Chapter – 36
✠
It had been four days since I started training while taking one pack of Shinsam Extract per day.
Thanks to the intense sessions, I gained in four days what would normally take four weeks, and my Strength had already reached level 17.
The change in my body was remarkable. I could easily imagine myself competing in national athletics and winning medals.
<Excellent, Cadet Ailet. It seems your basic physical training is complete. I expected it would take at least a month, but this is truly surprising.>
“Hehe. It’s thanks to your encouragement, Instructor.”
<I’m glad my support helped. You can start handling weapons now.>
On the fifth day of training, before starting weapon practice, Agnes began a theoretical lesson.
<Cadet Ailet, do you know another term for Aura users?>
“Yes! Sword Master!”
<Correct. That’s the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Now, do you know why only after reaching the final step of swordsmanship can one take the first step as an Aura user?>
“Umm… I’m not sure…”
Agnes didn’t linger, as if it were natural that I didn’t know.
<I’ll show you.>
Before my eyes, a visualization of Agnes began to demonstrate. A branch appeared in her hand.
<Aura is the source of life. To put it simply, it’s like flowing water—formless. Controlling the flow of Aura with your will alone is no easy task. Even after mastering swordsmanship and being able to handle a personal weapon as part of your body, at first, you can only barely imbue Aura into a weapon. That’s why an Aura user starts with the basic title of Sword Master.>
Swish.
As Agnes struck the branch downward like brushing it off, a white Aura formed on it.
This was Sword Aura, or Aura Blade. Of course, it wasn’t real—probably just an illusion.
<The stages of an Aura user’s mastery are roughly divided into three. Can you guess them?>
“Beginner, Expert, Master!”
<Correct. At the Beginner level, you can become somewhat accustomed to Aura and imbue it into any object—like this branch.>
“Wow, so every object around us could become a weapon?”
<Exactly. But this level isn’t considered particularly advanced. You’re only able to imbue Aura into a pre-existing form. Now, let me explain the Expert stage.>
The white glow on the branch gradually extended in length.
“Whoa… the Sword Aura is taller than me!”
<No, at this point it can no longer simply be called a Sword Aura.>
Thunk.
Even when Agnes dropped the branch, the white glow remained in her hand.
That’s when I realized the name of the weapon made of light.
“Ken-gang… so, an Aura Blade?”
I instinctively used a martial arts term, then corrected myself.
<Exactly. You can think of it as turning flowing water into solid ice. As mastery increases, the strength of an Aura Blade grows until it far surpasses Adamantium, Mithril, or Orichalcum.>
“Whoa…”
Agnes let go of the Aura Blade, but it didn’t fall.
<You don’t necessarily have to hold it in your hand. You just need to control the flow with your will.>
“Huh?!”
The blade floated in the air, revolving around me and Agnes. Then, at a certain moment, it stopped and split into seven swords, spreading out.
“Whoa…”
It was a seven-sword technique!
<This is the ultimate stage: Aura Mastery. Seven blades are my personal limit.>
“Wow! Instructor, you’re amazing.”
Part of me wanted to switch my main power from Holy Power to Aura entirely.
<This isn’t the end.>
“Really? There’s something after Aura Master?”
<Shinken (Heart Sword).>
“Ah.”
<You’ve probably heard of it. It’s the transcendental level where you can move Aura with pure will to instantly kill your opponent. In terms of Holy Power, it’s comparable to using Divine Decrees.>
“Wow…”
<Although I haven’t reached it myself.>
The regret in her voice was evident as the seven swords disappeared, ending the theoretical lesson.
<First, we need to select the type of weapon to witness the ultimate technique. Finding the right weapon for a cadet will take time. Let’s try them one by one.>
“Yes, Instructor!”
I pulled out the Training Weapon Package I had bought from the cash shop for today’s lesson.
It contained a variety of weapons: sword, spear, bow, whip, and more.
Agnes praised my preparedness.
<Cadet Ailet, there’s good news and bad news. Which do you want first?>
“The bad news?”
<I’ve been too gentle until now. From here on, you’ll experience the true terror of this instructor. I’ll show you why I’m called the Hell Instructor!>
“Ugh… and the good news?”
<You’re lucky to have me as your instructor.>
“…….”
<I’m not teasing. I’m capable of handling all weapons myself, so I can teach you any weapon you choose.>
“Oh, I see.”
I nodded, mentally thinking:
‘Actually, you’re lucky too, Instructor. Because…’
I checked the buff in the system window with a satisfied expression.
[<Status> ‘Blessing of Rapid Growth’ – Accelerates all skill progress by 5×, a divine favor from the Spirit Management Bureau.]
Time to show my real worth!
<Good. Let’s start with the sword. Watch carefully and follow my movements. Like this, like this!>
“Yes! Yap Yap!”
[<System> Congratulations! Basic Wooden Swordsmanship Lv.2 achieved.]
[<System> Congratulations! Basic Wooden Swordsmanship Lv.3 achieved.]
Within twenty minutes, messages popped up continuously.
<Ho? You’re better than expected. Next, the spear… …See? Now you try. If you fail, try until you succeed!>
“Yes! Hiyahap!”
[<System> Congratulations! Spear Mastery Lv.2 achieved.]
[<System> Congratulations! Spear Mastery Lv.3 achieved.]
Another rapid level-up.
<…Cough, swords and spears are basic weapon forms. You seem strong in fundamentals. But now! This will really test you. Take up the bow! Experience the frustration of missing your target!>
“Yes! Ginchaa!”
[<System> Congratulations! Archery Lv.2 achieved.]
[<System> Congratulations! Archery Lv.3 achieved.]
I couldn’t even imagine what “frustration” tasted like.
<…This time will truly be hard! The whip requires delicate control over string tension. It’s a high-difficulty weapon. I’ll give you a harsh lesson to humble your arrogance!>
“Yes!”
[<System> Congratulations! Whip Mastery Lv.2 achieved.]
[<System> Congratulations! Whip Mastery Lv.3 achieved.]
“Hehe?”
<…>
“Instructor?”
<What a monster… legends are like this, huh?>
It was the highest praise I had ever received. I felt proud.
Agnes sighed and evaluated me.
<Just choose whatever you want to use. Pick your main and sub-weapon.>
“Ah, then I…”
I had already decided on my weapons.
Without hesitation, I chose a sword as my main weapon and a whip as my sub-weapon.
Agnes was silent for a moment, and I waited for her reaction.
<Cadet.>
“Yes.”
<Did you choose that on purpose?>
“Somewhat, yes.”
I smiled.
<…You’re a cunning cadet.>
Agnes noticed and slightly smiled herself before quickly returning to a serious expression.
<Cadet Ailet, let me ask seriously. You wish to learn the Snake Sword?>
I met her gaze earnestly.
“Yes.”
I had come to understand Agnes Azlit a little.
She was a Paladin who wielded the Snake Sword, a weapon that changes its length and path freely according to the flow of Aura.
She had been at the forefront of stopping the Ice Palace Dungeon Burst decades ago and was celebrated as a hero and saint of the church.
Even before that, she had been an extraordinary Aura user. She had mastered all weapons as a teenager, earning the title Weapon Master, and in her twenties, she sought a new field and learned the Snake Sword, developing her own unique swordsmanship.
If she had survived to the present, she might have even defeated King Hispenril, and her name was revered across nations.
Perhaps she even reached the Heart Sword level.
She was a role model for everyone, and her swordsmanship was something I had to learn.
<I see the spark in your eyes. You really want it, don’t you?>
“Yes. Please teach me.”
<The Snake Sword is different from ordinary weapons. Only those who have reached the pinnacle of sword and whip mastery and can handle Aura at the Expert level or higher can learn it, because the sword itself is sustained by Aura.>
“I understand.”
<Hoho, you’re choosing a sword whose starting line is far behind everyone else. Very well. If your determination doesn’t waver until you’re qualified, we’ll see about it then.>
“Really? You promise?”
<Yes.>
A chance had arisen. I made a deep bow of gratitude immediately.
“Thank you, Instructor!”
✠
Life as a possessed cadet continued to be fulfilling.
I finished the early morning prayer, ran lightly around the obstacle track, trained in swordsmanship in the morning, measured herbs at the dungeon farm in the late morning, helped in my father’s lab making potions in the afternoon, and spent the remaining time in further training.
My position as the Countess’ playmate had diminished. Bianca was also busy with heir training.
Now, I barely saw her in the evenings.
“Finally, tomorrow Rodeline and my potions will be on store shelves.”
Even then, it was still work.
“The contract documents. Read through them.”
I took the papers from Bianca and skimmed them, stifling a yawn. The content was dull, and after training even without the Shinsam Extract boost, I was exhausted…
“…Hah!”
I suddenly snapped awake. When I looked across at Bianca, she had the same expression.
“Ah!”
“…….”
“…….”
We checked each other’s state and laughed.
“You look really tired lately, Ai.”
“You too, Via. Is heir training hard?”
“A little. There’s lots of homework, and we have tests every day.”
“Tests every day?!”
“That’s fine. But I miss seeing Ai’s face a lot.”
Via’s words didn’t stop there.
“Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?”
