The fifth day. Marie collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, her hands and legs numb, feeling momentarily paralyzed. Her heart was beating wildly, echoing inside her. Sweat poured out, forming a puddle around her.
Today, Marie had successfully swung her sword a thousand times. It was no easy feat; she had repeatedly given herself enhancements. Even that was only because Morgan allowed her to use enhancements. The lake of mana inside her might have dried up, and her throat felt the same.
Fortunately, Morgan arrived like a savior angel... or a savior demon. The important thing was he came bearing cold, refreshing iced tea. Without a second thought, Marie greedily drank her glass.
A cool and refreshing sensation flowed from her mouth to her throat, and from her throat, it spread throughout her body. The iced tea was like rain falling on parched land inside her. A sound of *Ahh...* escaped her lips.
"I think it's time for a break," Morgan said.
Finally, Marie used that break time just to lie on her back. Her heart rate slowly returned to normal, and Marie opened her eyes. Beside her, Morgan was reading the same book as the day before. His eyes carefully scanned line by line. But his expression didn't show that he had found what he was looking for.
With her breath still slightly labored, Marie asked, "What are you reading?"
Morgan glanced at her. "Hm? Nothing. This book is trash." With that, he tossed it aside indifferently, like throwing away garbage.
"Actually, I was thinking about starting to teach you sword techniques."
"Really?" Marie felt like jumping for joy hearing that, but she knew she couldn't. "So, what sword technique will I learn?"
"Hmm." Morgan rubbed his chin. "Since you're not a fighter from the start, I'm thinking of teaching you a technique with a lethal attack. A technique capable of finishing off an enemy in a single strike. Because a prolonged fight won't end well for you."
Once again, Morgan sliced his hand with the curved, sharp claw on his finger. Marie closed her eyes. This time, Morgan pulled out a sword she had never seen before. The sword looked very different from the broad-bladed swords she usually saw.
The sword was so slender that Marie wondered if it could even be used in battle.
"What kind of sword is that? I've never seen it before," Marie said with a curious tone.
Morgan drew the strange sword from its scabbard, revealing its sharp blade. Faint patterns like waves or a stretch of clouds adorned the blade, as if it were a work of art. The hilt was wrapped in cord woven in a specific way.
"This sword is called a katana, a sword from the Land of the Rising Sun. Its lightweight design is suitable for fast attacks. Combined with its curved blade, which functions to increase cutting power, it becomes a deadly weapon. In the right hands, this sword can cut anything."
Marie imagined a katana wielder moving nimbly, swinging the sword from the shoulder with full power, but drawing it back swiftly like lightning, with a precise and deadly cut.
"You know, someone who wields a katana is called a samurai, almost similar to a knight. And today, I will teach you how to become a samurai."
"But before that, let me show you how to use the katana first."
Morgan placed the katana at his hip, his body crouched, and his hand was a few centimeters from the hilt of the still-sheathed sword.
Suddenly, a swift slash whistled through the air. Then, another slash followed. Morgan attacked with lightning-fast movements, making the wind whistle repeatedly. The movements were sharp and precise; he attacked quickly and sheathed his sword just as quickly.
On the final strike, Morgan launched an attack from right to left, instantly carving a new scar onto the stone wall. Marie gaped, comparing it to the large gash on the back of the door.
Rose's slash mark was so destructive and messy; rather than slicing, it was more like it was meant to crush the enemy. But Morgan's slash mark was so clean, almost perfect and precise. There was no explosion, just a straight line.
Marie's eyes widened seeing it. Morgan calmly sheathed his sword again as if he had done nothing.
"Now, shall we begin? Ah, but don't use enhancements."
Marie nodded slowly. Gradually, her left foot stepped forward while the other went back, her katana raised forward, ready to be swung. Morgan did the same... and then he disappeared.
In the blink of an eye, Morgan was in front of her, with his sword raised above his head. Marie didn't dare look away; she desperately moved her katana to block the attack.
A clang of metal meeting metal echoed, the vibration traveling up Marie's arm bones, nearly making her drop the sword. Her teeth were clenched tight, her eyes holding Morgan's sharp gaze, which felt like a dagger stabbing into her soul.
Now she felt the benefit of her four days of training. Hours of practice and hundreds of thousands of sword swings were not in vain. She could now withstand an attack of that magnitude, albeit with some difficulty. Fortunately, Morgan wasn't taking the fight against her seriously.
Morgan pulled his sword back, then attacked. Marie quickly placed her katana in the path of the sword, ready to receive the impending impact.
But not her legs.
"Watch your stance!"
Marie's body was thrown, floating momentarily in the air before falling and hitting the ground.
Luckily, Marie managed to land on her feet, her shins vibrating. Quickly, Marie corrected her stance and prepared for the next attack. The determination in her eyes still blazed.
"Don't focus too much on my sword, and don't be afraid of getting hurt. Fight with a clear mind, like a flowing river."
Morgan stepped forward slowly. Each step of his foot sounded like a countdown to the next attack. Each footfall echoed on the stone floor, making her more and more alert.
Hearing his words, Marie took two long deep breaths. Then she reconsidered his words. Marie tried to cast aside everything unrelated to the sword.
Without further delay, Marie charged forward with her sword drawn back. Her feet stomped the earth, her eyes as sharp as her blade. An enthusiastic shout came from her mouth.
"That's it." Morgan smiled slightly.