Training

"Hmm," Valerie hummed, watching me swing my sword. My back was drenched in sweat from the relentless training.

A few weeks had passed since the eventful Valentine's Day, and I had immersed myself in honing my swordsmanship. My mind was set on surpassing Ren in the upcoming mid-terms. Both of us would be at the same core stage, and I aimed to defeat him then and during the end-of-year tournament when we both reached <White >-rank.

But it seemed impossible.

No matter how hard I trained, I couldn't create my own Grade 6 art.

"It's not meant to be easy, kiddo," Valerie said, as if reading my thoughts. "Do you think Grade 6 arts grow on trees?"

I wanted to retort but knew she was right. Creating a Grade 6 art wasn't simple, even with my Grade 6 talent and the help of the book.

"The main thing you're missing is soul," Valerie said, poking my ribcage.

"What do you mean?" I asked, panting.

"When someone creates an art, it's the culmination of their entire talent, condensed and manifested," she explained. "You can't just copy a movement and call it your own art. You have to twist it, change it to make it yours. The 'God Flash' you're executing isn't fully yours."

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I was focusing too much on replicating what I learned rather than infusing it with my own essence, my own soul.

Valerie stepped closer, her gaze intense. "Creating an art is more than just physical movements, Arthur. It's about pouring your heart, your experiences, and your spirit into it. That's what makes it unique. That's what gives it power."

I took a deep breath, absorbing her words. She was right. I had been trying to mimic rather than innovate, to replicate rather than create.

"Why do you think only those with talent can create higher-grade arts?" Valerie said, her eyes piercing through my doubts. "It's because that talent itself is manifested in your art. The reason I'm telling you this now is that your God Flash has been refined enough. Now you need to imbue your originality into it."

"Will it be ready by the tournament?" I asked, my voice tinged with hesitation, fearing her answer.

"Well, probably," she replied with a shrug. "It's hard to gauge how long these things take. It depends not just on your talent but on your aptitude for manifesting that talent."

'I think it's possible, Arthur,' Luna mentally transmitted to me. 'I can help you a bit with the talent materialization.'

'Julius did the same, right?' I asked, to which Luna replied with a yes. 'He created his Grade 6 art, so I can help you now that your God Flash is ready.'

"Would've been nice to keep me in the loop," I muttered under my breath.

Valerie's eyes narrowed, but she didn't comment on my mumbling.

"Well, continue to train hard and think about this," she said, flicking my forehead with a smirk. "I won't like my first disciple to lose to anyone in the end-of-year festival."

Wait, first disciple?

"I'm your first disciple?" I asked, shock evident in my voice.

"Well, yes," she shrugged nonchalantly. "And good for me, my first and only disciple is someone who will create a new Grade 6 art."

I noticed her shoulders trembling slightly as she spoke, a hint of excitement breaking through her usual stoic demeanor. The idea that I could actually create a Grade 6 art was becoming more realistic.

Creating a Grade 6 art was no small feat. Such arts were incredibly rare, with most of them having been created by legendary figures in the distant past. The latest Grade 6 art was crafted by the Martial King, a figure who had ascended to near-mythical status.

But only when I could elevate God Flash to a Grade 6 art would I have a chance to defeat Ren and Lucifer.

Defeating Ren was a matter of pride, while overcoming Lucifer would earn me an Ancient-grade artifact.

Both goals were crucial. By pushing Ren and Lucifer to their limits, I would help them realize their full potential, strengthening humanity's defenses against our enemies. If they grew stronger, the tragedies of Volumes 7 and 8 of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>> could be avoided.

After wrapping up my training for the day, I headed back to my room to shower. The weekend offered a rare respite from classes, giving me time to focus on my personal growth.

As the water cascaded over me, washing away the sweat and fatigue, I exhaled deeply, allowing the tension to melt from my body.

After showering, I changed into fresh clothes and took the hyperloop to one of the cafes on campus. Mythos Academy was enormous, sprawling across its own island separate from the main supercontinent. A powerful 9-circle spell array safeguarded the island, regulating both its security and weather.

This vastness justified the existence of a hyperloop system and allowed for the construction of spacious rooms for students and staff. The academy was so large that it felt like a self-contained city.

In addition to academic facilities, Mythos Academy boasted numerous leisure options, including restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, and VR arcades. These amenities were available to students throughout the week but were especially popular on weekends.

As the hyperloop whisked me to the cafe where my friends were waiting, I marveled at the sheer scale of it all. 'How much would it cost to build something like this?' I wondered, reflecting on the astronomical tuition fees that made such grandeur possible.

The tuition fees were so steep that even my parents, with my father's high salary as an <Integration >-rank knight captain, wouldn't consider them trivial. Money, after all, makes the world go round.

I arrived at the cafe and tapped my watch against the scanner to enter, the device recognizing my identity. This was just another layer of security the Academy implemented. Even if intruders managed to bypass the initial security barriers, they would still be caught by these additional checks.

Inside, the cafe buzzed with students enjoying their weekend, the warm aroma of coffee and pastries filling the air. I scanned the room, spotting my friends at a corner table. Smiling, I headed over, ready to unwind after a long week of training.

I walked over to the corner table where my friends were gathered, their chatter and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.

"Hey, Arthur! Over here!" Ian waved, his usual cheerful grin plastered across his face.

I slid into an empty seat beside Rachel, who greeted me with a warm smile. "How's the training going?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Pretty intense," I admitted, reaching for a menu. "Professor Valerie's been pushing me hard. But I think I'm making progress."

"You better be," Lucifer chimed in, a teasing smirk on his lips. "Wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself during the end-of-year tournament."

"Don't worry, Lucifer," I shot back playfully. "I'll be ready to take you down."

Cecilia rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. "You two are always at each other's throats. Can't you ever just relax?"

"It's all in good fun," Lucifer said, leaning back in his chair. "Besides, competition keeps us sharp."

As we continued to banter, a waiter approached to take our orders. I decided on a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant, needing the caffeine boost after my morning training session.

"So, any plans for the weekend?" Seraphina asked, glancing around the table.

"I was thinking of hitting the VR arcade," Ian said. "They've got a new game that's supposed to be amazing."

"I might join you," I said. "Could use a break from all the sword training."

Rachel nodded. "That sounds like fun. I could use a bit of distraction too."