The training field at Blackwood Mansion is located on a hill close to the east part of the Blackwood Estate. The large expanse of land was designed specifically for practicing battle tactics. In addition to the open space, there were several training equipment available including a full set of martial arts weapons ranging from swords to spears, daggers, and throwing knives. In one corner of the area, the ground had been flattened and used as a place for physical combat drills.
As Sygna stood at the entrance of the training field, he saw dozens of guard practicing, with their sharp sword clashing against each other, creating a rhythmic symphony of clangs. Some are dueling using a pair of wooden sticks, while others are engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
Sygna walked into the middle of the field, ignoring the guards' curious gazes. As he neared the center of the field, a big man approached him.
The man had short brown hair, dark eyes, and a thick beard that covered most of his face. He wore a standard black leather armor worn by the guards. With his bulky frame towering over Sygna, he could only be described as intimidating.
"Greetings, Young Master, may I know the reason you come here?" the man said in a deep voice.
He is the head guard of the Blackwood estate, Liam Blackwood.
Similar to the maids, the guards of the Blackwood family also have a thin blood of Blackwood running in their veins.
"I want to train a little"
Hearing that, a hint of doubt flashed across his face, his brow furrowed slightly. He couldn't help but question Sygna's intention. After all, the young master had just woken up after a year of being comatose.
"Do you have someone to recommend as a sparing partner?"
Liam was taken aback by the strange request.
"Young master, you're still recovering, I'm afraid it will be inappropriate" Liam hesitantly said.
"I'm completely recovered, you don't need to worry, just pick someone"
"But.."
"Don't let me repeat myself" Sygna cut him off, his tone firm.
Hearing that, Liam paused briefly before responding,
"Yes, Young Master."
Without delay, he picked a random young guard to be Sygna's opponent.
The young guard was puzzled by the sudden summons, but when he caught sight of the young master, he immediately understood why he had been brought forth.
He gave a quick bow and introduced himself.
"Greeting, Young Master, My name is Oren"
Sygna stared at the young guard, he spread his mana scan and realized that this young guard was only at the 2nd rank magician & 3rd rank battle master.
'Well, at least, this can be an opportunity to test my strength'
Sygna picked a wooden sword nearby.
While the Blackwood family is famous for its black flame magic, they are also famous for their proficiency as Magic Swordsmans. But Sygna who used to have narrow mana veins ended up training on swordsmanship more and during his time in the cultivation world, he also grinds his swordsmanship to the top by stealing many sword techniques from the woman he slept with.
Head Guard Liam stood between Sygna and Oren and then told the rules of the spar.
"Lethal attack is forbidden, the one who is knocked out on the ground will lose"
"Are we clear?"
"Yes, Head Guard," said Oren loudly.
Head Guard Liam turns his head to Sygna.
"Sure" Sygna nodded.
Head Guard Liam takes a few steps back.
"You can begin"
Sygna readied his stance and stared at Oren.
Oren did the same.
"You can move first"
Hearing that, Oren is a bit hesitant
Then, Oren lunged forward with a wide swing toward Sygna's chest.
Sygna dodged it with ease.
Oren tries again. This time, with a slash toward Sygna's body.
Again, Sygna easily evaded the strike.
After a dozen failed attacks, Oren, sensed something amiss. 'Why I can't hit a single swing?'.
"It's my time to attack," said Sygna calmly.
Sygna closed the distance in an instant.
Caught unaware, Oren didn't even have time to react.
Thud!
Suddenly, the whole crowd went silent, staring at the scene in shock.
Oren fell unconscious onto the ground.
He just took a single swing to the guard's head, but that simple swing managed to knock out the young guard.
Sygna only put a minimum amount of strength into his strike but the young guard fell like a log.
'I guess a normal guard is just too easy' Sygna thought.
Sygna turns his head on Head Guard Liam.
"Head Guard Liam, I want you to be my next spar partner"
Head Guard Liam hesitated a moment but then he nodded.
"Okay, Young Master"
"You can use magic with your full strength"
"I don't think that's appropriate." Head Guard coldly rejects.
Head Guard Liam is a certified 3rd rank magician & 4th rank battle master. His full power might be too much for Sygna who's known to be stuck at 1st rank magician and his battle master rank is never known as he never applied the certification before.
"..."
'I guess I need to show something so he can take me seriously' Sygna inwardly thought.
Sygna's current mana pool is similar to a peak 2nd rank magician after last night's dual cultivation, while it's still inferior compared with Head Guard Liam, he's confident with his pure blackwood bloodline he can efficiently control his mana consumption when manifesting Black Flame.
Blackwood family don't need to chant a powerful mana-consumptive magic to unleash destructive power, they have Black Flame which they can manifest freely without chanting while having minimum mana output. That's the reason why the Blackwood family is so feared.
Sygna focused his mana on the wooden sword he held, causing it to burst with Black Flame. The sudden transformation left everyone in the training field astounded, their eyes widening at the manifestation of the unique Blackwood magic.
"Woaah"
"Such a pure black flame"
Everyone was awed by the display of Black Flame in Sygna's wooden sword.
The flames danced along the edges of the sword, casting an eerie glow that seemed to embody both power and mystery. The sight of the Black Flame, a signature ability of the Blackwood family, further solidified Sygna's position as an extraordinary member of the lineage.
Head Guard Liam, stood there with a mixture of shock and awe. The act of channeling mana into a wooden sword was already a challenging feat, but witnessing Sygna seamlessly infuse it with the Black Flame left him utterly amazed.
The fact that the wooden sword remained unscathed by the intense black fire indicated Sygna's mastery over the unique Blackwood magic. Liam couldn't help but acknowledge the young master's exceptional control and proficiency in wielding such a powerful force.
'So the rumor that young master narrow mana vein is miraculously cured is true' Liam silently thought.
"I apologize"
Liam's apology echoed in the training field, Liam said his apology, recognizing the gravity of his previous underestimation of Sygna. The atmosphere became charged with anticipation as Liam, determined to rectify his earlier misjudgment, entered into a focused sword stance.
The manifestation of the flame on his sword was a testament to Liam's skill, displaying a red-hued fire tinged with a subtle black shade. It was a stark contrast to Sygna's pure black flame color. The guards, accustomed to the usual training routines, are now witnessing an unexpected display of magical prowess.
Sygna, though acknowledging Liam's effort, stood with confidence, the Black Flame on his wooden sword dancing with controlled intensity. The onlookers could sense the mastery he possessed over the unique Blackwood magic.
As the two faced each other, the training field buzzed with tension, awaiting the clash between the two.
Sygna made the first move, swinging his Black Flame-covered wooden sword with precision. The dark, ethereal fire left trails of shadows as it sliced through the air. Liam, quick to respond, parried with his own fiery blade, creating a burst of red and black sparks upon impact.
The exchange was brief and swift, as each participant gauged the other's technique and ability. Sygna, having the upper hand, continued his offensive barrage, raining down a flurry of blows with deadly accuracy. Liam, although able to defend himself, was pressed to keep up with the young master's relentless onslaught. The exchange was fierce, with the crowd cheering and gasping at each exchange.
"When did you learn such weird swordsmanship, young master?"
The current sword technique Sygna displayed is not Blackwood swordsmanship or any other sword technique Liam knew.
Sygna smiled
"Lady Luxuria blessed me with the technique In my sleep"
Hearing that Head Guard Liam widened his eyes and opened his mouth in shock.
'Of course, that's a lie.'
The sword technique Sygna used was a combined technique he stole from Cultivation World.
"Let's get more serious"
Black Flame in Sygna's wooden sword blazes up in an instant.
Tensing his body, Sygna dashes toward Liam, then in the blink of an eye, appears behind Liam with a thrust.
Swish!
Fortunately, Liam has a good battle sense, managing to dodge Sygna's thrust at the last second.
But the tip of the black flame wooden sword still manages to slightly burn Liam's right arm. if it were a real sword, it would be a deep cut with a heavy burn injury.
Liam looked at the wound in surprise and then stared at Sygna.
The Black Flame burns brightly on Sygna's wooden sword, ready for another attack.
Even the spectators watching from a distance were able to feel the heat emanating from the young master's Black Flame. This was especially true for those closest to the battleground, their eyes reflecting awe and respect for Sygna's impressive demonstration of the Blackwood family's specialty.
As Sygna approached once more, Liam, in an attempt to defend himself, mustered as much energy as he could into his sword. With a battle cry, he unleashed his full power, his figure surrounded by a whirlwind of fire and smoke. The massive aura of energy released by Liam forced Sygna to retreat several steps before he was able to withstand the sheer force.
Sygna couldn't help but be impressed by Liam's use of his thin bloodline, the intense black-and-red flame flickering wildly in the wind, a sight to behold.
Liam, satisfied with the result, lowered his guard and turned his gaze to Sygna. Despite Sygna's calm expression, the black flame was blazing brighter and hotter than before, showing no signs of slowing down. The battle between the two was far from over, with neither side willing to back down.
In the next moment, Sygna suddenly appeared beside Liam with a lunge aimed at Liam's chest. Despite the rapid attack, Liam was able to block it at the last moment, resulting in a loud bang as the blades clashed.
However, this was merely a distraction, as Sygna took the opportunity to launch a follow-up attack. With a swift movement, he brought his wooden sword upward, causing the flames to increase in size and intensity. The black-and-red flame swelled, enveloping the area around it with a bright, blinding light.
The incredible heat burned through the surrounding air, scorching everything within its path. The audience, stunned by the sudden development, instinctively backed away. Some tried to cover their faces with their hands or arms, while others shielded themselves with whatever they could find.
Seeing this, Liam also took action, raising his free hand and casting a fire barrier spell to protect himself. The effect was immediate, with the flames retracting into the palm of his hand, forming a small sphere of fire.
However, he soon realized that Sygna's attack was not meant to deal damage; the sudden expansion of the Black Flame was merely a means to distract him and throw him off guard.
With this, Sygna quickly changed directions and slashed his wooden sword at Liam.
Head Guard Liam, realizing this, reacted immediately, attempting to counter with a blow of his own.
Unfortunately, the attack did little to prevent the inevitable. The moment Sygna's flaming sword came into contact with his chest, his entire body was engulfed in an explosion of red-and-black flame, sending him flying backward.
He landed roughly on his back, hitting the hard ground with a thud. The impact caused him to let out a muffled groan of pain, but he quickly recovered, getting on his feet.
"I lose," said Liam weakly
"That's a great spar" Sygna grinned widely.
"Thank you, Young Master"
With the training concluded, the guards gradually dispersed, returning to their usual routine. While they were aware of the young master's abilities, witnessing his display of power firsthand left them filled with a mixture of awe and admiration. They couldn't help but marvel at the ease and grace with which he handled himself, seemingly effortless.
Not only did the guards benefit from this experience, but they also gained a newfound respect for the young master, affirming their loyalty to the Blackwood family.
Everyone who watched Sygna's spar knows that the young master who used to have narrow veins, now is actually a hidden genius and was blessed by the Goddess of Lust, Luxuria.