Subscriber of the Gods Chapter 106 - The Necessity of Practical Lessons

-Achievement unlocked!

-[Completion of Skill] Achievement unlocked, you’ve earned Likes!

-Gained 3 Likes!

With this, Ethan now surpassed twenty Likes after achieving the achievement.

‘It seems I didn’t get this achievement for Whiskers Swordsmanship since it was already at 100% from the beginning.’

Following Whiskers Swordsmanship, Heo’s Acupuncture has also been completely mastered at 100%.

It was now fully his own.

“True Heo’s Acupuncture.”

When Heo’s Acupuncture was completed, it transformed into a skill called True Heo’s Acupuncture.

Where the proficiency used to be displayed, [MASTER] was now clearly written, indicating the skill’s completion.

It was a skill he had first obtained by subscribing to [New World], and only now completed it.

He recalled when he first opened New World and obtained Heo’s Acupuncture in order to survive.

Compared to then, his health was recovered considerably now, to the point comparisons were meaningless.

‘With this, I can keep my health at peak condition.’

Survival probability continually decreases due to Extinction. But with True Heo’s Acupuncture, maintaining health would be perfect.

Furthermore, he could aim for health recovery and enhancement. Heo Jun’s acupuncture technique was an incredible skill.

‘I want to test the effects.’

First, Ethan tested the effects on himself.

Chik-. Chik-. Chik-.

‘Oh, the precision has improved.’

The basic precision when using acupuncture improved. Even if it was a little off, the needle accurately pierced the right spot.

Next, Ethan used the Five Elements Acupuncture Technique to apply buffs.

“Oh ho.”

The buffs from the original Five Elements Acupuncture Technique had time limits.

‘The time limit increased.’

It was at least twice as long as before.

“The number of needles I can make is now fifteen.”

Ethan could now freely make, erase, and control a total of fifteen needles.

And Ethan looked at his fingertips.

“The sensation has sharpened. This seems related to Pulse Diagnosis too.”

Sensation at the fingertips was important to Pulse Diagnosis. Of course, it wasn’t a real pulse diagnosis, just borrowing the skill’s power, but his fingertips becoming more sensitive meant Pulse Diagnosis’ effects increased too.

‘I can now do deeper, more certain Pulse Diagnoses.’

Ethan used Pulse Diagnosis to check his own pulse.

– Checking pulse.

– Due to the powerful curse, the pulse cannot be grasped clearly!

– Current status: fatigue, powerful curse

“As expected, even this can barely detect anything with the curse.”

He kept trying to figure out and find another way to detect his illness, but as expected, Extinction was a tremendous curse.

‘But Pulse Diagnosis’ effects definitely increased after mastering Heo’s Acupuncture.’

“There are benefits to mastering it.”

After bidding the Golden Wolves he fought with farewell, Ethan immediately used Wind Cloud.

The war god Ares awaited a reply to his letter.

However, no letter came the next day, or the day after that, or the day after the next.

At first, he was angry, but now he didn’t even feel anger anymore.

“I’m the lacking one.”

And suddenly realized.

“Just waiting will accomplish nothing. With the passive attitude of just awaiting a reply, I can do nothing!”

What was one of the important things in war?

Properly responding.

One must respond to the opponent’s actions, or predict and respond ahead of them.

But right now Ares was doing neither.

This was defeat.

A powerless defeat.

“I need to re-examine myself. So he can choose me! I must become a channel he wants!”

As if having an epiphany, Ares busily started moving.

Athena watched Ares act like that and clicked her tongue in irritation.

“Lord Ares, you’re acting like a girl in love.”

“M-me?”

“Saying you must re-examine yourself, be someone he chooses, become a better channel? That’s called one-sided love.”

“That can’t be.”

Ares clapped.

“That’s it, Athena. Someone with one-sided love still actively appeals! One-sided love alone cannot elicit a response!”

His eyes blazed like fire.

He was called a warrior. Once lit, he planned to move properly.

“I cannot miss this chance!”

Before [Only subscribed to the right gods] showed up again, he had to make the other subscribe to him.

Now he planned to seduce not with letters, but with video quality and introductory copy that would make the other want to subscribe.

“If it doesn’t work, I’ll keep at it until it does!”

Even Athena, who had looked at Ares with contempt, quietly started following Ares’ methods.

The day of the last class before midterms arrived.

After today’s class, a fairly big event awaited the Swordsmanship Department.

Through the principal’s notice, information circulated that the inter-department representative battle of the Swordsmanship Department would be officially held, and students who heard were extremely excited.

Especially those taking Understanding the Sword Path were even more so.

“Did you see the notice? It said Teacher Claudie and Teacher Ethan will battle for the Swordsmanship Department representative spot?”

“Yeah, I checked it this morning. Looks like Teacher Ethan chose Mason and Ron Bears as reps, and even Yuna Garnet.”

“Teacher Claudie’s side has Max Jurod and Slos Pallo. Yuna Garnet was left out this time, so Teacher Claudie’s side matched at two people too.”

“Can the 3rd ranked really win against the 1st?”

“That’s not the point. I heard Teacher Ethan said he’ll take one loss from the start instead of choosing a 3rd student?”

“What!? Then it’s over after just one loss?”

“Both Ron and Mason have high chances of losing. Why did the teacher do that?

It was already a disadvantageous situation just holding the normal department representative battle, but to intentionally take a loss from the start too. The chances of winning were even lower.

“Impossible. But….”

“Hmmm.”

Everyone thought it impossible, but at the same time, they somehow felt Ethan could make it happen.

They were instinctive thoughts.

So far, Teacher Ethan had something that made them expectant.

Something thrilling.

His bold actions like achieving the impossible left an impression. He was that kind of teacher.

“All the things Teacher Ethan’s done so far were impossible things too.”

“Right, he succeeded at them all.”

“He’ll make this work too, right? Mason’s completely reformed recently too. At the parents’ observation class last week, he was seriously awesome.”

“I was surprised too.”

Mason Yeld was certainly a skilled delinquent in the upper ranks until recently. But after taking Ethan’s classes, he was completely reformed.

And Ron Bears was the worst ranked in Swordsmanship, unable to properly utilize his strength, but he was now gradually revealing his skills.

Rumble-.

The front door opened and Mason, who looked with sunken cheeks and sharp eyes, entered.

Until just recently he still had decently chubby cheeks, but now even his cheeks were sunken in.

Following after was Ron. This side went a step further, losing his bear-like appearance and completely transforming into a sharp look.

“No way….”

“Just how much did they train….”

The students looked at them, unable to believe it.

As expected, Ethan had plans.

“Something….. is going to happen.”

“It’ll be intense if it does.”

While everyone stole glances at the two.

Ethan entered the classroom holding something, along with his two guards.

“!”

“It’s new.”

“What is that? A golem?”

The students’ eyes lit up.

To be able to receive education with new teaching methods based on Understanding the Sword Path every week. How fortunate.

And that thing was a golem.

Using a golem for class was basically set.

Of course, there were clear limits to practical lessons using a golem, but Ethan surely knew that.

That meant while similar, the lesson would definitely be different from before.

But it was certain to be a far more efficient lesson.

The students eagerly awaited what kind of lesson Ethan would give, eyes shining.

“As you can all tell, today’s lesson is practical.”

Their prediction was correct. The students immediately concentrated on Ethan’s words.

“I believe the most effective method to understand the sword path is through practical experience. No matter how much you understand the sword path and make it your own, if you don’t experience it practically, your swordsmanship has no life.”

Only practical experience could breathe life into the sword path.

“But as you know, practical lessons are far too dangerous. To have practical lessons, we’d have to go up Grand Horn, and by the time we came back down, a few students from here might not make it back.”

Gulp.

Chen Garcia’s eyes shook.

Seeing that, Ethan smiled.

“So we’ll have lessons safely using this special golem, with no risk of death.”

At Ethan’s words, the students curiously looked over the golem. Just then, as if realizing something strange in Ethan’s words, a student raised their hand.

Ethan gestured for them to speak.

“……There’s no injury?”

At that, Ethan spoke again.

“Practical lessons with no risk of death.”

Ethan’s words, as if asking how there could be no injuries during practical lessons, made everyone fall silent.

“Uhh…..”

“Hrmm….”

The students’ quite pleasant anticipation instantly hardened. Seeing the students’ expressions, Ethan nodded satisfied.

“Yerica.”

“Yes.”

The overseer Yerica activated the special golems.

Rumble-!

Schudlen wore quite thick armor today.

Today he didn’t need to give contemptuous looks and curses. His role was to jump in and stop the golems when things got dangerous.

“Come out in order, ten at a time.”

The lesson promptly began.

The first ten students stood before the golem. Since today’s lesson would likely be intense, they were spaced far apart.

“That golem is special. It will clearly be different from the golems you’ve experienced before. So do not think it an ordinary golem.”

Ethan said.

“Consider it a definite enemy trying to kill you, and swing your sword as such.”

Though they held wooden swords, bones could still be broken with them.

“Begin.”

Kwaaang-!

The moment it began, a student who charged at the golem was smashed by the wooden sword and flung back, immediately losing consciousness after writhing about.

“…..Insane.”

“Wha, what is this!”

As Ethan warned, it was not an ordinary golem’s movements.

“That can happen if you’re careless.”

Ethan said with a smile.