Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby novel Chapter 300

Chapter 300: Thunder Style Phantom Arts

After returning to her room, Eleanor decided to take lunch there and insisted that Neva Sterling eat with her. It was normal for them to share meals, as they had practically grown up together.

While eating, Eleanor asked casually, "Neva, do you remember the martial art my father taught us?"

"Yes. It’s the only self-defence I’ve ever learnt. Why?" Neva replied.

"I just miss him," Eleanor said with a dramatic sigh. "I tried to recall the fighting style he taught us with such care, but I realised I’ve forgotten many things over time. Could you show me, so I can correct myself?"

"You mustn’t forget that style," Neva said, suddenly anxious. "Even though you learnt many new techniques later, His Majesty always said that style was created by the Stormfang Clan... your family’s heritage. I was fortunate to learn the martial arts despite not being an Stormfang."

Eleanor sighed again. "Sorry. I’ve been lazy and forgetful. It’s been a long time... you understand. If you show me, I’ll remember it perfectly."

After lunch, Eleanor and Neva headed to Eleanor’s personal training room on the ground floor. It was a large, open space with only a few training dummies. The room lacked decoration, but it was reinforced with a defensive formation so that even if someone missed a target and unleashed a powerful attack, the castle would remain unharmed.

Although Neva didn’t know the name Thunder Style Phantom Arts, she explained the techniques clearly. Eleanor knew she would only have one chance, so she paid absolute attention. Asking foolish questions might expose her. She didn’t know how this virtual reality was structured, and she wasn’t about to risk compromising her objectives.

Thunder Style Phantom Arts were a set of techniques devised to defend oneself against powerful opponents. They required exceptional flexibility and sharp counter-judgement. The central principle was not to withstand an opponent’s force, but to redirect their momentum and strike back.

However, that was merely the fail-safe of the art. Ideally, the practitioner should avoid being hit altogether. Users of this style were like phantoms... silent yet forceful, without form yet unmistakably present.

Those who possessed the power of lightning could channel it through their bodies using this style, allowing them to strike multiple opponents at once.

Thunder Style Phantom Arts revolved around five principal Phantoms: the illusionary phantom, the speed phantom, the counterweight phantom, the internal feasting phantom, and the soul-stealing phantom.

"The illusionary phantom takes advantage of blind spots and misdirection. You become a mirage... so close, yet so far," Neva said.

Shifting her stance, she lifted her arms and moved in a fluid, rippling motion. Before Eleanor realised it, Neva was standing directly before her.

"Trick the eyes, trick the mind. Strike at the weakness," she said, stepping back to the centre.

"Speed Phantom is a footwork technique that focuses on the smallest exertion for the greatest gain—constant contraction and release of the muscles."

In the blink of an eye, Neva was already on the far side of the room.

"Counterweight Phantom focuses on redirection, primarily through the legs. Internal Feasting Phantom turns our strikes into needles that pierce the weakened body beneath the tough outer shell. Soul-Stealing Phantom is pure offence... no defence at all. Either kill, or be killed." She demonstrated each movement with precision as she spoke.

"Now, the most important part for a Stormfang lies in the last three phantoms. They are meant to be used with lightning," Neva said, breaking down each step carefully for Eleanor.

Eleanor absorbed the instruction carefully, surprised by the purity of Neva’s lightning ability. She recalled reading in the king’s diary that Neva was the daughter of his sister... a direct Stormfang by blood. Both of Neva’s parents had died when she was still an infant. The clan elders had chosen to keep her within the family, raising her as a maid under her father’s surname while concealing her true identity. In this way, should tragedy ever befall the royal line, a hidden Stormfang would remain to ascend the throne. That was why she, too, had been taught the Thunder Style Phantom Arts.

Remembering each step Neva demonstrated and realising she could recall all of it perfectly, Eleanor decided to practise on her own.

"Neva, lock the training room and go check on the movements of the attacking armies. I need a full report by evening. And make sure no one disturbs me before then," Eleanor said.

"As you command, My Queen." Neva stepped out, closing the door behind her.

Eleanor spent the entire afternoon training. By evening, after three or four hours of relentless practice, she had grasped the essence of the Thunder Style Phantom Arts. Her eidetic memory allowed her to retain every nuance of Neva’s teaching, and her adaptive muscle memory helped her body adjust quickly to the techniques. Satisfied, she decided it was time to compare her newly gained skill against Neva’s.

She sent a guard to summon her. When Neva entered, Eleanor said without preamble, "Neva, let’s have a little spar."

"Good. You executed every technique with textbook precision. But I think you were going easy on me. You could have used much more force if you’d fought normally," Neva said.

"That’s good to hear. Thank you. I need a drink... I’m dehydrated," Eleanor said.

"Of course. I’ll ask someone to bring water, or we could go to the dining hall for some evening snacks," Neva offered.

"Snacks will do. Please ask them to bring some here. We can go through your report while we rest," Eleanor replied.

Neva stepped to the door to place the order, while Eleanor moved to the side of the room and sat on the stone bench. Giving a mental command to open her status screen, she checked her new skill. As expected, a new entry had appeared under her Unique Skill group.

"Thunder Style Phantom Arts [Active] – A high-speed martial art that generates visual afterimages to misdirect foes. Infusing the forms with lightning drastically amplifies speed, impact, and phantom solidity."

"Nora, will this happen in future if I acquire new skills?" she asked silently.

"Yes, Master. It was pre-set in the academy’s nanobots. You simply hadn’t learnt any new skills before, aside from your bloodline abilities," Nora said.

"All right. That makes me feel more motivated to learn new ones." Eleanor smiled and looked towards Neva, who was already walking back towards her.

"Neva Sterling, please update me on the current situation," she said, her gaze expectant.

Neva bowed her head slightly. "My Queen, the Troll King has already set up camp just outside our border with his armies. The Spider Queen has also stationed her forces at the border, though she herself is not present... our spies report she remains in her mountain. There has been no movement from the Undead. At sea, our people are being attacked if they venture more than a hundred feet beyond the boundary."

She paused, then let out a quiet sigh. "But the main problem lies within our walls. Several Vampire and Merfolk elders are waiting in the guest house to meet you. We have kept them there as per your orders, but they are growing restless. I believe you should consider meeting them at least once. We need their support if we are to defend the border."