Chương 22: Chapter 21: Learning Swordsmanship From Fallen Goddess Selen

As I finally leveled up my swordsmanship after so long, a sudden question came to my mind. I was curious why my skill didn't have "Divine" in its name. I then asked, "Is there a difference between my skill and yours? I feel like my swordsmanship still hasn't reached the same type of power as yours yet." Selen then answered, "Since you haven't become a god yet, nor have you ever been a god, you haven't tapped into the true power of a god.

What you have right now is the imitation power of a god that normal mortals can use. As I was a former god, my skill still has the properties of someone who is a god." Learning from her explanation, I realized the gap between me and a god was still so far away. Even this skill, which I thought of as powerful, was but an imitation of a god-level skill. Selen then explained further, "You don't have to worry about it right now, as you aren't fighting actual gods. This skill is still very powerful when facing non-gods.

Once you become a god, the skill will automatically transition to the level of a god skill." I then felt relieved, having wondered how I would be able to have a true divine skill in the future. Selen then instructed, "Since you are my student now, you can't back out. I will rigorously train you into a true swordsman. I don't care how long you take to learn, but by the end of my training, you are to reach my satisfaction before you are allowed to leave."

I then realized that I might have gotten into something that I might regret later. Who knows how long this might take and how hard it's going to be? In the days that followed, Selen made me practice my form, as my swordsmanship still had too many flaws. I was self-taught up to this point, so there were quite a few things that I didn't know that were cleared up. After constantly swinging my sword every day and listening to Selen's instruction, I made quick improvements to my form.

This continued for an entire month until I finally did something I was proud of. On this day, a month after I started, I made the most perfect arc I had ever made as it slashed through the air easily. The arc was so perfect I felt my arm move through the air effortlessly and with incredible speed, as my slash wasn't deviating, causing it to slow down. The slash was so perfect that it made such a distinctive sound that I had only heard from Selen before when we were still fighting.

I then realized just how amazing her slash was and how my slash from before looked like a joke, as it was simply inefficient. Selen then looked impressed as I managed to reach such a point in just a month. This slash was the basis for good swordsmanship, and she had to drive it down deep into muscle memory. Selen then said, "You will be doing this slash every day from now on until you can do it consistently. Every slash from now on should be exactly like this without deviation.

You won't learn anything else until you perfect it." I knew this was what she was going to say, as I had only made a perfect slash a single time. I wasn't sure if I could replicate it, as this slash was very difficult to achieve. I then spent another month practicing this singular slash every day without rest. After an entire month, I finally achieved the result that I was assigned. I made perfect slash after perfect slash. Every slash I made was in a perfect arc without deviation.

With this, I made further progress on my swordsmanship, which resulted in an unexpected result. My system window suddenly flashed a new message: Level Up [EX] Swordsmanship (Lv. 2) I had tried so hard before just to get my swordsmanship to the divine level, yet with the help of a former god, it was so simple to level up now. It felt like I was walking aimlessly all this time as I had to learn without a teacher. Now I can feel the benefits of having someone to teach you.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Selen, who was watching from the side, noticed that I had finished the task that she had assigned and came over to assign a new task. Selen said, "Now that you have mastered a perfect slash, we shall move on to the next step. You will learn to transform sword energy into a new form. The energy you are using now is garbage.

Even though I used a small amount of energy before, I managed to spread it across my entire sword. You, on the other hand, had to use massive amounts of energy to even imitate a tiny speck. So, you need to learn to transform your sword energy from now on." I couldn't believe what I just heard. That was only a tiny amount of her energy? I thought she was making her energy so thin on purpose to maximize attacks. It appears it was just her holding back like she said. I then asked, "How do I transform it exactly?

Is there a particular way to do it, and does this energy have a name?" Selen answered, "To transform it, you need to constantly layer your sword energy in your body until it becomes nearly solid. Right now, your sword energy is like water flowing aimlessly. Once you condense it into a near-solid form, it will have huge destructive power. What you did in our last fight was turn your sword energy into a near-solid like I said. This energy is called Solidified Intention." As I got my answer, I knew what I had to do.

Without further instructions, I sat down to try the method that Selen had just told me about. Over the next few days, I had trouble trying to recreate the energy I had done before. Seeing me not making progress, Selen gave further instructions which further improved my understanding. After a very long time, I finally felt a small amount of my sword energy transforming into a solid form. With this small amount, I got a general idea on how to convert the rest into this new energy.

I then entered an immersive state, trying to convert all my energy into Solidified Intention. A few months later, I felt the clear difference as I converted all my energy into the new energy. This new energy was completely different from everything I had used before. Even if I don't use a sword and wrap this energy on my body, it would turn my body into a destructive weapon. With this new energy, I got another notification from my system after all these months: Level Up [EX] Swordsmanship (Lv. 3) I leveled up yet again in such a short time. The benefit of having a teacher is simply insane. I doubt anything on the human or demon side is now my match, but I couldn't be sure and calmed myself down. After converting all my energy, I told Selen about my progress, which she nodded with approval. Selen then said, "Since you have converted your energy, you can now be considered a true swordsman. We will now move on to the final step in your training.

I shall now spar against you to make you learn how to use this energy. The best way to gain experience is to risk your life." I then felt some fear as I remembered my first fight against Selen. I was constantly on the defensive, being pushed back. All I could do was be injured as I was being attacked, and none of my attacks had an effect. Now that I was at my current realm, I realize how weak I was back then. Nevertheless, I was ready, as training was what I came here for.

I wanted to get stronger, so I put aside my fear and prepared myself mentally for the new ordeal. I then said, "I am ready." Selen then took out her sword and entered a combat pose, preparing to attack. I then did the same. We then began the fight, which she completely dominated. Each strike she did made me feel like I could lose my life, yet I miraculously survived. Watching her use her Solidified Intention energy, I learned many things and tried to copy them.

After a full day of nonstop sparring, she finally stopped after her last move. Selen then said, "I will give you one day to digest what I showed you today. We shall be doing a cycle of one day sparring and the next processing from now on." Selen then turned and walked away, leaving me on the ground, exhausted and unable to move. I then spent the next day trying to recreate everything I had done the day before.

Over the course of several months, we continued in this way every day as I constantly learned new things every day. One and a half years since the training began, I created a new skill which I called Unseen Partition. This was due to me utilizing my Solidified Intention energy in such a way that I created a vacuum in front of my sword caused by me directly cutting apart the air.

When I do this, my hand increases speed to such a point that my sword practically teleports to the end of my swing, creating an invisible cut in my sword path. With this new technique, my skill leveled up again: Level Up [EX] Swordsmanship (Lv. 4) new subskill (Unseen Partition) I saw something new that I had never seen before on my system window. Skills had always been straightforward, so I've never seen a subskill. My only conclusion was that this happens when you create an entirely new move yourself.

Selen, who had seen my new move, was satisfied with my progress as she showed a small smile. Selen then said, "You have reached the level I am satisfied with. You may now leave to go about your business. If you get stuck in your swordsmanship, you can come back to continue learning." I then said, "Thank you for everything. I will be sure to come back." Selen then turned and disappeared into the distance.

After she left, I did the same and prepared to go back to the Equilibrium headquarters, as I had been gone for so long and wanted to know the current situation regarding the coming war between humans and demons.