Chapter 368 - Things sometimes end
The academy's and, in general, the human domain's stance on how healers were to protect themselves was as such—leaving the responsibility to the combatants and making their jobs as easy as possible.
The healers didn't need to fight since they were not suited to do so. It was very rare for a healer to possess an offensive skill, and that made them unsuited for combat, and the Hunter Association didn't want to risk such rare individuals.
However, Sylvie was different.
She wasn't a normal healer. She was the future Saintess; therefore, her job and fate were a lot more different from a normal healer. She was bound to be pursued by countless different people thanks to her powers, and it was very hard for her to trust anyone other than herself or maybe him.
She had been thinking about this for the whole day since Danielle came out to be a demon contractor. The person that she thought was her friend was, in fact, a demon contractor and a murderer. This made her no longer trust how people look.
The more she remembered the times they had spent, the more she realized how countless different times could be picked up that Danielle was a demon contractor. She just didn't look at it that way, and if she were to suspect, if she were to look into the matter more, maybe she could have saved all those students who had died in Danielle's hands.
Sylvie may have hated her powers since they always showed the ugly side in people, but for the first time in her life, she was feeling responsible. The fact that she had the ability to prevent all those deaths but didn't do so because of her lack of judgment and commitment made her feel guilty.
"Sylvie, never forget. Great power comes with great responsibility."
'Yet, where is my responsibility? What did I even do with this power, aside from hiding?'
Even if she would be in danger, did it justify the lives that are lost?
'No, it doesn't.'
Sylvie knew the answer well since she also remembered the time when she was powerless. Therefore, she could empathize with those who lost their lives.
'Right. I need to get stronger as fast as I can so that I no longer need to hide.'
But the blood had been spilled, and there was nothing she could do. Even though she felt responsible, she also knew the reason why she didn't go to the academy to get opportunities from them was because she couldn't trust anyone. It made sense since there were countless different factions in the academy, and Sylvie had witnessed the corruption.
Either she had been targeted by insiders, or she saw people getting targeted.
Mason was a demon contractor, and that almost cost her and his life.
He was targeted in the mid-terms and almost lost his life. If Sylvie had not been there, he would most likely no longer be there.
And now Danielle.
She didn't even know just how many more were in this academy or even in the government. She knew she wasn't safe. He had emphasized this a lot of times, and she knew that her hiding was the most logical one.
'But is it the right thing to do?'
Yet, this question constantly gnawed at her inside.
Those thoughts were on her mind as she approached the place that was determined by him for the training.
It was the sparring grounds that she had rented exclusively, thanks to her privilege as a healer. As for whether the academy was suspicious about her training or not, she had been trying to improve her physical aspects for the whole half of the semester now, and the other healers already knew that.
The instructor at that time made a knowing gesture since she was well aware of the trauma Sylvie had. Thus, she even encouraged her to take a step forward.
[Sylvie Gracewind. Rank, Healer, 12.]
With the recent changes, the academy decided that healers were no longer included in the general ranking list since it didn't make sense to do that.
As she entered the lounge, she saw him waiting on the sides. Normally, she would feel enthusiastic seeing him since she liked the training and the feeling of improvement, as well as something else.
But today, she felt like she wasn't doing it.
"Have you been waiting? Sorry." She walked to Astron and said.
"It is fine. I just came here five minutes forty-two seconds ago."
"Ah….."
"Let's not waste any more time."
As Sylvie followed Astron into the sparring rooms of the academy, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this environment and the makeshift training grounds she had grown accustomed to.
Here, everything exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication, from the polished floors to the state-of-the-art equipment lining the walls.
The air hummed with the anticipation of rigorous training, and Sylvie couldn't shake off the feeling of being out of place amidst such opulence. She glanced around, taking in the gleaming weapons racks and the meticulously maintained practice dummies, feeling a mixture of awe and intimidation.
Astron, however, seemed unfazed by the grandeur surrounding them, his focus solely on the task at hand.
"Today will be our last training session," he announced, his voice cutting through the silence of the room.
'What?'
Sylvie, who heard his voice, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"What?" She asked, her voice surprised. How could it not be? She wasn't even sure of herself or her training. She still felt like she had a lot more room to improve, and she was not even at the level of a beginner.
Astron turned to face Sylvie, his expression calm and composed. "Our goal for these training sessions was never to make you the best close combat fighter," he began, his voice measured. "It was to equip you with the necessary skills to defend yourself and understand how to utilize your strength in close-range combat."
Sylvie listened intently, her brow furrowing in confusion. She couldn't understand why Astron would consider ending their training when she still felt like there was so much more she needed to learn.
Or was it something else? She didn't want to answer, nor want to think about it.
"We've accomplished what we set out to do," Astron continued, his tone unwavering. "You've shown remarkable progress in a short amount of time, and you now possess the knowledge and skills to defend yourself effectively in close quarters."
Sylvie opened her mouth to protest, but Astron raised a hand to silence her. "Listen, Sylvie," he said firmly. "You are not a fighter. You are a healer. Your primary role is to support and protect others, not to engage in combat yourself."
'With my powers, I can fight too!'
She wanted to protest. She wanted to shout out that, with her newly awakened trait [First Lord's Authority], she could deal with people. But then, she remembered she needed to keep her powers to herself.
And knowing that the person saying those was him, he must have already thought about these matters before bringing them up. Thus, she saw no reason for her to object.
"Your strength lies in your ability to heal and nurture," Astron continued, his gaze softening. "That is where you will make the greatest impact."
Sylvie nodded, "You are right."
In this world, nothing is everlasting.
The meal you eat is bound to end. The drink you are having is bound to finish. The youth you take for granted is bound to dimmish away.
When people think that they have the time to get to the world, reality slaps them really hard. That is just how it goes and how it has always been.
The flow of time never stops, and nothing can go against it. You can buy time by increasing your rank and your life span, but at the end of the day, it still ends.
'Then, why do we take everything for granted?'
Sylvie asked herself while looking at him.
"Now, let's start."
He stood there with his presence faint. When they started training together, Sylvie had always thought that he was kind of a mountain. It wasn't that he was big or anything; it was just that his presence seemed like it would never have been shaken.
But then, as she progressed, she realized it was because of her own shortcomings. The reason why she thought like that was because she didn't know how to judge her opponents.
In fact, the academy had been teaching this to the students from the start of the academic year, but since Sylvie was not a combatant but a healer, the academy's focus for her education was not how to fight but rather how to deal with the injuries efficiently while taking a good position in parties since this was their stance.
As she progressed, she realized that he was not like a mountain but like a swift wind. His presence was faint, as if he could always disappear from one's eyes if they were not paying attention.
And he was swift. His attacks didn't contain huge amounts of force but rather concentrated on attacking weak points quickly. He never let himself get over his head and always acted cautiously.
That was most likely in his nature.
Someone who could always disappear from one's life. Someone who always felt close but not at the same time. Regardless of the time and the location, Sylvie always felt like there would be a time when she would never see him again.
It was a random thought, close to instinct. It was like something had been warning him.
SWOOSH! THUD!
Yet, those thoughts in her head were interrupted by the swift motion that had appeared right before her face.
It was the start of their last training session.
Chapter 369 - Things sometimes end (2)
–THUD!
The moment Sylvie's focus turned to the combat that she was in, a body swift was slightly leaned to the side, and a quick punch instantly landed on her liver.
'That place!'
As Sylvie staggered back from the blow, she felt a surge of frustration and determination coursing through her veins.
She knew she had to focus, to anticipate Astron's next move before he could land another hit. She had already seen his tricks a lot of times.
'Come on, Sylvie, remember how he does it!'
Her already toned body moved instinctively, the combat movements engrained into her cells. Even while Astron was teaching Sylvie mainly how to defend herself, he also taught her that in times when the opportunity arises, the best defense is offense.
–SWOOSH!
With his retreating figure, Sylvie instantly moved forward, attempting to target his balance.
But Astron was already several steps ahead, his movements fluid and graceful as he seamlessly transitioned from defense to offense.
With each strike, he seemed to be teaching her a lesson, guiding her with his actions and his words.
'That.'
"Keep your guard up, Sylvie," he instructed, his voice calm but firm. "You can't afford to let your focus waver, not even for a moment."
The words that she had heard countless times while training. And at the repetition of those words, they somehow became annoying to her, even if they were true. It was like a trigger.
"I know." Sylvie nodded curtly, her muscles tensing as she prepared to counter.
She knew she had to be faster and more decisive if she wanted to stand a chance against him. She couldn't hesitate.
With renewed determination, she launched herself forward, her movements precise and calculated. She focused on reading Astron's subtle cues, anticipating his next move before it even happened.
Slowly but surely, she began to hold her own against him, blocking his strikes and delivering counterattacks of her own.
With each exchange, she felt herself growing stronger and more confident.
She was getting momentum, and that was how it needed to be. She was able to defend herself from his strikes.
She could see when he would attack.
'He is coming.'
As Sylvie focused intently on Astron's movements, her muscles tensed, ready to respond to his next attack. She was prepared for his swift motions, or so she thought.
But just as she braced herself for his next strike, Astron's speed increased suddenly, catching Sylvie off guard.
'Hu-'
Despite her anticipation, the sudden burst of velocity was beyond what she had prepared for. Even her thoughts were interrupted.
SWOOSH!
Before she could fully react, Astron's fist connected with her chest, the impact sending shockwaves through her body. The force of the blow knocked the air out of her lungs, leaving her gasping for breath.
THUD!
Sylvie stumbled backward, her chest burning with pain as she struggled to regain her footing. She clutched at her chest, feeling the throbbing ache radiating from the point of impact.
For a moment, everything seemed to blur as Sylvie fought to regain her composure. She hadn't expected Astron to increase his speed so suddenly, and the unexpectedness of the attack left her reeling.
As she tried to shake off the pain and refocus her attention, she could hear Astron's voice cutting through the haze.
"Didn't I tell you before?" He said, his purple eyes looking into her eyes. "Never get your confidence above your rationality. Blind confidence will get you killed, especially for a healer like you. Never forget who you are and what your position is."
Because of his attack, there were tears in her eyes. It was not because of the pain since she had already become accustomed to it from all these spars.
'He once again attacked a weak spot.'
It was because of her own body. Astron countless times demonstrated that a reaction on some side of the body could be evoked by just a tap on another place.
"Urghk-! Sorry." Sylvie nodded weakly, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. She knew she had to push through the pain and stay focused if she wanted to continue the fight.
With a determined grit, she forced herself to stand tall, pushing aside the pain and fatigue. She locked eyes with Astron, a steely determination burning in her gaze.
"Again."
"Yes."
There was a weird feeling slowly rising deep into her heart. A small sense of emptiness, maybe? She couldn't quite name it.
"Good."
Whether it was because she was accustomed to his harsh evaluations, his cold face, or not, she was somehow entangled with that word 'last.'
But he didn't give her the time to contemplate those things.
–SWOOSH!
As Astron advanced once more, Sylvie felt a sense of trepidation creeping in. She knew she had to be prepared for anything, especially after his previous unexpected attack. As his movements quickened, Sylvie braced herself, ready to defend against whatever came her way.
But despite her best efforts to anticipate his next move, Astron's speed was beyond anything she had faced before. Before she could react, his fist was upon her again, striking with precision and force.
THUD!
The impact sent shockwaves through Sylvie's body, leaving her staggering once more.
"Again."
She felt a surge of frustration and anger rising within her, seeing his nonchalant gaze, but she had already learned and knew she couldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment.
SWOOSH!
As he attacked once more, Sylvie's mind raced with memories of their training sessions.
'You are not an honorable duelist. You don't need the stupid pride of beating your opponent solely in combat. Don't let pride blind your judgment.'
It was one of the times when they were sparring. At that time, Astron had limited his whole body with weighted bracelets and made himself like any ordinary, non-awakened.
Thus, Sylvie thought she could easily win, but then Astron suddenly used his mana, this time in the fight, and then beat her up.
'Pride will not save you in the face of death. Use your mana whenever you deem necessary.'
She recalled Astron's stern voice echoing in her mind, reminding her of the importance of using her mana to defend herself when necessary. He strongly emphasized that the decision and judgment to make that call was important.
With determination coursing through her veins, Sylvie tapped into her mana reserves once again, surrounding her body with a protective barrier. She focused all her energy on strengthening the barrier, preparing herself for Astron's next onslaught.
Since Astron's speed increased, Sylvie knew it was the correct judgment.
THUD!
This time, instead of his punch hitting her on her defenseless place, it hit her elbow in the defensive posture.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
She evaded his subsequent attacks as well. With mana entering her body and enhancing her, she could see his movements more clearly now.
"Good judgment." Astron nodded with a curt compliment.
But that wasn't the end. Even though Sylvie didn't tell other people, she had been learning how to control her new powers and how to make use of her innate understanding. After the Phantom's Land, she realized one thing. There was a strange energy in her body, a strange power that was different than mana itself.
It felt fundamentally different. A yellow energy that felt holy. Even though she felt cringe when she said this loudly, that was the feeling she got whenever she came in touch with that power.
However, because she didn't know what this power did or how she could use it, she just used it like a mana. Thus, she experimented with this power as if it were mana, and there, she came across another usage of it.
[Eyes of Yellow.]
Whenever she imbued this power into her eyes, her world would undergo a change. She could see things differently, as if from a filter. She could discern living things from non-living, and most importantly, she could see something inside in every living thing.
An energy that was flowing in them like a river. That energy would spread through their bodies.
At first, she couldn't understand what it was, and it was hard for her to even receive that much information. But then, as she looked more, she realized that she could see the insides of living beings even from far away and that flowing energy was their 'vitality.' And wherever there was a lack of vitality in people's bodies, that would mean that that location was injured.
It was a very efficient way of finding out the injuries and symptoms for a healer, but that wasn't the end.
She also found out that, whenever living beings were moving, their vitality would show some changes from a dormant state as if the muscles that are activated would be charged with vitality.
Basically, the vitality would flow through the body to those muscles. That made her develop a new sense.
By observing the vitality, she could see the movements that her opponent would make.
Just like she was doing now.
As Astron launched his attack, Sylvie braced herself, her enhanced senses allowing her to perceive his movements with heightened clarity. She watched as his fist came hurtling towards her, but this time, she was prepared.
THUD!
Instead of landing on a vulnerable spot, Astron's punch collided with Sylvie's defensive posture, the impact absorbed by the barrier of mana surrounding her.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
As Astron followed up with successive strikes, Sylvie evaded each one with ease, her ability to sense vitality guiding her movements.
She could see the flow of energy within Astron's body, predicting his next move before he even made it.
Inside her mind, Sylvie analyzed Astron's vitality, observing the subtle shifts and fluctuations that signaled his intentions. She anticipated his attacks, moving with precision to block or evade each strike.
'He's shifting his weight to the left,' Sylvie thought inwardly as she sidestepped a punch aimed at her midsection. 'And now he's going for a low kick.'
With a swift movement, Sylvie blocked Astron's kick, her mana-infused limbs moving effortlessly to deflect the blow. As Astron recoiled from the failed attack, Sylvie saw her opening.
'An opening.'
From the start, it was emphasized that she must never miss a chance in combat, especially if she was sure that she could land a huge blow.
But, now, as she looked into the opening, she hesitated.
"Why didn't you attack?"
And someone was not happy with that.
Chapter 370 - Things sometimes end (3)
"Why didn't you attack?" Astron's voice broke the silence, his eyes searching Sylvie's face for an answer.
Sylvie hesitated, her mind racing as she tried to find the words to explain her hesitation. She knew she had the opportunity to strike, to seize the advantage and turn the tide of the battle in her favor.
But something held her back; something deep within her psyche told her that.
"This will be our last training."
Those words somehow continued to echo in her head.
"I... I didn't think I could do it….."
She said that as an excuse. Yet, she forgot one important detail.
"That is not the reason." Astron cut her words, looking into her eyes. "You seem to forget that I was the one who taught you. You would have done it normally, but you didn't. Why?"
Astron was the one who taught her how to spar and fight from the start. Thus, with his meticulous observing skills, it wasn't that unusual for him to understand Sylvie.
Yet, at his words, Sylvie couldn't answer at all. She couldn't even think anything, let alone speak.
"T-that…."
Astron maintained his steady gaze, his eyes penetrating into Sylvie's as if searching for the truth buried within her. "That...?" he prompted, his voice insistent but somehow gentle(?).
After spending some time with him, she somehow figured out what his different flat tones meant.
But she still Sylvie struggled to form a coherent response, her thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and doubt. She couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for her hesitation, couldn't unravel the knot of emotions that held her back.
But before she could gather her thoughts, Astron spoke again, his tone soft but firm. "Even if the end wasn't satisfactory," he said, "the spar showed enough of how you've improved. You've grown stronger in certain aspects and overcome some of your weaknesses."
Sylvie blinked, taken aback by his words. She hadn't expected him to offer reassurance, to acknowledge her progress despite her perceived failure.
"You've learned to anticipate your opponent's movements, to react quickly and decisively," Astron continued, his voice carrying a note of acknowledgment. "You've become more adept at defending yourself, at utilizing your strengths in combat."
As he spoke, rather than feeling satisfactory, Sylvie felt something different. The words he spoke were signaling something, something that she already knew.
"With this," Astron's voice took on a serious tone, "you've finally grasped the basics and everything I taught you."
Sylvie's heart skipped a beat as the weight of his words settled over her. She knew this moment would come eventually, but she hadn't expected it to feel so... final.
"From this moment on," Astron continued, his gaze unwavering, "you'll be able to handle the training and everything else on your own. You've come a long way, Sylvie, and I have no doubt that you'll continue to grow stronger."
Then she understood the reason why she was feeling this uncomfortable—the reason why she didn't attack it at that time.
It was because she didn't want this time to end.
"….."
Sylvie nodded, her throat tight with emotion, her mouth closed with no words.
She knew she should feel proud and should feel grateful for all that Astron had taught her.
And yet, there was a sense of sadness lingering beneath the surface, a reluctance to let go of the mentor who had guided her every step of the way.
"This marks the end of our training together," Astron said, his voice echoing with finality. There was no space for an objection. He had already made his decision, and Sylvie, seeing his state, knew that very well.
"….."
Thus, she just shut her mouth and listened without saying anything.
What could she say anyway? Was there anything she could say, or she was supposed to?
There was a sense of unease gnawing at her, a feeling that she didn't have the right to ask for more.
After all, Astron had already given her so much—his time, his knowledge, his guidance. What more could she possibly ask for?
So, she stood there in silence, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to beg him to stay and continue their training together indefinitely. But another part knew that it would be unrealistic and entitled.
"Th…." Yet, she still forced herself to speak. Since it was about to end, she needed to at least show her gratitude.
Astron, seeing that, didn't move away either and stopped for a second, letting Sylvie form those words.
"Thank you."
As Sylvie spoke, the words felt heavy on her tongue, weighed down by the weight of everything that had transpired between them. She couldn't find the right words to express the depth of her gratitude, couldn't convey the mixture of emotions churning within her.
"No need for that, as for you have saved my life before."
But Astron's simple response was enough to ease some of the tension that had settled over her. Even though she didn't save him expecting something out of it at that time, she was reminded of the fact that at least she wasn't only on the receiving end.
'Then maybe….'
"I-if…." Sylvie hesitated, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the right words to express her request.
"If… if I ever need help in training in the future, or if I feel lost… can I come to you?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Astron regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Sylvie braced herself for rejection, for a refusal that would confirm her fears of overstepping boundaries.
"…I once said this to you, but I am not the right person to guide someone in their lives."
"That is fine."
"My ways wouldn't suit you, nor my advice."
"That is fine, too."
'I had already learned a lot from you, so why can't I learn more? With Mason at that time, you were already aware of his identity to some extent, even though I couldn't see it. It must have been the same with Danielle, too. There is still much to learn.'
Sylvie thought inwardly. Yet, there was a faint glint in her eyes.
"If that is the case, you may come to me, though I can not promise I will do a good job."
"Thank you."
With a nod of acceptance, Sylvie watched as Astron turned to leave, his figure receding into the distance until he was nothing more than a silhouette against the backdrop of the training grounds.
A sense of solitude settled over her, accompanied by a twinge of sadness at the realization that their time together had come to an end. But, still, her mind continued to linger on something.
'Why does it feel like you never want to leave any loose ends? It is as if you can disappear at any time. As if you never want to form any connections. As if you want to keep every relationship as a professional give and take.'
Before, she was busy with her training, and the events of the past continued to haunt her. Thus, she didn't have the empty space to think of other things.
But now that their training reached its end, Sylvie was once again reminded of the times of the past.
'I can't ask you, as I know that you will never talk. But, it is frustrating knowing that something had happened to you in the past, and it still does haunt you today, yet not knowing what it is.'
The abnormal hatred and anger she had seen before in Astron's emotional palette. Even if she was now unable to see it for some reason, Sylvie knew one thing.
Such emotions and such a state were not normal, and it wouldn't be treated this fast. Those emotions must still be there.
After getting help from him all this time, she had yet to show any help.
'I need to learn what happened; I must learn it so that I can be any help to you.'
Sylvie thought to herself, finding her resolve.
"Though, I don't know how."
But it was just a stupid thought.
*******
The spacious training hall echoed with the sound of eager chatter as students gathered for their first swordsmanship training session.
The air buzzed with anticipation, a mix of excitement and nervousness palpable among the group.
"Hey."
Yet, everywhere, there were people whose purpose was different from others.
"Hey, I am talking to you."
A girl was trying to talk to the young boy leaning on the wall.
"What?"
The girl, Yuki, approached Astron with determined strides, her eyes ablaze with anger and frustration.
Her once pristine appearance is now marred by signs of tears, her disheveled hair mirroring the turmoil within her.
"It was you, right?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion as she confronted him amidst the bustling training hall.
Astron, leaning against a nearby pillar with his usual nonchalant demeanor, glanced at her with mild curiosity. His expression remained impassive, betraying little of the turmoil swirling within Yuki.
"What do you mean?" he replied casually, his tone betraying none of the intensity coursing through Yuki's veins.
Yuki's fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to contain her rising emotions. "Don't play dumb with me," she spat, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I really don't have any idea what you are talking about." Astron arched an eyebrow, but that was it.
"You….I am talking about Aliya!"
She shouted, gathering everyone's attention. After all, many of the students knew Aliya, one of their fellow classmates who stopped attending the academy.
"Aliya?" Yet, Astron showed no reaction at all, as if it was his first time hearing this.
"Yes!" But then, seeing other people's gazes, Yuki calmed herself down since this information was confidential and must never be spread.
"They said she was dead, but they gave no explanation. And you are the last person she interacted with."
"….She is dead?"
"Don't play dumb."
"…." Astron sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair as he regarded Yuki with a hint of exasperation. "Look, I get that you're upset about Aliya or whatever, but I barely knew her. Our interaction was nothing more than a routine training session. After that, she disappeared, and I haven't seen or heard from her since."
Yuki's eyes narrowed with suspicion, her fists tightening at her sides once more. "Disappeared? Just like that?" she questioned, her voice tinged with accusation. "And you expect me to believe that it's just a coincidence?"
Astron's expression hardened, frustration evident in his features. "Believe what you will," he replied tersely. "But it's unreasonable to accuse me of something so serious based on mere speculation. And even the need for me to refute your claim itself is stupid."
Yuki's anger flared, her resolve strengthening as she prepared to confront Astron further. But before she could make a move, the door to the training hall swung open, and Instructor Eleanor entered, her presence commanding the attention of the entire room.
Eleanor stood at the front of the room, her presence commanding attention as she prepared to lead the session. Dressed in her usual practical attire, she exuded an aura of authority and expertise.
"Welcome, everyone," she began, her voice carrying easily across the room. "Today marks the beginning of our first practical swordsmanship session."
Chapter 371 - Sword and the Guide
"Today marks the beginning of our first practical swordsmanship session."
With those words, Eleanor seized the students. Though the semester was about to end and the other weapons would be left for the second semester, the academy decided to let the students get familiar with the most widely used weapon.
"We'll start with the basics," Eleanor continued, pacing back and forth at the front of the room. "Of course, footwork, posture, and grip are essential foundations upon which all else is built. However, different from the swordsmanship dojos and the families, the academy's curriculum of swords will be vastly different, as you already know from the theoretical explanations."
With those words, Eleanor flicked her fingers, and a hologram appeared right before her face. There stood a figure of a young man with white hair standing. His posture is solid as if he could take the mountains all by himself.
On his hand stood a simple sword. A slightly long sword that could be found everywhere.
"This is footage of the second-previous generation hero, Linhelm Middleton."
Saying that Eleanor looked at Lucas and Julia. It made sense since he was their great-great-grandfather who lost his life on one of the most legendary battlefields that this world had seen.
'Defense of Linkeln.'
Remembering the lore from the game, I couldn't help but appreciate the person in the footage. If the stories about him were correct, he was a very noble person and one of the biggest reasons why the human domain could still be protected up to this point.
"This footage," Eleanor continued, her tone solemn, "is one of the biggest reasons that humanity can now hold themselves against the Demons and the other races in terms of military strength."
With a flick of her hand, the hologram came to life, displaying Linhelm in action. The students watched in awe as he effortlessly cut through hordes of flooding monsters, his movements fluid and precise.
But just as the tension in the room reached its peak, Eleanor halted the video, her gaze sweeping over the expectant faces of the students.
"Now, can any of you tell me what this is?" she asked, her voice cutting through the silence.
Several students hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances before one finally spoke up.
"That's the swordsmanship of the Federation," a voice called out from the back of the room. "The first stage of Federal Swordplay." It was Irina who was the best student in terms of academics in the classroom.
Eleanor nodded in approval, acknowledging the correct response.
"That's correct, Student Irina," she confirmed. "The Federation's swordsmanship techniques have been refined over centuries of warfare, and they form the backbone of our military strength. And this footage is the first display of the technique that was formed by General Linhelm Middleton."
With that, she resumed the video, allowing the students to continue watching in rapt attention as Linhelm Middleton's legacy unfolded before their eyes.
CLICK!
After finishing the display, Eleanor looked at the students.
"As you already know, the Federal Swordplay has a different view towards swordsmanship than the sword families or swordsmen who pursue the peak of swordsmanship.
The whole centuries of humans being forced back by other races who had access to mana from the start had changed the view of the government. Since we didn't have the luxury to pursue greatness while facing the threat of being extinct, the government could only prioritize efficiency.
And the Federal Swordplay does just that. It pursues systematic and efficiency at its core. Since every Awakened has an affinity with different elements, to make sure that every Awakened could use the most basic weapon effectively, the swordplay is formed as attributeless and enchantment on its core."
Eleanor described and then conjured a simple sword in her hand. It was a clear display of mana proficiency, fitting to the person who had the nickname Invoker.
"And, now we will start with the most basic unit of Federal Swordplay."
SWOOSH!
Saying that, she slashed the space right before her face. It was a simple slash, something that didn't contain any attribute of mana at all. It was just that the sword was coated with mana, and that was it.
PUFF!
However, the air was split into two, and some ripples were formed in the air.
"The most basic unit of the Federal Swordplay. 'Stripe.'"
Once again, she held the sword before her, its blade gleaming under the artificial lights of the classroom.
SWOOSH!
With a swift motion, she slashed through the air, leaving behind nothing but a faint trail of mana.
"The stripe is formed by two factors," Eleanor explained, her tone authoritative yet measured. "First, the physical force behind the swing, and second, the coated raw mana."
As she spoke, she gestured towards the invisible line that hung in the air, its presence palpable despite its intangibility.
"The physical force provides the momentum needed to cut through the air, while the coated mana adds an additional layer of power and stability to the strike," she continued. "Together, they form the foundation of the Federal Swordplay, allowing even the most inexperienced Awakened to wield a sword with deadly precision."
Eleanor's gaze swept over the students, ensuring that each one was following along with her explanation.
And then, she clenched her hand on the sword. Following that, three flashes of strikes appeared in the air, cutting the space right before her once again.
Even without my special eyes activated, I could see the strikes forming a (I).
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
And then, contrary to the previous strikes, this one looked a little bit different. The air, which was cut in the motion of (I), suddenly compressed and then was shot forward.
'Ho? Would you look at that?'
With just three strikes, the raw mana trail that was left by the strikes suddenly formed a reaction and then made the air shoot forward like a compressed blade.
'Utilizing the compression of air and the differential pressure. It is sure scientific.'
With that, she looked into the students once again.
"Throughout the coming weeks, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of the Federal Swordplay, exploring its various techniques and applications," she announced. "But for now, let us focus on mastering the basics."
As Eleanor finished her demonstration of the advanced technique, the room fell into a momentary silence, broken only by the soft hum of the holographic display.
Then, a curious voice piped up from the midst of the students.
"What did you just do, Instructor Eleanor?"
Eleanor didn't smile, but she still looked pleased that someone had picked up on the subtleties of her technique. "What you witnessed was a technique containing three 'Stripes' executed in quick succession," she explained. "The interaction between these 'Stripes' created a reaction, compressing the air and propelling it forward."
She could see understanding dawning on some of the students' faces, particularly those who had a deeper grasp of magical principles.
For them, the significance of her demonstration went beyond mere physical movement as they could form the connection of the basic blocks of magic formulas as well.
"Now, I want each of you to practice the 'Stripe,'" Eleanor instructed, gesturing to the students to begin. "My two assistant instructors and I will be circulating to observe your training and provide feedback when necessary."
With that, she stepped back, allowing the students to start their own training.
The training grounds prepared for the Federal Swordsmanship were a little different from the other ones.
The footage of the swordplay and 'Stripe' was shown as a hologram right before each student's dummy, and the students were guided to hit the dummy on their own.
'Now, what to do.'
Looking at the sword in my hand and the dummy before me, I started pondering.
To be honest, I had considered using the sword before, but I had never done so. After all, there was no reason for me to do it.
I had myself busy with practicing daggers, marksmanship, and mana control. Thus, I didn't have the time. I also didn't focus on the classes that much recently with all these things happening around the academy; thus, I didn't have much practice with the sword.
'Though, I shouldn't give Eleanor the material to pick upon me.'
Since that woman was rather annoying to deal with when she wanted to, I grabbed the sword and observed the movements shown in the figure.
'Also, my occupation is a weapon master. There is no way a sword is not included in all those weapons, so it is not a completely bad thing.'
After all, at the end of the day, one way or another, I was going to learn how to use swords.
As I observed the holographic display showing the technique of the 'Stripe,' I couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive.
Sure, I had some experience with other weapons like daggers, but swordsmanship was a whole different ball game.
However, Eleanor's piercing gaze sweeping over the room reminded me that there was no room for hesitation. With a determined nod to myself, I tightened my grip on the sword and stepped forward towards the dummy.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I mirrored the movements I had just witnessed in the hologram.
SLASH!
The first strike felt awkward, lacking the fluidity and precision I had seen in Eleanor's demonstration.
'Hmm…The feeling of the sword is a lot different than chakrams or daggers. The center of gravity is drastically different.'
My body had already been trained with daggers, and my muscles were most likely adapted to them optimally. Therefore, using a slightly longer weapon proved to be a little challenging at first.
But, well….[Perceptive Insight] was clearly a cheat.
Focusing on the physical force behind each swing and coating the blade with mana as instructed, I slashed once again.
THUD!
The mana rippled around the space as the sword moved. And then, it struck the dummy, slashing it down.
'That is passable.'
It was more satisfactory than the previous one. I was grasping the basics of it rapidly, and I could see the progress with my own eyes.
Yet, before I could think any further, suddenly, I sensed a presence.
"Student Astron."
It was Eleanor.
Chapter 372 - Sword and the Guide (2)
Everyone has those times when they doubt their decisions until this point. It is inevitable as long as you are not a complete narcissist who thinks of yourself as always right.
Doubting is human nature, and every human has doubts at some point.
Eleanor was no different than that.
She rose up in the ranks as a Hunter, trying to improve herself for the upcoming future and for her role.
After all, without knowing the path, how could she guide?
But even then, improving as an Awakened and a hunter had never been an easy task. It was taxing, and it took a lot of things from the person itself.
The more battles one encountered, the more fights one had with monsters, the more they would realize how cruel this world was, and to fit the world, one would need to become cruel as well.
And Eleanor was no exception. Being a genius hunter, she faced countless trials and countless betrayals.
In the end, seeing the real human nature, she became cold and stiff. She couldn't maintain that zealousness when she was young.
That was how it was.
And honestly, she had never regretted her actions or how she behaved. Sure, she had been evaluating the students and the cadets according to their talents, but she didn't see anything wrong with that.
After all, when she was a hunter, she had seen a lot of her colleagues who thought highly of themselves because of the flattery of their peers.
And none of them met a good ending. Thus, for Eleanor, overly flattering someone in this line of work was no different than sending them to death marching.
Thus, she was harsh on students so that they wouldn't push themselves to death.
At least, that was what she thought so.
However, there was one big problem that needed to be questioned in this part. Sure, it was better for the Awakened with low talent to know their limits.
But who gave her the right to judge who was talented or not? What made her judgment better than others? Was it because she was the 'Invoker'? Was it because she was in the top 100 of Hunter's ranking?
Which one of those was the answer?
And most importantly – could she guarantee that her judgment was always correct?
For the first time, Eleanor was questioning herself.
'I might have made a mistake.'
She thought inwardly, observing the students who were training with their swords. Everyone was practicing, trying to refine the most basic techniques.
In fact, the whole purpose of this training was to give an idea about the general level of mana control among the freshmen and how good they were at understanding the Federal Swordplay.
After all, the Federal Swordplay was developed so that even the most basic non-trained Awakened would be able to learn it fast enough and would move as a unit in the military.
Amidst the flurry of activity in the training room, Eleanor's gaze settled on a figure standing apart from the others.
It was Astron Natusalune, one of the students who had recently caught her attention for reasons she couldn't quite articulate.
In the past, Astron had been something of a troublemaker, often not paying attention in class and prone to challenging authority at every turn.
His behavior had irked Eleanor, especially since Eleanor thought he was not even trying at his classes. It was like he didn't care about the grades at all. Thus, Eleanor was sure that this student would be expelled for his low grades and assumed that paying attention to him would be pointless.
However, she needed to make an example of him so that she could better control other students. Thus, she picked upon him from time to time. After all, students needed to know that going on her bad side is not something desirable.
But in recent weeks, she had noticed a change in him. But it was so subtle that she would have missed it if she had not paid attention. His presence was a lot less, as if something like a {Trait} was letting him conceal himself constantly.
And then, it was the events surrounding him. Though each one of them had their own main characters, somehow he was in every one of them. And considering that each of those events was somehow dangerous, even the fact that he survived showed that he was different from his past self.
Eleanor couldn't deny that she was intrigued by this change in Astron and knew that she needed to confirm it.
As she watched him practicing with his sword, Eleanor found herself wondering about the true nature of talent and potential. Could someone like Astron, who had once been dismissed as a troublemaker, possess hidden depths that even she had overlooked?
'This is quite possible. I am not omnipotent after all, and I can certainly make mistakes.'
Eleanor knew she was prideful, but she was also not stupid.
As Eleanor continued to observe Astron, her trained eyes honed in on the subtle nuances of his movements.
From the way he held the 'weapon' to the precision of his footwork, she could discern a level of control over his body that belied his previous reputation as a troublemaker.
There was a fluidity to his motions that spoke of dedication and practice.
However, despite his evident improvement, Eleanor couldn't shake the feeling that there were still areas where Astron fell short.
For instance, his control over 'weapons' in general was good. But, if it was evaluated as a 'sword,' it fell short. This was expected since he was not a sword user.
'For a dagger and a marksman, his performance is still better than expected.'
Looking at his scores and the information registered in the academy database, she thought.
'His mana control can also check for improvement.'
With her exceptional mana sensitivity, she could detect the subtle fluctuations in his mana control, the slight inconsistencies that marred his otherwise impressive performance.
It was clear to Eleanor that while Astron had made strides in mastering the basics of body control, there were still fundamental aspects of mana manipulation that he had yet to grasp fully.
'….But, still…It feels like he has overcome those small details with his overall understanding. I am even sure that he didn't notice the mistakes he was making because they became a habit, and they are working. This is the behavior of a self-taught Awakened.'
His lack of understanding of certain techniques and principles was evident in the way he executed his strikes, revealing a gap in his knowledge that could prove to be a hindrance in the long run.
'Of course, the personalized training programs and individual guidance are scheduled for the next semester, so this is something that is not normally that important. But, this is a good opportunity.'
The way the academy worked was pretty simple. In the first semester, the students would be mostly welcomed to life as Hunters. Thus, most of the courses were actually easy and free. At least, that is how it looked from the outside, but in reality, it was different.
In essence, the whole first semester was itself a test to see the raw talents and observe them without any outside interference.
It was the second semester where the specialized guidance would take place. Therefore, normally, the academy wouldn't interfere with the students too much right now.
But Eleanor decided to make an exception to that rule.
'Though it may be a little selfish, it is fine for me since the headmaster can't possibly care.'
After all, this was how the world worked. Strong was exceptional, and exceptional had special rights.
Approaching him, she created a small barrier around them to isolate the space and their talk.
CLANK!
As the sword of the academy hit the dummy, she called his name.
"Student Astron."
The body of the student came to a halt. And then, Astron turned his face to Eleanor, locking his eyes with her.
"Instructor Eleanor," Astron greeted, his expression unreadable as he awaited her next words.
Eleanor studied him for a moment, noting the intensity in his gaze and the poised readiness in his stance. She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity once again as she questioned herself.
'Is this his usual demeanor? He looks sharp, that is befitting of a cadet.'
"Student Astron," she began, her tone firm yet devoid of warmth. "I've been observing your progress during these training sessions, and I must say, I've noticed some remarkable improvements."
Astron's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but he remained silent, waiting for Eleanor to continue.
"You've shown a commendable level of dedication and discipline," Eleanor continued, her gaze unwavering. "Your control over your body and your mana has improved significantly since the beginning of the semester."
Astron's expression didn't change as he nodded his head. "Thank you for your words."
"However," Eleanor added, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "there are still areas where you can refine your skills further."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before elaborating.
"For instance," Eleanor continued, her grip firm on the sword, "the way you infuse your mana into your blade."
With a practiced motion, she demonstrated, channeling her mana into the sword. Astron watched intently as the blade seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, a testament to Eleanor's meticulous mana control.
"Notice how the mana flows seamlessly along the surface of the blade," Eleanor explained, her voice steady. "This ensures maximum efficiency and enhances the cutting power of the weapon."
Astron nodded, his gaze focused on the demonstration before him.
"However," Eleanor continued, her tone becoming more pointed, "I've observed that in your technique, the mana is not distributed evenly. Instead, it seems to gather in pockets along the interior of the blade."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.
"This creates inefficiencies in your mana usage," she explained, her expression serious. "As the mana pools within the blade, it cancels out the tension on the surface, reducing the effectiveness of your strikes."
Astron's brow furrowed in concentration as he processed her words, realizing the implications of what she was saying. His eyes shone for a split second, and then they were slightly widened in understanding.
"While this may not be immediately apparent in shorter weapons or projectiles," Eleanor added, "it becomes more pronounced in longer blades, where the distribution of mana is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the weapon."
She gestured towards the sword in her hand, indicating the importance of proper mana control in maximizing its potential as a weapon of choice for Hunters.
"It's a subtle detail," Eleanor concluded, "but mastering this aspect of your technique will greatly enhance your effectiveness in combat."
Astron nodded, a determined glint in his eyes as he absorbed Eleanor's feedback. It was clear that he understood the importance of refining his technique and mastering the intricacies of mana manipulation.
"Thank you, Instructor Eleanor," he said, his voice resolute. "I'll make sure to focus on improving my mana control moving forward."
'Hmm….His attitude….My approach was really wrong…'
Realizing this, Eleanor couldn't help but curse herself inwardly.
"Now, please demonstrate. I will check upon it and will give you feedback."
Thus, she could only compensate for her past self since it would only be fair to do so.
Chapter 373 - Sword and the Guide [Interlude] (3)
The world of students would be in a weird state, if it was compared to the world of professionalism.
The adults who are working are in constant competition. The money, fame, power, and a lot of other things.
All of them are important in the world of adults, and most of them tend to become slaves for all those things.
It is also the same for students. The adolescent youngsters who were slowly learning the value of money, power, and fame would also seek that.
The competition would be fierce, and everyone would seek the opportunities that would be thrown at them.
That was especially the case for the students of the Hunter Academies since, contrary to other occupations, their strength was directly related to their prowess.
Therefore, every ounce of opportunity was very important for these students.
And amongst those opportunities, there was one that even the heirs of high-ranking families would never refuse.
Guidance from the Invoker, Eleanor White.
A certain Hunter who had stormed through the ranks in the past ten years. The genius Hunter was able to control her mana so well that the title Invoker was given to her.
And now, the students get the chance to get guidance from such a figure. Thus, they were doing their best to show their presence.
Taylor was no different from others. Even if her family was rich and was a behemoth in the media industry, the amount of instructors that her family could hire was limited.
Today, however, something unexpected caught Taylor's attention. As she was doing her best to show her talent, she saw some students pointing at someone.
Curiosity piqued, she approached, only to witness a sight that made her blood boil.
Standing there, Astron was engaged in what seemed like an intense conversation with Eleanor White. The same guy she had dismissed as talentless and beneath her. Eleanor was directly talking to him, her expression serious and focused. Taylor couldn't hear what they were saying; Eleanor had erected a sound barrier around them, ensuring privacy.
Taylor's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. It was one thing to be ignored, but to see someone she considered unworthy receiving the guidance she so desperately sought was infuriating.
She could see the intensity in Eleanor's eyes as she spoke to Astron and the attentive look on his face as he listened.
'How could this be happening?' Taylor thought, struggling to contain her emotions. 'What could she possibly see in him?'
The scene played out in front of her, a silent tableau of instruction and learning, with Astron at the center. Taylor's mind raced, plotting her next move.
'I was about to let this guy go, but I guess I loosened his leash way too much.'
She couldn't let this slight go unanswered. After all, in the place of her, that guy was there, with his worthless presence.
If he was gaining favor with Eleanor White, she needed to find a way to either match his progress or sabotage it.
But for now, all she could do was watch, seething with envy and frustration, as the sound barrier kept her from knowing the secrets being shared just a few feet away.
As for the inside of the barrier, Eleanor was observing Astron and was about to give him feedback.
"Now, please demonstrate. I will check up on it and give you feedback," Eleanor instructed, her tone authoritative yet encouraging.
Astron nodded and took a deep breath, focusing his mana on the blade as Eleanor had shown. The sword began to glow, though not as uniformly as Eleanor's demonstration. Eleanor's sharp eyes immediately caught the subtle flaws in his technique.
"Stop," she commanded softly. "Let's correct those errors."
She stepped closer, placing her hand over his to guide him. "Feel the flow of mana," she instructed. "You're allowing it to pool here and here," she pointed to the specific spots on the blade, "which disrupts the overall tension. Now, focus on spreading it evenly along the surface."
Her words were sharp, and her demeanor was also sharp. There was no ounce of hesitation in her movements nor any type of shyness or shame.
'Still, not bad.'
Astron closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling the flow of mana as Eleanor had described. He adjusted his control, trying to spread the energy more evenly along the blade.
"Good, now try again," Eleanor encouraged, stepping back to observe.
Astron infused the sword with mana once more. This time, the glow was more consistent, though still not perfect.
"Better," Eleanor acknowledged with a nod. "But you're still concentrating too much mana at the hilt. Distribute it evenly from the hilt to the tip."
Astron adjusted his technique again, taking Eleanor's feedback into account. He focused intensely, ensuring that the mana flowed smoothly from the hilt to the tip of the blade. The sword glowed with a uniform light, indicating a more efficient distribution of energy.
"Excellent," Eleanor praised, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. Her eyes shone with a strange glint. It was like the eyes of a person who had found a new satisfying toy. Seeing the raw talent and the youth, she somehow entered a strange mood. She wanted to mold this raw talent.
"You're improving rapidly. Now, let's refine it further."
They repeated the process several times; each time, Eleanor pinpointed minor adjustments, and Astron corrected them swiftly. He learned with remarkable efficiency, not making the same mistake twice. Eleanor could see the focus and adaptability in his eyes.
He didn't speak or say anything. He just did as he told.
'Still, he adjusts the things I am saying to himself. He is not directly copying everything. This kid has a knack for learning. He absorbs everything like a vortex.'
Eleanor disliked unnecessary flattery and words, and that was the best course of attitude since she liked those who focused on the things that benefitted them.
As they continued, the glow of the sword became steadier and more vibrant, a clear sign of Astron's progress.
"Very good," Eleanor said finally, a rare smile touching her lips. "You've made significant strides in a short amount of time. Keep practicing this technique, and it will become second nature to you."
"Understood, Instructor Eleanor."
Eleanor nodded in acknowledgment, but she also felt like she understood his attitude a lot more now.
'Mirroring principle, isn't it? He is behaving like how he is being treated. At the start of the semester, he was a bit different, but his rebellious attitude was probably an attempt to show that he could also treat me the same. Is this his way of protecting his own borders? That may be the case.'
She felt like she was remembering the time two months ago a lot more now, but she knew it couldn't be helped. She was an adult, so she knew how children behaved.
'Since I can not change my past actions, I should change how I behave now. Let's see if my observations are correct.'
With that thought, she waved her hand, and the sound barrier was dispersed. But, at that moment, she noticed a lot of students looking at her and Astron. And the gazes directed at him weren't specifically well intended.
'Ho? Would you look at that?'
She smiled inwardly, seeing the reactions from the cadets.
'They are quite envious.'
She threw a slight gaze at Astron and thought.
'Let's see how you deal with this. It will be a good test for you.'
With that, she left his presence with a nod, returned to her own location, and continued to observe the students.
*******
I stood still for a moment after Eleanor returned to her position, processing everything she had taught me.
'Really, the title Invoker is a no joke.'
The subtle adjustments she pointed out had made a significant difference, and I could feel the improvement in my technique.
You need to remember that I learned how to control mana thanks to Senior Maya, but even then, it seemed my control wasn't complete. After all, Senior Maya taught me for only a little while, and I filled in the blanks on my own. And considering that, at that time, I was a complete beginner, it is not surprising that I made some mistakes at certain points.
'But this….'
I glanced around and noticed the other students' envious gazes directed at me. Shrugging it off, I focused instead on my progress. It is not like they were different than before, anyway.
Turning back to my practice dummy, I took a deep breath and infused my blade with mana once more, applying Eleanor's corrections. The sword glowed with a consistent, even light, signaling a proper distribution of energy from hilt to tip. I swung the blade in a series of practiced motions, feeling the smooth flow of power with each strike.
SWOOSH!
The air parted cleanly with each swing, and the blade left behind faint trails of mana, just as Eleanor had demonstrated.
'Indeed, the feeling is different. So that's what I was doing wrong,' I thought, reflecting on Eleanor's feedback about my mana pooling in the blade.
I had been unconsciously allowing my energy to gather in my pockets, which disrupted the tension and reduced the effectiveness of my strikes. Now, with the mana flowing evenly, my strikes felt more powerful and precise.
As I continued practicing, I felt a newfound feeling in my swordsmanship, but I knew that it wasn't limited only to that.
'This can be utilized a lot more with Celestalith as well. It even opens up new possibilities for the rifle form since I found a better way to utilize compressed bullets now.'
Lost in my practice, I was suddenly interrupted by a voice behind me.
"You….I thought you were trying to lay low."
It was a voice that was familiar but not expected. After all, Irina, in general, didn't interact with me too much in the classes.
"I was."
"Then, what was that commotion?"
"I don't remember a commotion happening."
"Even if you don't consider it as a commotion, everyone's gazes are on you now."
"Let them be. They won't be able to do anything."
"But, won't this go against your intentions?"
"I can't control what Eleanor does, so this was inevitable. I can only opt according to the situation."
"I guess this is just like you."
"It is."
"But well, in any case, now that you gathered everyone's attention, you gave me a reason to compete with you as well."
"Compete?"
At the mention of competition, a smirk appeared on Irina's face.
"Yes, compete." Saying that, she raised her sword.
"Let's spar."
And pointed it to me.