The magic-powered train traveled swiftly; by noon the very next day, they had already arrived at a new city. This particular city was relatively small, and there were no further magic-powered trains heading to the eastern cities. This was, unfortunately, unavoidable. After all, magic-powered trains had only recently been developed and weren’t yet widely popularized; only major metropolises like Yu City were comprehensively equipped with them.
For smaller, more common cities, merely having one service for round trips was likely considered a boon.
This turn of events, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. Deep cultivation was impossible aboard the magic-powered train, and teaching Timobi swordsmanship was equally out of the question. Travelers returning from the Eastern Imperial Capital spoke of Gatarnia Academy’s annual enrollment period, which spanned from late winter to early spring. With late autumn now upon them, and considering the Eastern Imperial Region’s characteristically brief winters, they had a comfortable two to three months ahead—more than enough time.
Thus, they could afford to treat the journey as a leisurely trek, pausing as they pleased without concern for time.
Upon disembarking, they indulged in a satisfying meal within the bustling new city. They then procured abundant supplies, secured two maps—one concise, one meticulously detailed—and acquired a sturdy horse along with a pair of wooden training swords. With their preparations complete, the two once again set forth on their travels.
The silver-grade emblem bestowed by the Adventurers’ Guild held a hidden marvel: a spatial array carved within its core. This allowed it to store objects, and though its capacity was a mere cubic meter, it offered You’er substantial convenience.
After all, Hidden Edge alone weighed several hundred *jin*; carrying it on their person would undoubtedly overburden any horse.
They journeyed through the daylight hours, and as dusk fell, You’er would scout for an appropriate spot to rest. After kindling a bonfire and retrieving their wooden swords, You’er tossed one to Timobi, a smile gracing their lips. “Here,” they said, “take this. Go practice your swings first.”
“Alright, Big Sister You’er, I’ll start right away.”
Timobi dutifully accepted the wooden sword, then moved to stand beside the flickering bonfire, adopting a ready stance.
“Hands up, feet apart!” You’er called out, guiding him.
Timobi, utterly focused and earnest, followed You’er’s every instruction. He spread his feet, hoisted the wooden sword aloft, and began to practice his swings.
“Steady your base, put strength into your waist! Who are you showing that feeble swing to?!”
“Yes!”
“Project your voice!”
“Yes!”
“Haa! Haa! Haa!…”
Timobi roared, swinging his wooden sword with all his might, again and again, his voice echoing into the night.
A faint smile finally softened You’er’s previously stern expression as they watched Timobi settle into a rhythm.
Timobi was beginning from absolute zero, and establishing a robust foundation was the utmost priority. If he couldn’t even hold a sword with stability, wielding it was out of the question, let alone attempting to master complex sword techniques.
You’er planned to have Timobi practice basic sword swings for at least a month before delving into more intricate lessons.
Fifty swings, and Timobi was already panting. A hundred, and sweat beaded on his brow. Two hundred, and his body began to tremble, a clear sign of his lack of physical conditioning.
Yet, Timobi’s tenacity proved remarkable. Though fatigue began to creep in after two hundred swings, he stubbornly pushed through, enduring You’er’s demands until he had completed a full five hundred.
“Alright, that’s enough for today,” You’er called. “Come over and eat.”
You’er, knowing that undue haste would only hinder progress, recognized that pushing Timobi further would only exhaust his young body. Thus, they decisively called a stop, waving him towards the fire.
With several hundred gold coins in their pouch, their resources were quite ample. Knowing Timobi was at a crucial age for growth, You’er had made sure to prepare an abundance of high-calorie, nutritious provisions.
“Your hands are too tired, aren’t they?” You’er said softly. “Come here, let Big Sister feed you.”
Noticing Timobi’s arms trembling slightly, You’er offered a gentle smile. They held out a bowl of meat broth, scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and then brought it to his lips.
“Big Sister You’er…”
As if a memory had resurfaced, Timobi’s eyes grew moist, and tears threatened to spill, though he valiantly held them back.
“Little Ti is such a good boy,” You’er murmured.
Witnessing his resilience, You’er’s eyes curved with admiration. They gently stroked Timobi’s hair, a soft laugh accompanying their words.
Perhaps the arduous five hundred swings had utterly depleted his stamina, for Timobi drifted off to sleep quite early. You’er, seizing the quiet hours, set about their own pressing affairs.
First, having achieved the rank of Sword Master, You’er had been granted two new sword techniques by the Spirit Soul Tree.
One of these, more a complete swordsmanship style than a mere technique, was named [Extreme Swordsmanship – Twin Heavenly Blade Flow]. The name itself might not immediately reveal its nature, but adopting alternative terms like [Two-Sword Style] or [Dual Blade Style] would certainly clarify its meaning.
This [Twin Heavenly Blade Flow] was, in essence, a dual-wielding sword style, requiring two blades for its execution.
However, You’er was currently at a loss as to its specific cultivation and application. The sword techniques bestowed by the Spirit Soul Tree were invariably profound, demanding considerable time for thorough understanding.
The second technique, [Draw Sword – Skyward Ascent], was a derivative of the Draw Sword style. Unlike the typical horizontal slashes of ordinary Draw Sword techniques and Draw Sword Slashes, [Draw Sword – Skyward Ascent] was a powerful downward strike.
Strangely, You’er’s interpretation of [Draw Sword – Skyward Ascent] suggested it was more a blunt impact than a true slash. An overhead draw, after all, would inherently lack the speed and sharpness of a horizontal one.
Puzzled by this discrepancy, You’er couldn’t begin to practice the technique.
With no other recourse, You’er reluctantly set these aside for the moment and turned their attention to the special skill acquired upon their advancement to Sword Master: Sword Aegis.
True to its name, Sword Aegis functioned as a protective outer layer. However, its unique nature lay in its raw material: the elemental energy residing within a Sword Wielder’s body, making it a veritable ‘garment of elemental energy’.
Undoubtedly, Sword Aegis boasted immense defensive power, but a simple explanation wouldn’t do it justice. An illustrative example might prove more effective.
When a Sword Wielder donned Sword Aegis in battle, their capacity for self-preservation amplified significantly. Imagine two Sword Masters in a duel: if one possessed Sword Aegis and the other did not, the former’s ability to withstand blows would be vastly superior, granting them a decisive advantage in the exchange of blades.
Consider striking an opponent for full, unmitigated damage, only for their return blow to inflict merely half its potential harm upon you. Such an imbalance would be insurmountable.
Moreover, Sword Aegis truly shone on the battlefield. Certain Great Swordsmen, those who favored broad, sweeping combat styles, relished donning Sword Aegis. They would disregard incoming attacks, charging directly into enemy formations, often appearing savagely invincible.
Naturally, all of this represented You’er’s conceptual grasp of Sword Aegis. They did not yet possess one; it wasn’t an inherent acquisition upon reaching Sword Master rank, but rather something one had to weave personally. Much like knitting a sweater, it required ‘needles and thread’ to stitch it together, stitch by careful stitch—though in this magical context, the ‘needles and thread’ were, of course, elemental energy itself.
Thankfully, the weaving of Sword Aegis wasn’t overly intricate. Upon attaining the Sword Master rank, Sword Wielders simply needed to channel their elemental energy, twist it into coherent strands, and then guide these strands along a predetermined trajectory.
This precise trajectory had been seared into You’er’s mind the very instant they ascended to Sword Master.
The aesthetic of a Sword Aegis was unique to each individual. During its creation, one could mentally envision its form, and the nascent Sword Aegis would then manifest according to that desired shape.
You’er now adopted this very method, guiding the countless strands of twisted ice elemental energy within their body to interlace into intricate lines, urging them to circulate with increasing speed.
Several hours later, the rudimentary form of the Sword Aegis gradually began to take shape. You’er, at this moment, was like a fashion designer, meticulously modifying it according to the garment model in their mind.
Another hour passed, and the Sword Aegis within You’er’s body finally coalesced into its complete form. You’er exhaled a turbid breath, a smile of relief gracing their lips. Then, they rose to their feet, spread their five fingers, and uttered a low command, “Sword Aegis! Condense!”
As You’er’s final word faded, a powerful magical light suddenly burst forth from their body. When the light dispersed, they were ‘wearing’ a strikingly heroic, modern-style long trench coat. This was You’er’s Sword Aegis, designed purely according to their personal preference.
In the evening breeze, the long trench coat, emanating a faint cerulean magical glow, fluttered, adding an extra touch of heroism to You’er’s demeanor.
‘What formidable defense! Truly worthy of a Sword Master’s Sword Aegis!’
What pleased You’er most wasn’t its appearance, but its defensive capabilities. You’er condensed an ice sword and thrust it against the Aegis; the Sword Aegis merely rippled like water, completely unharmed! It wasn’t until You’er drew ‘Hidden Edge’ and infused it with elemental energy that they managed to tear a small opening in the Sword Aegis. However, within seconds, elemental energy surged from their body, automatically clinging to the damaged area, quickly repairing the hole.
As long as elemental energy remained within the body, limitless self-repair was possible—this was the most impressive aspect of Sword Aegis, its ability to mend itself.
‘Hmm?’
At this point, You’er suddenly noticed a reduction in the ice elemental energy within their body. A closer look revealed that it had all been absorbed by the Sword Aegis they were wearing. In just a few minutes, the Aegis had consumed nearly a tenth of their total elemental energy!
‘It seems this Sword Aegis can’t be used indefinitely,’ You’er mused, retracting the Aegis. Overall, they were quite satisfied, as it provided an excellent defensive capability.
Looking down at Timobi, who was sound asleep beside them, You’er pondered when they should awaken his elemental energy.