2 Season 1 Episode 2: The Devil's Deed

The next morning…

Claude Rayforth woke up, stretched his four limbs and went to practice in the small courtyard.

The yard was too old, and the environment wasn't well maintained. But that was how normal outer disciple places looked like.

He took a deep breath and started to practice the Academy's 'Invisible Sword Technique.'

The Invisible Sword Technique was one of the hardest martial arts to pull off, needing the user to stick to the difficult swordplays without deviating from it for even a second, and it was the move which ultimately caused the death of the previous owner of his body. But Claude was a samurai in his previous life, so he had enough knowledge about swords and sword techniques.

Normally, the higher the level of a martial art, the higher the damage dealt by it would be and the better it would be for cultivating. The Invisible Sword Technique was a high rank martial art, but it was also one that most wouldn't even consider picking up, mainly because of how dangerous the consequences are if not followed properly. But Claude practiced it carefully, polishing it beautifully.

Considering Claude's identity, as well as having no exceptional talent, it was very hard for him to learn martials arts of a higher level. But to reach the top, one needed to learn high ranked martial arts, so the only option he had was to choose the cultivation technique that most people wouldn't even dare take. In the end, it turned out to be a foolish decision, resulting in his demise.

After practicing for a while, Claude's face was raining with sweat, and his breathing rate was quick.

"It seems that the kid has been stuck at the fourth rank of the Earth Realm for a long time," Claude murmured to himself as he analysed his body and attributes. His talent wasn't all that bad. The reason why he couldn't catch up to the others was because he didn't have martial skills of a higher level. He also wasn't rich, and couldn't buy cultivation pills to increase his cultivation speed.

"Whatever! It's not like I can change this kid's fate so easily. Right now, I just have to focus on increasing my strength!" Claude took a deep breath and started to practice again.

The Invisible Sword Technique seemed to be as smooth as water, smoother than it had ever been.

"Ha ha ha…" an evil grin was plastered on Claude's face as he continued practicing. His sword technique was so smooth that it seemed like the move was created just for him. He had an excited look on his face. As he practiced again and again, he could feel that the power and the speed of the moves had increased as time went on. He felt that his blood flowed better and faster than before, as if it was burning.

His movement speed became faster and faster, and the moves started to perfectly link with one another.

"This is perfect! My skill with the sword is perfectly translated through this martial art technique!" Claude laughed coldly. Excitement was apparent in his eyes. "As I thought, I was chosen specifically! Who else could pull off such a dangerous move without killing themselves?"

After practicing it more, his speed had already become twice as fast as before, and the damage had also increased greatly. The attack power of the Invisible Sword Technique was terrifying indeed. This, combined with Claude's fluent sword skills made the attack even scarier, seeking to deal death with every strike.

"At this speed, I will just need a few more days to break through to the fifth rank of the Earth Realm," Claude felt that his improvements were very obvious. The Invisible Sword Technique might be extremely difficult and dangerous, but once it is completely mastered, then it'll help the user grow with an even faster pace.

High risk, high return!

'This kid had the right idea in mind. Too bad, he didn't have the necessary skill and experience to handle such a technique,' Cluade sighed as he shook his head. Risks are meant to be taken, but not without thinking it through first. If you jump headfirst without even considering the consequences, then you're just a fool in the end!

"Hahaha! Claude, so you were hiding here. I was looking everywhere for you.. Don't tell me you are thinking of escaping from me!" As Claude was in the middle of training, a mocking laugh came from behind him, causing him to turn around.

The guy who came was a fit and muscular youth, dressed in black. His eyes had a tinge of playfulness inside of them as he looked down upon Claude.

'Oh, it's this f*cker…' Claude looked at the youth's face as he remembered who this young man was. He was Aldrich Winfrey, an outer disciple who was in fifth rank of Earth realm. Aldrich used to beat up Claude, and humiliate him just for his own amusement.

Aldrich's eyes were fixed on Claude. He took a few steps forward and said a fierce tone, "You seem to be having a good time practicing. Hehehe, if that's the case, why don't you spar with me? Having a sparring partner is only going to help you out. Especially a strong opponent."

Aldrich wasn't having a good time. He wasn't making any improvements in his cultivation rank, and he was frustrated. He needed to take his anger out one someone! Which is why he went out to find Claude. He wanted to beat up and humiliate Claude to reduce his frustration.

But Claude's actions were too calm. It was strange. He didn't seem to get angry or talk back, like he usually does. Instead, he stood in front of him, silent. The situation was too peculiar. Just as he was wondering what had happened to him, Claude laughed and glanced lightly at Aldrich, "Sure, why not?"

"... Eh?" For a second, Aldrich thought that he had heard it wrong. Claude squinted at Aldrich, saying, "I said that I'm okay with it. Why? You don't want to?" Claude's face was expressionless and he then strode forth. "We'll fight at the martial arts field. Let's go!"

His performance gave Aldrich who was the same age, a pause. But he soon recovered, thinking he was just acting cool in order to not look scared.

"Hahaha! Alright then! Let's see what you got! I want to see why you're so confident!" He sneered as he turned his body to make space for Claude, stretching out his arm and indicating him to take the lead.

Claude laughed nonchalantly and moved forward, and Aldrich followed closely.

They reached the Martial arts field, and many disciples of the Academy came gathering around, wondering what was going on.

"Claude, get ready! I'll try to control my strength, but I can't guarantee your safety. So don't end up dying, alright?" He spoke as if he was genuinely concerned for Claude, but everyone who knew Aldrich knew that he was lying.

Claude said nothing, and just smiled at him as he got into his fighting pose.

'Tch still acting cool..' Aldrich was irritated by Claude's indifference. "Let's see how long you can keep that act up!"

Aldrich's voice drifted to the crowd as he executed the Tiger Hands, a high rank martial art. He executed the move, and his hands transformed into blood-red tiger claws as he made a grab towards Claude.

"Whoa, it is a high level martial art!"

From the crowd came an excited shout from someone who had recognised Aldrich's move.

"How'd he get the Tiger Hands? He's only fifth rank, and the tiger hands martial art is only accessible to those who are above the sixth rank!"

At the Golden Avarice Academy, disciples under the sixth rank of the Earth Realm could either learn low or middle level martial arts, or buy the high level ones at a much higher price. The only exception was the Invisible Sword Technique, which had a low price, but was extremely dangerous to use.

"I heard that Aldrich's uncle is one of the Academy elders. Maybe that's how he got it.."

"Using family connections… if only my uncle was an elder.."

The disciples around the area were talking to each other, discussing his move. In their minds, they had already decided who the winner was.

"A high level martial arts skill. No wonder why this idiot was so confident..." Claude took a cold breath, as the tiger hand moved in his direction.

'But that's not going to be enough to defeat me!' The maniacal glint in his eyes intensified, as a silver sword suddenly appeared in his right hand.

Shoosh!

When this sword was drawn, the world seemed to have slowed down by many times.

His opponent, Aldrich, suddenly felt uneasy.

Claude swung the sword, and the blade streaked towards Aldrich, easily breaking his attack apart. Fear flashed in his eyes, but it was already too late!

Snap!

The blade struck Aldrich's neck, and in the next moment, he felt that his world was spinning; he actually saw his own feet, chest, back… and his severed neck.

His head flew away from the impact, his body pushed back a few meters before collapsing down.

The shouts and cheers from the crowd came to an abrupt end.

The excited expressions of the students were replaced by a sense of extreme trepidation and terror, rushing all over their body.

"Oops," Claude said lightly, his lips curling into a smirk, "I couldn't control my strength!"