Bad Born Blood Chapter 201

201
I took Ragnata with me when I was training.

‘I focused on the Archetype combat technique and neglected to learn other combat techniques.’

Archie’s Victory is a meta-battle technique. A battle system like meta-battle techniques serves to strengthen lower-level battle techniques, but cannot be a battle technique in itself.

I slowly stood on one finger. My body stopped vertically as if it was planted on the ground. In this state, I closed my eyes and fell into thought.

‘After the level of Archie’s Victory increased, my personal training became inadequate. My combat skills remain at the level I learned as a cadet.’

In particular, areas outside of interest are lacking compared to those of the same class.

‘During your cadet days, it is right to be selective and focused. There is not enough time to just bring one area up to first-class level.’

But now it’s different. Other abilities also need to be brought up to first-class level.

My close combat ability is such that I can’t be pushed back against anyone with the same level of equipment. In terms of close combat, even without Archies Victory, there are few who can stand a chance against me.

‘Should I also learn skills in my weak areas?’

Things like marksmanship and sniping, for example. That way, I have more options in combat.

‘Because I only preferred close combat, I often took unnecessary risks and consumed more concentration.’

The high-mobility evasion characteristic of close combat consumes a lot of stamina and concentration. If you fight like that every time, you will quickly become exhausted.

‘I need to bring up to a first-class level the abilities that I have neglected because they did not fit my personality and aptitude. It is time to do the homework that I have been putting off.’

After I fully stepped into the darkness of the empire, I had difficulty doing personal strengthening training. Even the time I had was spent investing in Archie’s Victory.

I opened my eyes as I finished my thoughts. I saw Ragnata sitting in a wheelchair.

“Luka, why did you lose to me in the Empire?”

Ragnata asked, resting her chin on her hand. She ate each snake skin cookie and drank her drink. The gesture of her hand as she poured her drink was old-fashioned, like that of a well-trained noblewoman.

“The difference between pure skill and experience.”

“Yes. As a user of Archie’s Victory, you know a lot. If we were to fight again, how would you make up for the difference?”

“Well, you can’t artificially increase your experience points, so you have to hone your skills.”

After I answered, I put my hands on the floor and gently placed my feet on the ground, straightening my body. It was a clean movement without any unnecessary movement. Your sense of balance is excellent today, too.

“Your Archie’s Victory is top-notch. Even if your Archie’s Victory’s level increases further, the increase in combat power will be minimal. If you want to improve your skills… … .”

I wanted to get to the point quickly.

“I understand. So you’re saying to increase your valid options. You’re saying to practice things like marksmanship or assassination techniques until you can use them.”

“That’s what I did. I learned and absorbed everything I could. But you can’t do it like me.”

I squinted my eyes. In my entire life, no one has ever told me I was ‘incapable’ of fighting or combat. I pride myself on my talent for combat.

“Wow, this is the first time in my life that I’ve heard someone say I have no talent. It’s so refreshing.”

“Talent is not just about speed of achievement. Oh, and you don’t have the flexibility to master Akiess Victory perfectly. I’m better suited to it. If I had the same level of neurochemical processing as you and had been exposed to Akiess Victory during my formative years, I would have achieved more than you.”

I barely suppressed my emotions. I felt really bad. But I had Ragnata by my side to hear these words.

“Why is that?”

“One of the characteristics of Archie’s Victory is its water-like adaptability. Water takes the most appropriate form for its external environment.”

Ragnata said, shaking a flask containing a snake.

“I know that too.”

“The same goes for Archie’s Victory. He responds flexibly to the opponent and the situation. He creates the best situation for any battle situation, and he takes the most suitable position in any organization or group. But you are not that kind of person. You have the excellent conditions to quickly learn Archie’s Victory, but you don’t have the ‘temperament’ to succeed.”

My eyes widened. Suddenly, thoughts started to race through my head. I had never thought of anything like this before.

“It may sound a bit cliche, but my teacher never pointed out my temperament.”

“That’s because he’s also an Archie’s Victory user. He would have been the most ideal teacher for you. And temperament is something you’re born with, so it can’t be changed. There’s no point in pointing it out… … .”

Ragnata activated the hologram on the wall and wrote with his finger.

I waited for Ragnata to speak. Every time this happens, I feel like a student. Maybe Ragnata really is my teacher.

“… … I don’t have the unusual observational powers of Archie’s Victima. So when I encounter an opponent, I quickly categorize them based on only the major characteristics and revealed information. The temperaments of warriors that I have divided can be roughly divided into five types.”

Ragnatha drew five circles, then pushed two of them aside and placed them on the left.

“I divide the proximity type into two types. One is the pleasure killer type, and the other is the honor-seeking type. You are the honor-seeking type. Of course, everyone has a mixture of these two types to some extent. What matters is which one is the center.”

Ragnata spoke while writing in a circle. It seems he has become accustomed to explaining things while writing.

“I understand. The closer the distance, the more I feel like I’m taking someone’s life with my own hands. That’s why pleasure killers prefer bare hands or knives. They always try to finish it off in the way they like best.”

As soon as I heard it, their disposition came to mind.

Ragnata nodded and continued his explanation.

“Look, you can figure it out right away. That’s why this categorization is useful for predicting your opponent without having to observe them closely. You know the honor-seeking type better than anyone else. They have no interest in those weaker than them, and tend to be more passionate about those who are strong. Sometimes they even give up advantageous situations to compete with their opponents. They are the most irrational type. That’s why their survival rate is low and their numbers are small. However, if you look at the strong at the upper level of combat, there is a strange phenomenon where this type becomes the majority.”

“Well, if you survive, you’ll become stronger the fastest.”

I had to admit that Ragnata’s categorization was convenient. I thought of the strong men who had readily accepted my request for a head-on confrontation. I had also intuitively been convinced that they would accept a head-on confrontation, so I had often thrown away my guns and weapons first.

“And I also divide those who prefer long distances into two categories. This is just my personal standard, so adding your own standards is the attitude of a good student. It’s always nice when the blue chip learns from the old.”

Ragnata tied two circles to the right and pulled them out, then finished writing the letters.

‘A wise coward, a cool-headed strategist.’

It’s an intuitive name. I knew what it meant right away.

“Most people are wise cowards. They prioritize their own safety and lives over victory or mission. It goes without saying that there are few strong cowards. On the other hand, even if they prefer long-distance, a cool-headed strategist does not prefer long-distance because they want to prioritize safety. They broaden their field of vision to see and judge the situation in a big picture. Close combat inevitably narrows their field of vision. They simply prefer long-distance, and are good at handling melee weapons when necessary. And they are more likely to become excellent commanders.”

Ragnata wrote the word ‘strong’ and decided the ranking.

‘Honor seeker, cool-headed strategist, pleasure killer, wise coward.’

He explained that there are many strong people in this order.

“The advantage of the honor-seeking type is that they have deep stamina. They often display fighting power beyond their abilities with the spirit and self-denial that is commonly referred to. However, their tendency to take risks is also a disadvantage. Even if they know it is a trap, they willingly come in to test their skills if they are tempted.”

“Hmm, it does sting.”

I didn’t deny it. I can’t deny it. I know my disposition well. If I had been unlucky, I would have died long ago.

“A cool-headed strategist has a great sense of balance. They take risks appropriately and know when to back off. However, they have a fatal weakness. They are rational but lack madness. They don’t make unpredictable decisions, so they are easy to predict. That’s why they fall short at important moments. And these are the types that have a hard time learning Archie’s Victory. You need madness to throw yourself into the chaotic flow where you can’t see even an inch ahead.”

It’s Ilay’s temperament. But it was hard to completely understand.

“Your classification is wrong. Cool judgment and irrational madness can coexist.”

I thought of Illei’s irrational words and actions and the frightening madness he often displayed.

“Don’t show your impatience. Keep listening. There’s the last type.”

Ragnata wrote in the remaining circle.

‘All-rounder.’

I hummed to myself, and Ragnata pointed to himself.

“… … I am a typical all-rounder. I can change my fighting style and weapons depending on the situation. If all my abilities are equally average, I am an ordinary person. If they are equally top-notch, I am an all-rounder. I am the best match for Archie’s Victory. In the end, it is the best medicine, so the best good is water.”

Ragnata muttered as if reciting poetry.

I thought of Kinuan. From what I could see, Kinuan did not belong to any of the four types: the honor-seeking type, the pleasure-killing type, the wise coward, or the cool-headed strategist. He was also an ‘all-rounder’.

Aside from Ragnata, the only characters I know of that are versatile are Kinuan, Noel Mulizka, and Ilay Kartika. That’s probably right.

“Then you’re saying that the all-rounder is the best? Have you been bragging about yourself until now? Seriously.”

When I grumbled, Ragnata laughed. She took another sip of her drink and continued speaking.

“The excellence of temperament does not guarantee the excellence of the individual, Student Luca. And this is merely an arbitrary classification and prejudice for the convenience of my predictions. Prejudice accumulated through experience reduces the burden on the brain.”

“If that prejudice is wrong, wouldn’t it be the opposite?”

“I guess so. But I’ve never been wrong. I’m still alive today.”

I laughed at Ragnata’s confidence. This wasn’t a laugh, it was admiration.

“… … So what is the direction of my training?”

“It doesn’t suit your temperament to be an all-rounder in a variety of techniques. Even if you study marksmanship and such, you’ll just draw your sword and set it up at the crucial moment. As I said before, repetition is important to you. Make the advanced combat techniques you’ve learned so far your basics through repetition. For example, techniques that require a lot of concentration, such as ballistic prediction, into a combat reflex in the unconscious realm.”

I tilted my head to the side, lost in thought. My brows furrowed as I tried to understand what she had just said.

“Hey, have you heard the noise? What kind of nonsense are you talking about… .”

Ragnata raised her lips and smiled sarcastically. Her eyes also narrowed.

… … That’s not bullshit, damn it.

“For reference, I did it when I was your age.”

My stomach was seething. Yes, Ragnata was right. I have a problem with my temperament. I knew it was a provocation, but I had no choice but to respond.