Chapter 9 (2/2)

“That is true.”

“Then stop complaining and learn the sword from me.”

“I understand.”

Luke handed a spare sword to Kurotan, who stood up as well. Luke taught Kurotan a proper grip first.

“Grip the handle tightly. Don’t let go even when the skin of your hand gets ripped from the shock of a clash.”

Luke started teaching Kurotan basic sword skills. Using his own sword, he demonstrated vertical, horizontal, and diagonal slashes as well as stabbing stances, which Kurotan tried to follow.

“The stance is the most important. Only a solid and efficient stance that is ingrained into the body can bring out the true power of swordsmans.h.i.+p.

The swordsmans.h.i.+p Luke was teaching Kurotan was the sword art unique to his House, Esteban swordsmans.h.i.+p.

Although it was forbidden to teach to outsiders, Luke was teaching only the basics that would serve as a foundation of swordsmans.h.i.+p.

Boong. Booooong.

Kurotan continued to swing his sword in silence while Luke corrected his stance periodically. Kurotan’s awkward stance continued to improve bit by bit under Luke’s guidance.

“I was wondering, if Orcs pa.s.sed down weapon arts amongst themselves. A way of handling the axe, for example?”

“We do not have such things.”

Kurotan’s answer surprised Luke.

If this was true, how is it possible to explain the knights who have died in the hands of an Orc? The memory of the axe using Orc warrior Mabal’s overwhelming pressure was still clear in Luke’s mind.

“That is hard to believe. Then Orcs only learn to use their weapons through life and death battles?”

“Yes. Old warriors do sometimes pa.s.s on their techniques, but it takes a long time to make the techniques your own. It is faster to find your own techniques.”

Luke felt a chill run up his spine.

If Kurotan’s words were true, an Orc’s talent and affinity for weapons truly surpa.s.sed human imagination.

“Should the knights that have died in the hands of Orcs find out about this truth? I wonder how they will react. Would they cry?”

Luke silently praised the humans that had pushed back the Orcs, a race with a genius affinity for weaponry.

Kurotan continued swinging for a long while before breaking off from training to drink some water. Judging by the small sips he was taking, he was able to remember a lesson that he had been taught once.

“Humans have such large differences in their strength. Most humans are weak and fragile, but strong humans are very, very strong.”

“Of course. A drafted farmer and a knight who has been officially trained in the sword are as different as the heaven and earth. Isn’t it the same for Orcs?”

“No. Weak Orcs die, strong Orcs live. The warriors hiding out in the mountain ranges were all similarly skilled.”

“d.a.m.n, just hearing that gives me chills. I also feel a little bit of pity for you Orcs…”

Kurotan and Luke continued to converse for a while when Kurotan suddenly lamented.

“d.a.m.n. If only I could make use of Maal’s blessing…”

“Maal’s blessing? What is that?”

“You don’t know? There are quite a few who use it even amongst humans… Of course, the blessings are probably not from Maal.”

Luke let the puzzlement show on his face.

“What does the blessing do?”

“If you fight and fight, Mother Nature’s Mana changes into Maal’s blessing. If you are blessed by Maal, you can see better, and feel better. If you pa.s.s these stages, your strength increases as well.”

Luke couldn’t help but s.h.i.+ver once again.

“Could it be that Maal’s blessing refers to Aura?”

Aura. Only experienced knights were able to turn mana into Aura. Aura heightened the senses, and also let the user surpa.s.s his body’s limits at high levels. Kurotan glanced at Luke.

“As I said, there are quite a few amongst humans that use the blessing. Even you, although your level is a bit basic.”

Luke couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief.

“Maal’s blessing does refer to Aura. I can’t believe it.”

The fact that the simple race of Orcs could use Aura came across as a surprising fact to Luke.

“I thought Aura was unique to the humans?”

“It seems you humans refer to Maal’s blessing as Aura. Anyways, once you can use Maal’s blessing, your strength increases explosively.”

Kurotan gripped his fists tightly.

“Even amongst the valiant Orc warriors, only a small number are blessed by Maal. I as well only gained my strength after receiving Maal’s blessing.”

“As it should be. Only the most talented of humans can awaken themselves to Aura. I understand now. It’s no wonder that High Knights can also die at the hands of Orcs. Orcs can also use Aura.”

Those that had awakened to Aura could be divided into three levels. Those in the first level could feel their Aura, albeit through a blurred sense, and use it crudely.

After pa.s.sing this first step, the next level one was called Aura User, and could use Aura to sharpen their senses. This was the level that Luke was at, but he was not a particularly accomplished Aura User.

Those that could control their Aura a bit more fluently and use it to increase their physical capabilities were called Aura Experts.

Most Knights famous throughout the land had reached the level of Aura Experts. There were most likely differences in their levels, but Aura Experts could increase their explosiveness and strength by many times by controlling their Aura.

The next level involved being able to completely control Aura and sending it outside of the body, the level of a Master. Masters had completely broken past the limits of the human body and were called superhuman. Their ability to expel Aura from their bodies and control it was especially frightening. Pouring Aura into a blade created Aura blades that could cut through anything. Pouring Aura into an armor created an impenetrable defense. The soldiers and knights that had reached the level of Aura Master were treated as top secret weapons of the kingdom and were strictly veiled in secrecy. Since Aura Masters could also be thought of as a legion unto themselves, they were treated extravagantly well by their kingdoms.

Luke said with a faraway look on his face.

“I have heard that our Hansel Kingdom rewards every new Aura Master with the t.i.tle of an Earl and a fitting territory. The King also marries them to a royal princess and takes them in as members of the royal family.”

“Aura Master? What is that?”

Luke snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Kurotan.

“To what level have you trained your Aura, no, Maal’s blessing?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“You said you got stronger by using Maal’s blessing? Did you use it to sharpen your senses? Or amplify your physical capabilities as well?”

Kurotan puffed out his chest and answered.

“With Maal’s blessing, my strength and explosiveness increased many times over.”

Luke once again was wrapped up in shock. Kurotan had achieved the level of an Aura Expert as an Orc.

“That’s impossible! You were an Aura Expert?”

“I have met a few humans at the same level as me. They all died at my hands.”

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