One’s Way Of The Sword

Three days of vigorous exercise passed. Both me and Isaac were gasping for breath on the ground while Valen is watching us with an amused face.

"Good, good. You guys are getting better. That will be enough for the exercise, it's time for the real deal." Valen spoke proudly as she grabbed the hilt of her sword and presented it to us, "I'll teach you some things about the sword which personally not had been taught by your school,"

'Finally… it would be good for Isaac if he learned but for me… just enough is important. Let's see what you got, Valen.' Wishing inwardly that she would start teaching sooner about her the way she handles the sword, I can't help but be delighted.

And after a few seconds of thinking about her lecture, Valen assessed while demonstrating her teachings.

"Vertical slashes, thrust, clean cut, and many more other types of using or attacking swords are something we see everything. Do you think it's very boring? It's very different from every sword user quota on achieving 'one's way of the sword'

"Of course, without these basic movements of how to handle a sword, how could you call yourself a sword user? The thing I was trying to imply is that people sometimes stick too much to the basics, making one's way of the sword dull and easy to trample. That very quota that existed before the times of ruins seemed to be far-fetched to achieve now since you just have to become a Ruiner to achieve powers.

"The times of knights and sword users is done which I too agree with, but why did you think there are still people willing to become a knight? Well, one thing is that there are risks to being a Ruiner, but on the other? Yes! They have very big dreams!

"If one masters their very own way of the sword, they could achieve greater heights or you can say progression in a Ruiner's dictionary. They'll attain aura, their own techniques, and a sword master's uniqueness! All you have to do is just train and practice it until you can!

"I'll explain it with a demonstration so look up!"

I glanced at my side and saw Isaac's eyes ignited with inspiration and awe about the topic like he did when he was also being taught in the novel.

What about me?

Well, I think the way she's teaching is very childish. When she said the word 'dream big' and 'achieve greater heights' I almost wanted to laugh.

What she said is indeed true. I believe all of it but there's also a matter need to hint about since she already said it herself.

Even though there's risk in being a Ruiner, why would the majority of the people who use a sword or even different kinds of weapon, still take a risk?

The answer is very simple. Because it's been already proven.

What does it mean by proving? It just means that being a Ruiner is much better to choose from, albeit has dangerous risks, it also has good sides which are very different from finding one's way of the sword and becoming a Swordmaster.

Why say so?

Well, if we're talking about it realistically. One out of a hundred people could become a Swordmaster if we're talking about a decade. Ten out of a thousand people could become a Swordmaster if we're talking about a century.

Perhaps, if misfortune struck at their time, there wouldn't be a Swordmaster at all.

It is very suited to the quote 'reality is harsh'

Yet, even so, I've only been saying the downsides of being a Swordmaster but what about the benefits?

One word, tremendous.

They are equivalent to a strength of a Progression 7 or 8 Ruiner. They'll become a very important asset of the kingdom they were living in, will gain acknowledgment of the people, and the title Swordmaster will be given

If it was easy, I'll work to death to become a Swordmaster but… I have no way of knowing when it will happen.

Besides, Isaac was the same thing.

He's very skillful with the sword, just like everybody else. He can be called a genius in this generation but that's it.

In the novel, he didn't become a Swordmaster. Of course, that's only the volume I had knowledge about.

And anyway, why am thinking about this in the first—

Pak—!

"Seems like someone is not interested in my lessons. Do you want another lesson to be taught to you?" Valen spoke while shaking her head after being smacked hard in the back, before she continued, "All right, I'll explain again,"

Bowing my head apologetically, I looked at Valen as she began doing some stances befitting for her image.

"Serenity flows within me, embers that burn enemies, steady in the storming sea,"

Whoosh—!

The air suddenly started enveloping Valen as she moved, circling around her place. Her movements are fluid and had no errors on them. It's like all of her emotions were being poured on her sword dance.

Slash—!

With one slash, as if the air was pierced, Valen let out a sigh as she looked at us, "That's my way of the sword. The first phrase represents me in a state of calmness when I'm battling, the second represents my will to destroy my enemies and the third is a mix of those two. No matter how many I faced, I'll remain in my state of calmness in a fight.

"Remember, your way of the sword is only directed to yourself. Don't let others influence you. Who knows, you might become strong as me."

We were quiet for a moment before...

'That's…'

"Amazing."

'…such a scam'

While Isaac was in awe as if he learned something from here, I just felt like I saw wasn't really much to see. Well, I couldn't understand what they were even talking about in the first place so maybe that's one factor that my interest is lost?

"All right! Dream big and figure out the way of your sword. Stand up and learn it yourself!"

"I will."

Instead of answering like Isaac, I looked at Valen and said, "Uhm, just to say my opinion, I'm not really interested in swords but I will find my way of the sword… in my room. Well then, ciao."

"Yeah sure, I think you should rest,"

Valen spoke with her true intentions, not in a way that sounds sarcastic which made my face contort but ignored it since Isaac was there.

Without anything to do, I headed out for the duke's manor and read books from the package which have been reduced before I could continue my future plans.

…

"Thank you for your understand, Ma'am Valen,"

"Hah, I heard the rumors all right. Something along the lines like 'Noelle is brought back alive from death', 'The mysterious survivor of the Kidnapping of nobles after the devil attack'. Those who are with him in that time are thankful to him but those who knew nothing at all and liked to judge people based on their perspective? I knew how a person will feel about it, all right."

Valen, who wishes that she was on the side of her student at that time, can't help but be enraged at herself. She wanted to ask about what really happened but, in the end, she didn't probe more.

Hence, she asked about a different matter, "Right, Isaac. The capital is in an uproar right now. I've read today's papers and so many nobles have been arrested and stripped of their rank. There's also a person being executed…"

"Ah, that. Noelle warned me that we shouldn't get involved ourselves since we're totally clean. You are clean, right, teacher?"

"What's with that look?" Valen's mouth curled upwards as she raised her hand, sarcastically speaking, "You've caught me. Please arrest me now."

Isaac can't help but chuckle, turning serious after a few seconds as he focused on himself, "Will I be able to find my way of the sword? It sounds easy at first but I knew it was very hard."

'Although I discussed all those things in the most joyful manner, he still finds it unbelievable? Well, I saw Noelle noticed it first…' Valen mused inwardly as she answered, "You will. Bring your passion into your sword and keep finding your way. It's like finding who you really are."

'Finding who am I, huh,' Isaac mused inwardly as he acknowledge the fact that Valen was helping him instead of keeping everything vague and hard to decipher.

"Now then, continue training!"

…

In the middle of the night, while I was soundly sleeping, I heard a tapping sound from somewhere just right outside of my window. My head moved on its own but I saw nothing.

Already expecting that I was about to see something, I lazily stand up, tried to see what is there to look outside, and much to my surprise, I saw Klein and Isaac walking together.

'The tapping sounds… Ah, it must be the guards Ma'am Freya sent to watch over my family… Since it's family matters, they wouldn't get themselves involved in it and since it didn't directly attack the family, they didn't take action.'

Although my movements are sluggish due to the sudden disturbance, my mind kept moving hastily since this is one of the novel chapters mentioned in the novel!

The fight between the two! It still didn't change.

'Right now, really? Can't they postpone it early in the morning?'

Grumbling with that thought inwardly, I wore some clothes I could use and before heading out, I gave my thanks to the guards for passing this matter to me instead of going for the duke.

I wouldn't want to see his face early in the morning, fuming about what happened between the two.