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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“First, let’s assess your current situation.”
“What?”
“No need for words. Draw your sword.”
We found an empty clearing outside.
Seol Ah-yeon tilted her head, then asked,
“Are you sure? This is a real sword…”
“I’ll be using a sword too. I need to gauge your current level, so let’s have a quick spar.”
Swish!
I picked up a wooden sword from the weapons rack near the training grounds.
She hesitated.
“S-So, you’re going all out?”
“Of course. Did you expect me to go easy on you?”
“Hmm…! Alright, let’s do this!”
She drew her sword, with a determined expression.
I waited, then gripped my wooden sword in a reverse grip.
Whoosh!
She moved with surprising speed, leaving a faint afterimage.
‘Her speed isn’t bad…’
Clang!
Compared to our spar during the entrance exam a few months ago, she had improved significantly.
I could feel the power in her strikes, a testament to her rigorous training.
Thwack!
I deflected her attacks with a faint smile.
“Ugh…!”
“I imagine you’re already going all out, but you’ll need to do better than that.”
I said casually.
She bit her lower lip.
She was clearly giving it her all, but the gap between us remained vast.
Realizing this, a hint of desperation crept into her attacks.
‘She should be using more advanced techniques, but they feel… weaker than they should be.’
Something felt off.
Her internal energy reserves should be comparable, if not greater, than mine, considering her access to elixirs and pills from a young age.
But she wasn’t utilizing them effectively.
Whoosh!
I dodged another attack, narrowly avoiding her blade.
‘…I think I know why.’
Suddenly, a powerful force erupted from her sword.
As if trying to create a storm, she swung again, her blade arcing towards my vital points.
Normally, I would have deflected or blocked it, but I’d seen enough.
I caught her blade between my fingers and stopped her attack inches from my throat.
“Let’s stop here.”
“…!”
Thud!
Her eyes widened in surprise.
She hadn’t expected me to catch her attack so easily.
“I think I’ve figured out your problem.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. You’ve probably sensed the wall in front of you, the limit to your current progress.”
When I said that, Seol Ah-yeon’s expression visibly changed.
It was as if she was silently asking me for guidance with her eyes.
But despite that pleading gaze, I stood there deep in thought, unmoved, and continued speaking.
“Honestly, I don’t think I can break through that wall for you. It’s impossible.”
“…What?”
The excitement in her eyes faded.
I could feel her disappointment.
I paused, then said,
“…But I can offer a solution. Although, even this might not work.”
“…!”
“Follow me.”
She nodded resolutely, as if making a decision.
We left the training grounds.
Thud, thud-
Our footsteps echoed softly.
“Where are we going?”
“…”
She seemed puzzled as we headed towards the mountain path.
I didn’t answer.
“You’ll see.”
“…Alright.”
We walked deeper into the forest, our footsteps faded, replaced by the gentle chorus of birds.
She finally spoke, with her eyes still filled with curiosity.
“Are we there yet?”
“Yes.”
Towering trees surrounded us, their trunks so thick it would take several men to encircle them.
The canopy blocked out most of the sunlight.
I spoke quietly.
“Watch closely.”
“What?”
“This is my solution.”
Swish!
I drew my wooden sword.
Focusing my mind, I channeled all my energy into the tip of the blade.
“…!”
She seemed to anticipate my next move and took a few steps back, with a serious expression.
‘I shouldn’t use sword Qi.’
Considering the difference in our levels, using sword Qi would be overkill.
With a focused gaze, I swung horizontally.
Whoosh!
I felt the blade connect with the base of a tree.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
I opened my eyes.
The result was exactly as I’d intended.
“This…?!”
I ignored her whispered exclamation.
‘Good. This thickness is manageable.’
I nodded in satisfaction.
The afterimage of my swing lingered in the air.
Then, the massive tree began to fall.
Crack!
It was a strange sight.
I’d cut through the thick trunk with a simple swing of a wooden sword, without even using sword Qi.
Thump!
The tree crashed to the ground and rolled slightly.
A moment of silence followed.
“…”
Seol Ah-yeon was speechless.
She’d clearly been skeptical.
I looked at the fallen tree, still holding my sword.
“…You can use a real sword at first.”
“…What?”
“It’s alright to start with a sharp blade.”
I continued,
“But as you progress, you should make the training more difficult. For example, after using a real sword, try a dull, unsharpened one…”
“…”
“Then, move on to a wooden sword with an iron core. Gradually decrease the hardness of the sword you use.”
She listened intently and nodded.
I glanced up at the sky.
“Keep switching swords until you can cut down a tree like this with an ordinary wooden sword.”
“Hmm…!”
“If you can achieve this, you might gain an enlightenment beyond words. It should help you break through the wall you’re facing.”
“…Is there a time limit?”
“There’s no point in me setting one.”
Enlightenment was a personal journey.
Forcing it wouldn’t work.
I added, almost as an afterthought,
“If you succeed, I’ll give you a reward.”
“…A reward?”
“Yes, a reward.”
I chuckled.
She looked intrigued.
“…What kind of reward?”
“Telling you would spoil the fun. Let it be a surprise.”
“Hmm… Fine! I understand.”
She nodded slowly.
Satisfied that she understood, I sheathed my sword.
‘This should keep Seol Ah-yeon busy for a while.’
I couldn’t be certain, but it was clear she’d be struggling for quite some time with the task I’d assigned her.
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Lol shes going to complete it in a month and ask for a date probably.