| Author: Eltria | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | |
Tao Ran chose a technique focused on offensive and defensive footwork for Hom.
Though it was a technique for both offense and defense, the movements were very unique, with the basic movements being taught as slow, dance-like motions1.
“Miss Alfe and Miss Hom pick things up quickly.”
Alfe, who loved to sing, also seemed to have a talent for dancing. After seeing it just once, she mimicked Tao Ran’s movements, and Hom mastered the movements on her second try. As for me, I felt that verbalizing and memorizing the movements would be more helpful to support them.
“Miss Leafa, you seem eager to understand the meaning behind these movements.”
Perhaps it was his age and experience, but Tao Ran’s sharp observation pierced through my thoughts. It seemed I needed to be very cautious when facing this old master, as he could read my intentions instantly.
“I understand the basics of Canado martial arts, but the techniques you’re teaching don’t seem to connect with what my father described…”
The martial arts Tao Ran taught followed the Canado style, fundamentally different from what my father had taught Hom. Instead of maintaining a consistent distance from the opponent, it emphasized controlling the distance: using long-range techniques for keeping in check and close-range techniques for aggressive attacks combined with hand techniques that focused on restraining the opponent’s upper body while concentrating offensive maneuvers on kicks.
However, the current lesson felt more like a leisurely performance, not practical for actual combat.
“Thoroughly mastering the basics is the shortest path to true understanding.”
Tao Ran laughed heartily, fully aware of my concerns. Alfe and I couldn’t grasp the full meaning of his words, but Hom listened intently with a solemn expression.
“Miss Hom seems to understand. Let’s have a spar.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Hom nodded and stepped forward. Though her stance and distance differed from the basic posture taught by my father, Tao Ran nodded in satisfaction, sliding his right foot forward across the ground.
“Can you come at me and take a hit?”
“As you command.”
As soon as Hom nodded, Tao Ran spun his leg and swiftly closed the distance between them. The basic movement, which had been nothing more than a slow, circular motion, transformed in an instant into a sharp kick aimed at a vital point, targeting Hom.
“Hom!”
I couldn’t help but shout at the sheer speed of the attack. But in an instant, Hom vanished from my sight and reappeared with her toes pointed at the back of Tao Ran’s head.
“Impressive.”
Tao Ran, who had precisely sensed Hom’s presence, turned smoothly and gently lowered her foot. Hom immediately straightened her posture, bowed deeply, and stepped back.
“Amazing! Even though the movements were the same as before, it didn’t look that way at all for both Grandpa and Hom!”
Through Alfe’s Pure Eye, she could probably see the trails of their aether. She had a clearer view of their movements than I did and clapped her hands excitedly.
“Now, is this demonstration satisfactory?”
“Of course, Teacher.”
Having witnessed such an extraordinary technique, I had to admit defeat. Physical activities were clearly not my forte. I decided to focus on observational learning from now on.
With Tao Ran’s permission, I shifted to primarily observing. Alfe seemed to handle the slow, dance-like movements well, gracefully moving her body in sync with them. Watching Alfe’s serious face as she moved made me feel a bit guilty for not participating. However, I believed that by leveraging my keen observation skills, I could still be of help.
As I continued to observe, I began to understand the full scope of Tao Ran’s teachings.
The kicks had distinctive characteristics, combining not only the straight-line kicks used in the military style taught by my father but also curved kicks. The straight-line kicks, called “piercing kicks,” involved driving the toes into the opponent’s vital points.
For a more practical application, the piercing kicks were used in double or multiple stages. A quick succession of piercing kicks would first target the solar plexus, and as the opponent bent over, it would then target the throat and eyes. This technique was practical and effective even against opponents with a significant size difference.
The curved kicks, on the other hand, included “external rotating kicks,” which involved sweeping the leg from the inside out, and “internal rotating kicks,” which were the opposite. The larger sweeping movements were called “large rotations,” while the smaller ones were “small rotations.” Tao Ran demonstrated these techniques masterfully, and Hom further adapted and showcased them.
“To think Miss Hom is this exceptional… It would be a waste of time to train her as one would a normal human.”
We hadn’t explicitly told Tao Ran that Hom was a homunculus, but he hadn’t pressed for details either. It seemed he had figured it out on his own.
“I’m done already, so please proceed at Hom’s pace, Grandpa.”
Though she had only been performing the slow movements, Alfe was already out of breath. Maintaining core strength like Tao Ran required more muscle than a growing child typically had. Hom, with all her parameters set to their maximum, was not out of breath at all and remained unfazed. In this respect, a homunculus was superior to a human. This superiority came at the cost that they were bound to never betray their master’s orders.
