Dashing forward, Zak and I both began attacking. Our swords lashed outward, crashing against Jax’s. However, even with all of my buffs and there now being two of us attacking, the sword master was still calmly fending us off.
“Your strength is certainly impressive, and your summon is somewhat skilled, but is this all you have?” Jax asked with a frown. Gritting my teeth, I swung my sword as fast as I could as many times as I could. The blade of my greatsword became almost invisible due to how fast I was striking. But it still wasn’t enough.
“[Dragonspeech],” I muttered.
[You have activated Skill [Dragonspeech]]
[Sword Master Jax is the target]
[Random effect has been triggered]
Jax was then blasted backwards suddenly by an invisible force. He dug his sword into the ground to slow himself, but it was the opening I needed. Running up behind him, I used my next Skill.
“[Draconic Breath]!” I shouted. A large swirling orb of energy condensed in front of my face before blasting out into a beam-like torrent. I watched as it completely engulfed my swordsmanship teacher. “Dang. I didn’t overdo it, did I?”
But when the dust cleared, I noticed two things. First, that Jax was completely unscathed. And second, that the blade of his sword was wrapped in a layer of highly concentrated Mana.
“Congratulations. You made me break my word. I said I’d only use my basic swordsmanship, but that last attack of yours forced me to use my [Sword Aura] to cleave through it,” Jax complimented.
[Quest’s hidden objective has been completed]
[Force Jax to use a Skill 0/1]
[Rewards: ???]
[Reward will be given once main Quest objective has been completed]
“[Moonlight Blast]!”
I dashed around him in a circle, repeatedly firing energy blasts. He deflected them with his sword, but it still distracted him as Zak ran at him. Catching the sword master off guard, my magical summon clashed swords with him yet again. Flapping my wings, I flew into the air and fired off more Moonlight Blasts. They impacted the area around the two fighters, creating a huge dust cloud.
Dropping into the cloud, I brought my greatsword down on Jax. He barely deflected my attack, but Zak then stabbed at his abdomen. Spinning, the sword master kicked away the tangible ghost. Huffing and puffing a little, I could tell he was starting to tire. Unfortunately, so was I.
“You’re better than I initially thought,” Jax admitted. “Your skill with a sword still needs work, but you are very skilled with your usage of abilities and magic. You’re also quite strategic. But you still have yet to land a single blow on me.”
“I know. And I’m about to change that,” I replied. I then let out a loud whistle. I heard two howls as Fluffy and Orthrus raced over. They saw me fighting and immediately attacked Jax from two different angles. At the same time, Zak and I attacked from the front and back. And instead of facing us all, the man simply raised his hands in surrender.
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“You win. For me to get out of this situation, I’d have to kill one of your pets, and I don’t want that to happen just for a simple test,” Jax explained. He sheathed his sword and I received a notification.
[You have obtained +Relationship with Sword Master Jax]
“And since you impressed me by forcing me to use [Sword Aura], I’ll give this to you as well,” he added. Pulling his sword out his scabbard, Jax removed the scabbard from his waist and handed it to me.
[You have obtained Item [Avalon]]
[Avalon]
[Rarity: Legendary]
[Type: Scabbard]
[Subtype: Container, Recovery
[Restrictions: acknowledgment by [Avalon’s] current owner]
[Durability: infinite]
[Effects:
1. Can sheath any sword regardless of its size
2. Negates Bleed and Hemorrhage status effects
3. +250% HP recovery rate]
[A deceptively plain and ordinary-looking leather scabbard, it can sheath any sword regardless of size and houses powerful magic that keeps the wearer alive by stopping their wounds from bleeding and speeding up their healing.]
“Wow, thank you! It’s amazing!” I replied. “Why would you give something like this to me?”
“Because in my eyes, you earned it,” Jax told me. “Just make sure to take good care of it. According to legend, it’s the scabbard of an incredibly powerful magic sword, but got lost and separated a long time ago. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to reunite [Avalon] with the sword.”
“Do you know the name of this sword?” I asked.
“No, I don’t. I merely know the basics of the legends around [Avalon] since I’ve been its owner for a little over a decade now,” he answered. “But now, it’s time for it to have a new owner. Either way, it’s time for your training.”
I nodded, readying myself. However, the almost devilish grin on Jax’s face made me second-guess this.
“Good. Let’s begin, my disciple.”
* * *
I lay on the ground, sucking as much air into my lungs as I could. My newfound teacher, however, just stood above me. His face was set into an expression of disappointment.
“Why are you so tired after completing one lesson?” He demanded. “I understand that this is still new to you, but can you really not handle even training as simple as this?”
He clicked his tongue and shook his head. However, I had still successfully completed his first lesson, and that was enough for me. Because that meant I had completed the Quest and received my reward.
[You have obtained Class Skill [Path of the Sword]]
[Path of the Sword]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. +200% all main stats when wielding a sword-type weapon]
[Effects will grow and become stronger as the Player’s strength, swordsmanship, and experience with this Skill grows]
“If this is just the Skill’s starting point, then I’m already excited to see just how much stronger it can become,” I thought aloud.
“You see, disciple, as one walks the path of the sword, their path becomes clearer and this in turn makes their sword sharper,” Jax explained. “The more your swordsmanship grows, the stronger you will become not just with your sword but physically as well. That is one of the advantages of being a [Sword Master]. We have the potential for limitless growth stagnated or stopped only by our own lack of effort.”
“I understand, Master,” I replied. “Thank you for your teachings and your wisdom.”
“You’re welcome. Now, would like to do some more training?” Jax asked.
“I’m sorry, but I have to meet up with my companion. She and I both came here to obtain our Classes,” I replied.
“Do you mean that woman over there? She’s been sitting by that tree and watching us for a little while now,” Jax mentioned while pointing. Looking over, I saw Gam sitting on the grass in the shade. Since I had noticed her, she got up and walked over.
“Hey, Cain. I see you chose one of the notorious and infamously difficult Martial Classes,” she stated.
“Martial Classes?”
“Yeah, that’s the nickname a lot of us beta testers gave to Classes like [Sword Master],” she began explaining. “Most Classes allow you to obtain Class Skills by simply doing basic Quests. But that’s not the case with the Martial Classes. They require you to undergo rigorous training similar to martial arts as the Quests. Which then allows you to learn the Skills, but they must still be practiced and mastered in order to use to their full extent, like actual martial art techniques. And because of these strict requirements, the Class Instructors have to personally train and teach those who obtain the Class.”
“I see. But honestly, I kinda like that. But maybe it’s simply because I practice swordsmanship in real life and this gives me a slight feeling of normalcy,” I replied.
“I guess that makes sense. Well, I’m heading back to the inn I’ve been staying at. You can train more if you want,” she said. She then left, walking away.
“Do you wish to continue training like she suggested?” Jax asked.
“Yes, please, Master. I’m ready to keep going,” I answered.
“Excellent. Then now, I will begin teaching you how to wield [Sword Aura],” he replied.
“You mean that thing you did to defend yourself against my [Draconic Breath]?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Awesome! It looked really strong!”
“Its strength lies in its execution and your own proficiency with it. So to make your [Sword Aura] as strong as mine, you must train it and work hard.”
“I will, Master. I promise!”
“Good. Let’s get started then.”