The last ti Ery had received formal sword training was fifteen years ago, under the tutelage of the very woman now standing before him. Since then, he had been honing his skills alone, making this opportunity to spar with his old master a welco one.
"Co with ," Master Atika commanded. She led him to a spacious training room on the ship, where a dozen magus, including a grand magus figure, were in training. With a simple request from Master Atika, the room was promptly vacated, and the other magus showed no hesitation in leaving. This act alone was a testant to the high regard and respect she commanded within the Ouroboros Faction.
Ery felt a surge of anticipation as the room cleared. The two faced each other, the atmosphere charged with unspoken understanding and mutual respect. Master Atika drew her sword with a fluid, practiced motion, the blade gleaming in the ambient light.
"Now show " she instructed.
Ery gave the female sword master a respectful nod before drawing his savage sword. He began to demonstrate his 6 stages of the [Dao Sword] techniques, seamlessly integrating his [Dao Steps] and [Dao Heart]. These techniques, although non-magus level, possessed a unique quality as they relied on the delicate balance of opposing forces: slow and fast, light and heavy, soft and hard, darkness and light, and even ice and fire.
Each movent was a dance of precision, his steps and strikes flowing with an almost ethereal grace. Ery had already mastered the 7th stage of [Dao Sword], but due to his current imbalance between light and darkness, he couldn't fully unleash the technique's true potency. Master Atika watched intently, her eyes tracking every movent with the scrutiny of an expert. Despite his impressive display, she parried and blocked all his strikes with ease, her blade a blur of effortless defense. When she finally stopped him, Ery couldn't help to hope for a tiny bit of praise. Instead, she gives him a confused expression.
"You really teach this in the academy?" "...."
"I thought the three great sword sects had a Hall in there. Have you seen them? You really should check them out."
"...."
Ery felt his confidence waver as if it had been struck by lightning. Hence, when Master Atika instructed him to unleash his sword skills, he didn't hesitate. He began with his [Oga Strike], next, he transitioned to his [Dao Edge] and then showcased his [Void Blade].
To further display his depth of skill, Ery drew his second sword, demonstrating his proficiency in dual-wielding. He spun and slashed, the two blades moving in harmony, creating a dance of steel that was both beautiful and deadly.
Master Atika watched silently, absorbing every detail of his techniques. Occasionally, she offered casual remarks, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each move. Her insights were sharp and concise, highlighting areas where Ery excelled and where he needed improvent.
After an hour of relentless practice, Master Atika suddenly shifted her approach. She moved from being a passive observer to an active participant, launching into a series of offensive maneuvers. Ery found himself on the defensive, pressured multiple tis by her relentless attacks. It was then that he realized she had successfully copied his sword techniques.
For the next few hours, Ery witnessed a complete rework of his [Dao Sword] techniques. Master Atika demonstrated subtle adjustnts—putting more strength into his hips on one move, bending his body slightly on another—all to enhance the potency of his strikes. Her mastery was evident as she dissected and refined his techniques, each adjustnt making a significant difference.
The two continued their intricate dance of swordsmanship, their movents fluid and precise. As the training session progressed, Ery began to enter a trance-like state. His body moved with a natural rhythm, guided by newfound insights and deeper understanding. Each swing of his sword felt more intuitive, each step more assured.
In this heightened state, Ery's mind started to piece together the structure for the eighth stage of the [Dao Sword], a level that should be comparable to tier 7 skills. He could feel the balance of opposites—the yin and yang—rging more harmoniously within his movents. His strikes grew sharper, his defenses more resilient.
SPLATT!
Finally, Ery managed to land a cut on Master Atika's arm, a clear sign that he had reached a new level in his swordsmanship. The cut was small, but it was significant—a testant to his progress. At the sa mont, a notification echoed in his mind.
[You have successfully comprehended the law of the sword by 1%]
[Law of Sword: 4 (5)%]
The ssage was a validation of his hard work and dedication. Ery, breathing heavily but filled with a sense of accomplishnt, bowed deeply to Master Atika. "Thank you, Master," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
Master Atika smiled, a look of satisfaction in her eyes. "You have done well, Ery," she acknowledged. Then, she placed her finger on her forehead, and a tiny light began to form. Monts later, the light flew from her forehead to Ery's, entering his mind.
Ery's mind was flooded with vivid images of an imnsely powerful sword technique. He saw a swing that seed to carry the weight of a mountain, a slash that could cleave through hills, and a strike that moved with the unstoppable force of an avalanche.
It was clear that Master Atika had imparted her [3 Axis Mountain Sword Techniques] to him. This tier 7 offensive sword technique could replace his [Oga Strike], and with enough practice, its nature-based principles could be seamlessly integrated into his [Dao Sword], which was currently dominated by his darkness-based skills.
The technique also ca with a unique Sword Qi ditation thod. Master Atika had expressed her belief that Ery's [Dao Heart] was not a suitable ditation practice for a true sword path. To develop a proper sword aura and further improve his comprehension of the way of the sword, he needed to master this Sword Qi ditation.
"That's it, there's nothing more I can teach you," said the sword master. "From now on, we are no longer master and disciple."
These words struck Ery deeply, and he imdiately dropped to his knees, bowing low. "Once a master, always a master. Thank you for your guidance."
Master Atika sighed before leaving the room without another word. Her words and silent departure hinted at the possibility that she was preparing herself for the possibility that they might et on opposite sides of the battlefield again.
After the profound session with Master Atika, Ery returned to his quarters. He dedicated the next few days to intense training, refining both his swordsmanship and the partial soul enslavent technique until they finally reached their destination.
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