Night, the woods behind the village.
Sylutia closed her eyes and stood quietly in a moonlit clearing, silver moonlight washing over her, giving her hair and dress a faint halo—peaceful with a hint of the sacred.
She first slowly adjusted her breathing, gradually searching for the subtle rhythm of blood within her, then immersed herself step by step so that her breath, heartbeat, and consciousness synchronized. A strange sensation spread through her body.
The states of each part of her body gradually surfaced in her mind: the feel of her skin, the presence of muscles, the activity of internal organs, and finally the faint sound of blood flowing—all of it became clear, bit by bit.
She had never felt her body so vividly; it was as if she had taken control of this body a second time. Fresh, delicate sensations came from every part. At first it felt odd, but she quickly adapted. This sharpened her perception and improved her control over her limbs.
Sylutia opened her pale-blue eyes, looked up at the branches and leaves not far above, and deftly slipped a finger into the gap between leaves to pluck an unripe fruit from among the dense foliage—without touching a single leaf. The sensation was delightfully peculiar.
It was like a ping-pong rally: when the opponent sends a ball your way, even if you know how to return it, your wrist might not sync with your vision—sometimes you swing through empty air or can’t pinpoint where on the paddle the ball will land.
Brain: I think I can hit that ball.
Hand: No, you can’t.
Breathing... adjust the rhythm... sense the blood’s cadence... synchronize and immerse.
In the ocean of consciousness, that dense, delicate network of blood once again completed a cycle, and the Aspect power within the blood subtly strengthened in the process.
(‘Breathing Technique’ completion +6)
After finishing this cycle, Sylutia eased her breathing and withdrew from that strange state; a slight soreness rippled through her body.
That’s enough practice for today, or I’ll accumulate internal injuries, she thought as she checked her progress.
[Breathing Method Lv.0] (Blood Rhythm): An unformed ability; current progress (24/100)
Today she had completed three training cycles, and her learning progress had increased by 12, 6, and 6 respectively. At this rate, it would take about a week to fully master it.
After finishing the breathing training, she picked up the wooden sword placed under the tree and practiced swinging it, recalling the basic techniques Frien had taught that day.
At first her movements were slow as she constantly adjusted to make her motions flow more smoothly. This was when the benefit of the breathing technique became apparent: with stronger bodily control and perception, she could notice tiny differences between motions and correct them continually.
If an ordinary person learns swordsmanship without a qualified teacher, they at best mimic the movements and remain a hollow imitation, never truly mastering it—ending up with a performative, superficial sword style.
With a qualified teacher and real combat practice, constant corrections after years of effort allow one to gradually find the most suitable way to generate force and techniques, engraining them into muscle memory and eventually becoming a sword master. This process takes at the shortest five years, often ten or more.
‘Basic Swordsmanship’ proficiency +12
Basic Swordsmanship Lv.0: Skill still being learned; current progress (36/100)
After a full round of practice, Sylutia felt somewhat tired. She blinked, checked her progress, and thought that if she pushed herself a bit, she might reach Basic Swordsmanship Lv.1 by tomorrow.
By the way, her Discernment Eyes can’t perceive other people’s achievements in skill and technique; they only work to observe her own progress. Perhaps she needs to raise her Aspect tier to further enhance this ability.
She had made good gains today, and was satisfied as she sheathed the sword and walked lightly toward the small cottage where she lived.
Pushing open the door and seeing a few lights inside, Sylutia entered to find Talier still awake, leaning on the table and staring at the candle in bored silence. When Sylutia came in, Talier shot up and her face lit with delight.
“Tia’s back.” After these past couple of days, the two had become closer; at the girl’s request, Sylutia no longer received formal address and was spoken to casually.
“Mm.”
Sylutia nodded, sat down in the chair opposite Talier, stretched her legs, and gave a little yawn. The gentle curve of her waist showed in that small stretch; the languid pose gave off an unintended charm that left Talier somewhat stunned.
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Seeing Talier frozen, Sylutia waved a hand in front of her and tilted her head in curiosity—her silver hair and blue eyes particularly captivating.
“Nothing.” Talier bit her lip lightly to stay composed.
“Tia, did you just finish sword practice?” After dinner, Sylutia had told her she planned to practice.
“Yes. Since I’m wandering, I should at least learn ways to protect myself.” Sylutia folded her hands on the table and rested her head on one arm, gazing at the candle’s quiet flame.
“You’re working so hard, Tia.”
Talier wasn’t that diligent—she got bored quickly and had only short-lived enthusiasm for things. She admired people who could endure tedious practice, and both her sister Winnie and Sylutia happened to be like that.
Encouraged by Sylutia, Talier felt she should study the breathing technique seriously tomorrow. If she really managed to learn it, she’d be unbeatable by the big guys in the village.
Thinking of that, Talier nearly giggled secretly, but in Sylutia’s eyes that expression made her look a little foolish.
What is this child daydreaming about, Sylutia thought, shaking her head and leaning on the table to rest; she didn’t want to move much now, though a bath still awaited her later—sigh.
...
Fourth day afternoon, the clearing in the woods.
Sylutia and Talier sparred with wooden swords; crisp clashes sounded through the trees.
Bang, bang, bang…
Their wooden swords collided again and again as they swung.
In another exchange, Sylutia nimbly adjusted her step, lightly dodged Talier’s attack, reversed her blade, and flicked the wooden sword from Talier’s hand.
The thrown wooden sword traced an arc through the air and then plunged into the grass at an angle.
“Whoa, what was that move? My sword just flew out of my hand!” Talier cried, curious and excited.
“That... I just acted on impulse.” Sylutia couldn’t exactly explain why she’d done that—an inspiration had come, she felt it would flick the sword free and that she could easily do it, so the motion happened naturally.
“Tia, you’re amazing~” Talier praised sincerely.
In these short days together, Talier clearly felt Sylutia to be very clever and gifted—she learned quickly whatever she tried.
“Can you teach me, Tia~”
Talier had started to act coquettish in front of Sylutia; if the other village boys saw her like this they’d be shocked, because Talier was usually as rough and tumble as any boy and sometimes fought peers.
“I can try.” Sylutia thought for a moment and decided to give it a shot.
“Yay!~”
Talier picked up her wooden sword again and slowly practiced the way Frien had taught.
“No, that’s not how you generate force.” Sylutia shook her head. Although the motions looked similar, Talier’s details were far off.
“Don’t move. I’ll help you adjust.” She stepped over and supported Talier’s arm and elbow, correcting each tiny movement.
“Like this...”
... (Talier ‘Basic Swordsmanship’ proficiency +1)
“Straighten the leg, use the waist to drive power...”
... (Talier ‘Basic Swordsmanship’ proficiency +1)
“Watch my motion—this is how...”
... (Talier ‘Basic Swordsmanship’ proficiency +2)
After about two hours, Talier sat under a tree exhausted, the wooden sword tossed aside.
“Phew, phew, so tired...” Though she complained, her eyes shone with excitement.
“I think I found some tricks. Tia is so great—better than Lord Frien taught!” Talier’s words were wholehearted.
Sylutia was a little pleased and sat down gracefully, smoothing her skirt.
“If you practice like this for five or six more days, you should learn Basic Swordsmanship.” Today Talier’s sword proficiency had increased by 17 points; current progress (24/100).
“Yay (^o^)/~” If she had the energy, Talier would have whooped.
“I’m going to tell Grandpa: I can become a great adventurer!” As a child she’d heard her grandfather’s many tales and memorized them—the time he dealt with corrosive slugs in a noble’s underground drains, climbed Wind-Howl Mountain to burn out the gray-feathered buzzard nest, fought toxic lizards in the forest. Grandpa still kept a few deep-green toxic-lizard scales in a cabinet.
“Tia, listen—Grandpa went to so many places back then...” Talier happily told Sylutia about the old village chief’s glorious deeds.
...
“It does sound appealing.” Looking up as bright sunlight filtered through leaves, Sylutia also fantasized about thrilling adventures—like the countless games she’d played, full of monsters, dungeons, and battles that always drew her in.
If she had the chance, she wanted to travel and use quests to see more of this vast, wondrous world.
Day Seven
Sylutia had become familiar in Lindenwood Village; nearly every villager knew this unusual, exceptionally beautiful, gentle, and kind girl and liked her. If not for the huge difference in social standing, many young men might have courted her and competed for her favor.
“All right, you’ve trained enough for today.” Frien walked slowly before the group, carrying a wooden spear.
“Among you, the two who trained best in basic swordsmanship and spear techniques have mastered those skills. Those who still can’t, you can learn from them later.” He pivoted his foot and scanned the crowd again.
“As for learning the Breathing Technique, don’t force it. If you can’t manage it, just eat well and train your strength and agility—those will also improve your power.” Among the young people he’d instructed this time, only Sylutia had learned the Breathing Technique.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow. If you improve, come to Three Towers Town and take my assessment. Those who pass can join the patrol team; if you’re stronger, there may be positions in the Baron’s cavalry.”
Compared to ordinary village work, patrol duty paid better and included a little extra income; cavalry service under Baron Horlin formed the backbone for responding to emergencies in the territory and sometimes earned the Baron’s rewards.
“Is Lord Frien leaving?” one trainee asked.
“Yes, we depart tomorrow.” He nodded and planted the spear butt into the ground.
“I’ve rested here a week. My broken bones are nearly healed—it’s time to report back to the Baron. About that red wolf, I know you’re worried it might return.”
“But I can’t stay at the village forever; I’m responsible for road safety across the Baron’s lands.”
“Trust that the village’s protective formation should deter it from attacking again. If you’re still worried, go to Scorchstone City’s Adventurers’ Guild and post a bounty notice there. Someone will probably come handle it.”
“All right, training dismissed!”
After the group dispersed, Frien found the silver-haired girl at the rear and the two sat beneath a tree to talk.
“Tia, you’re heading to Scorchstone City, right?”
“Yes, Mr. Frien.” The girl’s voice was gentle and pleasant.
“I’ll be returning to Three Towers Town and will be on a similar route for part of the way. At Riverstone Town we’ll part ways; you can travel with a merchant caravan from there to Scorchstone City. The market there is bustling and many people pass through—should be able to find some clues.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Frien.”
“No need for such formality. You saved many of my men that day—I should be the one to thank you. Take this sword.” He produced a short sword he had prepared from behind a tree and handed it to Sylutia.
“Use it for self-defense on the road. The village smiths can’t make a blade like this.”
Sylutia accepted the sheathed short sword and thanked him again.
[Refined Iron Short Sword] (Quality: Good): Forged iron with skilled workmanship; currently well maintained.
She drew the short sword from its wooden scabbard and swung it experimentally; it was a bit heavy but usable.
“You don’t have enough strength yet to wield such a heavy blade. Fortunately, you’ve learned the Breathing Technique—training with it will gradually build your stamina until you’re as strong as other robust young people your age.” Frien seemed pleased with this temporary pupil.
“If you push further to reach Breathing Method Stage Two, many strong soldiers won’t match you in burst power and speed.”
“As for Stage Three, I don’t know the details. But I’ve seen knights who could easily lift boars or lions larger than themselves and crush bones without effort.”
“I see.” Sylutia nodded and promised to train hard.
“You probably don’t know many people in Scorchstone City. Here’s a letter of introduction to the Adventurers’ Guild—give it to Miss Mareen. She’s my distant niece and should be able to help.”
“No need to thank me. If you have the chance, visit Three Towers Town. That’s where Baron Horlin’s castle is; I’ll be stationed there sometimes.”
Although Frien said she needn’t keep thanking him, Sylutia felt warm gratitude. The things he gave might not be valuable monetarily, but to her they solved many immediate problems.
“If I have time, I’ll definitely visit Three Towers Town to see you.”
...
As the day of departure approached, Sylutia found it hard to sleep at night. She had grown accustomed to life in the village, and now she would go elsewhere. But as Frien said, staying in the village meant little chance to grow or access resources; to find opportunities she had to go to bigger places.
She shifted in bed, tied up some of her hair so it wouldn’t bend while she slept—she’d learned how to manage this pretty yet troublesome long hair these past few days.
On the other side of the room, Talier snored on the wooden plank bed, occasionally murmuring dream-speech as if fighting monsters or eating delicious food; Sylutia had grown used to it.
Tomorrow—tomorrow she would depart. She raised her hand to look at her long, slender fingers, and a little information surfaced in her mind.
First, the invisible threads circled the Fate Plate and glowed; at the center sat the silver-vined framed card of the Slumbering Maiden. Of the three empty slots below, one had been filled and now showed a pale-red bordered card. Fine deep-red veins patterned its frame like silent flowing blood.
Within the card was a hazy black humanoid silhouette, similar in outline to the girl, and within the figure a pale-red heart pulsed in a strange rhythm. A number of vessels spread into the black silhouette, and occasionally a thin stream of bright red flowed out or in.
[Breathing Method Lv.1] (Blood Rhythm): Regulates blood flow speed through breathing to drive and enhance overall strength and reaction speed. This ability places load on the heart and body and must not be used for long durations (recommended no more than 1 minute per day); (Completion 56/300)
Even after learning the Breathing Technique, her daily completion rate steadily rose; in a few more days she might reach Breathing Method Lv.2. This puzzled Sylutia because, according to Frien, the difficulty should increase with each stage; typically further practice cycles produce no progress, which is why Frien’s technique had remained stuck at Stage Two for nearly ten years.
Never mind; she didn’t want to think about that now. Her understanding of Aspect power was limited, and she’d explore the reasons later.
As for the sword and spear techniques he taught, she was progressing well.
Basic Swordsmanship Lv.3: Foundational sword techniques for combat; current progress (125/900)
Basic Spear Technique Lv.2: Foundational spear techniques for combat; current progress (246/300)
She’d learned these remarkably quickly, and teaching Talier had also helped her grow. She wondered if there was a ceiling—after all, advanced basic swordsmanship is still only foundational.
With these skills, Sylutia touched the sword scabbard beside the bed and finally felt a measure of security.
Sigh, I should be able to sleep soundly now. Tomorrow we head to Scorchstone City.
She curled slightly on her side, silver-white hair slipping over her neck and shoulder, and before she knew it she had drifted into peaceful sleep...