Claudia led Leon to another bookshelf, this one more densely packed than the pristine one holding the original magic tomes. Several volumes were arranged in neat, orderly rows.
"Is this also original magic?" Leon asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I already told you, didn't I? Your current constitution isn't suitable for using original magic—it would cause more problems than it's worth. What I'm giving you is this."
As she spoke, Claudia reached out and pulled an ancient, unassuming book from the shelf, handing it to Leon.
He took it with both hands, looking down at the cover. The design was simple—a black cover with a plain title embossed in faded gold letters: Supersensory.
Leon scratched his head in confusion and flipped through the book. Besides the title and the peculiar cover, there was no other information—not even a label indicating the type of skill, unlike The Nine Gates of Hell, which was clearly marked as a body art on its cover.
"Is it some kind of sensory magic?" Leon ventured.
"It is related to sensing," Claudia confirmed. "Back at the Academy of Elements, basic sensory magic was taught to cadets in the Dragon Corps. While there's a dedicated reconnaissance unit, knowing some sensory spells can be handy on the battlefield."
Leon, however, had never specialized in such support-oriented magic. His philosophy was far more direct.
"Usually, if I encounter an enemy, I just eliminate them right away. By the time I'd need to detect them, General Leon would already be sitting on the dragon king's corpse sipping tea."
"This isn't that kind of sensory magic," Claudia corrected him, her tone turning serious. "Supersensory is considered a form of body art."
Leon blinked in surprise, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice. "Body art... again?"
His disappointment stemmed from the fact that he was no longer the magic-starved warrior he once was. Now, possessing the enhanced physique of a dragon-warrior and the immense mana reserves from his bond with Rossweise, he had the freedom to fight with powerful spells. The Nine Gates of Hell was a tremendous tool, but it placed an incredible strain on his body. If he ever pushed to the Ninth Gate, even the protection of Rossweise's Heartguard Scale might not save his heart from being shattered by the backlash.
"Don't be so quick to get disappointed," Claudia said with a slight, knowing smile. "While Supersensory is classified as body art, it enhances far more than just your physical strength."
Leon raised an eyebrow, his interest renewed. "Oh? Tell me more, please."
"Let me ask you, Leon. In a typical fight, when an enemy attacks, your eyes see the movement first, which is then transmitted through your nerves to your brain. Your brain then processes the information and sends a command to your body to either defend or evade, correct?"
Leon thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that's the process."
"The faster a person can complete this loop, the better they can make the right decision in a critical moment and choose the optimal counterattack."
Claudia continued, "And you do this quite well. You not only wield powerful close-combat techniques but also analyze the battlefield in real-time and adapt your moves to the environment."
"But—" she paused, ensuring she had his full attention, "You will get tired."
Leon was caught off guard. "Tired?"
"Yes. No matter how strong you are, your stamina and mental focus have limits. This isn't just for you; it applies to every being on the Samuel Continent. No one has unlimited stamina. If a battle drags on, your body will fatigue, and your reaction time will slow down accordingly. Supersensory was created by our ancestors precisely to overcome this very limitation."
Leon took a deep breath, beginning to grasp the concept. "So, Supersensory can help me surpass my physical limits?"
"That would be too mundane. I wouldn't give you a skill so dull," she said with a confident smile. "Supersensory will allow your body to reach a completely new state of being."
"A new state?"
"Think of it like this. Have you ever had an experience where, say, you accidentally knocked over a glass with your hand while eating? Before you even consciously noticed it falling, your hand instinctively darted out to catch it, preventing it from shattering."
Leon blinked, then nodded as a memory surfaced. "Yes, I've had moments like that."
"Good. Supersensory aims to turn that kind of unconscious, instinctual reflex into a cultivated skill for combat."
After the simple example, Claudia formally explained the effects. "As you train further, your senses will become preternaturally sharp. Once you fully master Supersensory, your body will learn to respond to threats and attacks instinctively, bypassing the need for conscious thought. Your muscles will react before your brain has even finished processing the danger."
Leon's eyes widened. "Is... is it really that powerful?"
"Compared to the raw, mysterious allure of original magic, Supersensory might not sound like much," Claudia admitted. "But keep in mind, only someone with a deep foundation in combat will truly unlock its potential. Think about it—imagine an enemy meticulously planning an ambush, only for you to dodge their killing blow effortlessly, as if you saw it coming from a mile away. How frustrating would that be?"
A vivid scene played out in Leon's mind: General Leon walks into a trap. General Leon unknowingly approaches the point of danger. General Leon is seemingly on a path to destruction. General Leon triumphs and declares victory.
His imaginary enemy could only sputter: "Damn, this guy's got hacks on!"
"Training in Supersensory is much harder than mastering The Nine Gates of Hell," Claudia warned. "But once mastered, it becomes second nature, like muscle memory, and will activate automatically when needed."
"You know me, Claudia; I never shy away from a challenge."
"That much is true." She acknowledged his determination, earned through hellish past training and his master's rigorous teachings.
"So why did you say Supersensory suits me specifically?" Leon asked.
She grinned. "A notoriously reckless fighter with maxed-out dodge skills... just think about it; it's a terrifying combination, right?"
"Oh, so you think I'm a reckless fighter?"
"That's right. You're very perceptive."
"Yeah," Leon replied, chuckling without denial, "I guess I am a bit of a thick-headed brawler myself!"
Claudia laughed softly. "Well then, you've gained another skill from me. Just remember to repay the favor someday."
"I won't forget, Claudia."
She nodded. "Alright, let's go see your master. He'll want to know you're not just here to loot my archives."
"Alright."
They left the library, Leon now clutching three manuals. In his left hand were the two tomes for Constantine, Inferno and Heart of Fire. In his right, he held the Supersensory manual he intended to study for himself. If his hands weren't shaking with excitement, he might have even tried to pick up another ability for his wife.
Ah, well, he thought to himself, what can I say? Leon Cosmodeous just doesn't like to bring trouble upon himself. It's all thanks to my superior personal standards and flexible moral bottom line. Who shows up as a guest, only to eat and take everything in sight? Have some decorum!
As he inwardly marveled at his own audacity, he overheard Claudia speaking to a Sea Dragon servant ahead.
"Azi, go to the herb room and bring me a Ghost Lotus."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Leon's steps faltered, and he couldn't help but swallow hard. A past memory clicked into place.
I knew it! he thought.
When Constantine had mentioned the Ghost Lotus Grass, it had sparked a faint sense of familiarity. This was the very same herb Claudia had used to save his master, Tiger, after he suffered severe heart injuries from the Blade Trio. Back then, she had even sent Leon himself to the herb room to fetch it.
Leon bit his lip, muttering to himself.
Heh~~
Look, I may have high personal standards and a moral bottom line, but flexibility is essential!
"So... Claudia?" he called out, his voice a little too innocent.
"Hmm?" she replied, turning.
"What are you using the Ghost Lotus for?" Leon asked, trying to sound casually interested.
"Oh, it's for your master," she explained. "His body hasn't fully recovered, and he needs monthly treatments to aid the healing process. Normally, recovery would take about six months, but I'm impatient, so I'm using the Ghost Lotus to accelerate it."
"I see..." Leon said, his mind racing.
"Wait... what's with that look?" Claudia eyed him with deep suspicion.
A moment later, understanding dawned on her face.
"Cosmodeous!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Why don't I just hand over the entire keys to Atlantis to you?!"
[Leon: That'd be great, but no thanks. My master told me to stay away from politics.]