Chapter 269 (1/2)

Chapter 269: Seen

Translator: Yukidaruma Translations  Editor: Yukidaruma Translations

Since Hoppes was a sword arts master who was considered one of the pillars of the Regional Academy, his sword arts team would always be allocated a huge budget from the academy.

After all, research in sword arts was not all talk.

There were four methods of researching martial techniques. The first method was through putting into actual practice. In other words, by synthesizing techniques, one by one. It was an established fact that this method was the most time-consuming and money-draining of them all.

The second method was a fusion method—through studying and breaking down the traits of various skills and techniques, they would then be combined to create a new technique.

The third method was through inference—analyzing different techniques, studying their unique traits and data, and from there, extracting an inference of the results of the synthesization of different techniques.

The fourth and final method was through originality—similar to how people from the ancient times had gone about it, by using different principles such as that of wind, rain, thunder and lightning, feelings of vengeance in the stand of their own countries and family, or based on various legends, and then applying them to their own martial arts cultivation in order to create their own set of technique.

Although it was said that there were four methods, when put into practice, it was usually a combination of the four methods. The process was not actually clear-cut.

For example, in order to use the inferential method, one would need to first put into practice and then go through the final check. One could also achieve the same end result via the fusion method as one who used the method of originality instead.

After all, it was impossible for the creation of a set of technique to be based on nothing. It could be inspired by various theories and phenomenons in the world, or by other techniques.

To sum it up, regardless if it was for accumulating sword techniques, for the experiment materials required to study various natural phenomenons, or for the students to search for and put conjectures into practice, then carefully research and analyze the traits and effects of various techniques… All of these required a tremendous sum of money.

The inferential method was not one which could appear out of nowhere in one’s mind just by thinking of it. Any conjectures would require countless attempts of putting it into practice. Each test, each new sword technique to learn, each movement to change, and each changes to how one circulated the vital energy and blood, required a large number of people to experiment, and thus a great investment. The faster one wished to attain results, the higher the requirement for monetary investment.

Of course, other than money, a person’s abilities and the cultivation of their martial arts would also be an advantage. For example, as a level 29 expert, the success rate of his skill synthesis was at 100%. This would save countless amounts of money and time.

That night, Hoppes was staying in a five-story building in the southeast area of the academy, researching sword arts.

This building was known as the Sword Tower, and it was where Hoppes’ sword arts team was located.

Hoppes was a level 29 expert to begin with, and thus did not need to stay in the Sacred Land for his cultivation. Moreover, he did not wish for his sword arts research to be affected by the high-density ether particles in the Sacred Land.

Hoppes let out a breath and looked at the paper that had covered the entire table. Looking at the many inferences and the densely written information, he could not help but rub his eyes and sigh, saying, “Flying Dragon Sword Technique and Darkness Slaying Sword… I’ve already understood their traits clearly. However, the result of the simulation is not outstanding enough.

“The Flying Dragon Sword Technique’s ability to allow one’s muscles and bones to unleash an explosive prowess, and together with the Darkness Slaying Sword’s ability to expend one’s potential… Based on my estimations and experiments, the special effect it brings is only a 10% possibility of changing one’s form. I could consider further synthesizing it with other sword techniques.”

Hoppes had been trying to find a new synthesis combination for a while, a new sword technique that could increase a Knight’s ability to fight in the air.

Therefore, after hundreds of consecutive failures, fatigue started creeping up on him.

As for whether he ought to be investing money and time to synthesize the Flying Dragon Sword Technique and the Darkness Slaying Sword, completing the special effect of changing one’s form before further synthesizing it with other techniques to get the expected results… Hoppes was still hesitating.

This was how important the person-in-charge of a research team was. Based on their own experience, their martial arts mastery, and their cultivation level to determine the direction, the goals and the processes for the research study.

However, in research, failures tended to be more frequent than successes. Across history, the birth of man-made powerful techniques were all results of countless failures.

Hoppes shook his head, not wanting to continue contemplating this problem. He stood up and headed out, planning to relax.

Passing by many research rooms, Hoppes observed the progress of his subordinates.