The Sword Saint was proud. He always had been, and perhaps the years had only made it worse. It was indeed interesting what the thought of imminent death did to a man. When he’d lain there dying, many thoughts had gone through his head. Regrets. Unfulfilled wishes. But oddly enough, also a substantial amount of pride. Pride for the things he had accomplished throughout his life. Pride for the clan he had built. It had always been powerful, but the Noboru clan had skyrocketed to entirely new heights under his leadership.For fifty years, barely anyone had dared criticize him. Since the system arrived, none had. In any crowd of humans, he had been the strongest. This meant everyone respected him to an almost unhealthy level, and Miyamoto would lie to himself if he said he didn’t enjoy it somewhat.However, that didn’t mean the Sword Saint believed he deserved respect. In his view, respect was earned, not merely given. He had seen where pride and arrogance could take you and had even obs

Jake stood with his eyes open wide in shock, blinded for a moment. Not only were his eyes blind, but so was his sphere. He saw nothing but pure energy as it washed over him, but only for a moment. Then a figure appeared before him.Long black hair flowed through the air from the power exhibited from the man’s body, a bare chest of muscles with not a single wrinkle or sign of weakness in sight. If not for the all-too-familiar wounds Jake knew he had caused himself, he wouldn’t recognize the person before him.For who now stood there was a man no older than himself, pointing his sword skyward. He looked up towards the sky, which was now filled with clouds that had occasional holes to let sunlight through.The Sword Saint looked down, and what met Jake were not the same sunken eyes he had stared into so many times before, but two deep blue eyes that were in no way natural. Jake narrowed his gaze and bent his knees, ready for what was to come."I have been blind for too long," the Sword S

Caleb stared up into the air, feeling the pressure upon him from the rain as well as the auras of the two men fighting. He still stood tall, more for show than anything else. While he really wanted to just sit down and take a breather, he had to keep up appearances as the Judge of the Court of Shadows.Carmen was sitting on the ground, unbothered. There weren’t that many more around, as pretty much everyone else had left, leaving only himself, Carmen, Sylphie, Eron, Reika, Maria, and one or two more who had managed to resist the wave of arcane energy earlier. Even people like Sultan had played it safe and left.Up there, far above, flashes pulsed through the air every time their attacks clashed, a glowing figure of pink-purple energy flying and teleporting around at incredible speeds. On his trail, following him closely, was a swordsman only really visible due to the huge shockwaves of power every swing of his sword sent out. If this duel truly had any meaning besides a bet, Caleb tru

Jake stood on the edge of the pond at this cabin, staring out onto the water. His body was fully healed, but the same couldn’t be said about his equipment, as it was still in tatters, and he stood with only a single boot on his feet.He heard sounds behind him as Miranda entered the valley. He was too lost in thought to even react."I came here as soon as possible. What happened towards the end? I heard some from Neil, but—"She stopped when she spotted something lying to his side. Jake followed her gaze to the two pieces of wood lying next to him, only a loose string connecting them—severed by a clean cut.Jake raised his hand and touched his neck, where a small scar was still visible. The feeling of the blade digging into it was also still there."… I think I lost?"The courtyard of the Noboru clan’s Patriarch was silent as Reika rushed towards it hurriedly, ignoring all the clamoring from the other clan members on the way. Given her worry, she didn’t even knock before entering it s

The Viper was silent for a moment but quickly seemed to agree to the change of subject."I think I have made it clear in the past that I am not a big fan of giving direct advice on things to improve, as it often does more harm than good, in my experience, but fine. For once, I shall act like a proper Patron god and give some actual advice and direction."There are limitless ways to fight in the multiverse, and to call one method superior to others is fallacious and stupid. However, no matter the method, understanding yourself and the path you walk is essential. Someone such as a highly experienced warrior—a swordmaster, spearmaster, et cetera—is one such valid path. To them, their weapons become extensions of their bodies, and they live and breathe through their weapon, every part of them poured into it. A mere movement of their weapon can impose their will upon the world as they become one… but I must emphasize this is but one path."A mage mastering magic and comprehending all there