Shirou made a powerful, forever-away golden sword appear. He used this god-made weapon to block the Sword King's sword attack from Ghislaine. He even managed to cut Ghislaine open with the same sword.
After the fight, he quickly got up and checked on Ghislaine. He was worried that she might be seriously hurt by his attack.
Shirou had tried his best to hold back. He knew how powerful god-made weapons could be. Even someone like him, who wasn't skilled with it, could cause great destruction. But even while trying to control his power, he found it difficult. The forever-away golden sword's power was too much. Even with the limit he set for himself, it still released unbelievable energy.
The result was a fighting area almost destroyed and Ghislaine, swallowed by light, with her life in question.
Even though the fight had reached a point where neither side could hold back, and attacks meant to destroy the opponent were certain to come, Shirou would still feel very sorry if he accidentally killed Ghislaine. He couldn't accept that.
So, as soon as Shirou recovered, he went straight to check on Ghislaine.
As Shirou watched, the smoke cleared, and a figure appeared.
It wasn't Ghislaine, who had been swallowed by light, but the Sword God, standing alone with his magic sword.
Behind the Sword God, Ghislaine was kneeling on the ground, looking lost.
With the Sword God as the dividing point, the powerful energy from the forever-away golden sword was split in two. The marks on the ground looked like a big "Y." Although the destruction was terrible, it didn't affect the Sword God or Ghislaine at all.
It was clear that the Sword God had completely blocked Shirou's forever-away golden sword, even protecting Ghislaine.
For a moment, all the Swordsmen around were silent.
The rapid development of the fight had surprised everyone.
Shirou, facing a Sword King as an opponent when he was being made fun of, had actually defeated Ghislaine. His strength was unexpected.
In the end, the Sword God had to step in to stop Shirou's sword.
If the Sword God hadn't helped Ghislaine, she probably would have been turned to dust by Shirou's attack.
Now, no one dared to look down on Shirou.
Although many Swordsmen still thought that Shirou, a Swordsman who didn't use Sword God Style, wasn't qualified to take the Sword Saint test, they didn't say anything.
After all, even many Sword Kings there weren't sure they could have blocked Shirou's last attack.
Only Sword Emperor level Swordsmen were confident they could block that last attack.
"Get up. I've blocked it for you."
While everyone was silent and thinking, the Sword God slowly put away his sword and helped Ghislaine up.
"T-thank you, Master..."
Ghislaine struggled to get up.
Even though she hadn't been hit directly by Shirou's sword, she had clearly felt the terrifying pressure of the wave of energy coming at her.
Ghislaine didn't think she could have blocked that kind of attack. Even if she had used all her skills, she probably wouldn't have survived without serious injury.
The Sword God stepping in was very timely, protecting Ghislaine from great danger.
"Ghislaine, you lost that fight."
"I understand, Master."
Ghislaine wasn't upset that the Sword God said she had lost. Instead, she looked happy.
This proved that her judgment of Shirou was right. Shirou truly was a talented person with great potential. Even if his talent wasn't the kind of sword skill that people usually thought of, he could become an extraordinary fighter if he followed the right path.
Ghislaine didn't think of herself as Shirou's teacher, but she was still proud of his achievements.
"Since you lost, that means this kid passed the test. From today on, he's a Sword Saint. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally teach him sword skills."
The Sword God didn't seem surprised by the result and calmly made his decision.
When they heard the Sword God's decision, the Swordsmen were shocked.
They didn't expect the Sword God to accept Shirou's Sword Saint status.
Even though Shirou had defeated Ghislaine, a Sword King, going above and beyond what was required, he hadn't used Sword God Style sword skills at all. Instead, he used techniques from other schools.
The Sword Saints present couldn't accept that a Swordsman with no Sword God Style background could become a Sword Saint. They couldn't stand it.
Most importantly, the Sword God even said he would personally teach Shirou sword skills. In other words, Shirou would become the Sword God's personal student, an honor that no one had received since Ghislaine, making him the most favored of all students.
"No, Sword God, are you mistaken? The Sword Saint title is only for people who have learned the Longsword of Light! How can you give it to a Swordsman who uses Water God Style and North God Style..."
Because Shirou was wearing heavy armor, he couldn't use the Longsword of Light during the fight. So, most people didn't know that he actually knew the Longsword of Light.
That's why they were so upset about Shirou becoming a Sword Saint.
The Sword God didn't explain much. He just said coldly, "This kid has done what I asked. He beat a Sword King. If you're not happy, go find a Sword King and challenge them."
"But... but Nina was humiliated before..."
"There are no 'buts'. The Holy Land of Swords values skill with the sword. There's no other reason. Even I, the so-called Sword God, didn't have to learn any special techniques to get here."
The Sword God, Gal Farion, said casually, "Water God Style, North God Style, even someone who isn't a Swordsman can become Sword God if they can beat me! Don't think that just because you have a title, you're special. A title is just a name. It doesn't mean real strength. If a Sword God Style Sword Saint is worse than a Water Saint, then don't call yourself a Sword Saint!"
"..."
The Sword God's words made many Sword God Style Swordsmen tremble. They didn't dare to say anything more.
No one else said anything against Shirou becoming a Sword Saint. They realized that they were only saying it out of jealousy.
Jealousy makes the sword dull, and the Swordsmen knew that.
After criticizing those who were blinded by titles, the Sword God didn't give Shirou an easy time either. He waved his hand coldly and said, "Even though you've become my student, it would be embarrassing to call yourself a Sword Saint if you can't learn the Longsword of Light. So, before I officially teach you sword skills, you have to master the Sword God Style Longsword of Light."
"But... I..."
Shirou wanted to tell the Sword God that his armor was too heavy and that he couldn't use the Longsword of Light while wearing it.
But the Sword God just gave him a sharp look, as if to say, "I know everything, but I still expect you to do it."
Shirou was silent for a moment, but finally nodded.
He had come this far in the test. It would be a shame to give up now.
The Sword God's test seemed unreasonable, but there was some logic to it on a sword skill level. Shirou decided to trust him.
With that, the Sword God Style Sword Saint test was over.
In the end, only two people passed: Shirou and Eris.
They became Sword Saints recognized by the Holy Land of Swords, and their names were recorded in the Holy Land's records.
...
Becoming a Sword Saint didn't change Shirou's life at all.
The Sword God had made it clear that he would only teach him more advanced sword skills after he learned the Longsword of Light.
But Shirou's armor was too heavy. Even a Sword King might not be able to use the Longsword of Light while wearing such armor.
But since the Sword God had asked him to, Shirou had to try.
As expected, he couldn't use the Longsword of Light while wearing the armor. He could barely use the Soundless Sword.
To use the Longsword of Light while wearing the armor would require unbelievable effort and a lot of sweat.
Even if he trained as hard as possible every day, it wouldn't be something he could do in a day.
If it had been before, Shirou might have stayed at the Holy Land of Swords for two or three years, putting everything into sword skills to meet the Sword God's request.
But now, he had a goal to achieve: finding his lost family.
So, after thinking about it, Shirou decided to ask the Sword God if he could leave the Holy Land of Swords and search for his family.
Someday, when he had met the Sword God's requirement, he would come back and formally become his student.
Shirou thought this would be a difficult request, but the Sword God calmly agreed.
But before agreeing, the Sword God asked Shirou a question.
"Do you swing your sword to protect those around you?"
"Of course."
"That kind of sword is dull."
The Sword God criticized Shirou's choice without holding back, "Even Water God Style, which is best at defense, can't protect everyone around you. If you fail one day, you'll doubt your sword and become confused. In the end, you won't be able to swing your sword at all."
Hearing the Sword God's words, Shirou remembered his past.
In that snowy night, he hadn't protected anything. He hadn't protected the student named Sakura. He hadn't completely saved Miyu. He could only send her to a strange world.
But he didn't think he had done anything wrong. He had never felt confused. So, he said directly, "If a sword that protects family is dull, then I'll give up the sword. Protecting my family is my goal. The sword is just a way to achieve my goal. A sword that can't protect family isn't worth learning."
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