Rhodes stood with his sword in hand, his expression devoid of emotion.
This was the second time he had entered this peculiar state of heightened focus. Unlike the fleeting sensation from before, this time, he was determined to savor it.
It felt as if the world around him had gone completely silent—no sound, no distractions—only the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Is this the breath of all things?"
A hint of amazement flickered through his heart, but he quickly regained his composure. In this state, his thoughts and emotions seemed to gather into a singular, impenetrable focus.
"Previously, I concentrated all my energy on the slash, which allowed me to cut through the black stone. Let's see what else I can do."
He experimented, shifting his focus toward various objects—wood, stone, the ground—and, faintly, he seemed to sense their "breath."
"Could this be Observation Haki?"
A twinge of doubt arose within him. The sensation bore an uncanny resemblance to the descriptions of Observation Haki.
Before he could delve further, the external world intruded with exclamations of disbelief. The evaluator had announced Rhodes' overall score, confirming his eligibility as a Revolutionary Army reserve recruit.
His power level was 249.
This wasn't low by any measure. Among those who passed, he ranked somewhere in the middle.
"How is this possible?!"
"This must be a mistake!"
The crowd erupted in disbelief. They had all seen Rhodes' unimpressive physical performance during the earlier tests. Based on that, it seemed impossible for him to achieve such a high score. If not for Rhodes' well-known identity, some might have accused him of cheating.
Despite the murmurs, no one openly voiced their doubts. After all, the upcoming combat trials would reveal the truth. If Rhodes' skills were overstated, he'd quickly be exposed when challenged.
As for the black stone he had cut, few believed he could have done it. Those who hadn't witnessed the feat firsthand dismissed it as exaggerated gossip.
Rhodes, however, was indifferent to the chatter.
After exiting his focused state, he seated himself on a stone bench at the edge of the square, reflecting on the fleeting experience.
This burst of insight had deepened his understanding of the breath of all things. With better preparation, he believed he could intentionally enter this state next time.
Such rapid progress was the hallmark of his Swordsmanship Prodigy talent. Anything related to swordsmanship came naturally to him, like water finding its course.
At that moment, Koala approached with a playful smile.
"You've certainly surprised me today."
"It was just a lucky burst of inspiration. I can't always pull it off," Rhodes replied with a slight shake of his head.
"That's still remarkable. Cutting through steel is a swordsman's ultimate mastery, and you've already grasped it. Your talent is truly impressive."
Koala's voice carried admiration, but a trace of curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"Of course," Rhodes said casually, flashing a small smile. "Ever heard of surgical precision? I've always had steady hands and a knack for accuracy with tools like scalpels. When I picked up a sword, it just... clicked."
Blaming it on innate talent felt like the simplest explanation. It wasn't something so extraordinary that it would raise too many eyebrows.
"Talent, huh?"
Koala didn't question him further. Satisfied with his explanation, she moved on.
"Be careful during the combat trials. You'll definitely get challenged."
The gap between Rhodes' unimpressive physical tests and his high power level made him an obvious target. Many of those who didn't pass the threshold would want to challenge him to prove their worth.
"Got it," Rhodes replied calmly, paying little attention.
If he couldn't handle a few ordinary opponents, he might as well give up his ambitions now.
As the final test-takers completed their evaluations, the trial concluded.
"The list of those who passed is now posted. Next, we'll proceed with the combat trials," Koala announced, drawing the crowd's attention.
Before her voice had even faded, a series of declarations rang out.
"I, Aiden, challenge Rhodes!"
"I, Reiz, challenge Rhodes!"
Voices overlapped, each claiming their turn.
Caught off guard, Koala blinked in surprise. So many challengers?
Then, understanding dawned. She couldn't help but chuckle.
Combat trials weren't mandatory for those who passed. Typically, only borderline cases—those just over the passing score—would face challenges. But Rhodes was an exception.
Everyone had seen his mediocre physical performance during the earlier tests. To them, it seemed unlikely his sword skills could bridge the gap. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Missing it meant waiting another year.
Watching the scene unfold, the other successful candidates quietly smirked, waiting to see Rhodes fail. Those with just-passing scores felt a wave of relief. With Rhodes as the primary target, they'd been spared the pressure of defending themselves.
"This is annoying."
Rhodes sighed inwardly. He'd been too low-key, and now it was backfiring.
"Looks like I'll need to make a stronger impression."
Standing, he stepped forward with a training sword in hand, scanning the eager challengers.
After a brief pause, his lips curved into a faint smile.
"Do you want to come at me one by one... or all at once?"
The crowd fell silent, shocked by his audacious challenge.
Then the square erupted in disbelief.
"Me first!"
Breaking the tension, Aiden stepped forward, his expression firm and determined.
"Damn it, Aiden got ahead of us!" Raef and the others cursed under their breaths, frustrated by their missed chance.
Unfazed, Aiden squared off against Rhodes, his resolve unwavering.
"Sorry, Dr. Rhodes, but I need to pass this test too."
"If you beat me, the spot is yours," Rhodes said calmly, his grip steady on his sword.
(End of Chapter)
I hope you're enjoying the story so far! If you're liking it, please consider leaving a review and dropping a Power Stone. Your feedback and support mean a lot to me and help keep the story going.