Seraph could be seen creating another Empyrean spark, just three wasn't enough, he needed at least twelve for his schemes.
Then, in an instant, Stelam came back, and burst out "Your breathing is wrong!" And rushed towards the pawn, ending up with her attempt to evade failing, and his uppercut hitting her square in the jaw.
Though he was merciful, only doing it lightly; Making sure to not loosen any teeth.
Then he ran back to the workspace Seraph was enjoying moments ago, allowing him to get back.
But back in the abyss within the vague concept of a mental realm, Stellam's thoughts was restless. He had to bring her to the 1st dan of the blackbelt, but she didn't have any of the talent he did.
Maybe she was talented, but she couldn't possibly reach such heights without motivation. She lacked grit, and did close to the bear minimum 'Maybe using only the stick was the wrong direction... Let's bullshit her.'
Seeing another obvious fault in her stance, Stellam couldn't help but shake his had as he wrestled back control and stood up "You bring shame to your entire bloodline."
Instead of running up to beat her physically, he choose to beat her mentally "If one of your ancestors had this chance, they would be jumping in joy. But look at you; Your ancestors must be rolling in their graves."
"W-What?"
"Truly, your talent is wasted on you!" Stellam exclaimed as he shook his head exaggeratedly as to make it visible even with his cloak "Your lack of grit and lackadaisical nature indicate an imbalance in your tai chi; Making you infertile!"
Though she had no clue what tai chi was and how it had any influence on her fertility, even having only a vague understanding of the word 'infertile', just seven words had her breaking out of her shell "You have no idea what I've went through, and you say I'm lazy and lack grit?!"
"I have no need for such a thing, all that is needed to confirm my statement is your abhorrent lack of martial will! The martial dao is truly wasted on you!"
He turned around in a huff while putting his arms behind his back beneath the cloak "You show no enthousiasm in the martial dao, lack grit in your practice, let alone reaching the door of the martial way; You will only stay within in the viscera tempering realm!
I thought your talent was worth it, that my face could bear being stained by sparing you; That my reputation was worth less than fostering the future generations. But look at you... You are a waste, a gigolo!" He turned back around, pushing out his hand in exclamation.
"Now, this ancestor shall rectify his sins and kill you right here, right now!"
This was obviously an act- At least somewhat- But if she didn't show any proper grit; Then he would kill her, in a charitable manner without pain.
The reward for the quest was obviously good and all, but if she had zero motivation with her still within-normal-standards talent she would never reach the peak he needed her to.
Drawing his blade, his words fell on her head like a hammer "Any last words?"
Her entire body froze for what felt like an eternity, causing Stellam to draw nearer and put the sword to her neck "This ancestor does not have time to placate your mental issues, say your last words or forfeit your right to them."
"-What's the martial dao?!"
This time it was Stellam's turn to pause for a moment, before sheathing his blade "No wonder you held no conviction, you know not of the wonders of the martial dao!"
Obviously happy at the chance of not being publically executed, and also slightly interested in whatever this 'Martial dao' was, she continued her line of questioning "...So what's the martial dao?"
Stellam plunkered back down by his work bench and allowed Seraph to do what he did best and make more empyrean sparks while he worked his magic; "All combat is derived from the martial dao, and the martial dao is derived from all combat.
When one becomes one with the martial dao and surpasses eternity, becoming a martial paragon, one can pick the sun and moon from the sky, rewrite reality, and surpass all gods!"
Stellam really wanted to keep this in as a canon martial dao fact, but seeing the pawn's close to absolute doubt he decided to make it 'Myth' "Though I have seen such a figure in neither in legend, myth nor record. Which is quite reasonable, since if any mortal can ascend to godhood there wouldn't be such prestige to said title."
Basically he had down graded it from 'Peak power to chase' to 'Legendary realm which no one is certain of', but seeing from... He quickly looked at the quest; Katana's expression, this was far more convincing.
"But even if the realm of martial paragon is a mere myth, the martial dao stands beyond mere divinity.
With one step a martial monarch can cross the sky, with one strike of the fist a martial sovereign can overturn the sea, with one casual strike of the blade a martial god and sever continents."
Again seeing Katana's extreme suspicion, Stellam rolled back a little "But that it far, far off for you. Even I was just a martial saint before I fell back to the chains of mortality, five realms below the martial god, and six below the fabled martial paragon.
It is improbable for you to even reach the realm of martial master, not even mentioning those great realms."
"...I can kill gods with the martial dao?"
"Not with the martial dao exactly, but by following the martial dao. Though you specifically killing gods depends on if you're talking about false gods or true gods."
"There's a difference?"
Stellam nodded slightly as he took out the divider for his artificy needs "Yes, there is a difference. In simple terms, the gods that gave you your falna is a false god that does not hold divinity but instead has been incorperated with a law."
"Then... I'm talking about false gods?"
"Hmm... With your talent it would be a stretch to say you could kill the false gods, but if you kept steadfast in the martial dao all your life and combined that with the extra power afforded by the falna, then it should be possible some day.
Though do note that when I talk about 'Killing', I mean literally killing them; Ending their continued existence. Not the baby version, which is pushing them back to the heavens; and bypassing whatever force they use for said ability."
Another pause "I could really kill a god with the martial dao?"
"You could even become a false god yourself, if you wished." Stellam affirmed.
"R-Really?" She couldn't help but smile nervously, almost forgetting about the fact that the man before him had just recently been an honest threat to her life.
Seeing that his motivational speech had been successful, somehow, Stellam nodded exaggeratedly once more "It seems that your talent won't be wasted after all."
"Where..." She said before pausing, choosing her words carefully "...Do I start, ancestor?" Seemingly more motivated than before.
"Continue your comprehension of the art of muay thai, it shall be a part of the foundation that allows you to start your practice of the martial dao. But do not be hasty, for muay thai shall not be the last art you shall learn before entering the door."
"Umm, why ancestor?"
Stellam stopped for a moment "That- That is a question I did not expect you to ask, your insight is greater than I previously thought." He had to buy a moment of time in order to prepare himself to spew heaven's secrets, so it was best to use an empty compliment.
"The martial dao is endless," He said with the wise air of grand sage, if he just had a beard to stroke too, and also didn't hide his face below the cloak "But how far you can go depends on your martial will, dedication to the martial dao, insight, talent, and what you ask of; foundation.
For you see, the art of battle is in hormony with the martial dao, and its arts can increase your foundation and increase your chances of stepping upon the martial path.
For that, before I teach you the technique you shall use to enter the martial novice realm, you shall learn all forms of combat; From fist to spear, from dagger to bow, a master of all.
Without such a foundation, it would merely be a fantasy for your to reach the martial master stage... And I do not teach the mediocre who do not even have a chance to reach the martial master realm." A waterfall of words left his mouth without even the slightest trace of nervousness nor shame.
"How strong is a martial master?" Katana queried, her interest bringing pride to her ancestors.
"Hm... The strength of the martial artist is not completely dependent on realm. For some stand on the pinnacle, suppressing an age. While others are decrepit and hold little talent for the martial dao," Stellam answered calmly "But that if I had to use the average martial master, they'd equal around a level... 5? Yes, a level 5 who has had all their stats maxed out to the maximum of 999."
Having already had the precedent set within her mind that the martial dao is real, Katana far more easily accepted this fact than if it had been said at the beginning. Though the idea that she would actually be able to reach such a level of power herself was much more easily accepted just from the good feelings it brought her.
"Though do note that the martial dao stands completely separate from the falna and that it does not increase life-span, and exp gain might decrease while using the martial dao and that the martial dao will only increase with either enlightenment or dutiful practice.
But also note that the martial dao and falna are not mutually exclusive and can be used together for an accumulative amount of power." With the previous statements accepted, Stellam chose to make a bigger claim- Of course unsubstantiated, else he wouldn't be a martial ancestor!- Really hooking her into the 'Martial dao' narrative with the sunk cost fallicy.
Katana quickly accepted this as fact, believing that the (Previously assumed to be a) mad man Stellam didn't have any reason to lie to her "Does that mean I would have the strength of a full power level 10?"
"Maybe," Stellam answered mysteriously, giving a clear answer would be too easy; Who knew if the martial dao actually existed? "This ancestor has only come into contact with the falna in recent times as I have only recently awakened, and have never reached level 5 myself. And obviously, none in Orario practices the martial dao except for this ancestor."
Katana's excitement instantly dropped by one or two notches the moment his words graced her ears, but she was still excited.
"Now, are you ready to truly put your heart into your training?"
"Yes, I am ancestor."
Making a 'Hmm' sound, Stellam casually requested Seraph to finish his artificy quickly and give the body back. Seraph just put the divider to the side along with the rough metal forming into an empyrean spark to the side and gave it back.
Standing up Stellam exclaimed "Good, good! Your enthusiasm has reminded this ancestor of my young self, this seat shall once again teach you the low round kick."
The entire while Seraph silently watched, observing the very fast stress decrease as Stellam messed with the pawn.
If he could bring this about semi-consistantly then it wouldn't be to much of an issue to increase hunting speed and time along with removing a few less efficient stress-relieving acts from service.