.”

The capabilities she has accumulated are like a mountain. Big and vast. It’s a fact that you can’t underestimate her.

The starting line is different. It’s a completely tilted battle. But she hasn’t grown fairly either.

It’s time to receive the help of the Miracle that greatly influenced Roka’s growth. The legacy left by Heron. And the sword the dog will make. Finally, the Phylogenetic Seedling.

If all the capabilities that can be gathered are combined, she certainly won’t be beneath the Tiger.

*****

“Have you been to the North Pole? Of course, I have. I vowed never to set foot near that place again, though.”

While Roka was away for training, I couldn’t just sit idle. I went around treating residents in poor health and, in the process, chatted with them.

Then, a thought struck me. Since this is a northern region, perhaps someone has been to the North Pole?

The Hero Party has been to the North Pole, but more information is always better. In a way, these are the people living closest to the Demon King on the continent.

I thought they might know something about the Demon King or the North Pole that even they weren’t aware of. Of course, when I asked, the responses were mostly like this:

“The North Pole? Am I crazy? Sure, it’s close, but there’s no treasure there. Why go and freeze to death?”

Anya from the Cat Tribe jumped up. Though she didn’t jump, others reacted similarly.

A snowy wasteland with nothing but snow and ice. Even the Beastmen shake their heads at such a place.

“At least in the South Pole, there are strange birds and bears to see. The North Pole is just full of monsters.”

“I heard even monsters can’t survive there. Only the Primal Demon King lives there alone.”

Even though I’ve been there once, everyone I asked knew less about the North Pole than I did. But my inquiries weren’t entirely useless.

“The North Pole is the most dangerous place in the world. Someone like you would turn into an ice block just by stepping there.”

The Evil God, Oberta, came to me claiming to have been to the North Pole. The problem is, it feels like she’s just teasing me, so I can’t trust her.

“Huh? Don’t lie. You’ve been to the North Pole too? You’re braver than you look…”

“Oberta. Are you sure you’ve been to the North Pole?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t know how much you’ve traveled the North Pole, but I know more than you. What I just said isn’t entirely false. It’s a mix of truth and lies.”

The Evil God chuckled sinisterly.

“Do you know why no one has ever set foot on the North Pole since ancient times?”