Chapter 48: Reach The Sky...

In the Whispering Grove of the Mystic Evergreen forest, the air was crisp and alive, carrying with it the mingled scents of wild flora and damp earth.

Sunlight filtered through the towering trees, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow that danced across the ground.

Birds chirped in lively harmony, their songs a gentle reminder of the forest's constant rhythm.

The subtle rustle of leaves hinted at creatures moving unseen, while the distant roars and calls of powerful beasts echoed through the woods, adding a layer of raw energy to the tranquil landscape.

Some beasts prowled with the graceful vigilance of powerful disciples, while others rumbled through the underbrush, engaged in their daily routines, undisturbed by the occasional sounds of skirmishes breaking out deeper in the thickets.

Outside of an ancient cave, a young man took a deep breath, savoring the crisp forest air that carried the faint scent of pine.

With a swift, determined motion, he raised his sword, feeling the familiar yet growing weight of his Sword Aura around him.

The dark flames of his aura flickered like shadows, ethereal and in need of refining. With each swing of his sword, he felt the subtle shifts within himself, as if every stroke chipped away at the barrier holding back the full power of his aura. 

The strikes were sharp and deliberate, each slash cutting through the air with a soft hum. His focus was unwavering, the rhythm of his training a steady pulse against the backdrop of the silent forest.

As he worked, he felt the strain of his own limits pressing against him, and he welcomed it, pushing himself further, determined to make every moment of training count.

That young man was none other than Reon. Hours slipped by, and occasionally, he would pause just long enough to glance toward the cave's entrance, making sure Cloudia remained undisturbed in her absorption of the Primal Core.

The quiet forest and the sense of responsibility over her protection fueled his drive. He would resume his practice with renewed vigor, feeling the flicker of his aura strengthen with each swing, inching closer to the next level of mastery.

As dusk fell, the last rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting a golden glow across the forest floor. But even as darkness crept in, Reon's training did not waver.

His body was drenched in sweat, muscles screaming with fatigue, and his hands trembled from the relentless strain, as though they might crumble at any moment. Yet he ignored it all, his focus unwavering.

The night passed, then gave way to dawn, and still, he continued. Each stroke of his sword sliced through the air, his aura flickering with each swing as he drove himself to the brink, refusing to rest even as his body ached and faltered.

The forest around him became his silent witness, a place untouched by time, as he repeated the same movements again and again, refining each strike with painstaking precision.

Days bled into nights, and nights returned to days—a seamless cycle of unrelenting focus as Reon sharpened his Sword Aura with unwavering determination.

Yet, even in the depths of his training, his vigilance never wavered; he remained steadfast, guarding Cloudia's safety within the cave.

In his watch, he dispatched dozens of Low-Ranked Demonic Beasts, several Mid-Ranked foes, and even a formidable High-Ranked Demonic Beast, all to protect Cloudia's safe passage through her transformation.

Five days dragged by, and his body was a canvas of bruises and raw, blistered skin. Each muscle throbbed, his bones felt as though they might splinter under the strain, and his mind wavered on the edge of clarity, dulled by relentless exhaustion.

Every movement sent a fresh wave of pain coursing through him, yet he pushed on, his body screaming for rest even as his spirit refused to yield.

Reon collapsed suddenly, unable to move even a finger, yet his sword remained firmly in his grip as he lay there, gazing up at the towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky.

With a strained breath, he painfully lifted one hand, his eyes filled with a distant fire.

"Hah, I want to reach the sky... and go beyond it," he whispered, his voice soft yet resolute.

As he lay on the ground, Reon summoned the last of his strength and activated his full Sword Aura.

To his surprise, he felt the transformation taking root within him—a surge of dark, crackling energy beginning to reshape itself.

The Sword Aura that had once flickered faintly now pulsed steadily, growing denser and sharper, no longer a mere shadow but an extension of his will, dark as midnight and razor-edged.

Each wave of pain coursing through his exhausted body only seemed to intensify his Sword Aura, binding his very spirit to the sword in his grip.

At last, he had solidified it—though still slightly lacking, the dark energy within now thrummed with newfound strength.

Then, like the toll of a divine bell, a familiar chime echoed within his mind, breaking through the haze of exhaustion.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully advanced from Novice Sword User to Apprentice Sword User.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully advanced from Apprentice Sword User to Proficient Sword User.]

A fleeting smile crossed Reon's lips, a mixture of pride and weariness etched into his features. Progress, hard-fought and earned through unyielding resolve.

His gaze drifted toward the mouth of the cave, where a faint ripple of energy pulsed outward, carrying with it the unmistakable signs of Cloudia's transformation.

The Primal Core's absorption was nearing completion, and her power swelled with each passing moment, saturating the air with a dense and formidable aura.

"It seems Cloudia will soon ascend to the Demonic Soldier Rank"