After Anos Got the Wooden Sword
After Anos obtained Fleeting Shadow, he and his mother, Celestia Ruth, returned to their wooden house in Sunrise Village. The aroma of sizzling meats greeted them—grilled spirit beast meat, lightly seasoned and roasted over a small fire pit.
"Mm… smells heavenly," Celestia said, handing him a piece of meat.
Anos's bit into it, eyes closing in satisfaction. "Delicious… Mother, you always know how to make even a simple meal feel like a feast."
Celestia chuckled, watching him eat. "You've grown quickly, Anos. Don't forget, lunch is short today—you've training to do in the backyard."
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Backyard Training Begins
In the backyard of the sleepy wooden house, Anos stood firmly, the sun casting shadows across the grassy ground. He held Fleeting Shadow in his hands, feeling its weight and balance.
"Fleeting Shadow…" he muttered, voice steady.
Open my status, he thought. A black screen materialized before his eyes, displaying detailed information.
[Opening the status...]
[...]
[Name: Anos]
[Age: 4 years old]
[Title: Reincarnator]
[Martial Spirit: Not Yet Awakened]
[Innate Skills: Imitation Spiral Eye, Divine Light of Healing, Endless Hunger]
[Skills: Abyssal Water Flow Technique (M), Throwing Art (C), Ghost Step (C), Rock Punch (A), Cooking (B)]
[Practiced: Abyssal Water Flow Technique, Throwing Art, Ghost Step, Rock Punch]
[System Points: 169,000 SP]
(AN: Mastery Level: B > A > C > M or Basic > Advanced > Completed > Mastered)
"Not bad…" Anos murmured. His progress over the past two years had been steady. His daily routines, the tasks his mother gave him, and his private training with Zara had all contributed.
Running laps around the house, practicing controlled breathing, refining his techniques… each day added small increments of mastery. Throwing Art had been fused into a more refined version, Ghost Step had improved his agility, and Rock Punch had increased the hardness and power of his fists.
'At least all the pain and effort are paying off,' he thought, flexing his arm as he struck a nearby rock repeatedly, feeling the impact reverberate through his body.
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Countdown to Power Unlock
Show me, Imitation Spiral Eye and Divine Light of Healing unsealing time countdown, Anos thought. Digital timers appeared beside his status.
[00:06:09]
"Six minutes and nine seconds…" he murmured, glancing at the clear sky above.
Pulling two books from his cloth bag, he began to study, one by one. A voice echoed in his head—Zara's, monotone as ever.
[You have learned Cherry Blossom Sword Style]
[You have learned Lightning Sword Art]
Open Fusion Function.
Another interface appeared.
[Activating the enhanced system function…]
[...]
[Activated]
Fuse Abyssal Water Flow Technique, Cherry Blossom Sword Style, Lightning Sword Art.
[Fusion…]
[Cost: 100,000 SP]
[Do you want to fuse three skills into one? Y/N]
Anos winced, feeling a slight sting in his mind. Necessary… he whispered. "Yes."
[Processing…]
[...]
[Success]
[You have gained Abyssal Blossom Tempest Sword Art]
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Abyssal Blossom Tempest Sword Art
Anos' mind was flooded with information.
[Name: Abyssal Blossom Tempest Sword Art]
[Type: Sword Art]
[Grade: Peak-Epic]
Description:
"A transcendent sword art born from fusing three distinct techniques—Lightning Sword Art, Cherry Blossom Sword Style, and Abyssal Water Flow Technique. Built upon deep rhythmic breathing, this style channels inner serenity to unleash swift, graceful, fluid strikes that strike like lightning, flow like water, and bloom with deadly elegance."
Lightning Sword Art: Explosive speed and precision.Cherry Blossom Sword Style: Flowing, circular movements and deceptive beauty.Abyssal Water Flow Technique: Adaptable rhythm, deep momentum control.
Special Trait: Each sword movement flows seamlessly into the next—a dance of storms and petals upon a quiet ocean. Meditation and weapon, merged. Near untouchable when fully mastered.
"Ugh… my head." Anos groaned, clutching it for a moment.
He released a deep sigh and steadied himself, gripping Fleeting Shadow tightly.
"Well… better than I expected," he muttered.
--------------------------------
Mother Notices
Celestia walked over, concern etched on her face. "Anos! Are you alright? I heard groaning!"
He smiled, a little tired. "I'm fine, Mother. Just… a headache from the new sword art." He handed her the Cherry Blossom Sword Style book.
Celestia frowned, flipping through it. "This sword art… incomplete?"
"Yes, but it's enough for me to learn," Anos replied, raising Fleeting Shadow in preparation. He inhaled deeply, aligning his breathing.
"Attack me," he said. Celestia's brow furrowed but she obeyed, launching a precise downward strike.
------------------------------
Sword Fusion in Action
First Sword: Early Summer Rain, Anos thought, raising his sword to meet her hand, then thrusting toward her throat.
Celestia tilted her head, countering easily. Fast… she thought.
Twisting his wrist, Anos redirected the strike in a fluid motion. Second Sword: Falling Thunder Chop. A thunderous vertical slash cut the air.
Pa! Celestia intercepted, raising a finger. "The first one is Cherry Blossom Sword Style… the second is Lightning Sword Art?"
Anos nodded, cheeks flushed from concentration. "Right. But it's not over."
Third Sword: Scattering Thunder Petals. His form blurred as multiple sword slashes filled the air.
It seems he combined all three techniques… Celestia thought, sensing the breezes and pressures of his attacks. Good technique… but still inexperienced.
She vanished effortlessly, dodging all strikes.
"It's over—" Celestia said, smiling.
"Not yet!" Anos appeared before her suddenly. His eyes glowed crimson, two rotating dots spinning around his pupils—his Imitation Spiral Eye had activated.
Fourth Sword: Piercing Raindrops. He thrust again, leaving ghostly afterimages.
Celestia moved casually, catching the sword effortlessly. Enough.
Bam! The muffled impact echoed.
Anos exhaled heavily, his eyes returning to normal.
------------------------
Training Begins
"What is the name of this new technique?" Celestia asked.
"Abyssal Blossom Tempest Sword Art," he replied, exhausted but proud.
"Impressive…" Celestia commented, examining him. "But you waste too much energy in every step. Your skill is great, but your experience is lacking. From now on, your training begins in earnest."
Anos grinned. "Yes, Mother. I won't disappoint you."