Gawain had the shipwrights hide the damaged ship as a temporary base, while he led his men to a clearing on the island and arranged them into groups.
Soon, he began instructing them in the most basic sword training.
From how to grip a sword, to generating force, to blocking an enemy's strike, and finally to more efficient ways of killing…
Some held real blades, others only wooden sticks, but their focus was absolute. They trained with an intensity and passion none had shown before.
Every movement was practiced with extreme seriousness.
Their diligence made Gawain wonder if they were simply too simple-minded.
But for these men, Gawain's words were nothing short of divine truth, though he himself had no idea.
Not that this did him any harm.
Time passed quickly. The sun set, the moon rose.
Even then, the pirates showed no fatigue. It was only at midnight that they reluctantly set down their blades and sticks.
"Huh? Why don't I feel as tired as I expected after training all day?"
"Just your imagination!"
"No, I feel it too. My stamina seems better than before. Normally I'd be so exhausted I couldn't even speak, but now it's only my legs that feel a little weak."
"That's amazing!"
"Maybe the gods are moved by our effort?"
"Heh, the gods sit up in Mary Geoise. If they don't double your taxes, you should already count yourself blessed."
…
They chatted and brushed it off as the result of focused training.
But Gawain knew the truth. This was the effect of the Captain's Fury badge.
A 20 percent boost to stamina recovery, even during training.
In other words, it acted as a buff that reduced stamina loss during training by 20 percent, and another buff that increased recovery during rest by 20 percent.
Two for one, the effect doubled.
But Gawain's focus was not on the badge. His eyes were fixed on the system panel:
Swordsmanship LV-4: 431/800 → 453/800
Physique LV-3: 357/400 → 384/400
Just a single day of training from his crew had given him 22 points in swordsmanship and 27 in physique.
On average, each man's training barely added a fraction of a point.
For an ordinary person to reach his current level of swordsmanship would take decades of relentless practice.
The contrast with people like Zoro and Sanji was stark.
They had grown to near top-level strength in just two or three years. Battle experience sped up growth, yes, but more importantly, their natural talent was absurd.
In this world, the difference in talent between individuals was magnified to limitless extremes.
This body of Gawain's was clearly no genius. At best, a step above the average man.
But as long as the system maintained this efficiency, in just over a month he could gain seven or eight hundred more experience points in both attributes. Swordsmanship was guaranteed to hit LV-5, and physique could very likely reach LV-5 as well.
"I wonder how much my strength will rise when swordsmanship and physique reach level five," he muttered.
"According to the system, every five levels marks a threshold that determines the direction of my future path."
As he spoke to himself, one of his men brought him grilled fish and wild fruit.
The island's resources were abundant. Fruits and edible roots were everywhere, and the sea was rich in fish. With this, over a hundred men could train for months without issue.
Gawain accepted the food and bit into the fish. The meat was dry, tough, and fishy. Hardly delicious, but in this situation there was nothing to complain about.
For pirates from humble backgrounds, this was already a rare delicacy. Rich in protein and carbs, it was perfect fuel for training.
…
Half a month passed.
In this time, Gawain continued to guide his crew. Their initial enthusiasm gave way to steady discipline, but the results were undeniable.
Where once they were clueless beginners, now they were apprentice swordsmen with solid foundations.
"This sword feels completely different now, like an extension of my arm. I could beat ten of my old self!"
"Yeah right."
"No, seriously, I can feel the improvement. But let's not forget, this is all thanks to the captain."
"That's right. Ever since the Lancer incident, the captain has changed completely. Not just his character, but his attitude toward us. This captain is the one who can truly lead us to strength."
…
Watching from a distance, Gawain smiled faintly.
If they continued improving at this pace, even if not all reached officer-level power, with swords in hand they would be able to survive easily in East Blue.
In that sense, he wasn't lying to them.
After all, in this world, only the strong had the right to live with dignity. The weak could only crawl and beg for mercy.
"Captain, my arm's hurt. I'd like a few days off."
A pirate with a white cap stepped forward, holding a swollen arm, his face showing unwillingness.
Gawain remembered him. Jamila, who had joined half a year ago. An honest sort. Gawain patted his shoulder.
"Rest for a few days. Don't leave permanent damage by pushing yourself too hard."
"Understood."
Jamila nodded gratefully, though a faint flash of coldness passed through his eyes before he turned toward the ship.
Watching him leave, Gawain frowned.
Was it his imagination, or had he seen a pendant shaped like a seagull on Jamila's chest?
He shook his head and walked away to a quiet spot, opening his system panel again.
After half a month, his physique had reached LV-4.
The change was enormous.
His speed and strength had grown by at least thirty percent. Endurance and stamina by nearly fifty percent. Even his bones and muscle density had strengthened.
Yet his frame had barely changed. Still a little over two meters, lean in clothes, muscular without them.
His wounds had fully healed, and his toughness had soared. Against Morgan's axe, he might not take it head-on, but he would no longer be beaten so pathetically.
And today, his swordsmanship was about to reach LV-5.
According to the system, this would be a qualitative transformation.
The day's training ended. Gawain gained 24 points in swordsmanship and 30 in physique.
Swordsmanship LV-4: 793/800 → Swordsmanship LV-5: 17/1600
In that instant, a brand new sensation filled his hands. The sword he gripped no longer felt like dead steel, but an extension of his body.
Countless insights into swordsmanship and techniques flooded his mind. He digested them instantly, able to apply them in battle immediately.
"This…"
He lifted his blade and casually swung it at a cliffside.
Shhh!
With a crisp sound, a stone wall more than ten meters wide split cleanly down the middle.
The cut surface was as smooth as a mirror.
Gawain froze.
"Incredible. Just one level made this much difference?"
"At LV-4 I could cut stone, but nothing like this."
"With this skill, my combat power has at least doubled. Combined with my improved physique, compared to when I first arrived here, my strength has tripled."
"If I face Morgan again, I'm confident I can kill him within three strikes."
Recalling the details of their fight, he came to that conclusion.
At that moment, the familiar system prompt sounded.
"Host's swordsmanship has reached LV-5. Please select one of the following branch abilities:"
"Cut Iron, Flying Blade, Godspeed."
______________________________________________
If you want 15 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon:
patreon.com/PureParadox