The Talentless Inheritor

Lightning Spear looked at Sebastian from top to bottom.

"You've changed."

"A lot happened."

"In just a week?"

Sebastian shrugged.

Just as Lightning Spear approached Sebastian, her eyes sharpened and she thrust a spear between Sebastian's forehead.

WHOOSH

Just her movement was enough to cause the wind to blow.

Sebastian looked at her in silence. He hadn't even blinked when the spear came close.

"Good."

Lightning Spear looked at Sebastian in a new light. Though she did agree to train him before, she would kick him out without any hesitation if he didn't show any signs of improvement or if his attitude was lacking.

"Miss Luna, I suggest you and the little lady head back first."

Amy nodded and after saying her goodbyes to Sebastian with Sana, they left in the carriage.

"You said that you only had two weeks, correct?"

"Yes. After those two weeks, I don't known when I'll be able to come back here."

"Then during these two weeks, you have to learn the first form of the Lightning Spear Style."

"Hold on a second, umm, Master?"

"You can call me what you wish."

"Then, Master, can I take a break for one day two days from now?"

"So early?"

"I'll go out in the early morning and come back in the afternoon."

"Well, do whatever you want."

Lightning Spear took her spear and stabbed it into the ground.

"Well, I guess an introduction is a matter that we need to attend to first. My name is Meliena Carter, or more commonly known as the Lightning Spear, Mile."

When Mile finished, she waited for Sebastian to speak.

"Uh, I'm Sebastian Sol, second son of the current House of Sol's head."

"Hoh? So there's another bigwig here other than Miss Luna."

Though her tone sounded polite, her words were rough. He had heard that though she was born in the slums, she had hung around nobles ever since she had her title bestowed upon her.

Did her unique way of speaking come from that?

"Well then, let's get going, boy."

'So I'm 'boy' while Amy's 'Miss Luna'...'

"To where?"

"You don't expect me to train you in front of my house, do you? Just follow me."

Sebastian decided to just follow her instructions. She didn't have any reason to harm him.

Sebastian had expected the place to be close but after walking for four hours, Mile continued to stay silent.

"Uh... When will we arrive?"

"Well, this is a good place."

Mile stopped walking and faced Sebastian.

"We will live in this forest for the duration of the training. Food and water will be acquired through our own power. And, if you want to return in two days, you have to manage to hit me by then."

"Eh..."

"Watch my movement closely, I'll only be showing this once."

Hearing that, Sebastian hurriedly activated the Ring of Haste.

With it, his perception increased to a certain margin.

"Lightning God, 1st Form: Death Throes."

Mile moved. One leg took a huge step forward and the other leg stayed in place. She had her spear coiled behind her like a snake and the moment her foot landed, the spear moved. Sebastian knew it was nonsense to say a spear moved by itself but it looked like it did from what he saw.

The spear flew out at a speed even his prided eyes couldn't capture.

BOOM

A thunderclap nearly a second later.

Mile retracted her spear and stabbed it into the ground. Lightning was still crackling around it and the ground helped stop the lightning from continuing to inhabit the spear.

"It's impossible for humans to truly reach the speed of lightning with just theirselves but with an ability, it makes all the difference.

"You can use fire and lightning originates from fire. That's why I believe you will be able to succeed in learning my style."

Sebastian stayed silent for a few seconds, then he raised his hand slightly.

"Can I ask a question?"

"I'm sure you have a lot, go ahead."

"Don't you use Lightning Spear, not Lightning God?"

"The half-truth I told the world, yes. I use two styles, the Lightning God and the Lightning Spear. The one I just showed you is the superior style and the Lightning Spear is just derived from it."

Many years ago, various kingdoms wanted to learn from me but Lightning God is impossible for those without lightning. In the end, Mile created an inferior version that can be used by others with training.

Though it was inferior, it was still a revolution to the spearmanship of various kingdoms. To them who used spears to defend, the Lightning Spear that allowed them to attack swiftly and with little consequences was heaven-sent.

But in the end, Lightning Spear was still a technique that used lightning at its base. Very few could actually learn to use it and even then, they could only bring out a portion of its true power.

"In truth, I wanted to pass it down onto my children who would inherit my lightning but, I've yet to have any, as you can see."

"Then, why do you think I'm able to learn Lightning God?"

"It's just my stubborn wish in passing down my technique. If you want to learn Lightning Spear instead, I can accommodate you."

Though she said that, Mile's tone went down a few notches. It was obvious that she would be disappointed if he were to choose Lightning Spear.

"Can you please use lightning again? Just make it stay on top of your hand or anything similar."

Mile didn't feel that what he requested wasn't anything outrageous. She complied and soon, lightning continued to crackle around her hand.

Sebastian focused. He didn't say anything as he began observing the lightning closely.

Though Mile felt that it was strange, she didn't stop him. After all, there were many kinds of oddballs around the world and lightning was one of the rarest lineages.

'It feels like a fusion of wind and fire.'

A few minutes passed by as Sebastian continued to observe the lightning.

"I've got it."

"Got what?

Sebastian raised his hand and Mile's eyes widened into saucers.

"You... How are you able to use lightning?"

Sebastian removed his glove and raised his left hand.

"To tell you the truth, I'm actually inept."

"..."

"Until a little more than half a year ago, I was incapable of using energy. Naturally, I was also the target of contempt. But, with this, I was able to reclaim my status."

"Do you know the consequences of having that?"

Mile knew about the stigma from her travels, but she knew that it had long since been wiped off of existence.

"Yes."

"You won't bear any ill will if I were to cut you down right at this moment?"

"I didn't take you for a believer."

"..."

Mile looked into Sebastian's eyes. She searched for any ill intent or any untoward d.e.s.i.r.es but once she couldn't find any, she sighed.

"Alright, I'll believe that you aren't out to conquer the world. But, this makes things easier. Your spear is resistant to the flame but would it be able to resist lightning?"

"I can strengthen it using my energy."

"Hahaha! Good! Then, we're going to start your test. You're only allowed to use a spear, your martial arts, and lightning."

Sebastian didn't hesitate for even a second. He knew from experience that Mile was just like Wisteria, she wouldn't hesitate to attack him on a whim.

"Lightning God, 1st Form: Death Throes!"

Sebastian tried to replicate the technique but all he managed to do was stab out with a spear covered in lightning. His speed only increased by a tiny bit.

"Failure, try again."

Mile dodged his spear and without any lapse in movement, attacked.

She had used Death Throes as well but instead of the spearhead, she had used the back end of the spear.

"Kahak!"

Even though it was the back end of the spear, she had still accurately struck his throat.

Sebastian gagged a few times but after coughing and wiping his saliva, he rushed back into action.

"Death Throes!"

"Death Throes."

"Death Throes!"

"Death Throes."

Each time Sebastian used Death Throes, Mile used it as well. At first, he couldn't speed up at all but gradually, his spear became faster and faster. With the stigma's evolution, Sebastian had access to twice as much energy as before.

Not only that, using energy was also much more efficient. Coupled with the fact that lightning was an element that could meld with energy easily, Sebastian only used around half of what a fireball would use with each attack.

With that, he could use Death Throes at least fifty times with a full energy tank.

"Kuh..."

Sebastian collapsed after a few hours. Both his energy and stamina had been drained as he sprawled down on the floor.

"You've made excellent progress. At the very least, among the students I've taught, you're in the top hundred."

"Just a hundred...?"

"Don't make it sound like it's a bad thing. I've taught tens of thousands and among them were geniuses whose names would eventually be engraved in the annals of history. And, you're definitely one of those few."

"Will you pass Lightning God to someone else in the future?"

"If I hadn't stubbornly wanted to protect the kingdom when Briggs had to leave, then, I would have a successor by now."

"What do you mean?"

"He's from Alteria and I'm from Tidas. We each had our own positions but compared to him, I was more free. He wanted me to come with him but I refused and said I'd still like to become the kingdom's guardian.

"Then, I ended up quitting my position and going into hiding just a year later."

"Then why doesn't Master just go to Professor Briggs?"

She must've had a good reason to isolate herself here.

"Well... Wouldn't it be embarrassing if I were to just appear after saying all that?"

"..."

Sebastian had no words to offer.

"I'm sure that Professor Briggs would be glad to be reunited with his other half after so long."

"Who would want to be that guy's other half?"

Mile clicked her tongue.

"..."

This was a massive pain, Sebastian thought.

"That aside, remember that you are not allowed to leave the forest until you hit me. If you were to leave without accomplishing it, I won't teach you the rest of the forms and you can consider yourself forbidden from receiving my training ever again."

Sebastian didn't complain, he had expected as much.

"Master, about the forms—"

During his sentence, he had raised his finger and fired a bolt of lightning at Mile's back.

Mile swung her spear backwards and dispersed the lightning before it had a chance to hit her.

"What do you want to ask?"

Mile looked back nonchalantly. Sebastian's expression soured, "nothing."

"I see."

Mile walked away and left Sebastian on the ground.