Adam focused intensely on the faint light that appeared amidst the darkness of his closed eyes. His breathing was slow and steady, as he had trained himself under the relentless waterfall.
The light seemed to sway slightly, moving in random directions, but eventually, it settled in one spot.
As Adam noticed this, his concentration deepened. The light began to grow in size, its glow intensifying.
A small flicker of joy sparked in Adam's chest, but as soon as he felt this excitement, the light shrank back into a faint speck.
“No, no, no!” Adam whispered to himself. “Stay calm, Adam. Don’t get excited. Focus.”
Reprimanding himself internally, he forced his focus back onto the light. It flickered slightly again but steadied as Adam pushed his distractions aside.
Slowly, the light grew larger once more. It expanded in size, inching closer to him, and then, to Adam’s amazement, it began to change shape.
Adam’s eyes remained closed, but the shifting light was vivid in his mind. It morphed and stretched, gradually forming the outline of a human figure. His breath caught as he watched the glowing light solidify into a humanoid shape.
The figure radiated with a brilliant white glow, but its details became clearer as Adam concentrated. A moment later, Adam recognized it—it was Jordan. The glowing figure bore Jordan’s face and posture, standing confidently before Adam.
Adam’s heart raced with surprise and confusion. “What… what is this?” he muttered to himself, trying to comprehend what he was witnessing. But before he could process it further, the glowing figure of Jordan vanished, leaving behind the same oppressive darkness as before.
Adam felt a pang of frustration. He took a deep breath, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly to calm his mind. He steadied his thoughts, muttering under his breath, “Focus, Adam. You’re so close. Don’t give up now.”
Meanwhile, outside the waterfall, Jordan was leaning against his sword, which was embedded in the rocky ground. He sat with a relaxed posture, his sharp eyes fixed on Adam. The younger man’s expressions shifted between concentration, frustration, and determination, giving Jordan a clear picture of his struggles.
Jordan smirked slightly. So, he’s failing repeatedly. That’s no surprise. Even prodigies struggle with this. It’s a process that takes years to master, he thought. But as much as he believed Adam wasn’t making significant progress, Jordan remained patient. He had seen Adam’s exceptional determination before and knew better than to underestimate him.
Back under the waterfall, Adam adjusted his posture in the lotus position and took another deep breath. This time, as he exhaled and directed his focus inward, the light appeared almost instantly. Unlike before, it didn’t sway or flicker. Instead, it stabilized quickly and began to grow at a rapid pace.
Adam felt his heart pound as the light once again took on the form of Jordan. But this time, the figure was more defined. Adam could see the glowing Jordan seated just a short distance in front of him. Even with his eyes closed, Adam could sense Jordan’s exact position, as though the glowing figure was an extension of his awareness.
“This… this must be the technique Jordan uses,” Adam murmured to himself, awe filling his voice. He clenched his fists, refusing to let his focus waver this time. The glowing figure didn’t vanish. Instead, it remained steady, its radiance undiminished.
As Adam observed, he noticed something unusual. His breathing—slow, deep, and controlled—seemed to strengthen his focus. Every time he held his breath in his abdomen for a few moments, his concentration sharpened, and the connection to the glowing figure deepened.
Adam realized something else: the water cascading over him wasn’t just calming his body; it was enhancing his ability to remain still and centered. The constant pressure of the waterfall seemed to strip away all distractions, leaving only his mind and the light.
The glowing figure of Jordan continued to sit before him, and for the first time, Adam smiled. He felt as though he was on the verge of understanding something profound.
Outside, Jordan noticed Adam’s faint smile and raised an eyebrow. “What’s so funny, Adam? Why are you smiling?” Jordan called out, his voice curious but tinged with skepticism.
Adam didn’t respond immediately. He remained focused, his smile growing as he noticed something incredible. The glowing figure of Jordan in his mind moved. Its mouth opened, and from it, a wave of white energy rippled outward, floating toward Adam in the darkness.
Adam’s breath caught in his throat as the wave of energy approached him. He didn’t know what it was, but it felt powerful, almost divine. “What… is this technique?” Adam thought, marveling at the sheer complexity and potential of what he was witnessing.
Adam sat in stunned silence, his awareness locked onto the glowing figure and the strange, ethereal energy it emitted.
Adam observed the white waves of energy emanating from Jordan’s glowing figure. They moved gracefully through the air, floating toward him in soft ripples.
At that moment, Adam realized something astonishing—those waves weren’t just random. They were the vibrations of Jordan’s voice, visualized as radiant energy.
The sheer intricacy and elegance of the technique left Adam in awe. His heart raced with excitement, and he couldn’t hold back the smile spreading across his face.
Overcome with wonder, Adam’s discipline wavered, and he opened his eyes abruptly.
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The sound of the waterfall crashing against the rocks filled the air again, snapping him out of the deep, focused state. Across from him, Jordan’s calm demeanor was replaced with visible shock.
“What are you doing?!” Jordan’s voice cut through the noise. He stood up sharply, his expression stern. “Did I tell you to open your eyes before you had mastered the sensation?”
But Adam couldn’t suppress his emotions. Instead of looking apologetic, he smiled even wider, eventually breaking into laughter. His uncontrollable amusement baffled Jordan further, and his frown deepened.
“Is this a joke to you, Adam? Am I some kind of clown to make you laugh?” Jordan demanded, his tone edged with irritation.
Adam finally steadied himself and met Jordan’s intense gaze. “No, Master Jordan,” Adam replied, a hint of triumph in his voice. “I wasn’t laughing at you—I was laughing because I sensed something.”
Jordan’s eyes narrowed, the sternness on his face faltering as a flicker of surprise crossed his expression. Adam didn’t wait for further questions.
“I sensed you, Master,” Adam began eagerly. “I saw your glowing form—bright, white, and clear. But that’s not all. When you spoke, I could see your voice. It came toward me as rippling waves of light, flowing through the air.”
Jordan froze, the words sinking in. He didn’t respond immediately, but his widened eyes betrayed his astonishment.
Adam had achieved something remarkable—something that took members of the Sword Clan years to master. Jordan stood in silence, processing what he had just heard.
Adam noticed Jordan’s reaction and couldn’t hold back another chuckle. The usually composed and confident master looked completely stunned, leaving Adam both amused and proud.
However, Jordan quickly composed himself, his inner thoughts sharpening. I know Adam is extraordinarily talented. A prodigy, even. But I can’t let him stop here. I must push him further—to his absolute limit.
With this resolve, Jordan’s expression hardened. He looked directly at Adam, his voice cold and unwavering. “I’m disappointed in you, Adam.”
Adam’s laughter ceased instantly, replaced by a confused look. “W-what?” he stammered. Jordan’s words hit him like a cold wind, and he blinked in disbelief.
Jordan exhaled slowly, his tone turning firm but calm. “You’re laughing as though you’ve accomplished something extraordinary. But opening your eyes before mastering control shows me that you’re overconfident.” He paused, his gaze piercing.
“Overconfidence is the greatest enemy of a warrior. It makes you reckless, blinds you to danger, and gets you killed.”
Adam sat motionless, his mind reeling. Jordan’s words struck a nerve. Overconfidence? Me? No… Adam thought to himself. But as he replayed the events in his mind, he realized the truth in his master’s reprimand.
Jordan continued, his voice softer but still firm. “What you achieved today is impressive, yes. But if you think this is all you need to survive or fight, you’re mistaken. You’re nowhere near ready.”
Adam clenched his fists, shame washing over him. He bowed his head slightly and spoke with sincerity. “You’re right, Master Jordan. I let myself stray from the path. I got carried away after sensing just a fraction of what’s possible.” He looked up, determination burning in his eyes. “I promise it won’t happen again.”
Jordan watched him for a moment, nodding faintly. Without another word, Adam closed his eyes and resumed his meditative posture. The sound of the waterfall surrounded him once more as he inhaled deeply, centering himself.
This time, there was no excitement or distraction—only a quiet determination to move forward without faltering. Adam re-entered his focused state, the lesson from his master fresh in his mind.
Adam sat still, his eyes closed, immersing himself in the sensations of his surroundings. At first, his focus remained on Jordan. Through his sharpened awareness, Adam could "see" Jordan sitting cross-legged by the riverbank, his form outlined in a radiant white glow.
As Adam's concentration deepened, the world around him began to shift. Slowly, other presences came into focus—living things he had been oblivious to before.
In the water nearby, fish swam lazily, their outlines glowing faintly in his mind’s eye. This newfound perception surprised Adam, but he quickly realized this was just the beginning.
His breathing slowed, steady and deliberate. The cold water cascading down from above soaked his body, chilling him to the bone, yet it brought an unexpected clarity to his mind.
The icy stream seemed to numb his body but awaken his senses. His thoughts quieted, and his focus sharpened further.
Despite these small achievements, Adam didn’t allow himself to feel content. His goal was far greater, and this was only a step along the way.
After sitting motionless for a long while, Adam noticed something new. His perception of living beings became even clearer.
The white outlines he initially saw began to grow more detailed. He could almost discern the energy pulsing within the shapes—like a heartbeat that resonated faintly in the stillness of his meditative state.
Unbeknownst to Adam, his subconscious actions were affecting his body.
The devices strapped to his arms and legs—heavy bands designed to absorb his mana and add weight—were no longer hindering him as before.
Adam had subconsciously begun to control his energy flow, neutralizing the weight and making it feel almost natural.
Jordan, sitting quietly nearby, eventually stood up, his movements purposeful.
Adam’s heightened awareness picked up on it immediately. Without opening his eyes, Adam sensed the energy from Jordan shifting as he rose.
Jordan’s figure glowed faintly in Adam’s mind, and even as he spoke, Adam could visualize the white waves emanating from his mouth, rippling toward him like a soft breeze.
“Adam,” Jordan’s voice echoed, resonating both physically and energetically, “your training here is done. Step out of the waterfall now.”
The words reached Adam not just as sound but as energy, as if Jordan’s very essence carried the command to him. Slowly, Adam opened his eyes. He blinked, adjusting to the physical world once again, and tried to stand—but his legs didn’t respond.
Glancing down, he realized his legs had gone numb from sitting under the icy water for so long. Smiling wryly at the challenge, Adam grabbed his legs with his hands, massaging them firmly to restore circulation.
Blood slowly began to flow, bringing warmth back to his limbs. After a few moments, he managed to stand, albeit shakily, and stepped out of the waterfall.
Jordan watched Adam closely, his sharp eyes noticing the faint yet significant change in Adam’s energy. It no longer radiated wildly or uncontrolled.
Instead, it had become much more contained and balanced, flowing steadily within Adam’s body. Jordan couldn’t help but feel impressed.
He’s progressing faster than I anticipated, Jordan thought, a trace of pride in his usually stoic demeanor.
The training plans I had in mind for him won’t suffice anymore. I’ll have to create something far more challenging—something that pushes him to his absolute limit.
Adam, now out of the water, dried himself off and began putting on his clothes. As he adjusted his sleeves, Jordan approached him.
“Adam,” Jordan began, his tone calm but firm, “what you sensed earlier—the white outlines and the energy you saw—we call that Aura Sense. It’s the most basic skill needed to reach higher levels of swordsmanship in the Sword Clan.”
Adam paused for a moment, processing Jordan’s words. Then, with a determined look, he nodded in acknowledgment.
“I understand, Master,” Adam said, his voice steady.
Jordan observed Adam’s reaction and gave a small, approving nod before turning to leave.
Adam finished dressing, tightening his boots and cloak, all the while thinking to himself. Aura Sense… I’ll master it. No matter what it takes, I’ll master this skill.
With his resolve solidified, Adam followed Jordan. The two walked away from the waterfall, the sound of rushing water fading behind them.
And with that, the chapter concluded.