"…using spiritual energy to improve his physical coordination and reaction speed while still allowing him to maintain his passion for swordsmanship."
Lin Ya considered the proposal for a moment before replying, "It's an interesting idea, but we'll need the headmaster's approval first. If you're willing, I can arrange a meeting for you to discuss it with him."
"I'd be happy to," Rowan agreed.
That afternoon, Lin Ya brought Rowan and Silver Moon to meet the academy's headmaster. He was an elderly man in his sixties with profound mastery of swordsmanship and decades of teaching experience etched into his calm, thoughtful gaze.
"I've already heard about your proposal," the headmaster said. "It's certainly creative. But before I approve anything, I'd like to know exactly how you plan to implement it."
Rowan carefully explained his ideas in detail. He proposed designing a specialized training program for Little Stone, beginning with basic exercises to improve balance and body coordination, followed by simple spiritual awareness training and foundational sword drills tailored to the boy's abilities.
"The goal isn't to turn him into a top swordsman overnight," Rowan said sincerely. "It's to help him build confidence and discover his own potential."
"This plan will require a great deal of time and effort," the headmaster pointed out. "And there's no guarantee it will succeed."
"I understand," Rowan replied. "But I still think it's worth trying. Every child has value. No one should be abandoned simply because they lack talent."
Silver Moon stepped forward in support.
"Headmaster, I believe this could become a meaningful experiment. If it succeeds, it might open new teaching methods for the academy."
The old man fell silent in thought for a while before finally nodding.
"Very well. You may proceed. But Little Stone's regular studies must not be affected, and I expect regular reports on his progress."
That evening, Rowan and Silver Moon found Little Stone practicing alone in a quiet corner of the academy grounds. The boy immediately looked nervous when he saw them approaching.
"Little Stone, we want to discuss something with you," Silver Moon said gently. "Would you like to hear it?"
The boy nodded quickly.
"We'd like to create a special training program just for you," Rowan explained. "It'll be different from the training the other students receive, but we believe it can help you improve."
"Really?" Little Stone's eyes lit up with hope. "Can I actually become stronger?"
"You can," Silver Moon answered softly. "But it'll require even more effort and patience. Your progress may be slower than others, so you need to be prepared for that."
"I'm not afraid of being slow! I'm not afraid of hard work!" Little Stone declared firmly. "As long as I can become stronger, I'll do anything!"
Looking into the boy's determined eyes, both Rowan and Silver Moon felt deeply moved. At that moment, they silently resolved to help him pursue his dream no matter what.
That night, Rowan stayed up late drafting a detailed training schedule. Combining his experience with spiritual cultivation and his observations of Little Stone, he designed a gradual, step-by-step system.
The first phase focused on physical coordination through balance exercises and controlled movements. The second phase emphasized perception training to heighten environmental awareness. Only after those foundations were built would they move on to actual sword techniques.
Silver Moon watched Rowan working seriously under the soft lamplight and found herself smiling unconsciously. The more time she spent with him, the more she admired his warmth and sense of responsibility.
"You always care this much about other people?" she asked quietly.
Rowan looked up in confusion. "Hm?"
"The way you care about Little Stone. The kindness you show everyone," she explained. "You always seem able to notice the light in people, and you genuinely want to help them."
Rowan thought for a moment before answering.
"I think it's natural. Everyone has value and potential. Sometimes they just need someone to help them see it. When I was younger, a lot of people helped me too. Now I just want to do the same for others."
Silver Moon gazed at him quietly.
"That must be why Sword Saint Grandmaster thinks so highly of you," she murmured. "A truly powerful person isn't defined only by strength, but also by kindness."
The next morning, Rowan and Silver Moon officially began Little Stone's special training.
They set up a small training area in a quiet corner of the academy grounds.
"Today we'll start with balance training," Rowan said. "It looks simple, but it's extremely important for building a foundation in swordsmanship."
He instructed Little Stone to stand on a narrow wooden beam and maintain his balance. At first the boy wobbled constantly and fell off within seconds. But instead of getting discouraged, he climbed back on and tried again and again.
"Good. Keep going," Rowan encouraged. "Don't rush. Slowly feel how your center of gravity shifts."
After nearly an hour of practice, Little Stone finally managed to remain standing on the beam for several full minutes without falling.
"I can feel myself improving!" the boy exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes," Silver Moon said with a smile. "That's the power of perseverance. Small improvements accumulate into tremendous change."
Over the following days, Rowan and Silver Moon spent time guiding Little Stone every single day. Their training gradually expanded to include coordination drills, sensory exercises, and simple sword techniques suitable for his level.
Although Little Stone's progress remained slow, it was steady.
More importantly, his confidence began to grow. The gloom that once lingered in his eyes was slowly replaced by hope and determination.
The other students and teachers soon noticed the changes as well. Even though his performance in normal classes still lagged behind the others, everyone could sense the positive energy radiating from him.
"Little Stone has changed a lot lately," Instructor Lin Ya commented one afternoon. "He's become more confident and focused. His swordsmanship hasn't improved dramatically yet, but his entire spirit feels different."
"That's exactly the result we hoped for," Rowan replied. "The true meaning of cultivation isn't simply reaching the highest realm. It's about growth and happiness throughout the journey."
A week later, the academy held a small sparring competition for students of the same grade to learn from one another.
Little Stone signed up as well.
Everyone knew his level was still low, but no one stopped him.
During the match, he still lost to his opponent, yet his performance had clearly improved. He could now observe movements and respond accordingly. His techniques remained awkward, but for the first time, he truly looked like a swordsman.
More importantly, after losing, he didn't become discouraged as he once would have.
Instead, he bowed respectfully to his opponent and said with unwavering determination:
"Next time, I'll do even better!"
The entire audience was moved by the sight. One teacher even quietly wiped tears from the corner of their eyes.
"Little Stone really has changed," Silver Moon said softly to Rowan. "He's found his own path in swordsmanship."
"Yes," Rowan replied with satisfaction. "Even if he never becomes the strongest swordsman, he's already become the best version of himself."
That evening, the headmaster personally sought out Rowan and Silver Moon.
"I must admit," he said sincerely, "your method has been remarkably successful. Everyone can see the change in Little Stone. This has given the academy a great deal to think about."
"You praise us too highly," Rowan answered modestly. "We simply helped him find a path that suited him."
"No. You've done more than help one child," the headmaster said seriously. "You've shown us a new educational philosophy. We've decided to promote this personalized teaching approach throughout the academy so students with unique circumstances can receive better support."
"If needed, we'd be happy to continue assisting," Silver Moon said.
"That would be wonderful," the headmaster replied warmly. "In that case, I'd like to formally invite both of you to become guest instructors at the academy."
Rowan and Silver Moon exchanged glances. They both saw the same answer reflected in each other's eyes.
"It would be an honor to contribute to the academy," Rowan said.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rowan and Silver Moon stood together on the academy's observation platform, watching students practice sword forms beneath the golden evening light.
"Thank you," Silver Moon suddenly said.
Rowan laughed softly. "What are you thanking me for this time?"
"For showing me another meaning behind swordsmanship," she answered earnestly. "I used to believe becoming stronger was the only goal. Now I understand that helping others grow is also a form of strength."
"We're both still growing," Rowan said gently. "That's the meaning of the journey."
The next morning, Rowan completed his usual spiritual training beside Silver Moon Lake. After spending several days in the Silver Blue Empire, he had fully adapted to the rhythm of life there. Guiding Little Stone at the academy had left him in an unusually good mood. The bright smile on the boy's face still lingered vividly in his mind.
"Good morning, Rowan."
Silver Moon approached carrying a cup of Silver Moon Tea. She wore a light green casual outfit today that made her look especially fresh and graceful.
"Good morning," Rowan said as he accepted the tea. "What's the plan for today?"
Silver Moon smiled mysteriously.
"Today, I want to introduce you to the culinary culture of the Silver Blue Empire. You've been here for quite a while now, but aside from meals at home, you haven't truly experienced our local cuisine."
"That sounds amazing," Rowan said eagerly. "I've honestly been very curious about the food here."
"And what about Earth?" Silver Moon asked curiously. "What kind of food culture does your planet have? I'm very interested in cuisines from other worlds."
Rowan's eyes immediately brightened.
"Earth's food culture is incredibly diverse. Since Earth has many different countries and regions, every place developed its own unique style of cooking."
As he spoke, he gestured animatedly with his hands.
"For example, there's a dish called hotpot. A special soup base is boiled in a large pot, and then all kinds of ingredients are cooked inside it. Everyone sits together around the table while eating and chatting. The atmosphere feels especially warm and lively."
"That sounds wonderful!" Silver Moon's eyes sparkled with fascination. "Eating together like that must feel very comforting."
"There's also barbecue," Rowan continued enthusiastically. "Meat and vegetables are grilled over charcoal flames, giving everything a unique smoky aroma. On Earth, barbecue is one of the most popular choices for gatherings with friends. Everyone sits around the fire, talking for hours. It's an incredible feeling."
Silver Moon listened with complete attention.
"Earthlings seem to place a lot of importance on the atmosphere during meals."
"They do," Rowan said with a smile. "In Earth culture, food isn't just about filling your stomach. It's also a way to strengthen emotional bonds. There's an old saying on Earth: 'Food is the foundation of life.' It reflects how important meals are to people."
"Then what's your favorite food?" Silver Moon asked curiously.
Rowan thought for a moment.
"My favorite is probably a hometown delicacy called soup dumplings."
His expression softened with nostalgia.
"The wrapper is so thin it's almost transparent, and inside there's juicy meat filling and rich broth. When you bite into one, the soup bursts in your mouth…"
He closed his eyes briefly, clearly savoring the memory.
"Now I want to try them too," Silver Moon said with a laugh. "Unfortunately Earth is so far away. Authentic ones must be impossible to find here."
"It's okay," Rowan replied instinctively. "If we ever get the chance in the future, I'll take you to Earth and let you try all kinds of delicious food."
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized what he had said, and his face immediately warmed.
Silver Moon's cheeks flushed slightly as well, though she quickly hid it behind a smile.
"Then today, I'll start by letting you experience the specialties of the Silver Blue Empire. I know several excellent restaurants that I've loved since childhood."
"Perfect," Rowan said happily. "I already can't wait."
After breakfast, the two left the Silver Moon residence and headed toward the center of Swordheart Star.
Silver Moon explained that the first restaurant she wanted to take him to was called Lakeside Pavilion, a famous establishment with over three hundred years of history, renowned for its traditional Silver Blue Empire cuisine.
"The owner of Lakeside Pavilion is a true culinary master," Silver Moon explained as they walked. "Their signature dish, Silver Moon Bass, is made using a special bass native to Silver Moon Lake. The flavor is unbelievably fresh. Whenever I did well on exams as a child, my father would bring me there to celebrate."
The two strolled leisurely along the lakeside stone pathways. Along the way, many locals recognized Silver Moon and warmly greeted her while curiously glancing at Rowan beside her. Silver Moon always introduced him naturally as her friend, and every time she did, Rowan felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest.
"Miss Silver Moon!"
A young voice suddenly called out from behind them.
They turned to see Little Stone running toward them with a bright smile on his face.
"Little Stone? What are you doing here?" Silver Moon asked in surprise.
"I just finished at the academy and saw you and Instructor Rowan," the boy said breathlessly. "I wanted to tell you some good news!"
"What happened?" Rowan asked curiously.
"This morning during basic training, I successfully completed the Chain Thrust technique!" Little Stone said excitedly. "It still isn't perfect, but Instructor Lin said I've improved a lot!"
"That's wonderful!" Silver Moon said happily as she patted his shoulder. "It proves your hard work is paying off."
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