"Hmph... a Sword Saint. Isn't that a legendary title, only written about in history books? This is my first time seeing one in person. She was said to have completely become one with her sword, wasn't she?"
The speed at which she disappeared was utterly incomparable to my own speed descending the mountain path. It was a movement far beyond any human speed I had ever known.
"I almost want to pray for the soul of anyone who has to fight someone like her. Her opponents are truly pitiful."
Could a person really become that strong? Or had that woman already transcended the human realm?
Perhaps, are there countless people of such mastery in the vast world outside the village?
Suddenly, with an intense yearning to become that strong myself, the short conversation I had with Van recently flashed through my mind.
"Van, may I ask a presumptuous question?"
"If it's not even worth the pointless premise of 'presumptuous,' then don't ask the question."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Alright, what is it?"
"Is there... perhaps, a way to become strong quickly?"
Through the brutal battles with the Mutans on the Devil's Fang, and the brief fight with the overwhelmingly powerful Van, I had keenly realized how insignificant I was.
Even if I diligently trained to become strong step by step, if I encountered an unexpected danger along the way, I would simply be a fragile life that would helplessly perish.
I desperately felt that I needed at least a basic level of combat ability to protect myself.
In my overwhelming impatience, I asked Van about "a way to become strong quickly," but I was filled with worry about how foolish and naive such a question might appear, as if I was underestimating the world.
"I'm sorry... to already be thinking such complacent thoughts... I guess there's nothing like that, is there?"
"Of course there is. A way to become strong quickly and easily."
Contrary to my expectation of a harsh reprimand, Van answered indifferently, as if it were nothing.
"What? Really... there is!?"
"About three ways come to mind right away. First, companions. If you have even one companion at your level, your skill doubles. Naturally, there are two of you. Especially if the two of you work well together, it's quite a troublesome combination for a lone enemy. So, how do you triple your combat power?"
"Three people..."
"Correct. You're smarter than I thought."
"Are you underestimating me!?"
His words were quite obvious and logical, but first, I thought that even if a few people like me gathered, we'd be instantly dealt with in front of Van.
"Is there... a way to quickly increase my personal capacity, besides such cooperative methods?"
"In that case, the second method is the most representative: **Life Force and Mana**."
"Life Force and Mana? I've vaguely heard of them, but I don't know the details."
"Really? Then let's start with Life Force simply. Every living creature constantly uses and expends energy while alive. Especially when running or engaging in intense combat, that consumption becomes much greater. Naturally, you get tired, and humans eventually rest."
"Yes, of course."
"Let's take an example. Say you wake up in the morning and rest for about 3 hours. Then immediately, you start intense exercise until you're out of breath. No matter how strong your body is, you'll run out quickly."
"Yeah, that's right. The total amount of energy your body can store, meaning the size of your vessel, is fixed from the beginning. So, where did the extra energy go, thanks to those three extra hours of rest?"
"Where did it go?"
"Well, some of it probably turned into fat in your body. But most of it just scattered into thin air and disappeared. That's the nature of energy. Life Force is the trained ability to store or hold onto that energy that would otherwise simply flow away, and to draw on it as much as possible when needed."
"Life Force..."
"The stronger your stamina, the faster your energy recovery, and the more you can store. It's a simple structure, but it's quite important. Some people even categorize the technique of handling this Life Force separately and call it 'Life technic.' The name might be a bit simple, but the meaning is clear."
I felt a strong pull towards the existence of this power, something I had never heard of before. After all, I already possessed robust stamina that quickly overflowed with vitality after just a brief rest, thanks to my daily, arduous training of traversing several rugged mountains.
'This power is perfect for me.'
If I could properly utilize this power called Life Force, couldn't I become several times stronger than I am now? My chest began to swell with anticipation at the mere thought.
"Oh! So, how do I learn... how to use it?"
"That's something you have to figure out yourself. I have no intention of taking on disciples, not in the first place."
"Heheh! You don't actually not know how to handle Life technic, do you?"
"...It's not that I can't handle it. It's just not significant enough to mention."
Van's expression darkened, and a strange silence fell, as if he was in a bad mood. I quickly changed the subject, startled.
"Oh! Then, please tell me about Mana~!!"
"Well, if I run like hell without thinking, that would happen."
"Good. Then, assuming you exercise intensely for 30 minutes, let's say this time you rested for 6 hours the night before. How long do you think you could last if you started the same exercise again? Are you perhaps expecting to last longer than yesterday?"
"Hmm... Mathematically, simply calculating, if the rest time doubled, I should be able to last about an hour... But in reality, I think I'd be just as tired after about 30 minutes?"
Van's expression grew even more severe as he dismissed the idea of Mana.
"It doesn't matter even if you do know about it. I don't feel any Mana in your body. Someone who can use magic can tell if Mana is present in another's body."
The expectation for the power of Mana excited me for a moment, but Van's words instantly plunged me into despair.
"So you were hoping something would be detected? Unfortunately, there's no trace of Mana in your body. People who can use magic can see it. But you're so utterly empty, one could almost compliment you on it. Even a passing ant would register more."
The sudden expectation for the mysterious power of Mana had made my heart flutter, but Van's firm words immediately cast me into deep despair.
"The fact that no Mana can be detected in your body generally falls into two categories. First, the possibility that your understanding of Mana is so extreme that you've completely concealed its presence. Second, that Mana itself isn't generated in your body, so it can't be detected at all. Well, if I had to guess... you'd obviously be the latter. To try to understand Mana when you don't even have it, isn't that a bit... funny?"
"That's disappointing. I don't have Mana... Oh!? Then, Van, can you use magic with that power called Mana?"
"Well, I can manage a few low-level spells. Not that I have much use for them anyway. It's mostly just focusing Mana in my feet to make my footwork a bit faster."
"I suppose... if you were a strong enough opponent to face you, a few low-level spells wouldn't have been much help, would they?"
"That just depends on the skill of the person using them. But right now, you desperately need the third method. The good news is, you already hold it. Some luck, huh?"
"What is it?"
"The third is good equipment. That huge sword you picked up on the Devil's Fang, I mean. All you can do right now is wield that properly. Just mastering it will make you seem quite strong for now. While it's in your hand, it's your power."
'The first is companions, the second is Life Force and Mana, and the third is equipment. So right now, what I need to focus on is equipment, specifically this treasure!'
*Shring-*
The enormous sword slung across my back, slid from its scabbard with a clear metallic ring. I named this sword The Devil's Fang as a vow never to forget the eerie yet intense sensation I felt throughout my body the first time I wielded it.
'I'll keep swinging this Devil's Fang as I go! Until I reach the next town!'
I had only ever used small daggers intermittently in my life greatswords, which were entirely different, were new to me with the Devil's Fang. I knew nothing of proper greatsword techniques, let alone basic pointers, and no one came to mind who could teach me. So, there was only one method left.
"From now on, I have no choice but to create my own greatsword technique."
'Right, I'll give it a try. Just like I taught myself the skill of traversing mountain paths.'
"Again, from beginning to end. Until I reach the peak!"
As I walked along the dense forest path towards the city closest to the village, my sword training finally began.
"Hmm, shall I try a proper swing?"
I gripped The Devil's Fang tightly with both hands and powerfully raised it towards the sky. The distinct heavy weight of the greatsword transferred entirely to my arms, causing a slight trembling in my muscles. Tensing my arms and bringing it down with all my might,
As if gravity had shifted, my center of gravity instantly moved, my body folded, and my back felt like it was being pulled out as I tumbled forward with the sword.
*Thud!*
"Oh, my back..."
It seemed the path ahead would be long and arduous. I barely managed to stand, using The Devil's Fang like a walking stick. I tried swinging the sword again, but I was so clumsy that it wasn't me wielding the sword; rather, the enormous blade seemed to be swinging me around in a bizarre repetition.
"Right, if only I can get the center of gravity right..."
Falling, staggering, almost cutting myself with my own blade, my muscles screaming and my body twisting in pain, I silently gripped the sword and swung it with all my might, pushing forward. I earnestly wished that someday, this clumsy swordsmanship would become skilled, finally surpassing even the realm of a Sword Saint.
'Before I embarked on this adventure, I used to imagine all sorts of things when I was bored.'
About 15 years later, and in my mind, I fantasized about defeating the Sword Saint in swordsmanship.
"When we meet again, I will be victorious against the Sword Saint."