Chapter 36

Chapter 36

✠

Four days had passed since I began my ginseng extract-boosted training regime. Thanks to my persistence, I was able to condense a month of training into four days, and by the end of that period, I had reached Strong Body Lv. 17. My body’s overall vitality levels were markedly different as well. I was confident that it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to win a couple of medals at the Olympics in my current condition.

«Good work, Cadet Ailette. That should do for your basic physical strength training. I expected it to take you at least a month to get to this level. You’ve completely exceeded my expectations.»

I smiled proudly. “It’s all thanks to your support.”

«I’m glad my guidance was of help to you. We can probably get started on weapons training now.»

On the fifth day of training, Agnes gave me a quick overview of basic weapons theory before we began actually sparring together.

«Cadet Ailette, do you know any other terms or names we use to refer to aura users?»

“Of course! We call them sword masters!”

«Very good. Yes, these extremely skilled individuals are referred to as sword masters and only those who have reached the very highest rank of swordsmanship can earn that title. Then let me ask you, do you know why it is that only swordsmen who have reached the most elite level of their craft can begin to use an aura?»

“Hmm, I’m not sure.”

Agnes didn’t take long to answer, as if it were only natural that I didn’t know the answer to her question. «Allow me to demonstrate.»

Agnes’ spectral form began to coalesce as she initiated her demonstration. A wooden stick materialized in her hands and she took her stance.

«An aura is the very essence of life. It’s like a flowing stream of water. It has no set form or shape that you can hold. Making your aura flow and conform to your will is an extremely demanding task. Even those who have trained their bodies beyond their limits to the point where they can wield a sword as if it is an extension of themselves can only just begin to exude a faint trace amount of an aura from their weapon. That is why all aura users are universally sword masters.»

Whoosh.

A pearly aura enveloped the wooden stick like thin barrier around the weapon as Agnes swung it in a downward stroke. The blade rippled with energy, a phenomenon otherwise known as an aura sword. Of course, the stick Agnes was holding was just a projection.

«Aura users can be classified into three grades. Can you name them?»

“They’re beginner, expert, and master!”

«Exactly. Once you’ve mastered the basics as a beginner aura user, you become able to infuse it into any object, such as this stick.»

“Does that mean any object within reach could potentially become a weapon?”

«That’s right. However, even this level is considered rather mediocre. There isn’t much difference in skill between emitting an aura from a sword and a random object. Now, let me show you what an aura expert can do.»

The white aura enveloping the stick began to grow longer and longer.

“Whoa, the aura sword is longer than my whole body.”

«Actually, this can no longer be called an aura sword.»

Thud.

The silvery brilliance of an aura remained in Agnes’ hands even after she dropped the stick. This jogged my memory as I remembered the name of the weapon.

“Awakened sword force... I mean, an aura blade?” I unwittingly used a martial arts term, but quickly corrected myself.

«Yes. It’s easier to understand if you imagine hardening and fortifying the flowing aura into rigid ice. Your aura blade’s strength and durability will increase as your skills progress. The blades of true masters far exceed the hardness of adamantium, mithril, and orichalcum.»

“Incredible...”

Agnes suddenly let go of the aura blade, but the blade did not drop to the ground. «There’s no rule that says I have to actually be holding the blade. You just need to create the flow with your willpower.»

“Wow!”

The radiant sword drifted through the air around Agnes. As it slowly revolved around her, it abruptly stopped mid-air and burst into several different blades.

I gasped at the display. It was unbelievable. The skill was known as flying sword manipulation.

«This is the ultimate level of swordplay that only aura masters can achieve. As for myself, I am limited to seven blades.»

“Amazing! Agnes—I mean, drill instructor—you’re so cool!” I really meant it. I was falling in love. Maybe I should just switch over from divine power to using an aura as my primary ability.

«But it does not end here.»

“What? There’s more to achieve after aura master?”

«The Soul Strike.»

“Ah...”

«You’ve probably heard of it. It’s a technique that allows you to attack your enemies with a blade forged from the depths of your will, rendering the weapon impervious to detection, invulnerable to defense, and absolute in its power. A Soul Strike holds a level of power commensurate to that of The Voice within the realm of divine powers.»

“Whoa.”

«Admittedly, I was not able to reach that level.»

It was difficult to tell if Agnes’ words were stained with sorrow or remorse.

The mesmerizing display of seven blades disappeared as our theory class came to an end.

«Let us first decide what your primary weapon will be. It will take a while to find one that befits your style and needs. Choose wisely, as it will be your companion that will accompanies you throughout your ascent to power. We’ll walk through each one together.»

“Yes, drill instructor!”

I pulled out the [Training Weapon Package] I had purchased earlier in preparation for today’s lesson. It was a comprehensive kit comprising swords, spears, whips, and other weapons.

Evidently pleased by my readiness, Agnes said with a wry smile, «Cadet Ailette, before we begin our weapons training, I have some good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?»

“Uh, the bad news?”

«I’ve been too kind and too gentle with you up to this point. As we enter our training in full swing, know that what you’ve seen so far is but a fraction of my ruthlessness as a drill instructor. You will now see just how brutal and relentless I can be with my trainees!»

I couldn’t help but gulp loudly at her declaration. “And... What's the good news?” I asked, trying to collect myself.

«You are one lucky recruit to have been able to meet an instructor like me.»

It was difficult to appreciate this sentiment right after being threatened with an even more brutal training regimen.

«Ah, I am not joking when I say this,» Agnes continued. «I just so happen to know how to handle all weapons in existence. No matter which weapon you choose, I will be able to instruct you properly. That is what I meant.»

“Ah, I see.”

I nodded my head in understanding while thinking to myself. Drill instructor, you’re in luck too. Because...

I contentedly checked the buff noted in my stats window.

⟬«Item» [Blessing of Extreme Growth]

A blessing from the gods of the Transmigration Bureau that allows you to gain five times as much skill exp.⟭

Your beloved trainee is OP. It’s your time to shine, Transmigration Life Insurance Perk!

«Now then, let us start with the sword. Watch my demonstration carefully. Now, like this! And this!»

“Yes, drill instructor! Hyah! Yah!”

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Wooden Sword Mastery Lv.2⟭

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Wooden Sword Mastery Lv.3⟭

In less than twenty minutes, I was flooded with system notifications.

«Ho! Not bad at all. You’re doing much better than I’d expected. Next up, we’ll try your hand with a spear. Like this! You saw how I thrust, right? Now you try. You’ll keep practicing until you get it right!»

“Yes, drill instructor! Hyah!”

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Spear Mastery Lv.2⟭

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Spear Mastery Lv.3⟭

Once again, without fail, the growth buff came through.

«Ahem. Swords and spears are the most basic weapons there are. It seems you have a knack for fundamentals. Very good.» Agnes seemed a bit taken aback by my rapid progress. «However! You’ll find that things are really going to start getting heated up now! Pick up your bow and a quiver of arrows! Now, it is time for you to feel the true despair of not being able to strike your target where you desire!»

“Yes, drill instructor! Kiyah!”

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Bow Mastery Lv.2⟭

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Bow Mastery Lv.3⟭

I wonder what failure feels like. I guess I’ll never know.

«T-this time is for real! A real challenge!» Agnes said, sounding even more uncertain. «The whip is an advanced weapon that requires subtle control over the object’s tensile strength! Prepare to be humbled!»

“Yes, ma’am!”

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Whip Mastery Lv.2⟭

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Whip Mastery Lv.3⟭

«Huh?» Agnes stared at me in silence.

“Drill instructor?”

«What kind of monster...?» she asked. «Are all legends like this?»

That must be the best compliment I’ve received so far. Heh, this feels nice.

Agnes gave a deep sigh as she concluded her assessment of me. «Just pick whichever one you want. You’ll be fine with any weapon you select. Choose your primary weapon and a sub-weapon.»

“Ah, then I’d like...” I already had in mind the two I wanted. Without any hesitation, I chose the sword as my primary weapon and the whip as my sub-weapon.

Agnes fell silent for a moment as I waited to see how she would respond. «Recruit.»

“Yes.”

«Is this what you’ve been planning along?»

“Maybe just a little?” I grinned at her genially.

«It seems like I’ve taken a cunning recruit under my wing.» Agnes briefly cracked a smile, but immediately regained her composure as she looked at me solemnly. «All jokes aside, Cadet Ailette, let me ask. Does this mean you wish to learn the ways of the whip sword?»

I matched her intensity as I met her gaze head-on. “Yes,” I answered confidently.

I’d done a bit of research on Agnes during our time together. Agnes Azlette, Holy knight and wielder of the whip sword—an extremely versatile weapon that is able to stretch and maneuver as willed by the user’s aura. She was the continent’s hero and the holy kingdom’s leading saint who had made a name for herself when she stopped the Ice Palace Dungeon Burst decades prior. But even before all of these achievements, Agnes had been the Vatican’s up-and-coming, unrivaled aura user.

She commanded all weapons with ease in her teens and was bestowed the title of Weapon Master. During her search for new, unknown skills and techniques in her twenties, she discovered the whip sword and was ultimately able to create her own, unique fighting style.

Time and again, the masses engage in heated discussions on whether Agnes could defeat Grand Duke Heathfenrir, widely hailed as the most powerful warrior alive today.

Perhaps she’s on the verge of attaining the Soul Strike. Agnes’ unique sword style has made her a role model for people from all walks of life. I absolutely had to learn it from her.

«I haven’t seen a look like that in ages. You must be hungry to learn.»

“Yes. Please teach me.”

«The whip sword is unlike any other weapon. Only expert-level aura users who have mastered the sword and whip can at long last begin to learn the whip sword. Besides, your aura is what holds the whip sword together and gives it its form in the first place.»

“I’m aware.”

«Hmm, you insist on going with a sword style that puts you much further back before the starting line? Excellent. If you do not have a change of heart by the time you’ve acquired the necessary skills, I shall consider teaching you.»

“Really? Do you promise?”

«Yes.»

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To show my sincere gratitude, I bowed deeply and said, “Thank you, drill instructor!”

✠

In the weeks that followed, I continued to live a productive transmigration life. My days started off with early morning prayer, followed by a light jog around the obstacle course and sword training. I would spend the remainder of my morning measuring out herbs in the dungeon farm, before heading to Dad’s lab to make my daily quota of potions in the afternoon. Whatever time I had leftover was spent training.

My time as Lady Bianca’s playmate, however, decreased significantly. Bia was just as busy with her successor training. At most, we’d meet up to chat for a bit in the evening.

“We’re finally going to get to see you and your father’s potions on sale at the store.”

Even our limited time together now was spent discussing business. The Gilette fiefdom contained a total of three dungeons. Conquered dungeons were always crowded with explorers raring to collect the resources within.

My potions were scheduled to be sold out of the potion shops near those local dungeons.

“This is the contract. Here, have a look.”

“Thank you.”

As I took the stack of papers from Bianca and began to look over them, I couldn’t help but let a yawn escape me.

The contract itself was boring enough, but my continued training routine without the ginseng extract’s effects had worn me ou—

“Ah!”

I woke with a start after nodding off, only to notice Bianca doing the same across from me.

“Ah!”

We stared at each other blankly for a moment, then began to crack up.

“You look exhausted, Allie.”

“So do you. Is the successor training demanding?”

“A little. I have a lot of homework and have a test every day, to boot.”

“A test every day?!”

“That part isn’t so bad. But not being able to see you as much as I’d like to has been rough.”

“Bia...”

She followed up her sudden confession with something that surprised me even more. “Do you want to sleep with me in my bed tonight?”