The next day,
"…How should I practice the sword?"
Inside his huge room, Aiden muttered as he looked at the sword in front of him. He was sitting on a comfortable sofa while looking at the items that he had ordered, lying on the table in front of him.
Every item Aiden ordered had just arrived a few moments ago.
There was a sharp sword with a black and comfortable hilt.
'Looks like he knew what kind of sword the body owner used.' Aiden thought, as he had felt very comfortable while holding the sword.
The hilt that felt cold when he grabbed it and the visible sharpness of the blade—all of it was to his liking.
There were also seven elemental orbs beside the sword. The seven orbs were each of different colors and were the same size as a small marbel.
They were just like the core Aiden had seen yesterday. The only difference was that these were monochromatic, while the core was full of colors.
"…Will this really work?" Aiden thought as he tried to test them.
Standing up, he held the sword in his right hand, picked up a red orb, and held it in his left hand.
Thankfully, Louis had taught him everything regarding skills, mana, and magic yesterday. He knew what he had to do and was aware of it.
[Elemental sword coating]
Whoosh
As soon as he activated the skill, the blade of the sword instantly turned red as fire started spewing out of it.
'Isn't it burning?' Eden asked as he looked at the fire blade.
'…No,' Aiden said as he shook his head.
Ding
[Duration: 3:59]
'Hmm. That's handy.' Aiden thought as he looked at the window showing the 4 minute timer.
Aiden dismissed the skill as the fire went away and the sword returned to its normal form.
The window timer also disappeared with it.
'…The fact that you were born as an energy beast is sure is coming handy at this point.' Eden said as Aiden shrugged.
'I guess even I can get a little lucky.' Aiden said as he put down the sword and the elemental orb.
'But I can't pass the exam with just these little things.' Aiden said.
'He should have at least given a little hint about the exam.' Aiden thought as he scratched his head in frustation.
'…But you have already guessed what it's going to be, haven't you?' Eden said as Aiden stopped scratching his head.
'Yeah. I have a little, but I can be entirely wrong too.' Aiden said.
'And even if I'm right on my guess, do you think I can pass?' Aiden asked as he sat on the sofa.
'Not at all,' Eden said as he shook his head.
He couldn't imagine Aiden passing the exam.
'Yeah. Thank you for the support.' Aiden said as Eden helplessly smiled.
'But, looking at the other items, I think you have some idea.' Eden said as he looked at the other two items lying beside the sword and elemental orbs.
'Yes. I read about them in a book yesterday. They should help me, even if it's only for a little time. Although it would also depend on what powers he has,' Aiden said as he looked at the two items.
'They are my last hope.'
…
Swoosh
Swoosh Swoosh
At the garden, Aiden swung the sword he was holding as he tried to get familiar with it.
'Hmm…'
As Aiden was practicing it, he suddenly stopped as he looked at his hand, with which he was holding the sword.
'I noticed it earlier, but as time goes by, it feels even more familiar.' Aiden thought.
Whoosh
Summoning the [Personal sigil], Aiden opened the book as he looked at it.
[Name: Aron Belur
Title: [Sword Master- 38%]
Skills: [Elemental sword coating], [Danger sense], [Emotion sight] ]
'Window.'
Ding
[Title: Sword Master
Mastery: 38%
Description: A person who knows their way around any sword. Your learning experience with swords and sword arts has increased. Get familiar with as many types of swords and sword art as you can to increase your mastery.]
'This is a very helpful title.' Aiden thought as he read the description of the title.
'But I wonder how the owner was able to raise its mastery when he didn't have any tutors.' He thought as he looked at the mastery percentage.
'He probably had it for a very long time.' Eden said as Aiden nodded his head.
'Then, I wonder when and where he got this title.' Aiden said.
Ding
This time, it was the window that answered his curiosity.
[It is widely known that many individuals sometimes earn titles by conquering dungeons, slaying mythic creatures, or also doing some remarkable activities. But, in rare cases, some individuals are born with titles. It looks like the previous owner was one of those individuals in rare cases.]
'So, he was born with it.' Aiden said as he swung the sword horizontally.
Swoosh
As he swung, he got a feeling that he could do even better and refine his movements.
'This is what I'm talking about. This feeling is kind of tripping.' Aiden said.
'It's the title's effect. Sword master. It's name is clearly written.' Eden said as he looked at the scenery from inside Aiden's consciousness.
'I know, but this feeling—it's kind of scary.' Aiden thought as Eden clicked his tongue.
'Tsk. Why are you freaking out now? That's like saying you are afraid of improvement.' Eden said as Aiden scratched his head in helplessness.
'…Wait, do you also feel that feeling?' A thought emerged in Aiden's head as he asked Eden.
'…No.' Eden said as he felt embarrassed by what Aiden was thinking.
'Then there's no worry.' Aiden said as he smiled.
'Obviously, it's my job to protect you if anything happens.' Eden thought as he lowered his head to cover his face, which was turning red.
Swoosh
Swinging the sword horizontally, the feeling rose again, but this time, instead of feeling uncomfortable over it, he entirely focused on that feeling as he did what felt right.
Swoosh
He swung diagonally upward with more strength than the first one.
Srrr
A breeze of wind hit Aiden's face as he felt like he could cut the wind.
Swoosh
He swung the sword diagonally downward with even more refinement, but unfortunately, he wasn't able to do what he wanted—cut the air.
Swoosh
Swinging his sword again,
Swoosh
And again,
Swoosh Swoosh
And again and again, he had entered a state of extreme focus, but still, no matter how much he tried, he couldn't cut the air.
He kept doing it repeatedly for three hours straight, as it reached a point where his body had gone numb.
Thump
"Argh."
Taking a deep breath in, Aiden crouched on the ground on all fours as he desperately breathed for air.
Thump Thump
His heart was beating furiously as he felt short on breath.
Drip drip
Sweat dropped to the ground from his face as his entire body was covered in sweat.
'It's understandable that you are frustatingly excited, but keep it moderate, will you?' Eden, who had gone silent this whole time due to Aiden's focus, finally spoke as he tried to remind him that his body wasn't a machine.
"This…this is what… I was talking about." Aiden said as he lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
'Yeah, I can see that.' Eden said.
'Did the mastery increase?' Aiden thought as he summoned the window.
Ding
[Title: Sword Master
Mastery: 38%
Description: A person who knows their way around any sword…]
Looking at the mastery, Aiden's face became rock as he felt a huge surge of disappointment.
'What did you think? The owner barely got it to 38% despite having it from birth. You will have to work a lot if you wish to increase it even a little.' Eden said as Aiden pouted.
'I know that. It just feels very tiring to think about.' Aiden said.
He rested for a little bit more until his heart finally returned to its normal beating pace and his body calmed down.
'Ok, let's repeat again.' Aiden thought as he again started swinging the sword.
With each swing, his posture, movement, and sharpness were improving as he felt more refined.
Swoosh
'It looks like there is a long way before I can cut the air.' Aiden thought as he looked at the hilt of the sword.
'Focus on tomorrow's exam, not on cutting the air.' Eden said as he reminded Aiden of their initial goal.
'I am,' Aiden said as he again continued swinging the sword.
As Aiden was practicing in the garden, a robed figure was observing him from the corner.
'Even with his memory loss and total flip in personality, this part of him still remains unchanged. Lord, please protect this child.' Clasping his hand, Louis prayed for a moment before walking away from the scene.
'I shouldn't disturb his training.'