Marcos caught his breath at Ryuga’s words, a tremor running through his heart.
He stood up, feeling as if something hot pulsed through his veins with every heartbeat, as Ryuga addressed him.
"Marcos... the Giga Scissors is a Magic Item that has been passed down through the House of Borg for generations, right? Which means the fighting style associated with it has undoubtedly been inherited as well, correct?"
"Yes, that is so."
"Then the answer is simple. Marcos, you have perfectly mastered the way of fighting with that Magic Item. You handle it flawlessly, from your defensive techniques to the new function that allows you to accumulate absorbed attacks as Magic Power. Therefore, it is now time for the next phase: to 'break.'"
"...You mentioned the word 'break' earlier as well. What does that mean?"
The word "break" had piqued Marcos’s interest. Sensing a hidden meaning behind it, he pressed for an explanation.
In response, Ryuga gave a small nod and began a detailed explanation.
"Shuhari... it is a maxim from Yamato. It describes the stages of training required to master various 'Ways,' such as martial arts or the tea ceremony."
Ryuga held up a single finger. As Marcos stared at it, Ryuga began to explain each stage of Shuhari in detail.
"First, there is the initial stage: Shu. It is the phase where one faithfully preserves the teacher’s instructions and masters the forms to perfection. You have already completed this process. In other words, you have finished your apprenticeship in the fundamentals."
"......"
Marcos had indeed mastered the handling of the Giga Scissors to near perfection.
His defense was ironclad; when it came to the techniques used to protect himself and others, he had reached a level where no one could surpass him. Because of that, continuing the training he had been doing until Ryuga arrived—endlessly polishing his basic techniques—would serve little purpose now. Marcos had reached a point where he needed a different kind of training.
"The next stage is Ha... the phase where one dares to 'break' the forms they have mastered. You reshape them into something more suited to yourself. A style created this way will eventually differ greatly from what was originally taught. At that point, you detach. You become independent. This is called Ri. Together, these three stages mark the completion of one's training."
"In reality, the refinement continues even after finishing Ri, but that’s the gist of it," Ryuga added.
Marcos met his gaze with a look of intense focus.
"I have now finished the stage of Shu. Does that mean I must proceed to the stage of Ha from here...?"
"Exactly. If everything up until now has been the Borg Style, then from here on, you must seek out and forge a Marcos Style of fighting. That is the level you have reached."
Just as Yugo had taken his basic martial arts, added the functions of the Blaster, and mastered various abilities to create his own unique style, the time had come for Marcos to do the same. Marcos’s clenched fists trembled, though with a different emotion than before.
Ryuga continued.
"Once you have seen Shuhari through to the end, you will be significantly stronger. However, your training from here on will have almost no guidelines. You will have to be the one to judge what suits you and what the 'correct' form looks like."
"......"
"Lord Marcos, you did it! The day your hard work pays off is close at hand!"
"That's right! The day you catch up to Hugo Clay is just around the corner!"
His subordinates showered him with praise and encouragement as he stared at his fists.
But Marcos ignored them. He looked up and spoke directly to Ryuga.
"Ryuga, you said my defensive techniques were mastered. Yet, I was unable to withstand your attacks. Is that not a contradiction?"
"You’re right, it is," Ryuga replied casually.
"Wait just a minute! That makes no sense! You... you aren't just making this up as you go, are you!?"
Marcos was indignant at Ryuga’s flippant tone. He felt a flash of anger, wondering if the man was simply mocking him, but Ryuga looked almost amused as he posed a riddle.
"I’m not lying. When it comes to defense, your technique is top-tier. However, you couldn't block my attacks, and you’re far more exhausted than I am. Now, why do you think that is?"
"Why, you say...?"
"I told you, didn't I? From here on, you have to judge everything for yourself. That question will be the compass that leads you to greater strength. Why didn't your techniques work against me? What do you think the reason was?"
"Don't answer my question with another question! It’s infuriating!"
Their usual dynamic had flipped, yet the atmosphere remained much the same. Marcos scowled at Ryuga’s laughter and began to think, crossing his arms with a groan.
(Why didn't it work against Ryuga? Is there really any reason other than a simple lack of skill...?)
"I told you not to underestimate yourself. That’s your bad habit, Marcos."
"Stop reading my thoughts!!"
Marcos wore a bitter expression, feeling insulted despite the praise. As he stewed, Fee—who had been quietly watching the exchange—raised his hand to speak.