The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the Hoshino City streets as Kenji walked home with Riku by his side. The collision in the library lingered in his mind, an unexpected moment that had disturbed his usually calm demeanor.
Riku, however, was relentless.
"So," Riku began casually, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips, "you bumped into her… How does it feel? Like fate? Or more like a disaster waiting to happen?"
Kenji frowned, glancing sideways. "She's just… a girl in the library. That's all."
Riku snorted. "Sure, sure. But you looked at her. Admit it. You liked her a little."
Kenji groaned. "Riku! That's not—"
Riku cut him off, laughing. "Her name is Aiko, by the way. I've seen her around a few times. Don't know much about her background. Her family… is mysterious, to say the least. Very little information anywhere. You should be careful, but, hey, she's definitely interesting."
Kenji shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought. Focus on sword training… not girls.
After parting ways with Riku, Kenji returned home and wasted no time. He drew Zhurong from his storage ring, feeling its weight and subtle vibration, its presence responding to his body like an extension of his very being.
The sword technique book he had borrowed lay open on the table: Foundational Sword Techniques: Tenfold Path. Its instructions were precise, structured, and brutally demanding. Kenji didn't rush. He followed each step exactly: stance, grip, foot placement, swing flow, and breathing synchronization.
The first level was challenging. His muscles ached with exertion, yet his concentration never wavered. Minutes blurred as he practiced the swings and thrusts, refining each motion until it became seamless.
Then the second level.
Then the third.
By the time evening had fallen, Kenji had completed three levels. Each level amplified his skill, giving him a deeper understanding of force application, precision, and flow. His swordplay now intertwined naturally with his physical strength, a combination that made his movements both swift and devastatingly efficient.
With every swing, he could feel his Captivating aura strengthening, edging him closer to Body Refining Level 6. His muscles were honed, his reflexes sharpened, and his mind calm yet alert.
The next day, after school, Kenji decided it was time to put his progress to the test. He walked through the familiar streets toward the Hoshino Martial Arts Training Ground, a sprawling compound where warriors from various schools and families came to test their skills, gain experience, and acquire cultivation pills as rewards for victory.
Kenji's goal was clear: fight, learn, and rise stronger.
The first opponent was a straightforward swordsman, relying on basic footwork and swing techniques.
Kenji applied what he had learned from his sword book: a clean slash followed by a pivot, using his body weight to drive Zhurong forward. Within one minute, his opponent was disarmed and yielded, impressed by the combination of sword skill and raw physical strength.
The second opponent used speed, attempting to overwhelm Kenji with flurries of rapid strikes. Kenji dodged, parried, and countered, utilizing precise footwork and timing his swings with the momentum of his body. The opponent fell quickly, stunned by Kenji's control over Zhurong and the force behind even his minor movements.
A non-swordsman appeared next—a martial artist who relied solely on brute strength and grappling techniques. Kenji adapted, using Zhurong as a lever and shield, blocking incoming attacks and striking critical points when openings appeared. Again, the match lasted no longer than a minute, but Kenji learned to integrate weapon skill with physical combat, not relying solely on swordplay.
The fourth match began like the others, but the opponent's eyes burned with malice. He was different—calculating, ruthless, and clearly intending more than a standard duel.
The first seconds were brutal. The opponent struck with precision and power, each blow aimed to disable rather than test. Kenji dodged, rolled, and countered, but he soon realized the man intended to kill.
Pain lanced through Kenji as multiple strikes grazed him, bruising and cutting his body. His vision blurred, yet he refused to yield. He focused, moving instinctively, applying everything he had learned: sword technique, physical strength, balance, and reflexive combat skill.
The opponent lunged with a deadly strike aimed at Kenji's chest. Kenji ducked, pivoted, and extended Zhurong in a flawless thrust. The blade struck true, piercing through the assailant's guard and ending the fight decisively.
Kenji's breathing was heavy, his body battered, but his resolve had strengthened.
The fifth opponent, a highly trained sword cultivator, attempted to overwhelm Kenji with intricate sword forms. Kenji matched him blow for blow, applying muscle-driven strikes and precision slashes learned from the book. Each attack was calculated, each movement amplified by his growing strength. Within a minute, the opponent yielded, unable to cope with the fusion of Kenji's raw power and refined technique.
The final match was a surprise. The fighter wielded a small, gleaming magical weapon. His intent was clear: dominate or kill. Kenji braced himself, Zhurong in hand, senses alert.
The battle was intense. The opponent struck with magical force, combining martial skill with arcane energy. Kenji dodged narrowly, taking several minor injuries in the process. His body strained, his mind sharpened.
The opponent aimed a final, lethal blow. Kenji rolled aside, Zhurong flashing through the air. Utilizing the sword's newly mastered abilities, he countered with a series of blindingly fast strikes, precise and powerful, each infused with his physical strength and mastery from the last few hours of training.
The magical weapon shattered under the force of Zhurong. The opponent fell, unconscious, defeated.
As Kenji lowered the sword, sweat and blood mingling on his skin, he felt something new: a surge of clarity, confidence, and understanding.
He had faced six opponents, each unique, and each challenge had taught him something different:
Match one: foundational sword skill integration
Match two: timing and momentum control
Match three: physical combat coordination
Match four: life-or-death improvisation
Match five: advanced sword technique vs. a skilled opponent
Match six: combining weapon mastery, physical strength, and strategic thinking against a magical threat
Each battle lasted only a minute, but in that fleeting span, Kenji had applied all his knowledge and instincts to survive and dominate. His Captivating aura had risen further, moving him closer to Body Refining Level 6.
As Kenji walked back home, Zhurong safely returned to his storage ring, he replayed every strike, every defensive move, and every misstep in his mind.
He thought of Aiko briefly, recalling the library encounter. A small smile touched his lips. Focus first. Training first. Everything else would follow.
Riku, waiting at the corner near the school gate, waved enthusiastically.
"So… how's it feel to be the unstoppable Kenji Watanabe?" he teased. "Survive any magical weapons today? Or just sliced people with style?"
Kenji chuckled, ignoring the ribbing. "It's only the beginning. There's still a lot to improve."
Riku shook his head, laughing. "Still humble, I see. That's why I like you, man. Or maybe because you're slowly turning into a terrifying genius."
Kenji smiled faintly, thinking: this was only the start. His body, mind, and sword had grown today—but tomorrow, the challenges would be even greater. And with Zhurong in hand, he felt ready to face them.