Chapter 1: The Return of the Mantis Shrimp (1)
"The weak grow strong by imitating the strong."
That was the golden rule humans had followed since time immemorial. In a world teeming with ferocious beasts, humans realized their own pathetic weakness compared to those mighty creatures. From the womb of this realization, the "Conceptual Sword Arts" were born at the hands of the First King.
Combat styles emerged that mimicked savage nature; like the "Fire Dragon" style with its flame-like strikes, and the "Ogre" style that relied on brute force and a heavy sword. These arts branched out and diversified, giving rise to countless noble families, each priding itself on imitating a specific beast.
Among those families, the Theodore family stood out, having chosen the "Sea Dragon" as its symbol. Their movements were characterized by fluidity and cunning, as if they were swimming beneath the water's surface, which earned them a prestigious place among the "Eight Great Sword Families."
But, amidst this consensus on venerating powerful beasts, Richard Theodore wondered: "Is it really necessary to limit ourselves to imitating only the strong beasts?"
Richard, who carried a rebellious spirit within him, sought to create a combat style inspired by an ordinary creature, far from the aura of fearsome beasts. But this bold endeavor was met with rejection and scorn: "A sword style from a creature like that? It's not even a beast! Richard Theodore, you are a disgrace to this family." He soon found himself ostracized, the family's "heretic."
Richard's story with the "Mantis Shrimp" began during an exploratory journey in the southern seas.
"What is this creature...? It breaks hard shells to eat? How strange for something that looks like a lobster."
The small creature moved with sharp motions, a sea scent wafting from it. A fisherman told him they called it a "Mantis Shrimp." Richard didn't hesitate to catch one and take it back to the family's aquarium.
Smash!
With lightning speed, the mantis shrimp extended its forelimbs and caught a fish. The speed was astonishing, and Richard soon realized that this small creature possessed an extremely complex attack system. His eyes couldn't even follow the speed of the strike; it was a hundred times faster than the blink of an eye.
"It would be fun to create a sword style from this!"
Richard devoted himself to studying the mantis shrimp, applying the principles of "Conceptual Sword Arts" in imitation and visualization. While others poured their efforts into simulating the techniques of terrifying beasts, Richard focused his attention on a disgusting crustacean that only vagrants would eat.
"Lord Richard, what is this creature?"
"They call it a mantis shrimp among the southern fishermen, Master."
The gazes of the family's sword instructors followed him with disdain. As he turned away from the "Sea Dragon" style in favor of this strange creature, his reputation continued to plummet.
Despite being born into a sword family, Richard's nature was closer to that of a researcher. "Its eyes are as strange as its arms. It seems its vision is amazing. It would be interesting to apply both in a sword style."
With this idea, Richard dedicated himself to research. Using a magical research tool, he succeeded in uncovering the creature's secrets. "So, moving at this speed generates heat and a shockwave." He discovered that the mantis shrimp's incredible speed created "cavitation" bubbles behind it. These bubbles formed due to a difference in water pressure and moved to higher-pressure areas where they imploded.
According to Richard's research, the shockwave, light, and heat generated by the implosion of these bubbles were beyond imagination. This was a revolutionary discovery, as he had found an element no less powerful than other sword styles.
But the road was still long. "Damn it, how should I design the mana circuits?"
The mysterious energy called "Ferocious Energy" flowed through beasts' bodies via complex pathways, which determined their strength. Humans had succeeded in imitating this through the flow of "mana" in special circuits within their bodies. But the mantis shrimp was different; it was a sea predator born without "Ferocious Energy."
Richard had to design a completely new system of mana circuits. After years of effort, "Mantis Shrimp Style—"
BOOM!
At the age of thirty, Richard achieved a remarkable feat by simulating the technique of a creature lacking ferocious energy circuits. He executed a series of swift footwork, his sword glowing red as if exposed to intense heat. It was a mark unbecoming of the Theodore family, which derived its style from the sea dragon.
As he prepared to launch another attack, the beast he was hunting trembled. CRASH! A formless attack swept through the area like a storm. The beast had no way to block or dodge; even if it evaded the sword, the shockwave that followed would tear its senses apart.
"This is pretty strong, isn't it?"
The new style was incredibly powerful, and since it didn't require traditional mana circuits, there was no need to study beasts.
But Richard paid an unexpected price. He could no longer learn any of the Conceptual Sword styles based on ferocious energy circuits. "I've formed a completely different pathway inside my body, so I'm helpless."
It was a fatal blow to his chances of integrating with his family, but Richard's face was filled with satisfaction. However, his joy was short-lived. The family head confronted him with venomous words: "A sword style from a creature like that? Richard Theodore, you are a disgrace."
This was expected. A scion of the "Sea Dragon Sword" family creating a style from a mere shrimp? "Conceptual Sword Arts are the legacy of the royal family. And you dare to mix it with a lowly sea insect!"
"B-but this is a completely different kind of swordsmanship..."
"If you utter another word, I will summon the royal swordsmanship inspector."
The orders of Conceptual Sword Arts, derived from nineteen beasts, were considered a sacred royal legacy. Any tampering with them was considered treason. Richard suffered in silence, wondering: "Is the style that imitates a strong beast unconditionally the best?"
Richard couldn't stop thinking about this, but his brothers wouldn't leave him alone. "Richard, aren't you going to eat your favorite seafood today?"
"Why don't you go catch some fish with that mantis shrimp style of yours? Heh heh."
"Our youngest brother would be better off as a fisherman than a swordsman."
They mocked him, unaware of the true power of his style. "Damn them. They have no idea."
In those times, Richard wanted to prove his technique. He searched through books day and night until he discovered an old system called the [Rite of Sword Ascension]. It was an old law that allowed new sword styles to be incorporated into the orthodox canon, but it was an outdated system, and trying to revive it would be met with fierce opposition.
"It's probably better to hide my power..."
Richard eventually gave up. The days passed, and a strange phenomenon began to occur within the Eight Great Families. "The beasts have been more active lately..."
The numbers of unseen sub-species of beasts increased, and their movements were unusual. Richard expressed his concern, but no one cared. "The Sea Dragon is leading the beast hordes. This means it has grown stronger, a joyous occasion. Don't you understand how the world works?"
The families had strayed from their original duty of protecting the borders. Instead of subjugating the beasts, they focused on preserving them to study their ferocious energy circuits. Casualties among the common people increased, but no one intervened.
And the price was horrific.
A supreme royal entity appeared and ruled over all the beasts. [You foolish humans! You will regret giving us the chance to become strong.]
The beast armies swept across the continent, having deceived the eyes of the Eight Great Families. The humans finally united, but it was too late. The swordsmen couldn't overcome the overwhelming difference in power and were utterly defeated.
"Cough..."
Richard coughed up blood as he watched the family estate burn and the people being slaughtered. At first, he felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the arrogant families fall, but regret soon overwhelmed him.
"If only I had shown them that we could become strong without beasts... If I had shown them the superiority of the mantis shrimp, perhaps we could have avoided this tragic end..."
Fwoosh!!
In the moment he lost consciousness, a bright light began to emanate from the pendant he wore. They say your life flashes before your eyes before death, but for Richard, the process was happening while he was fully conscious.
"Time is turning back."
The scenes began to change to the past. "Huh!" He opened his eyes to find himself emerging from under the water's surface. He saw the familiar bookshelf and bedroom.
"This place... don't tell me... my room in the training castle...?"
Richard got up to find a rocking chair moving slowly and an aquarium by the window. He approached the aquarium and was shocked to see the reflection of his much younger face.
"...I've returned to the past? But why?"
He examined his body in the mirror and found the familiar pendant. Words appeared before his eyes:
[Grade (Restricted): The condition for the artifact's activation has been met due to a near-fatal blow.]
[Time Regression (1/3)]
» Activation Condition: Suffer a fatal injury, be near death.
"Time Regression??"
Richard remembered how he got the pendant from a small tribe's chief after saving them from a beast. It was a family heirloom with a hidden effect. And now, Richard was witnessing that effect firsthand.
"It can send me back to the past? What an amazing thing!"
But the joy didn't last long as he remembered the beast lord. "Hmmm..."
If he had truly returned, the disaster would repeat itself. But Richard shook his head. He now had two more chances for time regression.
"For now, I need to focus on building my strength. And since I'm back, it might be fun to teach my brothers a lesson."
He checked the calendar; the [Proving Ceremony] was scheduled in three months.
"This means it's before I get scolded for the mantis shrimp style."
He felt his heart pound. He knew an incident would occur at the upcoming ceremony, and if he played his cards right, he could prevent the incident and change his image.
Richard picked up a pen and began to draw. "Caterina."
"Did you call, young master?"
A red-haired maid approached. Richard ordered her: "Go to the fish market and buy one of these if you see it. Bring it alive if possible."
"Young master, what in the world is this creature?"
Caterina narrowed her eyes as she looked at the strange drawing.
"It's called a mantis shrimp. Look for a fisherman from the southern lands."
"Mantis shrimp...?"
Richard smiled. "Yes. A very strong creature. Perhaps more so than a sea dragon."
"Oh, and one more thing. Bring some similarly sized crustaceans as well."
"Ah, I understand, young master."
Caterina left, feeling bewildered, not believing that this strange creature was stronger than a sea dragon. But orders were orders. She sighed deeply and headed towards the fish market.
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