"You…"
The old man stared at Lucas, momentarily at a loss for words.
Judging by Lucas's current mastery of Thunder Breathing: First Form, his strength wasn't far off from Zenitsu's. That shouldn't have been possible.
When Lucas first began his training on the mountain, he struggled immensely just to grasp the basics of Thunder Breathing. Zenitsu had already mastered the First Form back then, while Lucas was still stuck at square one.
But now, out of nowhere, Lucas had somehow mastered it?
"An accidental epiphany," Lucas answered, his expression calm.
Epiphanies were vague, difficult to explain, and perfect for dodging unwanted questions.
"An epiphany?" the old man repeated, frowning. While it sounded questionable, it wasn't impossible.
Still… an epiphany just before the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection? That was too convenient.
"Come," the old man said, raising his hand. "Use the First Form on me."
Lucas's eyes flicked toward the old man, who held nothing but a walking stick. He silently activated his Perception Skill.
> Name: Sangijima Jigoro
Race: Human
Realm: Middle Pillar (Crippled)
Comprehension: Superior
Aptitude: Superior
Talent: None
Skills:
Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash (Masterful)
Second Form: Rice Spirit (Masterful)
Third Form: Swarm of Mosquitoes, Thunderclap (Masterful)
Fourth Form: Distant Thunder (Masterful)
Fifth Form: Heat Lightning (Proficient)
Sixth Form: Electric Bombardment (Proficient)
Total Concentration Breathing: Constant (Proficient)
…
Middle Pillar? Lucas was stunned. Apparently, there were even sub-ranks among the Pillars. According to the System, the Pillar realm was divided into Super Pillar, Upper Pillar, Middle Pillar, and Lower Pillar.
So the old man, despite his injured leg, was a Middle Pillar. That "Crippled" label must be referring to his physical limitations. Still, Lucas figured he could take him on if he had to.
Planting his feet firmly on the ground, Lucas leaned forward slightly, preparing himself. His breathing became rhythmic—deep and powerful. Each breath seemed to draw in static from the surrounding air, as if the very atmosphere were resonating with him.
Lightning crackled softly around him, drawn toward his body like metal to a magnet. In the glow of the surging electricity, Lucas stood tall and focused. He closed his eyes, synchronizing his breath with the flow of the electric current.
Suddenly, with a firm murmur, he spoke:
> "Thunder Breathing: First Form — Thunderclap and Flash!"
In a blinding instant, Lucas's body lit up with golden lightning.
The surrounding arcs surged toward his blade, amplifying its glow to its absolute limit. Then—boom!
He vanished from view.
The speed of the technique left only a trace of golden light, afterimages darting through the courtyard. The air erupted with crackling sounds and bursts of static, and the voltage in the atmosphere surged as Lucas rocketed toward his target.
The old man stood still, unmoved, as if rooted to the earth. His eyes widened, reflecting the electric light that flashed closer and closer.
> Incredible speed… perfect synchronization… complete control?
The arc-shaped light sliced through the air like a divine bolt. With a sharp crack, Lucas halted mere inches from the old man. The tip of his sword hovered there, electric arcs gently licking the man's clothes and leaving behind only a faint scent of scorched fabric.
Lucas gritted his teeth.
Not because he was still acting—but because his wrist had cramped.
In truth, he couldn't lower his sword. He wasn't posing; he was stuck.
His arm was completely numb.
The old man, on the other hand, stared at Lucas with a look of shock. Earlier he'd been skeptical. Now, he was speechless.
Thunderclap and Flash was known for its explosive speed and devastating power—but it was also notoriously difficult to control. Most beginners struggled with its linear nature. Even Sangijima Jigoro himself had taken years to master the form to the point of controlling it precisely.
But Lucas? He'd supposedly done it after a single epiphany?
> Is this kid a genius who just awakened late?
The old man was floored.
Meanwhile, Lucas was silently cursing.
> Old man, why didn't you dodge at all?! My whole arm is toast now!
"Come, show me the other forms."
The old man's voice was serious.
Lucas's expression stiffened.
> Other forms…?
He didn't know any others! How was he supposed to explain that his "epiphany" only covered the First Form?
He quickly scanned his mind for a solution—and remembered the old man's stat panel from earlier.
> Perfect!
He cleared his throat.
"Grandfather, are we friends?"
The old man raised an eyebrow at the sudden, nonsensical question. "Huh?"
"We're both master and disciple… and friends too, right?"
Lucas smiled sincerely, trying to sell the idea.
Sangijima Jigoro frowned, puzzled, but nodded hesitantly. "I suppose so…"
> Ding!
Successfully added Sangijima Jigoro as a friend!
Detected that Sangijima Jigoro, a relative of the host, is in a master-disciple relationship. Friendliness conversion in progress…
Conversion successful!
Friendship Level: Friend
Gained two random rewards:
Skill: Second Form – Rice Spirit (Masterful)
Skill: Fifth Form – Heat Lightning (Proficient)
Do you wish to fuse now?
> No.
Fusion always caused noticeable physical changes. If he did it now, the old man might notice something strange.
"Grandfather, my wrist cramped. Give me a moment," Lucas said with a strained smile.
Slowly, with great effort, he tried to lower his sword. But before he could release the tension, the old man stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
A soft, tingling warmth flowed up Lucas's arm, soothing the ache and fatigue in an instant.
> Healing? This old man can repair meridian damage too?
Lucas was caught off guard.
"Feeling better?" Jigoro asked kindly. "Let's continue."
Lucas's heart sank. There was no getting out of it.
The old man had always lamented that Thunder Breathing wasn't being fully passed down. Zenitsu only knew the First Form. Kaigaku never learned the First Form at all. So now that someone appeared who might master all the forms, Jigoro naturally wanted to push forward.
With no way to delay further, Lucas had to fuse the newly acquired skills on the spot. He silently gave the command and let the electric light cover up the physical transformation.
> Fusing Skill: Second Form – Rice Spirit (Masterful)
Fusing Skill: Fifth Form – Heat Lightning (Proficient)
The moment the fusion began, golden arcs of electricity burst from Lucas's body.
The sudden flare of energy startled the old man.
> Is he… using the First Form again?
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