Bloom

Alastor was in the audience as the tournament commenced, sitting in a specially prepared VIP booth.

'So I've been recognized as the Spear Hero's successor already, huh? That's good.'

'It will facilitate my transition when the Spear Hero inevitably dies.'

Alastor watched the matches with amusement, specifically watching Axel and Julian's matches with interest.

'Axel is just here to gain experience against different opponents. What I'm waiting to see is just how much Julian has integrated The Basics into his fighting style.'

As Julian's match approached, a servant appeared in the VIP booth, whispering something to the guards stationed at the door. The guard approached Alastor, clearing his throat to draw attention from the man.

"Elder Asher wishes to see you in his private booth."

'Alicia's father? Interesting.'

"Alright then. Lead the way."

........................................

Julian felt trepidation as he looked at the pure white sword he held, a sword overlaid with the sword he summoned during the fight with Roland.

'Just what is this sword? And that sudden surge of strength, I haven't been able to replicate that till now.'

'Forget it, it's better to focus on what I can control right now.'

Julian stepped out as his name was announced, against an opponent who was both older, and more experienced than him.

Deremiah was the name of his opponent, a man who seemed to be in his twenties, with just a hint of stubble around his chin.

He seemed laidback, but his amethyst eyes were cold and detached.

"I hope we have a good battle." Julian gave a slight bow to his opponent, who repeated it silently.

Just as the signal was given, Julian shot forward, aiming to exploit Deremiah's cumbersome greatsword's weakness. Speed.

However, as his blade sought to slither past the greatsword, it pinged off thin air.

'No, not thin air. That's....Sword Aura. He's a Knight!'

Deremiah raised his blade, before swinging it down hard enough for the winds to go haywire.

Julian thought to himself, 'Dodge this strike, one step back, attack from above- NO!'

Julian, who had sidestepped to dodge the giant sword, still brought his blade up to block.

Just in time, as an immense force ran through him, tiny lacerations forming along his arms.

'His interpretation of Sword Aura is different. He minimized the sharpness aspect and focused on increasing his range and power.'

Deremiah did not intend to give Julian any time to think, as the seemingly unstoppable blade hammered down over and over again.

'Down?'

Julian grit his teeth as he took another blow from the sword, but this time, he grabbed the sword's edge as it went back up.

He let go of the sword, slashing down towards Deremiah, aiming for his head, when a force repelled his blade.

'Battle Aura too?'

His opponent swung the greatsword sideways, and Julian nearly flew off the stage, risking a disqualification as he teetered on the edge.

Julian brainstormed, 'Damn it, what can I do?!'

Until he remembered a line in a book.

"When in doubt, return to the basics."

There are many weapons in the world. And there are many ways people use their weapons. Different thoughts, different philosophies, different ideals.

Yet, every such 'branch' was separated from one tree trunk.

For the sword alone, there are many branches to follow. Julian went through the words from the Basics, as he fought Deremiah.

'Some say the blade is an extension of themselves. Others that it is just a tool.'

'And yet more that say it is a being of it's own to be respected.'

'None are wrong. A sword is whatever you feel it is.'

'The basic movements of a spear are parry, hold and stab. For a sword, there is not much difference, since all martial arts sprout from the same base.'

'Parry, slash and stab. That is the base. To grow higher, the base must be strong. Ingrain these movements into your bones, so your corpse performs it after death.'

A diagram showed the three basic moves and their principles.

Deremiah's blade descended once more upon a tattered Julian, but right now, he felt no despair.

The greatsword descended...

....and struck the ground, missing Julian completely.

Or rather, it had been parried completely.

Deremiah retreated as he observed the changes in Julian. 'He's glowing? Is it a restriction being removed? Besides that, he seems.....calm.'

Julian had once against entered the state he had entered against Roland, but his mind was occupied with his sword. He felt, enlightened. Like a flower having bloomed from a seed state.

Julian had already become an Adept. And now, he was pushing it's limit.

Deremiah's blade swung faster than before, as he utilized his rotational motion to add force to the sword. As the blade approached Julian, he struck back, the edges of their swords aligning perfectly.

Julian swerved his sword upwards, and stepped forward without hesitation, confident his blade would parry the greatsword.

And that was indeed what happened. 

Instead of panicking, Deremiah continued accumulating force as he adjusted his spin, the greatsword's speed increasing.

Large gouges were being made into the arena from the swings of the giant blade, but Julian was still in a trance.

A large wound appeared on his left shoulder, tearing through his mana and bone alike, but he continued deflecting the other attacks.

Finally, Julian counterattacked.

A few of Deremiah's locks of dark hair drifted down, as he halted his spin completely to step back.

'Parry. Slash. And stab.'

The tip of Julian's blade, glowing white, appeared in front of Deremiah's right eye. 

However, Deremiah was still an experienced warrior. He bent backwards, letting the sword fly forward, as he swung his blade up from the uncomfortable position.

Julian pulled his hand back, saving it, but his blade was struck, flying out of his grasp and landing outside the arena.

Julain broke free from his trance, the glow around him reducing as well, but not dying.

Analyzing the situation, he sighed, "I admit defeat."

The cheers from the crowd finally came into focus, as the deafening sound of his heartbeat quieted down.

"Huh?"

Deremiah said calmly, "They're cheering for you too. You've done well, kid."

Flustered, Julian attempted to wave off the compliments, but eventually found himself smiling.

His smile paused as he looked at a small grey thing floating down from the sky, 'Is that.....ash?'

........................................

Alastor pondered over Elder Asher's offer, before saying with a smile, "I accept."