"What's your reason for holding a sword?" He asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?"
Is it to kill and reap lives? to protect someone precious to you, or perhaps to bring salvation to the evil ones? His tone carried weight, his gaze sharp. "The purpose for which you hold your sword holds great meaning and will define the kind of warrior you'll become."
I contemplated his words for a few moments, carefully considering them.
"So?" He asked, "What is your answer?"
After a few moments of silence, I murmured, "It's all the same."
Azier's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of curiosity flickering in them, perhaps expecting a different answer.
Can I ask the reason behind your answer?
"It doesn't matter whether you choose to kill for salvation or to protect someone," I replied quietly. "In the end, someone dies by your hand, you reaped a life and nothing you can do can change that. You can ease your heart by saying that you did that to protect someone, that it was righteous, but that doesn't change the truth because your actions still took a life. The only thing you can do is to carry that burden for the rest of your life.
Azier observed me for a few moments before a faint smile tugged at his pale face. "You talk like an old friend of mine".
His tone softened, "Every life is precious and holds a meaning to someone, and you will have to reap many such people in the future." He paused for a second, his eyes dimming. "So find people you can rely on, because carrying that burden alone will drive you into the abyss from where you can never return"
"Thankfully, I already have someone I can rely on," I chuckled as her face came into my mind.
"That's good."
He raised his sword. "Then let's begin."
"I looked around, the garden of white lilies stretched endlessly, thousands of swords buried amidst the frostbitten soil. My gaze landed on a familiar blade– a claymore. The very sword I wielded in Verulia, its black blade calling out to me. I ran my fingers across its hilt before picking it up. It fitted perfectly in my grip.
"I am ready," I uttered.
A chilling aura rippled from Azier as he leaped forward with an intent to kill.
I was barely able to block his first strike, the sheer force sending me several steps backward, blood trickling down my mouth as I gazed at Azier, who seemed nothing like he did a moment ago. Before I could utter anything, the hilt of his sword jabbed my chest and sent me flying further away.
"Get up," he said coldly. There were no emotions behind his eyes, only the intent to kill.
I gritted my teeth and got up, but no matter how much I struggled, I couldn't land a single strike on him. Even getting close to him was lethal. By the end, I was truly utterly beaten.
"Observe every strike," Azier said, his tone steady and calm. "Find the essence of the sword. A skilled warrior can determine your next move by simply gazing at the essence of your sword."
"How am I supposed to do that?" I snapped between gasps, "I can't even see the sword coming at me!"
He let out a faint, amused chuckle. "The more you progress in awakening your blood and stabilizing your Ember core, the clearer it will become," he replied, stepping forward slowly. "Now get up, we aren't done yet."
The next day, I opened my eyes, mentally drained. Although my body was revitalized, the memory of Azier's unrelenting strikes echoed in my head.
"I will go crazy at this rate," I uttered, sighing as I dragged myself from the bed and got ready. Today was the second day of our training with Asher.
"What took you so long?" Zei asked as I reached downstairs, arms crossed.
"I was…exhausted," I admitted, running a hand through my hair.
She frowned, her voice softening, "Are you sure you're okay? We could take a break today."
I shook my head, "No, I'm fine, I can't let myself drag us behind."
Zei sighed, "You always say that," she murmured," Just… don't push yourself too far".
"I'll try not to," I said with a faint smile. "What about you?" I asked her. "Are you feeling okay?"
"My head is still a little dizzy, but other than that, I am doing okay," She admitted, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"That's good to hear." I paused for a moment, studying her face. "Let's take it one step at a time, without pushing ourselves too far, yeah?"
She smiled faintly, "Deal."
After breakfast, we met Asher in the courtyard, who was waiting for us there just like yesterday.
"Today's training is going to be a bit different," he said
"How so?" Zei asked.
"Now that both your cores are calibrated with your essence with the awakening process, since you have already partially awakened your attributes, it won't be difficult." His gaze lingered on Zei, "You have already shown great affinity with the fire attribute, whereas Rayne has shown great affinity with the frost attribute."
"However, you are still far behind in even taking a glimpse of the true potential of your attributes. For that, you will need years of experience and facing dire situations on the battlefield."
He paused, his tone softening slightly, "I can only hone your knowledge and skills to a certain level, the rest will depend on you."
"That's fine," I nodded, what you are doing is already too much, I don't want to burden you."
I smile, tugging at his lips. "However, what if I tell you there is a secondary attribute hidden inside of you?"
His words piqued my interest "Are you saying we can wield more than one attribute at a time?"
Normally, it shouldn't be possible however, with your Aetherian blood, there is a high possibility of you having a secondary attribute which can be an essential trump card for you.
He folded his arms. "I am just telling you for now, you can't awaken a secondary attribute unless you reach a certain mastery in your primary attribute. Consider it a motivation for working harder in the future."
"We understand," we both said in unison
"Good," He unsheathed his katana in a single motion. "Then from today you'll both be sparring against me," Asher uttered, raising his katana in the air, a chilling aura emitting from the blade itself.
"Come at me with the intent to kill," He said coldly. "The only way for you to get stronger is to face an opponent far beyond your reach."
With that, he lunged forward towards me. Wait–why me?
I coughed blood as the impact sent me staggering several steps backward.
"Why does this feel exactly like Azier's teaching method? I muttered under my breath, however, I didn't have much time to dwell on it, as another strike landed on me."
This time, I was ready. I stepped back and raised my sword to block his attack, however, he suddenly vanished from my sight, a chill brushed the back of my neck, and suddenly, he was behind me.
"Never let the enemy out of your sight," He said, his voice calm but heavy with authority.
With his attention fixed on me. Zei seized the chance to strike him from behind, thrusting her spear at full force however, Asher simply deflected the spear's tip with a subtle twist of his wrists. A shockwave burst through the air, and a second later, I found myself on the ground.
" Ughh," I groaned, trying to get up, my arms trembling from the strain.
"Unleash your attribute," He ordered.
"But, I don't know how," I stammered.
"Feel the Ember in your body," He said evenly. " Guide it towards your core. The amulet I gave you will help you in that. Close your eyes," he instructed.
"I did as he said, "What do you see?"
"...Nothing"
"Now infuse a little bit of your blood with the amulet." I made a small cut and let the drops of crimson blood fall onto it. The amulet pulsed faintly, its surface gleaming in a soft warmth that spread through my palm into my chest, where my core was situated.
"Now try again," he said, "focus."
I steadied my breathing and stared at the black abyss in front of me. For a while, I saw nothing, but then a singular white particle glimmered in the void, a few more started to appear. Slowly, the black abyss began to glow faintly, filled with silver lights flickering like small stars.
"What you are seeing right now is called Emberlight," Asher's voice echoed softly. "They are the purest essence of runic sorcery—the life that flows through all beings..