Sunlight streamed softly through the lattice window. Ron, having completed his morning meditation, readied himself for his Corona Swordsmanship practice.
Since his intense battle with Darrend, his mastery of the technique had advanced significantly. That life-or-death duel had deepened his understanding of how swordsmanship and the Breathing Method intertwine.
"Let's begin."
Ron adjusted his breathing and raised his wooden sword. Guided by the Corona Breathing Method, each movement carried a subtle, rhythmic grace.
First Breathing Layer — Inhale for seven counts:
The wooden sword traced a graceful arc from low to high, its tip pointed skyward, as if presenting homage to the sun. This was the "Ring of Morning Light," a maneuver that uses a flowing curve to deflect attacks from any direction.
Second Layer — Hold breath for three counts:
The sword leveled horizontally, held with both hands at chest height in a classic defensive stance. This posture, rooted in ancient tradition, channels an opponent's force outward. The sword's surface gleamed with a faint luminosity—energy from the Corona Breathing Method accumulating along its length.
Third Layer — Exhale for five counts:
The sword's momentum shifted abruptly. From horizontal posture to a swift, direct thrust, the tip shot forward like a striking viper. "Cross of Dawn" is a versatile move—able to both parry and counterattack.
With the completion of this sequence, the wooden sword carved another graceful arc, fluid and natural. Unlike before, Ron's movements were now seamless, the sword and his body working in perfect harmony.[Basic Swordsmanship Experience +3]
Current Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner 29/30)"Just a little more…" Ron murmured, preparing for another set.
This final sequence in Corona Swordsmanship demanded rapid directional shifts in a short span—complex, even for him. Yet today, his body behaved with an almost autonomous awareness. Each turn and transition was instinctive, each stance flowed effortlessly into the next.
The full set—like water cascading—completed flawlessly, and Ron sensed a shift within himself.Basic Swordsmanship Breakthrough!
Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner 30/30) → Basic Swordsmanship (Proficient 1/100)
Acquired Trait: Sharpness (+penetration when using swordsmanship)He raised the wooden sword and whispered a swing. The blade's path seemed to vibrate the very air. If Darrend appeared now, Ron thought, he'd likely win in a single blow.
So this is the difference between "Proficient" and "Beginner," he mused. The labels were determined by the panel—but Ron suspected his swordsmanship stood on par with famed swordsmen across the kingdom.
Sheathing the wooden sword, he began his Breathing Exercises.Breathing Exercises Experience +3
Current Progress: Breathing Exercises (Beginner 55/100)He understood the nature of Breathing Exercises: they required rare essential oils and imposed recovery periods on the body. Patience was key—too much haste bred risk. So he worked deliberately, finishing in a sweat-drenched daze.
Deciding to freshen up, Ron headed to the public bathhouse.
The bathhouse hall shimmered with mist. Ron found a secluded spot and let the warm water stream over him, washing away sweat and oil. His body felt relaxed yet revitalized—his meridians clear, his muscles defined.
Other Apprentice candidates avoided him, choosing distant basins. After the incident with Darrend—and Andre's intervention—they respected him, if warily.
Cleaned and dressed, Ron gathered his toiletries and left. The corridor was dim, lit by a few magic stone lamps glowing faintly.
He neared his room when a figure emerged from around the corner.
"Master Ron."
She wore a luxurious maid's uniform and a gem-encrusted necklace. He recognized her—Dani, one of Marcus's personal servants. Her presence here confirmed Marcus had taken an interest in Ron.
"I'm Dani, Master Marcus's maid." She curtsied gracefully. Her voice was soft and courteous. "I heard you're at Mrs. Ellen's herbal shop?"
Ron's expression remained unreadable. "Yes. What of it?"
Dani tilted her head, framed by an elegant smile. "Master Marcus has long admired potion-making. I heard you've made remarkable strides. Might you…"
"Not interested." Ron cut her off sharply. He'd heard these approaches before—subtle prying, followed by threats or leverage. And he'd signed a confidentiality agreement with Ellen. He saw her gambit clearly.
Dani hesitated, face falling slightly. "If—if it's a matter of compensation, we can negotiate. Master Marcus is willing to pay… for any formulas you'd share."
"Move along," Ron said coldly.
He brushed past her—but suddenly caught a flicker of motion. Her eyes glinted as she barely passed him. Her slender fingers made a secretive sign beneath her sleeve. She murmured softly. A zero-ring spell—"Light-Handed Acquisition"—chanting quietly under her breath.
A faint, dark tendril of power wafted from her fingertip toward Ron's cloth bag—subtle and nearly invisible. Had she succeeded, the bag—full of magic stone shards and potions—would vanish in a heartbeat. She'd then accuse him of theft and frame him before anyone realized what happened.
But in that moment, Ron's awareness surged.
Mental senses flared—a chirp of alarm in the back of his mind. A sliver of disharmony, like a pluck of mental strings, cut through his calm.Mental Judgement initiated!
Current Spirit: 1.6
Judgement passed!
Detected energy trajectory of a theft spell!As Ron stopped, Dani's inner alarm sounded too late. In a blur, he drew the wooden sword. Lightning-fast.
A crisp whoosh—and Dani's right hand, along with the magic tendril, was severed cleanly. Blood sprayed. She stared at the stump of her wrist, mouth agape. Before she could scream, Ron lunged and kicked her aside, retrieving his cloth bag before it fell.
"If this were a private space…" he said coldly, shaking the blood off his wooden sword. "You'd be dead."
Dani lay in the corridor, unmoving. Her once-luxurious dress was stained and dirtied. A heavy footprint marked its fabric. She clutched the bloody stump, terror in her eyes.
"You… how dare you…"
Before she could continue, Marcus appeared from the shadows at the corridor's end.
"Hmph," he sneered, voice cold. "Just like the rumors say—another brute dashing about."
He wore a dark gray Apprentice robe, a green badge glowing on his chest.
"I witnessed that you severed my servant's hand—cruelly, no less. The School prohibits internal violence. And you—just a candidate apprentice—resorting to such brutality over someone's property?"
His smile turned sinister.
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