"Analyzing... Cross Swordsmanship and Rock Swordsmanship have a compatibility rate of 12%. Proceed with synthesis?"
"Proceed."
"Synthesizing..."
"Synthesis successful. New technique acquired: Rock Cross Swordsmanship."
Luciel absorbed the newly synthesized swordsmanship into his mind and began practicing it immediately. However, he quickly noticed something was off.
His movements felt clunky, unnatural. Despite his best efforts, the improvement was painfully slow, and an underlying awkwardness made each swing feel forced.
Luciel sighed and lowered his sword.
"No wonder the compatibility was so low. This technique just doesn't suit me."
He reflected on the nature of the two styles he had combined.
Rock Swordsmanship was a defensive art—steady and unyielding, like an immovable boulder.
Cross Swordsmanship, on the other hand, was an aggressive, high-tempo style that prioritized relentless offense.
The two philosophies directly contradicted one another. Instead of enhancing his combat abilities, their synthesis had produced an unwieldy hybrid with diminished power.
"It seems that to successfully merge two techniques into something greater, they need a much higher compatibility," Luciel mused.
Fortunately, his mentor, Mr. Julian, had promised to waive the elective fee for one low-level combat skill. He could use this opportunity to select a swordsmanship style that was highly compatible with either Rock Swordsmanship or Cross Swordsmanship.
With that settled, he mentally listed his priorities:
1. Choose an elective combat skill.
2. Meet with Bourne at the Swordsmanship Association.
3. Visit the Shelley Chamber of Commerce to collect the payment for his last batch of power potions.
4. Purchase intermediate magic potions for composition analysis.
5. If no better enhancement ingredients were found, secure a supply of mani fruit.
After some thought, he decided to visit the Swordsmanship Association first.
---
At the Swordsmanship Association
The lobby of the association buzzed with excitement.
A young man with a smug expression stood among a group of students, exuding an air of arrogance.
"The so-called Magic Puppet Challenge… is it really as difficult as people claim?" he scoffed.
"Taylor, you're already a fifth-level apprentice knight," a follower chimed in. "If Lawrence can do it, then surely you can, too."
"In two months, the Chief Student Duel will take place. It's time for the third-year champion to change hands," Taylor said, his grin widening.
Just then, a new figure entered the room.
The atmosphere immediately shifted.
Excited whispers rippled through the gathered students.
"It's Senior Bourne—the president of the Swordsmanship Association!"
"Senior Bourne is said to be near the level of a true knight. He's one of the strongest in the fifth year and even outclasses some sixth-year students!"
"He's my idol!"
Taylor straightened his posture and quickly stepped forward.
"Senior Bourne! I am Taylor from the Hill family. It is an honor to meet you!"
Bourne paused briefly, then offered a polite nod.
"Taylor… from the Hill family? The third-year class has many promising students."
Taylor's cheeks flushed with excitement.
"I extend the greetings of the Hill family to the Marquis of Joyce."
Bourne gave another courteous nod before walking past him.
Even this brief interaction was enough to make the other students green with envy.
"Taylor is incredible—Senior Bourne actually remembered his name!"
"When Taylor defeats Lawrence, he'll be famous across the entire academy!"
Taylor, pleased with the attention, spoke confidently.
"Enough talk. I'll prove my strength by conquering the Magic Puppet Challenge. That will earn Senior Bourne's true recognition."
His followers eagerly trailed behind him as he made his way deeper into the association.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Bourne, who had just entered the association, suddenly hurried back out—his expression unusually serious.
Several fourth- and fifth-year students followed him, all looking slightly anxious.
"Is he really here?" one of them asked.
"Yes, and he's been waiting for half an hour already."
Bourne frowned. "Why wasn't I informed earlier? A genius obsessed with training hates having his time wasted."
"S-Sorry, President Bourne!"
"Don't let it happen again."
Taylor watched this exchange with growing confusion.
Bourne was never this impatient. Known for his calm and composed demeanor, he rarely showed any urgency. Yet now, he was chastising his subordinates over a single person?
Just who was this individual?
Taylor's curiosity got the better of him, and he quietly followed behind Bourne and his group.
Then, he saw him.
Standing casually in the corner of the lobby was a young man dressed in a simple warrior's uniform.
His features were handsome but unassuming.
He looked no older than Taylor himself.
Bourne approached the boy and, to Taylor's utter shock, bowed his head slightly in apology.
After exchanging a few words, Bourne laughed heartily and personally escorted the young man inside—along with the rest of the Swordsmanship Association's senior members.
As they passed, Bourne didn't even glance at Taylor.
Taylor clenched his fists.
"Who the hell is this guy?!"
He scrutinized the youth closely.
"He looks like just another third-year student. In our grade, besides Lawrence, who else would Bourne treat with such high regard? No—even Lawrence wouldn't receive this level of respect!"
Could he be the son of a duke? Or perhaps even a prince?
No—that didn't make sense. His demeanor was too casual, his attire too plain.
Yet something about him was undeniably different.
Taylor's jaw tightened.
He had been making waves in the academy, rising quickly in prominence. Yet even he had only received a passing nod from Bourne.
And now, this unknown boy had been welcomed as if he were someone truly extraordinary.
"Does anyone recognize him?" Taylor asked, looking around.
His followers shook their heads, their faces filled with the same confusion.
Taylor narrowed his eyes.
"I need to find out who he is."
Without hesitation, he gestured for his group to follow as he trailed behind Bourne and the mysterious youth.
If they were heading toward the Magic Puppet Challenge, this might be the perfect opportunity to show off his own strength.
"Let's see if this so-called 'genius' can really live up to the attention he's getting."
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