Crackle Crackle
A thin crackle of lightning surrounded my finger before disappearing.
"Haaah. Controlling lightning aura is indeed very hard. Like Frederick said, I should wait till I reach Tier 2 before even attempting to use lightning aura." I exclaimed while sitting in the training ground.
Sweat poured down my face as I observed the sun slowly going down.
After receiving my first 'break' I decided to go back to the training ground and experiment with my elemental affinity. I didn't expect it to be usable in battle but I never expected I would barely be able to bring it forth.
Every awakened person has an elemental affinity. They are capable of using their affinities by turning the mana in their bodies to the element they want to use. This is what I've been trying to do for the past few hours but with little success.
Not only is turning the mana within my body to lightning difficult, I don't have enough mana to keep practicing consistently.
Since it takes so much mana to convert to your elemental affinity, I have to keep stopping after a while. And if I actually wanted to use it, I would have to be Tier 2.
On the topic of Tier 2...
My progress with meditation has been going well. I can feel that I'm not too far away from reaching Tier 2. Maybe a few more weeks?
I'm not too sure how long this usually takes but I feel quite confident in myself. Until I remember that the academy starts in a month's time.
A grimace appeared on my face.
Is Tier 2 enough? Will that be enough to compete with the world's most talented people?
Awakening tends to happen between 16-19 years of age. In that regard, I'm been above average since I awakened at 17.
But I'm sure I'm not the only one. There will be people even more powerful than me there. Stronger, faster and probably even more skillful. Can I truly compete with these people?
Sigh
I let out a sigh as I slowly got up to continue training.
It doesn't matter whether they're stronger than me, faster than me, richer or even more skillful. I don't like Vera but I do agree with her on one thing. Intellect is the most powerful tool of all.
Even when I was a rift hunter, I survived and made a living by using my wit and perseverance. That's not going to change.
"Haha," a small chuckle escaped my mouth.
I guess the academy is just a lot of stuck-up young Rift Beasts together. Nothing I haven't dealt with.
I looked at the setting sun in the distance.
'Kayla is gonna be mad again'
I picked up my sword and started training on my first and probably last 'break' as Vera's knight.
***
Knock Knock
A gentle knock echoed throughout my room as I laid awake in bed.
'A knock? This early?'
It was still about an hour before my training session with Frederick would start. I would usually spend this time getting ready and preparing myself. After being woken up on my first day here, I was never approached in the morning again. Until now.
I quickly headed toward the door and opened it. What greeted me was the old butler I haven't seen in a while, Adrian.
I found out that this attendant is a Tier 6 warrior who personally attends to the Duke. Because the Duke was out, he was assigned to watch over Vera.
"Good morning, Sir. You are being summoned by the lady." With a respectful tone he informed me about Vera's summons.
'She summoned me?'
"Thank you, Adrian. I will head over there as soon as possible." I replied.
After making sure she wouldn't insult my appearance again, I let Adrian escort me towards Vera's office.
But as we were walking I realized we were headed in a different direction than normal.
We ended up reaching a room with a similar disposition as Vera's office.
Knock knock
"Come in." Vera's voice echoed from the other room.
After entering the room I saw Vera sit in a similar office with an identical desk.
It was very minimalistic just like the other one.
"Good morning, my knight. I hope you are excited for another day of serving me." Her playful smile appeared before me once again.
'I don't think I'll be able to do what you asked of me Amy.'
"Why exactly have I been summoned? And where are we exactly?" I reigned in my annoyance and asked the noble girl these questions.
"Jeez, not even a proper greeting, huh. Well we are currently in 'my' office."
"Your office?" I asked back surprised.
She nodded her head. "The previous office we were in belonged to my Father. I was merely using it in his absence. Since he has returned, I'm back to my little old working space."
A part of me wanted to mention that there is barely any difference but I held myself back.
"As for your other question," She pulled out 3 different books from below her desk.
"...I'm here to give you your Sword Art."
'My personal Sword Art.....'
"After talking with my father about giving you a special sword art, I was allowed into our treasury and picked out 3 different sword art that would fit you." She explained while spreading all three across the desk.
The books seemed quite old and ragged. It seems they've been in the treasury for a long time.
"Wait, how do you even know what style would fit me?" I questioned.
"I merely asked Frederick about how you fought. Based on that and your personality, I picked 3 that would suit you. Take a look." She signaled towards the desk.
Echoing Rhythm - Level 4
Whispering Gale - Level 3
Radiant Cross - Level 3
Each of the manuals had a level attached to them. Battle Arts are divided into 5 levels, from 1 to 5. Each level that the manual is, the stronger it will be as well. Though this does not come without a cost. A lower level one is easier to master than a higher level one so one has to choose carefully.
And just because a higher level one is picked does not mean it is always more powerful. A completely mastered level one sword art can easily beat a just acquired level 5 one.
The fact that there is a 4 manual as an option truly shows how powerful the Dawn family is.
I carefully picked up the first one
'Whispering Gale'
A nimble sword art focused on evasive movement, feints, and redirection. The user's blade flows like the wind—quiet, unpredictable, and hard to track. It's perfect for slipping through defenses and striking with deceptive precision.
The first Sword art seemed to focused on speed and deception. A great way to catch people by surprise. And because it is a level 3 Battle Art, it should not be too hard to learn.
I moved on to the second manual.
'Radiant Cross'
Relies on calm precision and sudden, sweeping slashes just like the curves of the crescent moon. Each strike is swift and powerful, ideal for counters or cutting through multiple enemies. It rewards patience and perfect timing over speed.
'This Sword Art is…'
"Correct. The Radiant Cross is the Sword Art used by most knights in the Dawn Order." Vera said while smiling.
"It was created by an ancestor of the Dawn family many years ago. It was created in the middle of battle by observing the Dawn family Sword Art. So in essence, it is an inferior version of Dawn Sword Art." She explained.
So the Radiant Cross was based on Vera's sword art. If I were to take this one, I would definitely be able to learn from the utilization of the Dawn knights or even her.
"Can I know what level the Dawn Sword Art is?" I asked her cautiously.
Knowledge about the direct power of a ducal family is an important matter so I didn't really expect an answer.
Hearing my question, Vera's grin widened. "You don't have to be so cautious. The Dawn Sword Art is a level 5 Battle Art."
Level 5…. Meaning, the highest level possible.
"Oh, for your information, most of the powerful families in the kingdom have at least a level 3 Art. I dare say that the Ducal families and even the Royal family are in possession of a level 4 Art at minimum."
'I guess there's a reason why the rich stay in power.'
Sigh
I put down the manual and turned to the final manual
'Echoing Rhythm'
A rhythmic sword technique that builds momentum with each strike, amplifying speed and precision as the flow continues. Each movement flows into the next like rippling echoes, gradually overwhelming the opponent with unrelenting momentum.
The only Level 4 Art available. It seemed to be a Sword art focused on a drawn out fight and studying my opponent.
'These Sword Arts do seem to fit with me quite well. They all have benefits and perks to picking them. But which one would help me the most.'
I closed my eyes and started contemplating each option in my head.
After a while I finally opened my eyes with determination.
"So? I'm guessing you've made a choice?" Vera's curious voice echoed throughout the simplistic office.
"I have." I said full of conviction as I picked up the manual I chose.
"Oh? 'Echoing Rhythm', huh? I thought for sure you would pick 'Radiant Cross'?" Her eyes gleamed with surprise.
I nodded. "I thought about picking Radiant Cross at first too. I would definitely learn a lot faster due to the examples of the other Dawn Knights."
"So why not pick this one?" She said
"Well, there are two reasons. The first one is that I might learn quicker with the Radiant Cross but because Echoing Rhythm is a higher level Art, I will end up stronger in the long run." I explained steadily.
"Okay then but what about your second reason?" She asked curiously.
'My second reason….'
This might be considered petty or prideful but…
"...I want to be stronger than you." I locked eyes with Vera as I said this.
"Oh?" Her voice suddenly got lower.
"If I picked Radiant Cross, I would never be able to match you or surpass you since it is an inferior version of your Sword art. But with this one, I would be able to compete with you in a completely different way." I confidently stated my reasoning.
"So you picked it because…..You want to beat me?"
"Yes." I nodded my head.
She remained quiet for a while before a wild smile broke out on her face. "I'm glad you picked this one."
I let out an internal sigh at her grin.
'I figured. She wanted me to pick this one.'
She read me again. She knows I want to surpass her and that I would pick this one.
But it doesn't matter if she knows. This is what she wanted.
I'll reach her level eventually.
And finally remove that smirk from her face.