The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

Chapter 10.2, The Philosopher’s Test

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The relentless attack caught the trio off guard, leaving them struggling to find footing.

“Defend!” Blazer shouted, his urgency apparent.

The concentrated bombardment offered no room for error.

“You’re kidding! Did that monster calculate the rocks’ trajectory?”

“He’s targeting the exact three directions we jumped! If he isn’t using magic to guide them, it’s incredible!”

“Yeah… Dude’s definitely a monster!”

Bruce skillfully deflected the rocks with his sword and occasionally used them as stepping stones.

Betty dodged with minimal movement, cutting down only the unavoidable rocks.

Blazer, using his armor and sword, absorbed the hits, reducing their impact. Though the blows reached him, his sturdy armor mitigated the damage, easing the strain on his tough body.

“Man, Blazer, you always know how to use your armor,” Bruce noted, watching Blazer’s movements while keeping an eye on Tūs.

“Haha! More rocks for you! Eat up!”

Tūs sent a barrage of giant rocks hurtling toward them with tremendous speed.

“ORAAAAAA!!”

“HAAAHHH!!”

Bruce and Blazer met the attack head-on, their powerful strikes shattering the rocks, while Betty stayed low, dodging skillfully.

The rocks seemed endless, as Tūs kept crushing the ground, endlessly generating more ammunition.

Despite the overwhelming assault, the trio pressed on, cutting and dodging the boulders, slowly but surely advancing toward Tūs.

Gradually, they adjusted to the speed and force of the rocks, increasing their pace significantly.

“”Gamma Strash!”” they yelled in unison, unleashing a powerful move taught by Dallas.

This concentrated their combined strength on a single point, aiming to deliver massive damage.

“Hey, not bad at all!”

Despite Tūs’ compliment, he still effortlessly dodged their ultimate attack.

The barrage finally ceased, but the cost was high.

“Hahaha… hah… hah…!”

“”Ha… hah… whew…!””

Panting heavily, Blazer and the siblings struggled to catch their breath.

Each clutched their chest, fighting against their limits and displaying pained expressions.

They leaned on their swords for support, their muscles and willpower the only things keeping them upright. Meanwhile, Tūs showed no signs of fatigue.

[[He’s on a whole different level…!]] they all thought.

Tūs’s prowess was indeed worlds apart from theirs.

“All right, take a break. Sit down,” Tūs ordered.

Finally permitted a rest, the trio collapsed to the ground, still struggling to regain their breath.

“First, you — Blazer, was it? Your movements seem refined, but they’re inefficient. You’re too focused on precision. Spread your senses beyond rational thought. That alone will save you fifty percent of your energy.”

Blazer, gazing at the sky and squinting one eye, tried to respond but was too exhausted to even move.

“And you two,” Tūs continued, turning to the siblings. “You synchronize well enough; now do it consciously. I can tell you get along. Turn your playful banter into something useful in battle. If you incorporate that into your fighting, you’ll improve significantly. And speak up! There’s power in your voice. I’ve studied this for years; it’s true! Shouting can help you achieve things you thought impossible. Blazer, this applies to you too. And about your arcane energy — if you’ve surpassed your limits, your energy should have increased. Use it liberally. As warriors, your magic consumption is low. So, concentrate your magic into your swords and your limbs. It’ll enhance both your offense and defense! From what I see, all three of you have more potential than Asley. Focus, and it’ll come naturally. Gahahaha!”

As Bruce listened to Tūs’s explanation, he finally caught his breath and glared at the ground from his hands and knees.

“Hahaha… Man, this is tough. But still… he’s so damn awesome…” he muttered.

Betty, still staring into space, murmured,

“Consciously synchronizing with my brother… Never thought of that…!”

Blazer, leaning on his sword stuck in the ground, spoke while looking down.

“Hah hah… Inefficient, huh…! We’ve got a long way to go.”

Each of them processed Tūs’s feedback in their own way.

When comprehension dawned, Tūs began rotating his shoulders as if on cue.

“All right, break’s over. Get up,” he commanded, his tone as merciless as a Devil’s.

The trio’s stamina hadn’t fully recovered. Their legs wobbled, and they felt faint. Yet Tūs, the sadistic Philosopher, grinned at their struggle.

“Damn it…!”

“I’m going to gossip about you so much later…!”

“Gah…!”

“You don’t think this is the end, do you?” Tūs asked, noting their exhausted eyes.

Their gazes, filled with resentment, showed only darkness as they stared at him.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of time. Lucky you! Gahahaha!”

“How generous…”

“What an asshole…”

“All right, round two, let’s go…!”

The three steeled themselves and summoned their strength to rise up.

“I hope you remember that I fight with magic,” Tūs said, picking his nose casually.

Even the seasoned warriors were at a loss for words.

“ALL UP!”

Tūs invoked his original power-boosting spell.

“Hmph!”

Then he invoked his physical enhancement skills to boost his abilities further.

Tūs, the ultimate sadist, showed no signs of stopping. His test had only just begun. The trio, though drained, couldn’t help but feel a warrior’s instinct reignite at the sight of a formidable foe.

They didn’t see Tūs as a training partner but as an enemy.

That realization made Blazer, Bruce, and Betty smile grimly.

“Hahaha! Let’s see how long you last!” Tūs laughed, his frame towering like a Devil.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“All right, you’re done. If you’re ready to break a hundred bones, maybe you’ll survive? I dunno,” Tūs said hours later, looking down at the three, who lay like corpses, unable to speak.

The trio felt the greatest pain they’d ever experienced, barely even able to the minimum of breath their bodies needed — a result of a combination of physical and mental exhaustion.

Yet, Tūs knew this would become their strength. He had discovered this truth through his own journey.

The three of them, mouths gaping like fish begging for food, likely thought, 

[[We’ll beat his ass someday.]]

Their silent vow strengthened their resolve. However, Tūs’s overwhelming power could easily shatter their unity.

The most formidable man Asley knew — Tūs, the Philosopher of the Far East, had lived up to his legendary reputation.

Blazer, Bruce, and Betty now understood this all too well.

Their journey had just begun.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Volume 10 Bonus Story 2 – Waiting With Great Anticipation

“Tifa.”

On a midsummer night, Tifa, the second disciple of the Eternal Fool Asley, waited in the dark room.

Her Familiar, Tarawo, approached, concern etched in his voice.

Tifa’s gaze was fixed on the silent Teleportation Spell Circle that had been there for a day without any sign of activation.

Tarawo’s eyes reflected the serious profile of his Master.

“Tifa, you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday! If you don’t eat soon, you’ll collapse when it matters most!”

Tifa shifted her sights sharply to Tarawo.

Her eyes, cold and intense, pinned him in place.

“This is ‘when it matters most’…!”

“W-what? Indeed, the meal after meeting Asley was more sumptuous than usual. Ah, I see… so this is what you meant by ‘when it matters most’! Hahaha! Very well, Tifa! This King Wolf Garm will rise to the occasion! What’s the target?”

Tifa’s eyes returned to the Teleportation Spell Circle — which still showed no signs of activity.

“Ah, I see, I see… I get it now. So, through that circle, something powerful and malevolent is coming…! Fwahaha! My blood boils! Tifa! Leave the first strike to me! I’ll leap into the fray– gah!?”

Before Tarawo could finish, Tifa grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and lifted him.

“I’m going first. The leap is mine.”

Her eyes, colder and more murderous, silenced Tarawo.

From just looking into Tifa’s eyes, Tarawo shivered, his teeth chattering, and swallowed hard.

“Wh-who warrants such hatred?” he stammered.

Tifa didn’t answer.

Tarawo, interpreting her silence, gazed at her with a newfound seriousness.

“A formidable foe indeed… Very well. I’ll watch over your valiant efforts–“

“–Just sit down and be quiet.”

“Oh, yes ma’am.”

Tifa hadn’t left her spot, not even for the Magic University, except for necessary trips to the bathroom.

Days passed, and exhaustion began to show on her face.

“Tifa!” Tarawo exclaimed as the Spell Circle started to glow.

By now, Tifa had already sprang into action.

She stood before the vanity, concealing her dark circles with makeup, fixing her hair, and slapping her cheeks. “All right!” she shouted with uncharacteristic fervor.

“Gweh–!?”

Grabbing Tarawo by the neck again, she stepped onto the Teleportation Spell Circle.

“I’m coming, Sir Asley!”

Her icy gaze shattered into one of warmth and happiness.

As their bodies began to transfer…

“Huh?”

…Only the echoes of Tarawo’s bewildered voice remained.

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