Chapter 3. Prove Your Path
Following Tut throughout the city, I learned that Adaridge was split into several districts corresponding to the cardinal directions. The North being noble district, The South being the commoner district, East being the guild and training district, and West being the marketplace.
As the noble district is inaccessible to unworthy outers, and there is nothing of import in the commoner district, Tut first leads me to the guild district.
We arrive and see an area with multiple large buildings with each seemingly having their own theme. From an academical type building to a training post area and even a church, one could guess what kind of training you could receive.
“Is there any training in particular you would like to receive?”
“Yeah, I wanted to learn about Aura.”
“Ah, Aura? Allow me to take you to the warrior’s guild.”
Walking past the training post area, I notice a large number of players hitting training dummies and enter the nearby building.
After entering, Tut introduced me to a large shirtless man, wearing only brown trousers and a harness to carry an overwhelmingly large sword on his back.
“Tut! It’s been a while! You bring us some fresh meat?”
“Hah, don’t scare this one away too fast, Brian.”
“HAR! HAR! HAR! It’s not my fault the last one couldn’t handle the pressure.”
“Anyways, Katsu here wanted to learn about Aura.”
“Aura? Aura is life! It’s the way us warriors utilize mana to enhance our immaculate bodies!”
“Hold on, mana again. What exactly is that?”
“Ah excuse me, got ahead of myself.”
Brian further explained that mana is the energy of life all around us. It’s the energy of nature that warriors use to strengthen their bodies and magicians use to cast their spells. While magicians absorb mana into their magic circles, warriors spread mana throughout their bodies. They utilize Aura, which is the power to instantaneously utilize the mana within their bodies. Mana normally stored throughout the body is then released according to the users will to enhance parts of their bodies and even their weapons at higher levels.
“Hmm… I understand the principle but how do warriors get stronger? I heard that magicians could create more mana circles, but won’t warriors hit a limit when they fill their whole body with mana?”
“Hah! Good question! As mana fills throughout their bodies and as their Aura utilization gets better, mana begins to seep into their muscles and bones making them stronger than ever! And with a stronger body, warriors are then able to absorb more mana! So, what do you say? Interested in becoming a warrior?”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Ye..”
Don’t blindly follow what people tell you.
I’m suddenly hit with a memory from grandpa I had during training.
Think things through before you decide on a path. Clear Mirror, Still Water.
Damn he’s right.
My mind should be like a clear mirror, and still water. Meaning that I need to have a clear and steady mind, capable of reflecting the situation unperturbed, understanding what action to take, and following through with that action.
So, let’s think about this situation. I decided to enter True World to further hone my swordsmanship. I decided against magic as that would end up splitting my time between sword and magic but does Aura complement my Tranquil Sword style? The Tranquil Sword utilizes energy through breathing into the lower abdomen. Drawing energy through the core, the sword style unleashes itself with ferocity through a single point. Now what about Aura? Aura is about storing mana throughout the body. While that energy spread throughout the body would be easy to control, without a core to begin my sword art from, I would be utilizing my art without it’s true substance. It would be no different than throwing away everything I have learned. In its essence, Aura is not compatible with my sword style.
“No.”
“No?!”
Seeing the anger rise on Brian’s face, I try to explain my reasoning.
“It just doesn’t seem compati…”
“Not compatible?! Nonsense, I’ve seen your gait and well-defined muscles right when you entered through that door. You seem to have years of training in some martial art and will surely be the perfect student!”
“No that’s not wha…”
“Enough! I’ll explain through my body! I’ll show you the majestic power of Aura firsthand! We fight now!”
I sigh as I’m cut off once again and follow Brian as he storms through the door to the training area.
As I head towards the training area, I already see Brian standing in the middle in an arena type area holding a wooden claymore. Walking past the whispers of the gathering trainees, I enter the stage.
“You are a lucky one, Katu! Not many trainees have the chance to spar with Brian the Adaridge Warrior guild master!”
“It’s Katsu. Wait guild master?”
*Ding*
Quest: Prove Your Path
Mandatory
Survive 1 minute against Brian, Adaridge's Warrior Guild Master. If you can prove you have the strength to find your own path, you will be rewarded
Rewards: ???
Accept:
Yes/No
What? How is that allowed?
“Woah he’s fighting Brian? I heard he was a Lv 35 Sword Lord before he became the guild master.”
Hearing the whispers from the trainees I realize how messed up this situation is. Also, what’s a Sword Lord?
“Now, choose your weapon.”
I sigh again and look at the rack of weapons on the side, I see wooden weapons ranging from long swords and axes, to spears and maces.
“Do you happen to have a bokken?”
“Bo what?” Brian says
“It’s like a wooden katana.”
“Ka what?”
“It’s like a single edged… never mind.”
I choose the closest equivalent. A wooden sword with grip big enough for two hands but with a moderate sized blade length. The balance is a bit different then I’m used too but it should be a good enough substitute for this spar.
“Bastard sword huh? Interesting choice. Let’s begin!”
The battle to decide the future of my sword path is happening faster than I thought it would…