I sat in my room thinking about the battle

  I would've died if Corey didn't save me there; I'm still too weak!

  My sword techniques are subpar at best. If I knew a proper sword technique, I could have easily defeated the rank 2 swordsman even as a rank 1.

  The problem is sword techniques are extremely hard to come by. Maybe Dad can teach me one!

  I stepped out of the house and began walking towards the outpost. After reaching the outpost, I swung open the door.

  I went to a chair nearby and sat down on it, waiting for my father.

  He is probably stuck in one of his boring meetings. It would be great if I had a mentor other than Dad, he only ever teaches me the basics.

  After waiting for what felt like an hour, I saw my Father step out of the meeting room. He saw me and immediately walked towards me, "What are you doing here, Soren?" He said as he gazed down at me.

  “Dad, I realized after the last battle my swordsmanship is lacking; I don't know any techniques; all I can do is swing my sword mindlessly. Can you teach me your technique?” I pleaded as I stood up.

  He sighed. "Fine, let's go to the training ground, I will teach you my own Sword Art."

  Great! Now I can finally become stronger.

  After reaching the Training Ground, I stretched my body and prepared myself for the lesson to come.

  "Soren, your swordsmanship is lacking as you said. All you know is the basics," he said as he grabbed a wooden sword from the rack.

  "It's your fault that you only taught me the basics! The only useful technique I know is Swift Strike, I can't keep relying on it!" I replied, fuming.

  "The basics are important, you need to realize that you stupid kid, don't be stuck up in your limited beliefs. You managed to defeat a rank 2 swordsman because of the very basics you shone upon, you would've died like an idiot if Corey hadn't helped you!"

  My father’s words struck me like lightning.

  I had been too arrogant, Dad’s right, I wouldn't even be standing here today if Corey hadn't helped me, I feel so useless. My knuckles whitened as I clenched my fist, my expression changed into embarrassment.

  “It seems you realize your foolishness, it is only natural with me guiding you. The important thing is you learn from it, Soren! Now, I think you are ready to learn my swordsmanship techniques, either ways I planned to teach you new techniques when you reached rank 2” his tone calm.

  I nodded my head, I was now ready to learn and not let my arrogant self get in my way.

  "Now, I will teach you the swordsmanship that I learned from years of pouring my blood, sweat, and tears; you better be grateful you won't have to waste years of your life crafting a technique." He unsheathed his sword.

  “I’m ready!” I spoke, eager to learn.

  "The name of the Swordsmanship techniques I'm going to teach you is—Swift Arts; there are three techniques that I will be teaching you.”

  “The first is Swift Strike; you have already learned the basics of the swift strike, then there is Swift Step; this technique allows you to move at extremely high speed; this technique will be a staple of your swordsmanship.”

  Swift Step is exactly what I needed, the lack of a movement technique had been holding me back tremendously.

  "Finally, there is the Swift Aura; this technique will take you a while to learn, but if you succeed at mastering it, you will easily be able to defeat an opponent with a higher ranked core.”

  Even if it might take me months or years to learn the basics of the technique, I will not give up!.

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  "These techniques will grow stronger as you rank up, but you will need to improve Swift Art yourself when you reach rank 3 and higher; now let me show you how it's done."

  I will have to improve Swift Art myself when I reach rank 3, I will think about it.

  "First, Swift Strike, I have already shown you the technique before but you still haven't mastered it," He spoke while frowning.

  He raised his sword before he swung it swiftly in a beautiful frontal slash; it was fast, and I was barely able to see it with my own eyes.

  Has he broken through to rank 4, his sword wasn't this fast when he showed me Swift Strike before? Could he have...

  "Dad! Did you break through to rank 4?" I asked curiously.

  "Yes Soren, I have broken through to rank 4 after the battle,” he said while smiling.

  "Congratulations Dad! you finally did it!" My face crept up into a proud smile.

  Dad hasn't broken through for the past 4 years, it seems he gained insight when he fought in the battle to defend Goldshire!

  "Now, let me show you Swift Step."

  He took a step forward, vanishing before my eyes.

  “Where did you go!” I looked around and tried to find him but he was nowhere to be found.

  He tapped my shoulder from behind, as if he'd been there all along.

  “Did you really use Swift Step! That was so fast!” my jaw hung open, and my expression was full of surprise.

  “Obviously, I told you I will use it. This technique will be a staple of your swordsmanship? Swift Step has the potential to be even better. Granted you become stronger that is,” he said as he distanced himself from me.

  I wasn't expecting Swift Step to be such a good technique. Now, I’m even more excited to see Swift Aura. How destructive could it be?

  “Lastly, Swift Aura, this technique is the most difficult technique out of all of them, now observe."

  He raised his sword and suddenly the sword started radiating a greyish light; it was truly a terrifying Aura, just being near it made my heart beat faster.

  “Amazing!”

  "With just a single strike using Swift Aura, I can cut down a tree, and if I combine it with Swift Strike, It wouldn't be impossible for me to defeat a swordsman who just reached rank 6. Rank isn't everything, Soren, remember that!”

  I nodded my head. Dad Is right, if your technique is mediocre, you will lose to opponents who are weaker than you.

  "This is it for today, I will meet you at the training ground at noon every day and guide your training. Now, let's go home Soren.

  “Yes, Dad!” I was excited to finally learn my father's techniques which he invented by pouring blood, sweat and tears.

  For the next 3 months, I began training under the supervision of my dad; every time I made a mistake, he would scold me, but it was all for my betterment, I completely focused on training with my father.

  The first month, I learned to use Swift Step; it definitely wasn't easy, I had failed trying over and over again. Each time I fell down to the ground, I stood up determined. Each time I managed to use Swift Step even if barely, I was determined to learn, if I couldn't even learn a single technique then I shouldn't even be a swordsman, it would be better to die than live through the shame!

  On the third week my hard work bore fruit, I could finally use Swift Step even if it barely, I had bruises all over my body from failed attempts. Finally I spent the last week refining Swift Step to a degree where I wouldn't make mistake.

  On the second month, I focused on learning Swift Aura, the first two weeks were hellish, everytime I failed, my hand were injured from the mana explosion.

  Thankfully I used wooden swords to practice, if I hadn't I would have probably destroyed my one and only sword my father gave me. My injuries could heal but not my sword.

  On the last day of the month did I barely managed to activate Swift Aura, even if it was only for a second. It meant progress.

  For the third and last month of my training, Dad told me to divert my focus onto the other technique, I finally mastered Swift Strike and Swift Step to the point where I could use them both together. I could now use Swift Aura for 5 seconds—still insufficient for combat.

  On the last day of training, my father told me to practice Swift Aura on my own. The kingdom of Reinhart had made their move once again.

  My training was over.

  I sat on a chair in the dining room at home as I thought.

  I have grown stronger than before, I can definitely defeat rank 2 opponents easily now if i fight them!

  It is time to consume the rank 2 fruit I received. I will need my Dad’s help if I want to do it safely.

  I heard the door open and I saw my father walk in.

  “Welcome home, you're back early today?”

  “We can finally catch a break, we managed to settle the issue related to the bandits.”

  “Finally took care of those thieves huh… Great job captain!” I stood up and saluted. “What are you playing at you brat!” He walked toward me, hitting me on the head

  "Ow, you didn't need to hit that hard! Either way can you help me consume the mana fruit?" I asked, showing him the mana fruit in my hand.

  "How could I have forgotten you had this? This is perfect, I will help you absorb the fruit," he said as he grabbed the fruit from my hand.

  “A rank 2 mana fruit should be good enough.”

  "Listen well, Soren, when you eat a mana fruit, your body is filled to the brim with mana. You entered rank 2 a while ago. You don't need to absorb the mana into your core, you will naturally reach rank 3 given time; instead, I recommend you strengthen your body, it’s a method very few people know about, I will pass it down to you.”

  We can strengthen our bodies using mana? Why haven't I heard of this before?

  My father saw I was lost in thoughts when he spoke making me snap out of my thoughts.

  “Strengthening your body using the mana from the mana fruit is a technique I learned. Don't ask me where I learned it from, you're not ready.”

  He definitely is hiding something, how can he know a Sword Art like Swift Art while also knowing how to strengthen one's body using mana fruit? I should listen to him, there is no point in questioning him, it's not like he will budge even if I ask.

  I listened closely as Dad explained the process of how I would strengthen my body using the Mana from the mana fruit.

  "Soren, this method is extremely difficult to succeed at, but if you succeed, your strength, speed, and stamina will increase by a large margin.”

  “I got this Dad, don't worry!” I assured him.

  “Here take it and consume it, don't worry I will be watching over you.” He handed me the fruit.

  I sat down and closed my eyes before I ate the fruit. My entire body was filled with mana.

  I quickly started channeling the mana to all my muscles, tendons and bones, strengthening them.

  The mana is more difficult to control than I had thought, hard to keep it inside me, I must hurry!

  It was extremely difficult to focus. The pain from channeling my mana to my muscles was excruciating, i had never experienced so much pain before.

  I gritted my teeth as blood started flowing out of my nose and my veins started popping out. I must focus even if it is unbearable.

  No there is too much mana I won't be able to use it all!

  My father shouted, "Soren, don't get greedy! Let out the excess mana now! Do not overdo it!”

  He is right! I must not get greedy; I might lose my life if I'm not careful here!

  I heeded my father's advice and let go of the excess mana flowing within me. I took a deep breath and slowly my body returned to normal.

  I opened my eyes slowly. I felt much stronger than before; I felt like I could do anything.

  My father sighed before he spoke. “You risky brat, don't ever risk your life for some petty strength.”

  “I’m Sorry, Dad. I promise I won't do it again.”

  He gripped my shoulders with his calloused hands pulling me in his warm embrace. “Good… I can't lose you too. Not after that tragedy!”