Chapter 778 - Sword Master
Grand Magus Atika, or as Ery now called her, Master Atika, was a grandmaster level sword specialist. A title and prowess many dreams to achieve, but never accomplish in their entire life.
Throughout the universe, there was an actual category and titles for those who mastered the discipline. Such titles were: sword expert, sword master and sword grandmaster.
Unlike its impressive-sounding title, sword expert was a self-proclaid title that was used mostly by those who were able to defeat high-rank combat puppets in swordsmanship. However, they couldn't be compared to the other two titles.
The other two, sword master and sword grandmaster, were titles given to those who achieved an actual stage in sword mastery. One needed to attain sothing known as sword aura to be recognized as a sword master, while for a grand master was to comprehend the highest stage of understanding - the sword intent.
There actually existed one more title that people didn't often talk about, the Sword God.
This was because the number of people worthy of this title in the whole universe was so few it could be counted by hand. Of course, these people were an object of reverence to sword practitioners in general.
Those were the things Ery learnt during the Magus Academy's classes. Now that he was unexpectedly accepted as a disciple of the Oroboros Clan's Dojo, he might finally have a chance to learn firsthand about the two enigmatic and extraordinary attainnts every sword practitioner dreamt to achieve - sword aura and sword intent.
However, three days had passed since he was accepted as Grand Magus Atika's disciple, and Ery was only told to do three different moves and nothing else.
Slash, thrust and strike without worrying about defense. Furthermore, instead of fighting against a combat puppet that could react and retaliate, Ery was told to constantly hit only a particular wooden pole with a wooden practice sword.
If Ery didn't know any better, he would have thought he was being humiliated by being asked to do this kind of training.
Tak! Tak! Tak!
Rhythmic sound resounded in the air as Ery relentlessly struck the targets on the wooden pole. There were a total of 12 different targets on the massive pole and each target had their own specific way to be hit - whether strike, thrust or slash.
Tak! Tak! Tak!
Even though it was a tireso and repetitive task to do, Ery still did the job beautifully. Being capable of delivering one hit per second, he managed to score about approximately one hundred thousand hits a day.
Ery only stopped his continuous actions of hitting the targets about twice throughout the day, when Silva ca to visit and bring him food to eat during the morning and noon. Those were also the only breaks Ery took during his so-called training.
When the third day passed and the fourth day of training began, soone suddenly visited Ery in the morning when he was in the early hours of today's training.
"Yo! My bro, Ery!" The figure arrived with a grin on his face. "I've heard of your unfortunate fate. The instant I heard the news, my heart imdiately decided I definitely had to co and see it for myself."
The figure who spat out infuriating words upon arrival was none other than Silva's brother, Vizla. Unfortunately for the man, the only response he managed to receive from Ery was a brief glance, before the latter proceeded to ignore and continue his training diligently.
Vizla was about to speak more when Grand Magus Atika suddenly entered the courtyard provided for Ery. He shut his mouth and only watched as the other party checked her disciple's progress. She turned around and left the place after only observing Ery for a few seconds and saying two simple words: "Do More."
When the grand magus left, Vizla once again threw so 'motivational' words laced with mocking tone in an attempt to tempt Ery to take so hot water break.
The man still continued his antics so persistently that Ery was about to lose his temper and explode, if it wasn't for Silva who luckily ca. Understanding what the situation was, she imdiately made a rescue and kicked her brother out of the courtyard.
During Ery's rare occasion of break, Silva told him about how eccentric Grand Magus Atika was. Talking about the latter, she also told Ery how his master was the Oroboros Clan's best sword practitioner, even stronger than her teacher Master Hirasi.
Ery actually didn't mind his master treatnt at all. He was sharp enough to roughly guess the intentions of Grand Magus Atika giving this set of routines.
If he wasn't wrong, his master was trying to refine and perfect the basics of his swordsmanship. And the truth was, after doing 300.000 hits, Ery could now tell there was a difference in how he swung the sword.
At a mont of silence, Ery actually had sothing in his mind that he wanted to ask Silva. It was about her clan.
"If you don't mind, can I ask sothing about your clan?"
Silva seed to be startled by his words. Still, she nodded her head. "Sure, go and ask anything!" Actually, the white-haired girl was inwardly a little anxious. She was caught off guard by Ery's interest that seemingly ca out of the blue.
"You know I am from a lower realm, right?" Ery asked, to which Silva nodded back. "I don't have people who can teach ; not even a magus, let alone a grand magus. But I saw that your family has several of such figures. So, I can't help but wonder why your clan still sends their descendants to the Magus Academy."
Ery was curious about how clans like Silva's worked and the grand sche of things revolving around them. He wondered about her interest to study at the Magus Academy, despite all the facilities and resources she already had.
For example, fighting and competing to be enrolled in the privileged class would grant an acolyte a grand magus teacher. anwhile, in Silva's case, she actually has several of such figures to choose from in her clan.
Hearing such a question, Silva was silent for a while before giving Ery the answer.
She told him it was all about getting more resources and earning better recognition and prestige through the younger generation. All of this would, in the end, leverage her entire family higher among the other clans of Snake Bloodline and simultaneously among the entire body of Magus Alliance.
The white-haired girl also explained how her Oroboros Clan, like almost all bloodline families, was considered a family faction. Apparently, it took them two thousand years to finally beco a grade 2 faction, with the patriarch of the family at that ti being the sole supre magus of the faction.
"...When my mother finally has her breakthrough to the supre magus realm, we will reach grade three and subsequently things will be easier for us."
Ery's horizon was once again broadened, as he continued to listen to Silva speak. He could imagine a clan like White Fang, if they had an opportunity and fortune could one day beco a faction themself.
Unfortunately, Patriarch Lucius had gone missing and with the tragedy that happened to Chief Beowulf and the others, it would be hard for the remaining mbers of White Fang to hold on and continue existing, let alone reach this sky-high goal.
Ery also couldn't help thinking about his own. Other than his four close friends, Ery also had his small fey sister's pack. Hearing the achievent of Silva's ancestors, he wondered if there would be a ti when Earth or the Fey could ever build and have their own faction.
After she finished with his explanation, Silva suddenly seed to turn a little nervous.
"With the war and conflicts that are happening right now, it's always a good idea to join a family or faction." Silva said nervously. "For example... You see… the White Fang..:
Ery turned to Silva at the ntion of White Fang, but she swallowed her nervousness and continued on. "They... could join us... The Oroboros... Also you… it would be great if… you can join us.."
He recalled how Silva had once asked this question in the past. Ery smiled at the girl and said, "I am honored with the offer, Silva. Truly…"
Hearing Ery's words, a smile quickly blood on the white-haired girl's face. However, Ery still had not finished his words.
"Unfortunately, I can't accept it. After all, I have my planet that I need to take care of." Seeing the confused expression on her face, Ery proceeded to explain to her briefly about the Earth's situation with the Nephilim. After hearing it Silva seed to turn really emotional.
"What!?" Silva exclaid, standing up. "They don't have the right to do that! Those damn Nephilims!!"
Ery was surprised by Silva's sudden burst. Still, he quickly woke up from his stupor and cald her down. After she cald down, Silva looked him in the eye and said, "You know, Ery..."
"…joining the family ans that your planet's problem will beco ours too. That way, we can help you fight the Nephilims." Ery was silent when he heard this. As if she had expected such a reaction, Silva didn't press on with her offer and only said, "Just promise that you'll think about this."
Ery was still silent. It was only a few seconds later did he respond.
"Alright, I promise."
…
After finishing the al Silva had brought for him, Ery imdiately returned to his training.. anwhile, a certain white-haired girl left the courtyard with a feeling of joy she had never felt before.
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