The North God Style stood out for its adaptability and versatility in combat.
Unlike the more rigid styles, the North God Style incorporates techniques beyond the conventional use of the sword, including first aid, tracking, and the ability to fight even under unfavorable physical conditions.
There were many techniques by which they were known among average adventurers: Sword Throwing Techniques, Four-Legged Form, Double Grip Technique, among others.
But the Peacock Sword, Auber Corvette, elevated this to a new level.
His fighting style was erratic. Rygar had learned the basics of the North God Style from Garu, in the Great Forest, and had learned so new techniques from the North Emperor Ornthorn, in the Kingdom of the Dragon King.
Rygar's preference in this style was quite straightforward, relying on his strength and versatility to fight with various weapons, daggers, and to move in a way that confused the opponent. But against Auber, that did not work.
Using only the North God Style, he had never beaten Auber in the early stages of his training; the man always had new tricks hidden up his sleeve.
He was an excellent swordsman, but what made him strong were his tactics.
He used everything he could to defeat his opponent: distractions, magical items, oils, spices, tal claws, hidden daggers, poisons, concealnt techniques, movent techniques, multiple weapons... all of which, added to his skill in wielding a blade, allowed him to be extrely lethal in combat.
He reminded one very much of a ninja when he fought. Rygar thought about suggesting the creation of shurikens, since he already used sothing similar to kunai.
Basically, with his skills, Auber Corvette, the North Emperor, could kill anyone below God level under the right circumstances. And he was a master at 'creating' those circumstances.
If the situation was good enough, he could even kill a warrior of superior caliber.
While Rygar trained with him, he learned how to really handle almost every kind of situation. He learned Auber's techniques and even improved so of them, especially those related to magic.
It had been a few months since Auber could no longer best him in combat, even with him using only techniques exclusive to the North God Style.
This was due both to Rygar learning and quickly absorbing his techniques and to Rygar's naturally increasing physical strength.
Regarding magic, currently, his speed of silent casting was very fast, but his spells simply could not fully keep up with the pace of combat between high-level swordsn and warriors.
He could use many spells that would help him, of course, such as swamp, howling magic, a smaller-scale lightning bolt, igniting his sword, or manipulating the terrain to gain greater mobility.
And if his opponent gave him enough ti in combat, he could attempt so more powerful spells, but that hardly ever happened with warriors at that level.
Basically, if he were fighting a monster or could keep the distance in combat, his spells would be very well utilized.
But against warriors, fencing would always co out on top in terms of utility.
Perhaps one day he would manage to balance that, raising his casting speed to absurd levels or obtaining the aid of magical items like Auber's fire-spewing sword, or perhaps the Dragon King's Sword Kajakut, which was in the possession of the North God.
Anyway, recently, Auber told him that he had already taught him everything he needed to know about his faction's techniques in the North God Style.
Other factions taught other things, perhaps more sophisticated fencing techniques, but for him, these techniques were the North God Style in its essence.
And today was their last training session.
Gall Farion and Reida Reia were watching from the side.
The snow fell gently as Rygar and Auber exchanged high-speed blows.
Hidden weapons suddenly appeared, needles were spit with deadly precision, and both wielded two blades at the sa ti, as if they were dancing a lethal choreography.
Rygar began to gain the upper hand in the confrontation.
At the mont when their swords blocked each other, he leaped into a position that seed anatomically impossible and landed a kick on the North Emperor's shoulder.
Auber was thrown several ters due to Rygar's force, but he landed skillfully.
However, before he could react, Rygar appeared behind him, using the most lethal technique Auber had taught him:
North God Style... Nebula Cross!
Rygar's two swords, Tsukikage and Nighthunter, crossed in a violent arc, slashing toward the enemy. Even in an unfavorable position, Auber blocked both blades.
A tallic ring echoed across the snowy field.
Rygar was stronger, so the block required much more effort than usual. In the next mont, Rygar had already released the swords into the air, drawing a black dagger hidden in his sleeve and thrusting it toward Auber's throat.
Auber already knew this move.
He had used it countless tis against Rygar during training. Even so, even knowing what was going to happen, he could not avoid it. Rygar was faster.
Auber tried to dodge to the side, but the dagger hit him with a sharp impact. The North Emperor fell, being dragged to the ground by the blow.
The place fell silent.
The dagger had hit his throat — but only grazed it by a few milliters. Then, Auber began to laugh strangely and said:
"Splendid!"
Rygar smiled and extended his hand, helping Auber to rise. Gall Farion approached and said:
"I thank you for honoring my request to co and teach him, Auber."
The swordsman brushed the dust off his clothes and replied:
"It was nothing. Teaching a swordsman of such caliber might end up becoming my greatest achievent in life... hehehe."
Rygar sheathed his swords and said, smiling:
"Be a little more proud of your strength. I only know three others capable of defeating you in one-on-one combat with confidence — and two of them are right in front of you. The other is the Dragon God!"
Auber laughed:
"Hehehe... it's not that much."
He also put away his weapons, then made an exaggerated bow.
"I'm not much for formalities, but officially, you can consider yourself a North Emperor, Rygar."
He paused and spoke in a more serious voice. "Moreover... it's a bit early, but I recognize the creation of your Beast God Style, in the na of the Peacock Sword — Auber Corvette, the North Emperor."
Then, he looked at the Sword God and the Water God while grabbing his travel packs.
"That was my turn! But he will soon surpass you too!" he said with a mischievous smile.
Gall Farion smiled fiercely:
"I'm looking forward to it..."
Reida Reia cast a judging glance at Rygar:
"Hmph... If he focused on sothing and didn't try to learn everything at once, he might even manage to surpass us..."
Rygar felt sowhat embarrassed. Auber then turned and began to walk away, saying:
"I'll be looking forward to hearing about your future conquests, Rygar. Make sure you say that I was one of your teachers!"
Rygar smiled:
"I appreciate all your teachings. As I said, if you ever want to stop being a rcenary, the Iron Legion will have its doors open..."
Auber replied, laughing:
"Hehehe, of course, of course."
And so, the figure of the man beca increasingly distant on the horizon, marking the end of Rygar's training in the North God Style.
Rygar had invited Auber to the Iron Legion several tis, without success; it seed he still had unfinished business in the Asura Kingdom.
At first, Rygar was suspicious of the man, for he gave him a feeling similar to that he felt with Hitogami, the aura of a trickster... but over ti, the two grew closer, Auber even admitting that he was sowhat afraid of Rygar during a certain point in his training.
The North Emperor was a rcenary without scruples, but if he was your friend or ally, he could be considered excellent company.
His combat philosophy was also sothing to admire; he was truly an excellent fighter. Overall, Rygar enjoyed having him as a teacher and hoped to eventually recruit him.
Rygar, Reida, and Gall watched as Auber distanced himself more and more. For a mont, none of the three said anything. Then, Gall broke the silence:
"Are you leaving on your expedition tomorrow? Have you decided who will go?"
Rygar nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the trail left by Auber.
"Yes... I think I'll leave tomorrow. There's no reason to delay now that Jino has also beco a Sword Saint..."
That's right. A month ago, Jino Britz had broken Eris's record and beco the second youngest Saint in history after Rygar, achieving this feat at 10 years of age.
What was most impressive was that he did not possess any supernatural physical enhancents like Rygar or Ornthorn. Rygar had witnessed it personally: his skill ca purely from his talent with the sword.
"Initially, it will be Eris, Nina, Jino, Aisha, and..."
He looked at Reida, seeking confirmation. The elderly woman sighed deeply.
"Alright... Isolte can go too. She's been bothering for months since I forbade her, but rest assured of her safety when they are in the Red Dragon Range!"
Rygar smiled contentedly.
"Of course. I'll be the only one to go deeper into the range. The others will only fight against the wandering dragons..."
Reida seed satisfied upon hearing that.
"It will also be good for her to have so experience fighting monsters of that size."
Gall Farion smiled bitterly.
"It's strange that none of us are questioning little Aisha going along...?"
The three began to head back to the Epheral Hall. Reida, upon hearing about Aisha, instantly brightened.
"Hey, boy! You heard what she said the other day, right? She wants to focus on the Water God Style. Don't stop her and make her practice her crazy style! She has great talent in the Water God Style."
Gall Farion grumbled, "Tch..."
He seed irritated for having "lost" such talent to the Water God Style.
Rygar just smiled. "Of course. I told her, when she was young, that she would try all the styles, but focus on what she found most suitable for herself at the beginning of her training."
Reida nodded, satisfied.
"The girl is smart. I feel that, even if everything went wrong... Eris or Nina would end up dying before her!"
Gall laughed out loud: "Hahaha! That's true!"
Rygar had so objectives in taking this expedition with this group. One of them was an attempt to pull these geniuses into the Iron Legion.
Another was to ensure that Eris and Aisha gained so battle experience with their new level of strength. Especially Aisha, whose experience was still very limited, and he himself also wanted to test his current strength.
But the main objective was related to Ezkalor and the red dragons... although that was a topic for another ti.
Upon arriving at the Epheral Hall, Gall Farion entered first, followed by Reida and Rygar.
Nina was involved in an intense training session with Eris. The two warriors were training with an intensity rarely seen.
Three months earlier, Nina Farion had reached the rank of Sword Saint at 14 years old. Since then, Eris, Nina, and Isolte had entered into a fierce competition. They still trained with other mbers of the dojo, of course, but the confrontations between the three stood out.
Jino, for his part, was fighting with another Sword Saint. He relaxed for a few monts, but upon looking at Nina, he resud training.
However, Rygar clearly noticed that he was only doing the bare minimum to keep up. There wasn't a burning desire to evolve there.
Ghislaine was in a sparring session with Timothy Britz. As soon as the Sword God entered the hall, everyone turned to greet him, but Gall Farion exclaid:
"Continue your training! Except Nina, Jino, and Eris, co here!"
The Sword Emperors Timothy and Clynt positioned themselves beside the Sword God. Ghislaine also approached upon seeing Rygar.
Gall sat down and observed the three young ones before him. Eris and Nina wore intense and breathless expressions, while Jino showed disinterest.
"You will go with Rygar tomorrow outside the Sword Sanctuary. Jino, Nina, do you know why I agreed to this?"
The two looked thoughtful. Gall looked at his daughter.
"Nina?"
She replied:
"To gain experience in real life-or-death fights?"
Gall Farion nodded.
"That's one of the reasons. And you, Jino?"
The boy thought and spoke hesitantly:
"To learn how to fight monsters...?"
Gall raised an eyebrow and sighed.
"That too... Eris should know the answer I want...?"
And Eris looked at Rygar and Ghislaine. Whenever she was about to say sothing, she first observed their reaction. When Ghislaine nodded, she replied:
"Is it to show them what the outside world is like?"
Gall smiled.
"Exactly! You two have lived in the Sword Sanctuary your whole lives without ever leaving. That isn't necessarily bad, but Rygar reminded that this could hinder your growth and suggested taking you along. So, thank him."
He looked at the two, "Besides the fighting experience, it's important for you to see for yourselves what people are like out there, how the world works, so you don't limit your vision to what you can only see within the limits of the Sword Sanctuary."
Nina looked determined. Jino, on the other hand, showed apprehension.
anwhile, Rygar was talking with Timothy and Ghislaine. The Sword Emperor comnted:
"It's good that Jino is going out. Maybe that will take away that dead fish look he always carries on his face..."
Rygar laughed and looked at Ghislaine.
"Are you sure you don't want to co?"
Ghislaine shook her head.
"Those monsters they will face, I have already fought them all. I've even fought a wandering dragon before. And if it were for to help on your other mission, with the dragons... I would only be a burden. Instead, I'll stay and train as much as possible while I'm here."
Rygar nodded.
"Alright. Skoll will also stay. He'll keep you company."
After that, everyone continued their training.
The journey would probably last only about two months, since they were relatively close to the Upper Jaw of the Red Dragon. And the mbers of the Iron Legion in the Sword Sanctuary had already located targets.
Tomorrow, they would be departing. Rygar thought he needed to say 'proper' goodbye to Ghislaine tonight.
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