"Die!"
Cole's strength and speed dwarfed those of Jiru and Kane. In truth, his movements were faster and stronger than any human Adrian had ever known in his past life.
"I knew you'd strike," Adrian thought coldly.
From the moment he'd attacked, he had anticipated Cole's counter. His Observation Haki had never faded — every twitch of Cole's muscles, every flicker of killing intent, was already in his sight.
Right side.
Adrian twisted away, Cole's blade slicing through empty air. With a burst of speed, Adrian lunged, blade aimed low toward Cole's body.
Steel hissed. His strike tore fabric and grazed skin — but not enough. Cole had barely managed to twist away.
"Damn brat! Go to hell!"
Fury twisted Cole's features. He'd nearly died just now, and the thought ignited his rage. With a savage roar, he reversed his grip and slashed again in one fluid motion.
Adrian was already moving, his Observation guiding him. Calm, precise, he sidestepped the killing arc.
Crack!
Adrian's sheath slammed down like a club, smashing into Cole's knee. Bone shattered with a sickening snap.
"AAAHHH!"
Cole collapsed to one knee, howling in shock. A swordsman using his sheath as a weapon? He had never expected such ruthlessness.
"You're the one who should die," Adrian said coldly.
Steel flashed. His blade carved across Cole's throat in a clean, merciless strike. Blood poured as Cole's final breath rattled away.
Adrian exhaled slowly."Finally… dead."
He looked at the three corpses sprawled across the floor."My body is still too weak. If I'd been faster, this would've ended in three strikes, not a struggle."
His gaze hardened."This house is no longer safe. The Steel Fang Dojo will send more killers. It's better to live at the Ironblade Dojo — at least there, I'll be under Master's protection. And once I have the strength… I'll destroy Steel Fang myself."
He packed quickly, gathering spare clothes. What Adrian didn't notice was the silent figure watching from the shadows — his master. The old man had observed everything, and only slipped away once the fight was done.
Adrian's Observation Haki was still too new to sense him.
"Adrian! Adrian, what happened here?"
A deep voice called from the doorway. A massive youth stepped inside, towering at three meters, a long knife strapped to his back.
Adrian recognized him. Marcus — his senior brother at the Ironblade Dojo. Before Adrian had appeared, Marcus had been the most talented swordsman among the apprentices.
Adrian offered a calm smile. "It's nothing. Just three thugs from Steel Fang who thought they could get rid of me. Their skill wasn't enough, so I killed them."
He glanced back at the bloodstained floor. "I'm moving into the dojo. Staying here would only invite trouble."
Marcus's fists clenched. "Those bastards from Steel Fang…! One day, when I'm stronger, I'll smash their school to pieces myself. You're right, Adrian. With Master at the dojo, no one will dare touch you."
Adrian nodded. "Then let's go. I'm ready."
He stepped out of the house he had lived in for thirteen years, leaving it behind without hesitation.
The Ironblade Dojo bustled with life. Nearly a hundred apprentices trained there — half of them children between eight and fifteen. On Falcon Isle, every parent dreamed of sending their children to learn the sword, but Master only accepted a chosen few.
"Ha!""Ha!""Ha!"
Wooden swords cut the air in rhythm, dozens of young disciples drilling their basics in unison.
"Senior Brother!""Hello, Senior Brother!""Senior Brother, you're here!"
The moment Adrian stepped onto the training ground, the children broke formation to greet him. As the Master's only personal disciple, his status eclipsed everyone else's.
"Focus," Adrian said firmly, his gaze sharp. "Don't let my arrival interrupt your training. A swordsman never wastes practice."
The children quickly returned to their swings.
Adrian moved past them toward the dojo's rear courtyard — his private training ground. Here, he could practice in silence, away from distractions.
But today, instead of drawing his blade, he sat quietly and focused inward.
"First… my soul must be unusually strong. That's why I awakened Observation Haki so early, able to sense malice and goodwill, to read the lines of attack."
He closed his eyes."And then there's this… the Sword God Body Tempering Art."
The name alone rang like destiny. It had appeared in his mind the moment he'd transmigrated. His cheat, the one tool that could let him rise beyond limits.
The manual described twelve layers of cultivation. A technique that used Haki itself to temper the body. The first three layers could be trained even before awakening Armament Haki. The rest required it.
"A path of steel and flesh," Adrian murmured. "My sword for attack. My body for defense. Together… I'll forge myself into the strongest in the world."
Confidence surged in his chest.
"Let's see just how powerful the first layer is."
And with that, Adrian Black began to cultivate the Sword God Body Tempering Art.