17. Sharpening Evan’s Sword

Getting up in the morning, Darren ate some fruits. He then walked up to Evan as he swung his sword down, however all he hit was the ground.

"Good, you're getting more alert Evan" Darren side with a toothy grin. "If been hit by you for the last 3 days non stop!" Evan said as he nervously looked at Darren.

For the last three days Evan has went through hell as he says himself, although he trained vigorously at the revolutionary army base, when he compared it to Darren's training, he felt like Darren didn't want to train but kill him.

Every morning they'd run around this land 40 times, afterwards without resting Darren would make Evan do 1,000 push-ups, then 1,000 sit-ups, 1,000 squats.

Every night he'd question if this was reality, any slight movement would cause cramps, but within the third day he significantly improved in his strength and endurance.

Evan couldn't believe it, although this training routine was hell, it really worked so for that he didn't complain and instead felt gratitude for Darren.

"Now Evan, since all you've been doing is running around the land, today I'll teach you advanced sword techniques so they'll go along with you're basic techniques making them complex".

Darren then threw a sword which Evan catched.

"Get ready, I'll only teach you two sword techniques".

"The first is called The Blade Dance, it is a agile sword technique that will focus on swift and precise movements. I'll teach you to combine you new footwork along with quick strikes and it'll allow you to transition from offence to defence quickly."

Hearing Darren explain The Blade Dance, Evan felt his heart beat he knew by learning this he'll become something he'd never imagined he could be.

"This technique will allow you to effectively engage multiple opponents".

"Now let's start". Darren then made Evan stand in a balanced state, he also taught him how to shift his body weight and postion, "yeah just like that, this'll allow you to confuse you opponent making him create mistakes which will be openings for you to strike!".

Darren after drilling that into Evan's head moved on to the speed and precision, this would allow Evan to target an opponents vital areas wile maintaining control.

"Now lastly, faints and parries, this is arguably the most important part since this make the technique work". Darren threw sword attacks in which Evan had to parry, Darren wanted Evan to be able to trick his enemies into defensive positions whilst leaving them vulnerable.

After Darren had taught The Blade Dance to Evan for two days, it was time for the last technique, whilst also teaching Evan he was able to figure ways to utilise his snow fruit more efficiently.

Waking up the same way Evan's sense have now become rather sharp, Darren smiled, "now for the final day before we go get my boat I'll teach you a sword strike that uses all you strength in one go".

"It's called The Void Strike".

"This is a technique which needs intense focus and concentration, that is why I always hit you in the mornings, you needed to develop a sense for you surroundings, through this you'll attune yourself to you're opponents movements and anticipate their actions."

"The next step is timing and patience", as Darren explained Evan focused in.

"Being able to patiently wait for the perfect moment to strike is key, also being able to utilise any split second time to exploit the enemies defence is a key element."

"Lastly, Energy Channeling, this final step is the part which makes up the strike, now that your body is even stronger we need you to be able to channel every bit of strength along with the intent in you sword strike, this is what will make you're Void Strike different to mine".

"Watch". Darren's enter atmosphere changed as an oppressive feeling permeated the air, Evan looking at Darren felt like he was trying to climb a mountain that was unclimbable.

As Darren's opressive aura got stronger, the trees swayed and a cyclone of wind burst out, Darren held his sword in his left hand as he lifted it up, when he lifted it his oppressive aura reached it's apex but dissipated.

"Now do you understand what I mean?".

Evan sweating nodded, "ok let's get started with it".

For the remainder of the day Evan practiced The Void Strike as he struggles to put his intent into his attacks, after 6 hours he was able to put a majority of his strength, but the intent jumbled him.

However Darren stood on the sideline, for each Void Strike to be different the user needs to figure out how to put their own intent into their strike.

(Author note- intent isn't like in the cultivation novels, calm down)

As the sun reached its zenith, Evan stood sweating profusely testament to his dedication, Darren seeing that atmosphere around Evan, he knew he grasped the basic's but was still far away from truly mastering The Void Strike as it could become stronger.

Even Darren himself wasn't at the peak of the technique as the creator himself, he knew it could become even more devastating.

Seeing Evan wake up from his total absorption in the technique, Darren walked up to him, "yo Evan, well done you've become a completely new person!".

Scratching his head Evan laughed as he said "it's all thanks to you Darren-san", Darren then laughed as they clapped hands.

"Take a rest, then for you final assignment, it'll be a battle with me to help you fully understand you're strength".

"Ok!". Evan then sat down on a log as he drank water and ate, after eating for 30 minutes he got up as he looked at Darren with fighting spirits.

"That's a good look there Evan" Darren got up as he chuckled, they both then walked towards the middle as Darren's light smile disappeared.

A huge wave of killing intent burst out towards Evan, gulping Evan gripped his sword as he readied himself.

"*CLANK* *CLANK*

As they exchanged sword strikes, Evan became more confident as he concentrated fully on any movements Darren was making, Darren seeing this smiled.

He continued to attack as he slashed at Evan's hips intending to slice him in half, Evan parried an quickly sent a counterattack towards Darren neck in a swift motion.

'Perfect!' Darren ducked, however it was Evans plan as soon as the slash missed he changed it direction slashing downwards, Darren used his sword hilt to block it as he backed up.

Evan not letting up used his new technique, The Blade Dance, he attacked offensively sending a barrage of thrusts and slices pinning Darren.

Darren in a predicament tried to cleave off Evan's head, however Evan's lit up as he knew this was a mistake.

"Void Strike!" accumulating all his energy and abit of his intent, Evan serrated towards Darren's head as winds blasted towards his face.

Darren looking at this smiled, he now knew that this wouldn't leave Evan's head until he died, he then used the Blade Dance as he parried all of Evan's strike away.

"Perfect, now that's enough, we'll done Evan!", Evan hearing this relaxed and he dropped to the floor, "man, fighting you is amazing!", Darren chuckled, "I think I may have made him a battle hungry person hehe".

Evan and Darren then both got up as they walked towards the campfire and ate the meat Evan caught.

Finishing up, they both did some light stretches as Darren had recommended that, and went to bed.

'Since Evan's training is over, tomorrow for the whole day I'll train'. Darren wanted to try out his new ideas next to the sea.

——

Author note- he created these two techniques during his 8 month stay in Kenzan Island.

Also should Evan be Darren's first crew mate?