How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 12 - The Best Condition (2)

“…Yes?”

“Have you been hiding your skills all this time?”

“No, sir.”

“But then, what is it?”

Marhan looked at Carlyn with a gaze that sought an answer.

Just a day ago, Carlyn fell short of his expectations.

Diligent, clever, and talented, but there was something off about the child.

Even though Carlyn seemed to be making an effort, he only utilized about half of his talent, strangely.

That was Marhan’s usual perception of Carlyn.

But today was different.

“Today, you’re not just different from your usual self. You’re completely like a different person.”

“Ah…”

Marhan studied Carlyn’s eyes. It was a perceptive gaze that knew the reason for the change.

On the other hand, Carlyn didn’t think much of it. Worst Condition. It wasn’t a problem worth hiding.

“Well, usually, my body feels heavy all the time. But today, it feels incredibly light.”

Marhan furrowed his brow. It meant that the explanation was insufficient.

“Well, let’s see. Normally, I can only use about half of my strength, but on days like today when my body feels good, I feel like I’ve become twice as strong.”

“You feel it?”

“I become stronger. There have been times when I could do things I couldn’t do before.”

“Is it because you couldn’t sleep well on normal days?”

So, he knew that too.

Carlyn was aware that he was being observed, but hearing it directly made him slightly uneasy.

“It’s not necessarily true. It has been like this since before.”

“Since before? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“What?”

“Didn’t Lena ask if there was a place that hurts?”

Carlyn recalled the memory. When he first arrived here, Lena had asked that question after seeing his tired state.

He answered that there was no specific place that hurt.

“Well, there wasn’t any specific place that hurt, so…?”

Carlyn reiterated his words.

“Hmm. I just thought that sometimes my body feels good. I never thought of it as being sick.”

Marhan stared at Carlyn for a while. He didn’t seem to be lying.

The possibility of a serious illness had already been suggested by Lena. Marhan had somewhat agreed with that idea.

But it was strange for his physical condition to improve so much.

He had never heard of such an illness before. The same applied to similar symptoms.

It would be necessary to check it out.

Marhan nodded, thinking that way.

“Alright. Let’s find a way to solve it.”

“Can it be solved?”

“It might be an illness that you’re unaware of.”

It’s not an illness, though.

Carlyn thought that way, but since he couldn’t speak the truth, he kept his mouth shut.

“From now on, speak up about even trivial things.”

Marhan added. Carlyn felt that his voice was unexpectedly warm.

“Yes.”

Marhan gestured with his head, indicating to move on to the next weapon. Carlyn politely walked back to the display stand.

And the cycle of “next” continued.

Various weapons with strange and unfamiliar names passed by, including slightly curved daggers and short swords that Marhan checked twice. Carlyn now knew what they represented.

‘That means I’m quite talented with long swords, short swords, and daggers.’

It was quite satisfying. In a medieval fantasy game, the most commonly used weapon was a sword.

And according to Carlyn’s knowledge, daggers and stilettos were essential for spies.

“Well done. From now on, your main weapons will be longswords, daggers, and short swords.”

“Yes.”

“While you should also cover the basics with the remaining weapons, focus on what I just told you.”

Marhan turned his body.

“Sally.”

Sally approached them quickly, interrupting her conversation with Orhen.

Marhan nodded, and Sally placed her hand on Carlyn’s shoulder.

“Don’t be alarmed.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Instinctively, Carlyn flinched but then relaxed. He could feel an unfamiliar energy enveloping him.

Carlyn quickly recognized that this unfamiliar energy was magic. He had sensed it to some extent even before.

‘But this feels somewhat different now?’

Normally, he was aware that there was something within him. This morning, it was clearer than before.

However, as the magic entered his body, he felt as if a new sense was awakening.

In an instant, Carlyn could clearly perceive the magic lingering in the air. It was a sudden harmony.

He thought this was also influenced by his condition.

As Sally had observed Carlyn’s body for a while, she withdrew her magic. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Not bad, huh? Not as much as Orhen, though.”

“Right.”

“Considering your background as an orphan, your internal circuits are surprisingly clean and sturdy. The capacity is also good. It’s worth developing properly.”

“Worth developing…”

Sally looked at Marhan, who seemed lost in thought. Her standards were high, and Marhan knew that.

If he was pondering it like this, it meant there was a reason.

“Seems considerable in terms of combat prowess?”

Based on what he saw today. Magic would probably be the same. Marhan nodded, thinking to himself.

“And a child with Mystic power.”

“What? Mystic?”

Sally was taken aback. Mystic. It was a rare and extraordinary power. It was her first time encountering someone with Mystic.

She finally understood Marhan’s concern.

“In that case, there’s no need to focus on learning magic. Just stick to the basics, right?”

“Just the basics.”

“Yes. Learning too many different things is not a good idea, especially with magic. You know that too, Marhan.”

“That’s right.”

Marhan was aware of it as well, but the concern arose due to Carlyn’s physical condition.

If every day was like today, teaching magic, swords, and mystic power would be ideal.

But ultimately, it wasn’t his decision to make.

“Understood. Thank you.”

Carlyn stood by their side, scratching his neck. It felt a bit embarrassing to hear that he was exceptionally talented.

Meanwhile, his future path was somewhat determined.

‘There’s no need to worry.’

He was under the Chief of Intelligence of a nation.

And the judgment of experts surpassed his own. Marhan had already seen his potential and abilities.

Just looking at the fact that Denif was raised by them said it all. Wasn’t he a notorious imperial terrorist?

He just had to do as he was told. Sally stepped back, and Marhan turned to Carlyn.

“Take hold of the sword.”

And within less than twenty minutes, Marhan found himself speechless once again.

* * *

“Does this even make sense?”

Marhan exclaimed. Had he ever been this astonished? He mentally shook his head, recalling decades of memories.

There had been moments of surprise, but not to this extent.

Carlyn’s talent displayed today was beyond belief. It far surpassed what any suspect could possess.

Marhan could recognize someone’s talent to a certain extent, which only made it more astounding.

‘Although I felt it when he held the sword, it doesn’t make sense.’

Horizontal strikes, vertical strikes, thrusts. The first thing Marhan taught was the absolute basics.

However, by looking at one thing, one could gauge his passion.

All sword techniques involve cutting and thrusting, ultimately an extension of those fundamental skills.

And Carlyn elevated the movements Marhan demonstrated into his own.

Literally. He didn’t simply mimic it; he made it his own.

Simply cutting and thrusting was not the issue. Even a seven-year-old child could do that.

The true difference lies in the subtle details.

The spacing of the sword’s movements, the timing of applying force, the length of his extended step, the distribution of physical power, and the rotation of the waist.

Carlyn’s swordplay was flawless in every aspect.

And such mastery didn’t come instantly just because someone taught you. Every person’s body was different.

The proportions of the upper and lower body, the length of arms and legs, and the strength of muscles.

That was why the process of experience, practice, and guidance was essential in finding the optimal posture.

However, Carlyn perfectly achieved it just by observing.

And with just one comment:

“Is it like this?”

Marhan nodded calmly, concealing his surprise. He was certain it wasn’t a mere coincidence.

While one or two aspects might be acceptable, perfection in every aspect was impossible.

Carlyn flawlessly followed Haisen’s swordsmanship that he demonstrated next.

This was the realm of pure talent.

However, the lingering question remained: the stark contrast between the child’s previous display and today.

It surpassed the realm of talent that Marhan had perceived in the child.

‘Even though I already thought his talent was exceptional.’

Marhan quickly turned his mind. Did his eyes deceive him? Did old age affect his perception? Absolutely not.

Though not mystic, Marhan’s eyes were accurate enough that the duke to call them a mystic.

Throughout his time raising numerous children under the duke, there had never been such a significant deviation from his expectations.

The most crucial point was that the child’s words perfectly aligned with his observations.

‘Usually, he can only use about half of his strength.’

It aligned with the report Marhan had sent to the duke. Only showing about half of his abilities.

Today was double… no, in Marhan’s opinion, even double wasn’t enough. Triple. Yes, triple was accurate.

And judging by his insane learning ability, it seemed like it wasn’t simply an improvement in physical prowess.

Marhan fell silent. It had been over 20 days since the child arrived.

“On average, how often does a day like this happen?”

“I’m not sure either.”

It was the expected response from Carlyn, but Marhan looked into his eyes and spoke again.

“About once a year? It’s not precise. There are times when it’s later, or even earlier.”

Carlyn wasn’t certain, so he hedged his answer.

“How many days does it usually last?”

“Just one day.”

“…I see.”

Marhan’s brow slightly furrowed. Carlyn tried to gauge Marhan’s reaction, but Marhan was thinking about something else.

Was it an illness?

Not being able to exert full strength on a normal day could be considered an illness, but no illness allowed you to perform at three times your usual abilities on a specific day.

Moreover, his talent was increasing as well.

‘If it were the Flash of Insight, it should have died long ago.’

It didn’t seem like an illness… Marhan realized his thoughts were getting deeper. He exhaled and cleared his mind.

It was a pointless worry.

‘It’s a problem I can’t solve.’

He just needed to report and wait for the duke’s actions.

And if he could address the child’s issue if he could always keep the child’s physical state at its peak…

Perhaps he could become the best teacher on the continent.

Thinking that way, Marhan suddenly felt his heartbeat intensify without realizing it.

Raising a child with talent was something he enjoyed and loved. And now, he was witnessing the greatest talent of his life.

Of course, there needed to be a guarantee that today’s state would continue.

Marhan calmly settled his mind.

If the problem couldn’t be solved, it would eventually result in the dissatisfaction he had felt initially.

‘If I pay more attention to him, will it improve?’

The child said it happened once a year. Whether he could solve it or not, reducing that cycle alone would be a welcome outcome.

The important thing was not to waste today.

He already regretted it. Choosing a weapon and wasting precious time.

Marhan looked at Carlyn, who was looking up at him, and then gazed at the sky.

The sun was approaching its zenith.

There was still some time before the morning training ended. Marhan turned his body.

“Denif.”

The difference between the two children was immeasurable.

But Marhan decided that he should have Carlyn and Denif spar once.

With today’s Carlyn, there would be much to gain for both children.

And above all, Marhan wanted to see Carlyn’s swordsmanship, which was natural and not taught.