Heated Discussion

Weeks flew by, and Alex could feel his abilities improving with each passing day. His elemental powers continued to pose a challenge, but with Olana's guidance, he persevered and made progress in gaining better control over them. In other classes, things were going relatively well. In Potions, he had the unwavering support of Jiten, who was always the first to lend a helping hand. In Teras Anatomy, both Jiten and Emily assisted him in his studies, providing valuable insights and assistance. In Sword Arts, as long as Alex avoided mentioning Jiten, Samantha would occasionally spar with him and offer guidance.

After classes, Alex dedicated long hours to training with Oswin, honing his swordsmanship skills and pushing his limits. However, despite his overall progress, there were still challenges he faced. Arcane Magic class proved to be particularly difficult for him. The teacher, Cecilia White, always focused on using water as the primary subject of study. Given Alex's strong affinity for fire, working with water proved to be immensely complicated. Furthermore, in Basic Knowledge, no matter how diligently he prepared, Professor Harrow, always seemed to find a way to invalidate Alex's answers. The reasons behind Harrow's animosity toward him remained a mystery, but it was clear that a mutual dislike existed between them.

As the weeks passed, their plan to expose the criminal activities in the warehouse came to fruition. The church, acting on the provided information, invaded the premises and discovered the presence of Teras. Many criminals were publicly executed, and peace was restored to the city of Lotardale. However, the situation was not as resolved for Jiten and his father. They continued to hear Tera roars emanating from the church's warehouse every night, without the accompanying sounds of construction. Upon inquiring about the reason for the Teras' continued existence, the church revealed that they saw it as an opportunity to utilize these Teras as instruments for learning.

Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office at EIL, the board of directors and the first-year professors convened to discuss the highly anticipated end-of-year exam. The atmosphere brimmed with anticipation and apprehension as Harrow, a respected professor, took the floor.

"My esteemed colleagues," Harrow began, his voice filled with confidence, "today, I bring momentous news from the church. The pope has granted us authorization to incorporate the teras found in the criminal warehouse into our end-of-year exam."

The room fell into a hushed silence, punctuated by murmurs of surprise and concern. Olana, known for her unwavering dedication to student safety, immediately voiced her reservations.

"Esteemed members, I must express my profound concern regarding the inclusion of teras in the exam," Olana stated firmly, her tone reflecting her genuine worry. "While I understand the desire to expose our students to real challenges, we must not jeopardize their safety. I propose we adopt the previously discussed plan of utilizing the church's golems, which provide an engaging and controlled environment for our students to develop their skills."

Olana's words sparked a spirited debate among the board members, each passionately defending their stance. The room filled with arguments and counterarguments, as both sides grappled with the balance between experiential learning and student well-being.

Amidst the impassioned discourse, Arnold Frey, the esteemed Grandmaster, called for a moment of order. "Enough," he declared, his voice resonating with authority. "Let us put this matter to a vote."

One by one, the board members cast their votes, each considering the weight of their decision carefully. The room grew quiet once again as the votes were counted, the tension palpable.

After a moment, the outcome was announced. The board had reached a decision. The end-of-year exam would indeed incorporate the teras, but with careful safeguards and limitations to ensure the students' well-being. It was a compromise that sought to strike a balance between real-world challenges and the imperative of safety.

As the meeting adjourned, Harrow's eyes met Olana's, a hint of satisfaction in his gaze. However, Olana maintained her composure, refusing to be swayed by his provocation.

In the weeks that followed, the professors collaborated to develop a comprehensive plan for the end-of-year exam. They established rigorous safety protocols, implemented intensive training sessions, and ensured that every student would have access to the necessary support and guidance.

But there was an event that no one could ignore—the Sword Arts Tournament in the Arena of Lotardale. Held in a different city every year, students from various cities would flock to participate. It was an eagerly anticipated highlight of the year. As the city prepared to host the tournament, Alex dedicated himself to rigorous training alongside Oswin in the EIL sword arts courtyard.

"Wrong, wrong, wrong!" bellowed Oswin, pointing out Alex's posture errors. "Begin again from the start!" Instantly, Alex reset his stance and resumed the choreography, executing each swing of his sword with precision and power.

Oswin attentively observed Alex's movements, his experienced eyes scrutinizing every detail. He deftly deflected each strike, showcasing his mastery of swordsmanship. Amidst the intensity, Oswin couldn't help but intersperse his critiques with occasional words of praise.

"Good form, Alex! You're starting to grasp the essence of the movements," Oswin acknowledged, a glimmer of pride evident in his voice. "Now, let's see how you fare against a real challenge. Come at me!"

Taken aback by Oswin's sudden invitation, Alex's determination surged. Firmly gripping his sword, he threw himself into the spar, unleashing a series of swift and calculated strikes. With each move, he applied the lessons learned, striving to anticipate Oswin's counters.

Oswin effortlessly parried Alex's attacks, gracefully sidestepping and redirecting his strikes with a blend of finesse and skill. Throughout the intense spar, Oswin continued to offer guidance, pinpointing areas where Alex could improve and acknowledging his progress.

"You're gaining speed, Alex! Your footwork is becoming more precise," Oswin remarked, infused with encouragement. "But remember, avoid predictability. Mix up your timing and employ feints to keep your opponent guessing."

Motivated by Oswin's feedback, Alex focused on adapting his strategy. As the spar intensified, he searched for an opening to surprise his mentor. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

Filled with newfound determination, Alex executed a perfectly timed maneuver, catching Oswin off guard. The surprise attack momentarily unbalanced Oswin's defense, causing him to stumble backward.

A smile played at the corners of Oswin's lips as he quickly regained his stance, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Impressive, Alex! You managed to catch me by surprise. You're ready for the tournament in two weeks."

"But now it's time for me to teach you the basics of sword qi," Oswin announced, leaving Alex perplexed yet excited. He had heard Oswin speak about sword qi with great importance.

"Let me show you," Oswin continued as he blindfolded himself and assumed a defensive stance. "Now, come at me." Alex couldn't help but feel uncertain, questioning how he would defend against an opponent he couldn't see. Tentatively, he asked Oswin, "Are you sure about this?"

Oswin responded with a serious tone, issuing a warning. "Either you strike me, or I strike you. Make your choice." Faced with this ultimatum, Alex tightly grasped his sword and lunged toward Oswin.

With determination burning in his veins, Alex lunged forward, his sword poised to strike. Oswin, blindfolded, relied solely on his instincts and honed senses to defend against Alex's onslaught. Each swing of the sword was met with Oswin's swift evasions and precise dodges.

As the spar intensified, Oswin's voice cut through the air, interweaving with the clash of steel. "Sword qi, Alex, is the manifestation of your inner energy and focus. It is the harmonization of mind, body, and spirit in perfect synchrony with your blade." With every dodge, Oswin's words painted a vivid picture in Alex's mind.

"Sword qi allows you to perceive the intentions of your opponent even before their strike is executed," Oswin continued, his movements fluid and calculated. "It enables you to anticipate their actions, giving you the advantage of time and positioning."

Alex listened intently, absorbing Oswin's teachings amidst the intensity of their spar. He marveled at how Oswin's blindfolded state didn't hinder his ability to anticipate and avoid every attack. It was a testament to the power of sword qi.

"As you cultivate your sword qi, Alex, you will discover a heightened awareness of the flow of energy in your body," Oswin explained, deftly sidestepping a swift thrust. "It will grant you enhanced speed, precision, and the ability to channel your strength efficiently."

With each passing moment, Alex's strikes became more deliberate and measured. He focused not only on attacking but also on observing the subtle shifts in Oswin's body language. It was as if his perception was expanding, attuning to the ebb and flow of their duel.

"Sword qi is not limited to physical prowess alone," Oswin continued, his voice unwavering amid the intensity. "It is also a reflection of your inner resolve and determination. The stronger your conviction, the more potent your sword qi becomes."

As Oswin deftly dodged Alex's final swing, he said, "That's enough. What do you think? Do you want to learn it?"

Alex, sweating and struggling to control his breathing, responded quickly, "Please teach me!"

With those words, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Alex was ready to embark on a new chapter of his training, delving into the secrets of sword qi under Oswin's guidance.