The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 61: The Colorless Air Sword

"What is this place?"

[This is a training ground, a space where sorcerers trained during the Magical Era. It's a virtual space created by magic.]

Karyl took in the vast expanse before him. Though he had conquered the Gray Training Ground in his past life, such a wide open space was unfamiliar to him.

[The Platinum Dragon knows the layout of this place. We skipped unnecessary areas and came directly to the place where the Freezing Talons are stored." Allen continued, almost as if he had anticipated Karyl's curiosity before he even voiced it. "Or perhaps, it was to kill me quickly.]

Karyl chuckled, finding Allen’s self-deprecating words amusing. "To kill a sorcerer of your caliber without anyone knowing. It’s a reminder that Narh Di Maug is truly a dragon."

[Indeed, that's the creature you’ll be facing. Keep it in mind.]

"I'm still keeping my options open. Just because I've made a contract with you doesn't mean I'll definitely take your side."

[Hmph, we shall see.]

Karyl couldn’t help but doubt Allen’s confidence. Are his claims really true?

After the Revelation of the Oracle, when all the dragons turned their backs on humanity, it was only Narh Di Maug who fought alongside humanity. However, according to Allen Javius, it wasn't simply from his concern for humans.

[Focus.] Allen's voice broke through Karyl's reverie.

Karyl tightened his grip on the Freezing Talon.

[The Gray Training Ground, as its name suggests was a space where sorcerers were trained. There were many sorcerers there, each with their own unique characteristics.]

During the Magical Era, the time when Allen was alive, magic flourished far more than the present. Even for the same element, they created countless unconventional spells instead of just standardized ones. Perhaps the origin of the magic used by Kaye Aesir 250 years ago might have been first discovered by someone from the Magical Era.

[And even among them, there was one particularly unique individual.]

"I see." Karyl could tell, even without Allen Javius's explanation.

The training ground was littered with countless traces of magic. However, among them all, something stood out conspicuously.

"Sword marks."

The traces, ancient and chaotic, remained all over the walls and throughout the training ground.

They are not from just one person... That must have been the reason why they seemed chaotic. Over time, new traces overlaid the original sword marks, merging and mixing to the point of being indistinguishable.

[What I’m trying to say is not that I don’t want to make you into a Sword Master. The swordsmanship we must pursue is not just about imbuing the sword with mana to increase its power.]

"Then?"

[At best, the magic a swordsman can use is limited to buffs for enhancing one's physique, shields, and imbuing their weapons with elements to make a mana blade.]

Karyl nodded in agreement with Allen Javius's words.

[While there are limits to physical swordsmanship, there are no limits to magic. What if a person with sword master-level skills had the magical power of a great sorcerer?]

"Hmph..." But this tie Karyl scoffed instead. "That’s a narrow-minded view from a sorcerer's perspective. Limits to swordsmanship? According to whom? I'd like to see if they've truly reached the pinnacle."

[Haha... Yes, you can certainly see it that way. I don't know much about swordsmanship, but I do acknowledge that I’m talking from a sorcerer's perspective,] Allen said with a slight chuckle.

Allen struck the ground with his blurred staff, causing the numerous sword marks to disappear, leaving only one.

[What I want to tell you is not about whether sorcerers or swordsmen are stronger.]

"..."

[It’s just that there was something that man said.]

"What was it?" Karyl asked, yet his eyes remained fixed on the remaining sword marks.

[The swordsmanship of a swordsman and the swordmanship of a sorcerer are clearly different.]

Allen Javius could tell that Karyl had grasped something from the sword marks.

With a tone as if sharing a secret, Allen whispered to Karyl, [You're no longer bound by conventional standards. You don't plan to remain just a sword master, do you?]

"So?" Karyl asked with a slight chuckle.

"A unique existence capable of using the abilities of both a great sorcerer and a sword master."

As if on cue, the sword marks engraved in the training ground began to glow.

"Become a Grand Master, a pinnacle that no one else has reached."

***

Swoosh—

A sword whirled before his eyes, its sequence of moves evolving from reckless to unconventional. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, the trajectories traced through the air were a blur, too chaotic to follow with the naked eye.

The spectral figure, radiating a gentle blue glow, split into two, then three, and engaged in a fierce battle.

[These sword strikes are inspired by the remnants of the sword marks on the training ground as well as my own memories. Swordsmanship is difficult to explain, so observing it firsthand is far better than countless explanations.]

"How fascinating," Karyl remarked.

One of the three specters beheaded another, then, without losing momentum, effortlessly transitioned into a seamless strike that severed the life of the final one.

But that wasn’t the end, as if to continue the sword dance five more specters appeared in the air.

Each one of the strikes targets the vital points, using magic to compensate for difficult positions instead of relying solely on the mana blade. The focus lies on the swordsmanship itself.

Karyl watched the specters' swordplay, distinct from both his own fighting style and that of a sword master.

[This sword form was created by Calnere, the sole elder among the Assembly of Seven Elders who wielded a sword. He developed the most suitable sword form to complement his Freezing Talons.]

"Truly remarkable."

[The form comprises forty-nine intricate and meticulously designed sword techniques, capable of adapting to any situation flawlessly. I hate to admit it, but even I found it challenging to counter his swordplay.]

Allen Javius waved his hand, dispersing five specters before them. Almost simultaneously, forty-nine more specters emerged, each assuming a unique sword stance. Karyl closely observed every one of them, etching their forms into his memory one by one.

[It's not an easy form to master. Don't be hasty, patience is key. Even after we leave the Gray Training Ground, I can create this space as long as we have a contract.] Allen Javius patted Karyl's shoulder lightly. [With your magic, it will be a breeze.]

Karyl lightly swung the Freezing Talons, slicing through the air with a resounding thud.

"Hmm..."

He then closed his eyes, seemingly lost in contemplation.

After standing still for a few minutes, Karyl opened his eyes and swung his sword once more. Yet this time, the strikes flowed more fluidly, seamlessly connecting with each other. As he continued repeating the moves, the heavy sound of the blade turned sharper, and Karyl's movements grew faster.

[...]

From top to bottom, from side to diagonal, Allen silently observed Karyl's graceful form, his lips tightly sealed. The sharp sound seemed to cleave through the air, drowning out the booming noise until it was nearly imperceptible.

"Phew..."

The swordplay finally came to a conclusion, droplets of frost fell from the sword's tip to the ground as Karyl lightly swung the Freezing Talons one last time.

"Does this sword form have a name?" Karyl asked, wiping away his sweat.

[The Colorless Air Sword,] Allen Javius responded, his voice filled with astonishment.

"A fitting name indeed," Karyl nodded, swinging his sword lightly once more, savoring the swordplay.

"But is this the extent of what you wished to show me?"

[What?] Allen Javius flinched.

"If that's the case, I don’t think there’s anything left for me here. You’d probably find someone outside who suits your taste more."

[What do you mean...?]

[Ah, for your information, you're mistaken about one thing. This sword form isn't a complex one consisting of forty-nine moves.] Said Karyl as he sheathed the Freezing Talons.

"Then...?" Allen Javius gaped at him, startled.

"It's form comprising only seven moves."

Karyl had already pierced through the essence of the Colorless Air Sword.

***

Karyl was leaning back in the carriage prepared by the Lord’s manor, resting for the first time in a long while.

"Welcome Back!!"

When a shout from outside made him open his eyes, shattering his brief moment of respite.

"Are we already there?"

Reminiscing his time at the Gray Training Ground, Karyl murmured with a tinge of regret.

[Is that him? The one you mentioned.]

Seeing Mikhail rushing over, Karyl felt a sense of homecoming. Behind Mikhail stood Aidan Hamil and Bargo Sira.

"Yeah, that’s him. What do you think?"

[Now I see why the Platinum Dragon said that. The meridians connecting his magic blood to the mana points are shorter than those of others. Such a physique makes it easier to learn magic.]

"Is that so?"

[Hold his hand for a moment.]

Stepping out of the carriage, Karyl grasped Mikhail's hand as Allen had suggested.

"Huh?!" Mikhail looked at him in surprise due to the unexpected handshake.

[Hmm, excellent. The thickness of his meridians also makes the circulation of magic easier... What a blessed physique. If trained properly, he might even rise to the ranks of a great sorcerer of your era.]

That much?

[Hmph. In my era, such talent was a dime a dozen.]

Karyl chuckled at Allen's lingering pride in his era. But it was clear now. Unlike Karyl's mere speculation, Allen Javius had precisely discerned Mikhail's talent and physique.

[Well, of course, that's assuming he can earn to that extent.]

It was truly a shame. Someone with the potential to become a great sorcerer had lived the life of a slightly above-average mercenary in Karyls’s previous life.

It's remarkable how fickle fate can be.

Of course, this applied to Karyl as well. Who would’ve thought that in trying to find the freezing talons, he would end up meeting an ancient sorcerer in the Gray Training Ground? And now, here he was, with that very sorcerer.

Well, with you as his mentor, what’s there to worry about?

Karyl conveyed his thoughts to Allen mentally. Since they had formed a contract, they could communicate without uttering a word.

[You want me to teach this greenhorn now? Oh my, this lad.]

Despite his grumbling, Allen's voice carried a hint of excitement. It was only natural. Whether alive or dead, he was a sorcerer. Nurturing a promising disciple was as gratifying as delving into magic himself.

We'll need him. I can’t tackle Narh Di Maug's lair alone. Plus, teaching Mikhail would probably be more enjoyable for you than teaching me.

[Hmm...]

"Once we wrap up here, we'll head out immediately. There’s plenty of time. How about we properly train him up before we reach the lair?"

Honestly, for Allen, nurturing a sorcerer would be far more enjoyable than training a swordsman like Karyl.

[Okay, but I have a condition. Teaching him will take quite some time. I'll leave the timing of our arrival at the Platinum Dragon's lair to you. In return, can we make a detour to the Blue Road along our journey?]

"The Blue Road...?" Karyl furrowed his head at the unfamiliar name.

[Well, the people from this era call it...] Allen continued, retrieving a word from Karyl's memory. [The Abyss Rock.]

Karyl's expression stiffened.

[Ah, yes. It’s a place you likely don’t want to visit. It's where the tower, through you which you returned to the past, was erected. And also the place where...]

"Enough."

Karyl cut Allen’s words off.

Of course, Karyl knew that place. How could he not know? How could he forget?

After all, it was the place where he had killed Emperor Olivurn.