Aren turned quickly, checking behind him as if expecting Valerie to come charging back at him again. But she just sat there, her eyes wide, almost amused.
It was a prank. The Smiling Blade had tricked him."Hey, you still look terrified of betrayal," the blade teased, its voice echoing lightly in Aren's mind. "You think she'll betray you, right? Relax!"Aren shook his head and sighed. "You really are making me look like a fool today," he muttered.
Valerie kept her gaze on him, a soft mix of regret and curiosity in her eyes.
"Please, stop staring. You're making me uncomfortable," Aren snapped, looking at her sideways.
The Smiling Blade jumped in. "If you're tired and can't concentrate, don't blame her. You're the one with trust issues," it teased again.
Valerie let out a small laugh, covering her mouth.
Aren looked at the blade sharply. "Hey! You too. You're making me uncomfortable. Please, shut up for a moment," he scolded.
He stood there for a while, breathing hard, sweat dripping from his face. Finally, he stepped a bit farther from where Valerie sat and dropped down to rest. Valerie looked down at the ground, stealing quick glances at him when she thought he wouldn't notice.
Aren lay back, his mind still spinning. What's this blade doing today? It's spoiling my image in front of her. And why isn't it telling me anything real about her? I need to make it talk... but not now, he thought.
His fingers rested on the blade beside him, and he took a deep breath.
The second rank was no joke. It wasn't about swinging faster or just hitting harder. It was about harmony — making the blade feel like an extension of his body. Every movement needed to flow from instinct, not thinking. It meant moving without hesitation, letting his body and the sword become one living thing.
It also trained him to sense killing intent, to feel when an attack was coming before it even started. Every step, every breath, every twist of muscle had to match the blade's spirit.
Physically, it was torture. His nerves burned, his muscles screamed, every movement felt like lifting stones tied to his bones. Even his balance kept failing, making him stumble and nearly fall again and again.
Mentally, it was even worse. Any fear of betrayal, any small hesitation ; it all weighed him down like chains. The Smiling Blade kept teasing him because it knew. It wanted him to let go, to move freely without doubts holding him back.
He clenched his teeth, pushed himself back up, and started moving again, each swing of the blade heavier than the last. His aura flickered faintly, a sign he was starting to connect with the blade's spirit, even if just for moments.
Valerie watched, her hands resting on her knees. Even if she didn't fully understand it, she could see the change in him. This wasn't just some ordinary swordsman , Aren was transforming before her eyes.
He stopped for a moment, panting, then looked up at her, half joking. "Hey, stop watching like that. If I make a mistake and fall again, you'll laugh, right?"
Valerie looked away quickly, her cheeks warming slightly.
Aren smirked and wiped sweat from his brow. Then he took another deep breath and prepared to continue, feeling the strange bond between him and the blade growing stronger with each swing.
The Smiling Blade suddenly pulsed again, its voice echoing in Aren's head.
"You're at 72% completion," it announced calmly.
Aren's eyes widened. "What? Already? After all this, just 28% left…" He paused, sweat dripping down his face. He wanted to keep pushing, to claim the rank title right now, but his body was screaming for rest.
"Maybe… I'll finish the rest another time," he muttered, trying to steady his breath. "But… I really want that rank badge early…"
Before he could decide, they both heard movement.
Valerie stood up suddenly, her eyes unreadable, and without a single word, she started walking away.
Aren's heart jumped. "Hey… what's she doing? Planning an attack? Or… something else?"
The blade hummed softly. "I… I don't even know," it replied.
But in truth, the blade did know. It simply chose to keep it hidden.
Aren stood there, staring after Valerie, his mind racing, while the blade's secrets weighed heavy in the air.
...