[The next day, Sword Saint Academy 1:00 o'clock]
1 AM, Xzaivier had packed his things, taken some food and water and attempts to sneak out of the academy. Unfortunately he bumps into Sensei Gara.
Sensei Gara: Where are you going so early in the morning?
Xzaivier: I'm leaving Sensei... for 4 years.
Sensei Gara: Why's that?
Xzaivier: I met a rogue yesterday and realised just how weak I am, Yagumi and I lost, in fact we were humiliated. I want to train and destroy him when we do battle again.
Sensei Gara notices Xzaivier's eyes, which are filled with seriousness.
Sensei Gara: Four years is a long time, when you return you'll be 16 and you'll be eligible to become a professional sword saint.
Xzaivier : Yes Sensei, I'll train hard. Be sure of that.
The two shake hands as Xzaivier leaves Sol City.
[1 week later, Forest]
Year 1
Setting:
Xzaivier's base is a secluded cave tucked in a dense forest. The surrounding area is small, but he uses every inch of it, scaling cliffs, crossing rivers, and training with natural obstacles. His Shadow Blade is versatile but heavy, designed to amplify his Kanji energy. The year begins with him completely alone, physically and mentally tested beyond ordinary limits.
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Months 1–3: Foundations of Endurance and Strength
Physical Training:
Sunrise Runs: Every morning, Xzaivier runs along the forest trails, gradually increasing distance and carrying a weighted pack mimicking his Shadow Blade's weight.
Cave Climbing & Rock Scaling: To develop grip strength, leg power, and overall agility, he climbs the cave walls and nearby cliffs barefoot. He uses irregular grips and precarious footholds to simulate battlefield instability.
Shadow Blade Conditioning: The blade is forged to be slightly heavier than normal swords. He swings it continuously for hours, focusing on endurance over speed initially. Each session ends with him performing 500 precise cuts on tree stumps to hone wrist and shoulder stability.
Kanji Training:
Barrier Kanji Practice: He begins learning to inscribe Barrier Kanji on himself and the surrounding rocks. Early sessions fail frequently—energy leakage causes temporary fatigue—but after weeks of trial, he can create a small, persistent barrier that blocks basic physical impacts.
Chain Kanji Initiation: He starts by linking his movements to nearby objects, like vines or rocks, using Chain Kanji. At first, the connections are weak, snapping easily, but even a partial success teaches him coordination between physical movement and Kanji energy.
Daily Routine Example:
1. 4 AM – Sunrise endurance run (10 km) with weighted pack.
2. 6 AM – Shadow Blade swings, 1,000 cuts on tree stumps.
3. 9 AM – Climbing cave walls and cliffs.
4. 12 PM – Meditation and Kanji imprinting on arms and chest.
5. 2 PM – Basic Barrier Kanji experiments.
6. 5 PM – Shadow Blade sparring with forest obstacles (logs, rocks).
7. 8 PM – Nighttime forest stealth exercises, moving silently to catch prey (developing agility).
Notes:
By the end of Month 3, Xzaivier can run 20 km without rest, sustain hours of sword practice, and hold a weak Barrier Kanji for 30 seconds.
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Months 4–6: Precision, Reflexes, and Kanji Mastery
Physical Training:
Obstacle Circuit: He constructs a training circuit in the forest using fallen trees, streams, and cliff edges. This circuit is repeated daily with minimal rest to develop reflexes and balance.
Weighted Shadow Blade Sparring: Using logs carved to resemble opponents, he practices precision strikes. Each day, he decreases the weight of the weapon slightly to build speed while maintaining muscle memory.
Sensory Enhancement: To improve perception, he trains blindfolded in the forest, using the sounds of the environment to navigate and strike imaginary enemies.
Kanji Training:
Barrier Kanji Refinement: He practices creating multiple overlapping barriers, learning to expand their size and adjust their durability. By now, he can block strong physical attacks from falling boulders or wild animals.
Chain Kanji Experiments: He begins linking multiple points simultaneously—his arms, legs, and Shadow Blade—to forest objects. This allows him to "pull" himself faster through the environment or trap branches for tactical advantage.
Kanji Combinations: He begins integrating Barrier and Chain Kanji during physical exercises. For example, creating a chain between two trees while protecting himself with a barrier to swing across a ravine safely.
Daily Routine Example:
1. 5 AM – Blindfolded obstacle circuit through forest.
2. 7 AM – Weighted Shadow Blade precision training.
3. 10 AM – Meditation and Kanji engraving sessions.
4. 1 PM – Chain Kanji multi-point linking drills.
5. 3 PM – Sparring with moving logs tied to ropes for reactive strikes.
6. 7 PM – Night forest runs, enhancing stealth and stamina.
Notes:
By Month 6, Xzaivier's body has adapted to extreme stress. Reflexes are lightning-fast, and he can maintain multiple Chain and Barrier Kanji simultaneously. His Shadow Blade swings with precision and fluidity.
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Months 7–9: Combat Simulation and Tactical Training
Physical Training:
Endurance Fights: He practices prolonged sword duels against weighted dummies, sometimes carrying additional weight to simulate multi-opponent battles.
Environment Adaptation: Xzaivier trains in the rain, mud, and extreme temperatures to prepare for unpredictable battles.
Acrobatics and Jumps: He leaps between cliffs, swings on vines, and performs high-intensity climbing circuits to master battlefield mobility.
Kanji Training:
Dynamic Barrier Deployment: He practices creating barriers mid-motion, learning to adapt size, shape, and timing to both defense and offense.
Chain Kanji Combat Techniques: He begins using Chain Kanji offensively—wrapping branches or vines around moving targets to immobilize or redirect them while performing precise Shadow Blade strikes.
Energy Conservation: He learns to maintain Kanji energy longer, integrating it seamlessly with physical exertion without immediate fatigue.
Daily Routine Example:
1. 4 AM – High-intensity forest sprinting and obstacle navigation.
2. 6 AM – Dynamic Shadow Blade drills with moving targets.
3. 9 AM – Chain Kanji combat simulations using forest objects.
4. 12 PM – Meditation, Kanji energy recovery, and writing new Kanji combinations.
5. 2 PM – Climbing and aerial combat simulations on cliffs and trees.
6. 6 PM – Night stealth combat practice with minimal lighting.
Notes:
Xzaivier can now fight for hours without fatigue, maintain multiple Kanji simultaneously, and integrate physical attacks with strategic Chain Kanji control.
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Months 10–12: Advanced Integration and Mental Fortitude
Physical Training:
Shadow Blade Mastery: Daily practice focuses on advanced techniques—spinning, counterattacks, and unpredictable patterns. He uses weighted and unweighted sessions to maximize both power and speed.
Extreme Endurance Drills: Multi-day runs and survival exercises, including climbing cliffs without food, swimming through rivers, and sleeping in the forest to toughen the body.
Reflex and Reaction Tests: Randomized obstacle courses in the cave and forest force instantaneous decision-making.
Kanji Training:
Advanced Barrier Techniques: He experiments with layered barriers, barriers that move with him, and barriers that manipulate incoming force.
Chain Kanji Mastery: He can now link multiple objects and his Shadow Blade in complex patterns, controlling both offense and defense simultaneously.
Kanji Combat Strategy: He begins combining the Shadow Blade's swings with Kanji traps—imprinting Kanji on objects that explode, entangle, or shield, creating a multi-layered battlefield advantage.
Daily Routine Example:
1. 5 AM – Survival endurance run, carrying Shadow Blade and supplies.
2. 9 AM – Extreme obstacle course, timed with Kanji barrier challenges.
3. 1 PM – Shadow Blade precision and reaction drills.
4. 3 PM – Chain Kanji offensive and defensive simulations.
5. 6 PM – Meditation and energy recovery, inscribing new Kanji for tactical use.
6. 8 PM – Nighttime tactical stealth maneuvers in forest.
Notes:
By the end of Year 1, Xzaivier has reached a level where his body and Kanji powers are finely attuned. His Shadow Blade swings with devastating precision, his Chain Kanji links allow complex battlefield manipulation, and his Barrier Kanji can defend against both natural and physical attacks.
Mentally, he has built extraordinary endurance, patience, and adaptability—essential for the coming years of even harsher training.