After a bit of weightlessness Xavier surroundings changed dramatically. He was now standing on top of a platform made of paper nestled in the clouds. Looking around he saw that a mannequin made out of paper was standing a few feet away from him, in its hand was a katana made out of the same material as the mannequin. As he got up a system prompt appeared.
[ First trial: Master the teaching of the Origami swordsman ]
" Do you wish to learn the fundamentals of my sword?"
A rustic voice came from the mannequin. A bit startled Xarier replied in a polite tone,
"Yes I am willing to learn."
"Very well, watch closely." The Origami swordsman held the hilt of the katana in his left hand and took a casual stance.
In the split second it took Xavier to blink; he was taken back to see the world had been painted black and there was a stroke of white paint where the mannequin was previously and ended with a hilt pressed against his neck.
And like a memory the world's colors reverted back to the platform in the clouds. " This is the first stroke of my master sword technique. The move I just used is called 'Issen' . I will show you the world's energy pathways in order to utilize it."
Xavier was still in a state of shock, he hadn't even seen the mannequin move or hell he didn't even see the world change to black it all happened in a second. And like an intrusive thought doubt started to creep onto his mind if he could even learn that move.
" Don't let your mind be clouded by frivolous thoughts such as your own inadequacy, hold your blade and think of a blank canvas." As if reading his emotions the Origami swordsman gave him instructions.
Pushing his worries to the back of his head he imagined a blank canvas. "Good now at the center draw a black dot." Xarier did as he was told and added the dot. " Now draw five circles around the dot."
As Xavier added details the instructor kept asking him to add more. Some of the instructions were not detailed but Xavier' mind filled in the blanks.
At some point the Origami swordsman stopped giving details but Xavier was still entranced in creating something even though he didn't have any idea what it was.
After what seemed like hours Xarier came to and realized that in his mind was a drawing of a human with a physique similar but this person has many streams that look like rivers and flowers made of a inky substance all connected to a vortex where the heart should be.
" It looks like you are compatible with the aura of my master; so do you wish to use the aura of 'Heaven and Earth Tapestry' if u do I can help u acquire it."
The swordsman gave Xavier the opportunity to learn an aura that most didn't even know existed. Xarier was at first reluctant but after remembering the display of power the mannequin showed he decided to give it a shot.
" I would be happy to inherit the aura of your great master." he replied to the mannequin.
The Origami swordsman nodded with a pleased chuckle and instructed Xavier to sit in the lotus position
" I'm going to send my own aura through your body, use the pathway you drew and map them in your body. You only have a brief window before my aura corruptes yours."
Taking this seriously Xavier began to use the mannequin aura to create and clear out his pathways. As he was doing so he didn't realize a black sludge coming out of his body and eyes.
Just as he was finishing the Origami swordsman made some hand gestures and paper from the platform came and soak up the black impurities.
And when Xavier connected the last pathway to the vortex at his heart, the air around him started to get sucked into the vortex. And after a minute a deluge of black and white inky aura poured out of his being.
This aura was extremely oppressive, it was though he was imposing his own reality on the world. Gradually it diminished but, but Xavier like the aura had rewritten something about him but he couldn't tell what.
" Now that you have gained the aura needed to learn the '8 Stokes to Paradise' sword style I will teach you the first stance. Try to mimic my movements, I will correct your stance as we go along."
Thus began Xarier many attempts to master the first stance. The movement requires one to coat themselves and their blade in aura while using it to enhance their agility, almost like creating a wave so fast and powerful that their opponents won't know how to react before getting swept away.
Sometimes Xarier would miss the timing to release the aura coat and tumble in front of the instructor while other times his stance was too stiff resulting in his attack missing or being dodged.
But after over 70 attempts Xavier stood in front of the mannequin swordsman, his stance was relaxed to the point where one would have to wonder if he was even going to attack. The Teacher and the student stared at each other and the second they gripped their hilts tighter; in a flash their figures collided, like a clash between two voids their destructive black aura tried to conquer the other.
In the blink of an eye Xavier and the mannequin stood with their backs facing the others.
"You have mastered the first stance of my master's sword technique, unfortunately this is all I'm allowed to teach you." The mannequin turned around and sheathed his paper katana.
" I'm unaware of when or if we might see each other again, so may I hear the name of my one and only student."
Xavier held great respect for this NPC who taught him a truly great technique, bowing he replied" This humble one's name is Xavier."
"Kavier, hmm what an interesting name, I've never heard of anyone with such a name in the city" the mannequin thought to himself. " My name given to me by my master is Onigiri, and if our paths cross again I will tell you about my past over a cup of tea. But for now, you should go to the next floor. The challenge up there is much harder than this but you should survive."
With a short laugh and a wave of his hand the mannequin created a rift behind Xavier which sucked him in, before he could even get a word out he was on his way to the next floor.
After sending Xavier away the mannequin stood there looking at the fake sky above him.
" That youngster has potential, maybe he can lay my master to rest and free that poor girl." With a tired hum Onigiri's body dispersed into sheets of paper which flew away with the wind.
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Author-nim: I just came to say hi (•‿•)
And also take some power stones of your hands ;3