Ch.43Ordination Exam

Despite having only one arm, he wielded two swords simultaneously. The movement of the blades cutting through the air was the same as before.

‘Threads of mana…’

It was the blue threads flowing from Reynard’s right hand that controlled the swords. The long, extended threads wrapped around the swords, guiding their movements.

Because they weren’t controlled by human arms, impossible movements became possible. The blades disappeared from view, then suddenly flew in to target the back of the head. Seo-rin hastily retreated.

“How about that? Pretty impressive, right?”

His eyes curved into a gentle smile. As Reynard lightly flicked his right hand, the small sword connected to the thread sliced through the air, following his movement.

Pretty impressive indeed. It was certainly troublesome to deal with. Seo-rin nodded honestly.

“Yes…”

What remarkable mental fortitude. Even after losing an arm, he hadn’t given up his sword but found an alternative method. Despite his seemingly frivolous demeanor, he was a man with inner depth.

“Here I come again!”

Seo-rin watched as he charged forward, kicking off the ground. The way he slid across the snow-covered training ground resembled a snake. The sword extended on the thread swayed like a tail, enhancing the resemblance.

Clang-!

Still, he wasn’t without openings. Seo-rin’s cold gaze carefully observed Reynard’s movements. When his center of gravity shifted, gaps appeared.

Gaps created by the absence of an arm that would normally help maintain balance. Seo-rin dove into that opening. The moment her lightly extended leg tapped the training ground floor, a powerful energy wave erupted.

Blue mana burst forth, scattering the white snow that had accumulated around them. Jin-gak, Bal-gyeong. Concepts from another dimension mixed complexly in her mind.

It didn’t matter. Right now, she focused on the opponent before her. Through the rough air pressure, she could see Reynard amidst the white snow.

Even in this moment of broken posture, his right hand moved subtly. The thread responding to that movement sent the small sword flying on the wind.

Immediately, she applied rotation to her right hand. The straight, snow-white blade curved, deflecting the incoming sword.

Clang!

Success. She had achieved her goal. The opponent’s upper body was wide open. Both swords had failed in their attack. From now on, it was her turn.

Her left leg stomped the ground, raising rough mana. As the mana rushing from her heart carried a blue chill, a dominating force gathered in her left fist.

“This…!”

Just as the urgent voice burst out, Seo-rin’s small hand struck Reynard’s abdomen. With a dull impact, Reynard’s body was pushed backward.

One step, two steps, three steps. She continued to follow as the opponent retreated. The flow had turned in her favor. The wind, the surrounding air, told her it was her turn.

Seo-rin rode that flow. The momentum of a dragon riding the current grew more fierce, unleashing a rough roar.

“Hiyah!”

At that moment, Seo-rin felt a strong restraining force catch the tip of her sword. It felt as if someone was grabbing and pulling the sword.

Her quickly moving gaze followed up the sword’s edge. Around it, blue threads flickered, wrapping around the blade.

‘Threads…?’

Her gaze following the threads swept across the training ground floor. One of Reynard’s swords, previously flying through the air on threads, was now rolling around haphazardly.

He had given up control of that sword to bind hers. His intention to pressure her and claim victory was clearly evident.

In that moment, a massive inspiration shot through Seo-rin’s mind. An opportunity to acquire new memories without suspicion had arrived.

She pulled strongly on her right hand holding the sword. As if anticipating a test of strength, the resistance was considerable. It actually exceeded Seo-rin’s strength.

But that was fine. She had no intention of continuing this tug-of-war anyway. While pulling the sword, she unleashed a left-handed strike. As her roughly swung palm carried the momentum of a bear, Reynard retreated significantly.

Seo-rin immediately released her sword. The White Dragon Sword, freed from her hand, soared through the air under the thread’s control. As the white flashing form of the dragon grew dim, Seo-rin instead moved forward.

Boom-!

Once again, she stepped forward and stamped the training ground floor. The powerful energy wave that erupted lifted one of the swords rolling on the ground.

She didn’t stop moving. The sword that rose into the air seemed to fly with its own will, settling into Seo-rin’s hand.

Simultaneously, her brain burned hot. In that instant, waves of memory began to imprint on her mind.

There was no need to fully digest the memories contained in the sword. She wasn’t going to use that swordsmanship here and now. What she needed was to predict attacks. If she could foresee the opponent’s movements by observing the preceding actions, that would be enough.

‘Shadow Sword’

It was based on the swordsmanship of a prestigious sword family built over many years. After leaving his family, he had added his own techniques to it. This had changed the style that was originally meant to be performed with a single sword. To compensate for the gaps, he needed to wield a second sword.

‘I wasn’t curious about family affairs…’

But such was her blessing. She was forced to know even what she didn’t want to know. She couldn’t selectively take only what she needed.

Swoosh-!

Perhaps because she had been lost in thought for too long, Seo-rin belatedly noticed the attack coming toward her.

A sword flew in. Through its movement and rhythm, the trajectory of the sword was drawn.

‘Snake Cutting.’

It would fall from the upper right to the lower left as if drawing a line. She read the upcoming form just by observing the movement. But it was different. There was rotation in the wrist.

After the attack ended, the shadow of the snake would prepare to create distance.

Swish-!

The sword that flew in like a snake grazed Seo-rin’s cheek as it passed. She let it flow without blocking. The White Dragon Sword connected by mana threads cut through the air and followed.

Clang-!

Seo-rin frowned as she blocked the attack. The timing of the attack was subtly off. It was because the swordsmanship was performed using a tool rather than a human hand.

Clang-! Clang-!

But it was fine. All of the opponent’s attacks were based on swordsmanship. She could compensate for slight discrepancies with her own technique.

Her movements were full of composure. Knowing in advance where the attacks would come, she occupied those spaces. The lightly swung short sword advanced as if dominating the space.

“Not bad…”

“She’s reading all the attacks… Does she have good eyes?”

The voices of the members carried on the wind. Seo-rin used the respite to catch her breath. Bigger and deeper than before.

“Hoo…”

The blue chilled mana began to change in nature. She forcibly cut off the continuing White Dragon Heart Method and filled its place with something else.

At the same time, a stinging pain spread through her heart. The forced change in technique had shocked her entire meridian system.

‘If it’s just for a moment…’

But it was fine. She ignored and turned away from it. She trusted her body’s sturdy durability. The unstable technique devoured mana instead of inner strength.

What she needed was just one moment. It covered a portion of the space above the training ground.

Woong-

The aura extending from the small girl’s body painted a vast sky. A dominating presence ruled the space like an emperor.

The next moment, Reynard found himself facing a familiar blade at his throat.

“Oh…”

His eyes widened. The momentary sensation of a vast sky had made him miss the opponent’s movement. What method had she used? A faint question floated in his mind.

“What did she just do?”

“Reynard seemed to be in a daze…”

“Was he shocked because his attacks were continuously blocked?”

The voices from around amplified his questions. It seemed that others, except himself, hadn’t felt that sky.

Magic, sorcery, blessing. Various mysterious techniques with different powers swirled in Reynard’s mind.

Seo-rin looked up at Reynard intently. He seemed lost in thought, staring blankly around. As if he wasn’t particularly interested in the outcome of the match itself.

Would the result have been different if they had both gone all out? Seo-rin shook her head. She didn’t want to earnestly point her sword at a comrade with the same goal. Probably, everyone here felt the same way.

“Senior.”

“Ah, what?”

“My sword.”

At Seo-rin’s prompt, Reynard nodded. Their swords were exchanged, returning to their rightful owners. Seo-rin fidgeted with her small hands, looking down at her palm.

It was regrettable. If she had held onto it a bit longer, she could have gained more.

“Winner! Seo-rin!”

Karnok announced the result. The Blue Wing members who had been watching nodded.

“She already possesses intermediate-level skills. There shouldn’t be any issues with her promotion.”

“They said all the new recruits this year are exceptional… The other children should be worth watching too.”

“Reynard’s mental strength is impressive, isn’t it? Promotion to advanced level might be too much, but he can maintain his intermediate position.”

Seo-rin belatedly realized Reynard’s intention. He had used her to prove his own worth.

She didn’t mind. Seo-rin highly valued those who made efforts. Reynard’s life, glimpsed through memories, was like that.

No matter what great despair blocked his path, he would, as always, smile and find his way forward.

Seo-rin retrieved her sword and tapped her chest with her right hand. Watching this, Reynard tilted his head.

“Why are you hitting your chest… Oh, could it be growing pains?”

Seo-rin was at a loss for words.