Aren held his breath, waiting for an answer. The Smiling Sword glimmered softly, as if deciding how much truth to reveal. Finally, in a voice low and deep, it spoke.
"You received that badge because this is your first true training within the Mysterious Lunar. That alone granted you the chance to earn it," the Smiling Sword said.
But beyond that, it offered no further explanation. Aren opened his mouth to ask more, but the blade fell silent.
Resigned, Aren let the question drift away for now. Slowly, he leaned back under the old tree, Valerie curled up at his side. The moon rose above them, quiet and watchful. Soon, both of them slipped into sleep, their breathing soft and even beneath the starlit sky.
The Next Day
Morning came with a hush, the air heavy with unspoken challenges. Today, Aren would face a new trial: Rank Five –Blood Echo.
This time, it was more than swords. He trained with dual blades, staves, and even bare hands, each movement forcing him to hear the silent echoes that traveled through his strikes and rippled into an opponent's core.
Valerie, meanwhile, continued her meditation training, her spirit growing stronger each passing hour. Now, she could lift the small fish from the stream, guiding them to leap gracefully into the air. She even made them dance along to the gentle rhythm she coaxed from the birds, whose songs she controlled like a quiet conductor. But even this was not enough to match Nireal's strength.
The training was brutal. Aren pushed himself for nearly eight hours straight, collapsing only to rest for a single hour before rising again for two more relentless hours ; ten hours in all.
Valerie matched his effort, her face pale with exhaustion, yet her eyes still bright with determination.
In The Evenings
By late evening, their bodies ached from the sweet weariness, their minds stretched thin. The Smiling Blade stood nearby, watching them closely.
For the first time, it did not smile. Its expression was sharp, the commands clipped and fierce. Each word struck like a blade, leaving no space for hesitation.
As the last rays of sunlight died beyond the garden walls, the Smiling Sword shone brighter than ever before. Blue light raced along the entire length of its blade, each strip glowing, even reaching to the tenth and final strip.
Aren stood breathless, sweat dripping, eyes wide in disbelief.
The Smiling Sword finally spoke, its voice echoing through the grove. "Congratulations on completing Rank Ten."
A badge, shimmering like moonlight, appeared in the sky, floating down in a soft, spiraling dance toward Aren. He staggered back, hands trembling.
"Rank Ten?!" Aren gasped. "It was supposed to be Rank Five... How did it change?!"
Valerie's jaw fell open in shock, her eyes flicking between Aren and the sword.
The Smiling Sword remained still for a moment, its surface gleaming like a silent lake. Then, with a low hum, it answered.
"Today, you surpassed the other half," it said. "In the heart of the Mysterious Lunar, your spirit crossed beyond the lower ranks for the greater good. You have earned the title of Ultimate Laughing Blade "
Aren felt the words hit him like thunder in his chest.
The blade paused, then continued in an even firmer tone. "Tomorrow, we go to fight the Six, rescue Valerie's sister, and get the Muri Khan. That is all."
It fell silent again, the final words hanging heavy in the cooling night air.
Aren and Valerie stood side by side, breathing hard, their hearts pounding with shock and fear, but also a rising, unsteady hope.
There was no time left to question or to rest.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
Yes; the battle starts tomorrow; Time to face the six [Nireal, Shadow Walker, Heartwood, the Warden of Silence, the Whisperling, and the Frozen Phantom]