11 Third Times The Charm (1/2)

When the gates of heaven opened, Humanity stepped into a desolate world. Ravaged by the thousand-year of war, the triads were saved by the holy humans. The founders with their holy might united the world under the banner of the empire. Thus, the world saw prosperity it hasn't seen since time long gone. — The Coming Of Humanity, by the scholars of The Holy Empire of Men

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Shesmu stood in front of the training dummy while holding his sword with one hand. His eyes were closed and breath steady. He stood still, not moving in the slightest. However, while he showed no sign of aggression externally, Shesmu was waging a more decisive war, and its battlefield was in his mind.

Taking a deep breath, Shesmu replayed the sequence of attacks he just did in his mind. As if his mind was a Slow-motion camera, he saw himself making that attack slowly. He noticed every detail, every breath he took, the speed by which his sword was moving, its angle and more.

The sword kept slashing and Shesmu kept observing. Slash after slash, he would observe the most minute details. Every time, he would become much better and more proficient.

Shesmu imagined himself raising the sword again. In his mind, he slashed and with his slash time slowed. His eyes measured the distance between the sword and the dummy, its speed, its angle. From that information, he calculated the exact moment in which he should activate his skill.

Counting under his breath, Shesmu reached 2 before the green energy started gathering on his abdomen.

'Stop—'

Stopping his imagination dead in its track, Shesmu felt his hands become slippery. Sweat dripped down from his forehead and the palms of his hands. He shortly gasped for air before looking at the training dummy.

Okay, let's do it for real this time'

Shesmu took hold of his sword with both hands, gripping its handle tightly. He raised his sword and swung diagonally towards the dummy. As it closed in, Shesmu once again activated Empowered Slash.

”Shhh!”

Same as in his imagination, a big red 175 appeared above the dummy's head. He failed again. Looking at it, Shesmu saw a gash on the training dummy's neck before it got instantly healed. That was considered a weak spot, as the dummy was representing a humanoid creature, thus the higher than standard damage.

Shesmu didn't mind the failure, it was part of the process. In fact, he elated. His last swing felt good, it was close.

Third time's the charm, let's do this.

For a third time Shesmu took hold of his sword, and with both hands raised it at the level of his forehead. He swung it diagonally, and as the sword closed on the dummy, he activated his skill.

”Swoosh!”

Looking at those magical numbers, Shesmu, whose expression was grim since he reached this world, finally softened. A rare smile appeared on his face.

Finally, something good.

However, he didn't let his excitement get the better of him. He recalled back all the movements that he did, the breaths he took, everything and burnt it into his memory.

”Clap, clap, clap.”

Snapping out of his reverie, Shesmu turned around to the sound of Leonard clapping.

”That was a marvelous technique. May I know its name?” Leonard said respectfully, his usual joking tone nowhere to be seen.

To this question, Shesmu pondered for a second. The move did have a name, but it was more popular among players and he never heard an NPC say it before. In the end, he just pushed those thoughts to the side and answered.

”This move is inspired by a type of technique called animation cancels. This one specifically shall be named Empowered Slash Cancel.”

”Interesting name, Empowered Slash Cancel, I'll keep it in mind.” Leonard looked like a student taking notes from his professor as he said those words.

”It's the first time that I have ever seen anything like that. Were you a swordsman before coming here?”

Leonard's question made Shesmu feel complicated emotions. ”Something of the sort, yes.”

”Marvelous. A holder of golden eyes but also master of the sword. What an unusual combination.”

Leonard's unusual statement left Shesmu speechless. I didn't know that nobles couldn't hold the sword.

Leonard coughed before continuing, ”Anyway, there are still a few things you need to learn before going on your way. Two skills. Empowered Thrust and warrior's Dash. Weak in the hands of the unskilled, but unbelievably lethal when used by a master. And you, my friend, are one. I can't wait to see the rampage you'll unleash once you learn these skills. Hahaha!”

As Leonard continued laughing like a madman, Shesmu just smiled in response. Somehow, the jovial, feral nature of this man made Shesmu like him.

”Haha, so let me show you. This is how you do an Empowered thrust…”

While Leonard continued explaining, Shesmu's brain just shut off. While his ears did hear the words, his brain could no longer process them. Shesmu was tired. His breath was heavy, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead. He closed his eyes and focused completely on recovering his strength.

By the end of Leonard's demonstration, which Shesmu completely ignored, he gained two skills.

Dash

Tier: 0

Level: 1

Cost: 20

Rapidly moves you anywhere within a 5 meters radius.

Empowered Thrust

Tier: 0

Level: 1

Cost: 30 Energy

Base Damage: 50 + 125% Attack Damage.