Felicia already expected Henry's answer. She was a spectator this time. She was curious how good Henry was at using the sword with magic.
Henry took Judy's sword. He held it in his hand and closed his eyes.
He channeled a small amount of mana. He used the same technique he used to detect the object in the magic circuit.
He sent pulses of mana and waited for their return. He immediately understood the limitations and strengths of this magic sword.
"You got an okay sword. Next time, pay for a better one."
Henry eyed Judy. He was serious.
She nodded.
Henry took a stance. He kept his left leg on the spot. He put his right foot behind and half-squatted.
His posture was just the start. His body emitted strings of mana. These mana flew and surrounded the scabbard of the sword. Slowly, his aura changed.
The wind raged, the sky became a bit cloudy, and mana swirled around his body.
Henry could simply display his sword magic without any chants, but it would be too much for Judy. She didn't have the same foundation he had.
"The sword is the extension of my body."
His words echoed. The wind stopped, the sky cleared, and the mana around him froze.
"Hit with all your might, Lightning Crescent Moon!"
The mana in the air rushed and…
Henry took the sword out of the scabbard. The mana flowed along it and slashed. A giant wave of lightning bent like a crescent moon.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The ground exploded repeatedly. The crescent lightning kept its form, and arcs of lightning came out from it.
Dust shot up into the air and created a storm.
The students were stupefied. This was the first time they saw someone using a sword to display a magic spell. It was powerful and could kill them.
"What was that…?"
Judy opened her mouth wide in shock. Earlier, the build-up of mana in Henry and around him was intense. His chant was casual, but it was still overwhelming.
"I'm a little rusty… This sword is not able to display everything I know. It will break and explode on me," Henry said, faintly smiling at her.
"Was that the crux of sword magic? To store mana into the sword and release it all in one slash?"
Judy saw him build up mana into the sword. The mana from the environment also joined and led to the creation of that powerful strike.
"Essentially, yes. If you have a sword that can store a lot of mana, you can unleash a strike that can kill a higher class. Provided they aren't prepared for it."
Henry had to simplify it a lot. He couldn't explain it because it required constant teaching from him. Right now he tried his best to explain it to her so she could be enlightened and tread the path of sword magic on her own.
He was giving her the necessary ideas in order to do so.
Henry continued, "You also need to develop your own style. In my current class, I can't fully utilize the sword. Once you gain the ability to fly, you can use the sword to propel yourself and appear in front of your enemy."
Judy shuddered. Her mind became blank. Her worldview was shattered. She, a magus, couldn't imagine how the sword could be so strong.
No wonder her family used to be powerful! Their glory in the archives was not made up.
"And if you can access more of your family's archive, you can learn more. I just want you to remember that the sword is a sword. You need to combine it with your understanding of magic. Only then can you utilize it to its full potential."
Henry's words repeated in Judy's head. She forced herself to remember word for word. She furrowed her eyebrows and realized something.
"How are you so sure that my family knows those?"
"Because… We might be from the same lineage."
Henry winked at her. His words were mysterious, and he didn't try to explain it to her.
Judy paused and blinked her eyes repeatedly.
"What? Say it again?"
She thought that she had misheard. After all, her family's history stretched to a time that couldn't be defined at all. It was impossible.
"Forget it. I'm just saying nonsense."
Henry shook his head. He said a little too much.
"Hmmm…"
Judy furrowed her eyebrows and glared at him.
"Anyways, you understand, right?"
Henry changed the topic.
"I do a little. I simply need to build up more mana and then release?" Judy asked.
"Correct. That's the first step. There are more, but they are irrelevant if you can't master that."
And so, the whole day became Henry teaching Judy.
Felicia watched from the sidelines. She understood Henry's teachings and kept them to her memory. She didn't know if they could be of use to her in the future.
.
.
.
.
Night arrived in a flash. Henry was tired. His mana was drained. If he wasn't also using the mana from the environment, he would have even been more tired.
Judy took the lessons easily. She learned how to charge up the power of her sword and then release it explosively.
"Thank you for the lesson. I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about it. Your master must be good at it too, just like my family."
Judy's meaning was clear from the end of her words. She guessed that Henry's master was somehow related to her family. Although, she couldn't confirm it because she hadn't personally entered her family's archive. She only got the spell from her mother, who sent it to her.
Henry smiled.
"You're a good student. You need to build your own style early, but make sure it will be compatible with flying. Otherwise, you will suffer."
"I'll remember that too."
Judy learned a lot today. Her view of Henry had changed. She could see his care. It was hidden deeply.
He taught her like a master would to their disciple.
Judy took a deep breath and bowed as low as she could. She didn't say anything and let her actions speak on their own.