I Am The Only Witch Hunter-Chapter 346: Regulus’s Questions

"Will you teach me your style?" Siderius said.

"Certainly, if you could pass my challenge."

"I am ready."

Regulus chuckled. "There is no rush. You two must have spent quite a long journey to come here. Rest. Eat. Then we'll talk."

Siderius nodded.

The small wooden cabin had a guest room for Siderius and Ashe to use. The two of them ate lunch and spent a little while meditating.

Ashe was dissolving her Psychosis while Siderius was treading on his Truth-Seeking Path. He was able to acquire quite a lot of Aethers recently and also much new knowledge.

'The gold soul is coming. When that happens, I'll be able to graft even more dangerous mutations.' Siderius thought to himself.

Later that night, Siderius and Ashe came to the lakeshore and found Regulus practicing his swordsmanship.

His training was very simple. A downward strike from above. Two diagonal strikes from each side. And two horizontal strikes in opposite directions.

"You still practice, Master Minorius? I haven't seen Master Hephaestius practice at all when we saw him." Ashe said.

"You saw Hephaestius? That sloth would never practice unless it is absolutely necessary." Regulus said.

"You know Kynidus?" Siderius said.

Regulus retreated his sword to his side. His sword was much longer than an ordinary sword. It was almost two meters in length with a very thin spine. It almost looked like he was using a drying pole as a weapon.

"I do. Yes. We traded blows too."

"Who won, Master Minorius?" Ashe's eyes sparked up in curiosity.

"Kynidus won." Regulus smiled. He admitted what would be a terrible shame to other swordsmen nonchalantly.

Siderius' eyes widened a little in surprise.

Kynidus caught that expression from him. "Something isn't as you expected?"

"I thought you'd win." Siderius said.

"Why? What makes you think that?"

"Your techniques… And your soul." Siderius said.

"Hah!" Kynidus laughed. "You have a very sharp pair of eyes.

If it's only technique and sword skills, I am better than Kynidus. But his Spirit Art is better than mine. His willpower is much stronger than mine. Do you still want to learn it?"

Siderius nodded, "Of course. It's not about the art, it's the man."

Regulus's eyes widened a little. He turned to Siderius and stared at him. "You are a sword master as well."

"Not a Spirit Sword Master. But I do have experiences in it."

Regulus approached the two of them and sat down. The trio sat around a campfire. The orange shade illuminated Regulus's crazy hair.

"My path. I called it Mirage Blade."

Regulus held up his long thin sword. His hand didn't move but the small plant on the ground was cut in half.

"How did you…" Ashe blurted out.

"All I want to do is to swing the sword faster. Fast enough so that the enemy couldn't see it. I did it every day. I did it every other day. And I did it when I didn't have anything else to do.

Just swing the sword until I achieve it. An Invisible strike that no one could see."

Siderius' eyes were special. He could see more than everyone else. Regulus's strike wasn't simply fast anymore. It broke the rule of reality. Even with his Dynamic Vision, he couldn't see the trajectory of the swing.

"This isn't just fast. It is manifestation. You made it happen without it actually happening. The Anu Style would lose to you. There is no way Kynidus could win."

"But he did. It's as you said. It's not the art, it's the man. Kynidus is just simply stronger than me."

Regulus placed his sword on the ground and looked at the pair.

"Question or Task?" He asked.

Ashe looked to Siderius for his opinion first.

"You can say what you want, Ashe." Siderius said.

Ashe nodded, "Question."

Regulus stared at Ashe then he pointed to Siderius, "What is he to you?"

Ashe gulped. She glanced over to Siderius and couldn't answer that question. She couldn't answer it truthfully without giving something that she hid deep beneath her heart.

"I…" Ashe bit his lips. "He is my Master."

Regulus's eyes fluttered a little. He saw something very special. The master then turned to Siderius.

"Oh, you poor girl." Regulus sighed. "You lied."

"I know."

"But you succeeded."

"What?!" Ashe widened her eyes. "But I didn't answer truthfully."

"I don't need the true answer. I just need an answer that shows me your dedication. You have it."

Regulus then turned to Siderius, "You know?"

Siderius nodded.

Ashe blushed heavily. But she didn't say anything.

"I hope you two can survive whatevs it brings in the future." Regulus said.

"There will be no need for survival. Because it won't happen." Siderius said.

"Fate can be a fickle thing. You don't know."

Siderius looked up to the starry sky of the Thorn Basin. "Oh, I know Fate very well."

"It's your turn. Question or Task?"

"Question."

"What is your name?"

Siderius stayed silent. He was conflicted about telling the truth or lying.

"Siderius Satterblade. And Snow."

"Two different names, huh? And both are true. How interesting. You also pass."

Regulus stood up and dusted his pants, "Sleep well. I will teach you whatever I know in the morning."

Regulus disappeared into the wooden cabin, leaving Ashe and Siderius alone.

Siderius looked at Ashe with a little disappointment in his eyes. He stayed silent and left.

Ashe grabbed the corner of his cloak. "Master, I… I know it won't ever happen. But my heart. It…"

"The difference between us and witches is we do not listen to our desire, Ashe. We cannot surrender to it. It will never happen. The sooner you understand it will never happen, the quicker you can move on." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I understand, Master."

Siderius left her alone at the campfire. Even the night he could hear her cry. He knew exactly what was going on in her mind. But it would never happen. Not in a million years.

They were Master and apprentice. It was unacceptable for them to have any other kind of relationship. Siderius wouldn't approve of it. For him, she would always be his student and nothing more.

"This is not that kind of story, Ashe. And I'm not that kind of man."