Chapter 65: Sword and Shield Combat Technique

“Do you understand this language?” Ace asked with interest.

“No, but I can ‘understand’ it!”

The Spirit of the Book glowed, its ability activating invisibly.

“This is a supernatural language that has existed since ancient times, expressing mystical power. There are also several corresponding languages. Unlike mortal languages, they bear the marks of the world’s rules. Like us spirits, they are constructs of the rules.”

The Spirit of the Book spoke to Ace while “understanding” the language.

“Do you know any other similar languages? Or similar constructs of the rules?”

Ace’s eyes sparkled with excitement—the eternal curiosity of a researcher.

“Of course not,” the Spirit of the Book said proudly, puffing out its chest. “Rules are the foundation of the world, the manifestation of the Great Source. How could I, merely a construct of the rules, know about other rules?”

“I can only learn. When I encounter a construct of the rules, I can try to ‘understand’ it.”

That truly is a powerful ability, Ace shook his head. The Spirit of the Book, having “understood” the new knowledge, returned to being a cowlick on the top of Ace’s head.

It was both a cowlick and a signal tower. It could amplify and receive magical signals. Of course, the coverage distance could not be too remote.

With Fuwa present, Ace’s Grimoire became the main server for all Grimoires. Of course, currently, Daina was the only client.

Ace had observed Bayen for a long time and felt that, except for his age, he was very suitable to be a contractor.

Unlike Peter, who held an immense reverence for the Deities, Bayen maintained a fervent dedication to knowledge and possessed the pure heart of a child eager to explore the truth of the world.

Aside from being a bit old, he was otherwise suitable. Perhaps Ace should observe him a little longer before deciding whether to give him an opportunity to step through the gate of the supernatural.

Thinking this, Ace used scorching flames to burn the Pseudo-Demon into ashes. The scum has been thoroughly understood and is no longer needed.

Early in the morning, Daina watched Ace practice the sword and shield combat technique as usual.

Clever mind, strong physique, perfect figure. Daina’s face flushed again, emitting figurative steam.

Daina felt a sudden pressure on her brain, as if it were squeezed by a door. She seemed to see countless figures, which, upon closer inspection, were all herself, repeatedly practicing with a sword and shield.

What is this?

Daina stared blankly, clutching her head which felt like it was about to split open from the pain. Knowledge about the sword and shield combat technique suddenly flooded her mind.

Ace glanced at the stunned Daina, turned away, and smiled mischievously.

This was a special spell created using the knowledge recording and transmission abilities derived from analyzing the Spirit of the Book: Knowledge Recording and Knowledge Infusion!

It allows the caster to record and store certain foundational skills and empirical observations, which can then be infused into a target.

The limitations of this spell are due to missing and incomplete runes. It can only record and infuse beginner-level skills and knowledge.

Ace had just finished storing the beginner-level experience and techniques of the sword and shield combat technique and decided to use Daina as his experimental subject.

Ace watched the bewildered Daina, feeling the enthusiastic interest of a mad scientist toward his guinea pig. This is too interesting.

He grew increasingly eager to see what fun he would have once he had more guinea pigs.

Daina was completely unaware of Ace’s inner thoughts. After studying the sudden influx of knowledge, she asked:

“Mr. Ace, could you lend me your short sword and round shield? Watching you practice for so long, I want to try it myself.”

“No problem!”

Ace enthusiastically handed the short sword and round shield to Daina. A servant immediately used a damp cloth to wipe Ace clean.

Daina took the short sword in her left hand and put on the round shield with her right, beginning to practice.

Ace had long noticed that Daina was left-handed and had adjusted the corresponding adaptation algorithm when storing the experience.

Daina tried chopping, blocking, thrusting, block-and-thrust, rolling…

After a while, Ace clapped his hands and said, “Although you are a little rusty, your movements are all very standard. You must have put in at least a year of hard work. Daina, I didn’t realize you were hiding such a skill.”

Daina’s face flushed after being praised by Ace. She looked at the sword and shield in her hands with disbelief, feeling even more the mystery and unpredictability of the Grimoire.

It’s incredible! I learned a skill that requires arduous training in an instant.

“It’s too boring practicing by myself. How about we practice together these next few days?”

Ace had a servant bring another set of sword and shield, and he began sparring with Daina.

A few days later, Daina felt that her sword and shield combat skill had greatly improved. She began to wonder secretly, Am I a combat genius?

In mathematics, she had completely mastered the knowledge in Elementary Mathematics (Volume Three) through her discussions with Bayen, making significant progress.

Since she couldn’t increase her points yet, learning combat skills and improving her fighting level wasn’t a bad idea, Daina thought. Then, she suddenly said to Ace:

“Mr. Ace, I have something to take care of next week. Please wait for me. I want to travel north with you the week after next.”

“Why do you want to travel north with me? That is not a suitable place for a girl.”

Ace smiled and refused.

“I am not like ordinary girls. I can protect myself! And, and, I want to follow you, Mr. Ace, to see the wider world!”

Daina spoke softly but firmly.

I need to encounter more Monsters and I don’t want to be separated from Mr. Ace. Following him north to practice medicine and accumulate points in the wilderness is perfect for exchanging for the Grimoire, she thought.

Meanwhile, Ace, after chatting with Bayen, felt that the old man had an extremely fervent heart for academia, especially mathematics. Before heading north, Ace decided to give him a choice.

Nighttime, Bayen’s residence.

“Bayen, Bayen, wake up, wake up!”

In the moonlight, a man with a long white beard, wearing a white robe with a red ribbon and a scholar’s badge pinned to his chest—it was Bayen himself!

Bayen rubbed his sleepy eyes and stared wide-eyed at the person who looked exactly like him. He was shocked.

“Who are you? Why do you look like me?”

“I am the struggle within your heart. A choice is now placed before you: two paths leading to knowledge. One is a flat dirt road, but it quickly reaches its end. The other is a road covered with thorns, but you cannot see its end.”

The Bayen in the moonlight suddenly leaned closer to the Bayen on the bed, his eyes flickering with runes, and asked, “Which one do you choose?”

Under the suggestion of Ace’s eyes, Bayen ignored the bizarre circumstances and said, “I choose the path of thorns, of course. Although it may also reach an end in the future, at least for now, it represents infinite possibilities.”

The Bayen in the moonlight looked thoughtful. He opened his arms, and the entire room was plunged into darkness.

Runes arrays began to flicker on the ground and walls, and the golden Covenant Scale descended!

“Then, I, the pioneer of the path of Magic, the Torch-Bearer, shall formalize a pact with you! I am the torch, and you are the tinder. We will walk the future path of Magic together.”

Half of Bayen’s snowy white beard instantly snapped off and flew onto one side of the scale. He felt a splitting headache and vaguely saw a long parchment covenant with dense writing, and the scale turning into chains.

Immediately afterward, he fell dizzy and unconscious.

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