The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 123: Nameless Swordsmanship

He wrote each person's choice on sheets of paper, and soon those pages fluttered up again, returning to the black-clothed man's hand.

He placed his finger above the book, the many pages flipping rapidly, then he closed it.

"Very good, your choices this time happen not to overlap, which saves us the trouble of coordinating."

"I will later make a letter of introduction for each of you. After you arrive at your assigned station, hand the letter to the local Hidden Grove association, and they will tell you the follow-up procedures and arrangements."

After that he dismissed everyone, grabbing the thick-bound book and leaving.

Of the nineteen students in the hall, some headed straight back to their rooms to rest, while others lingered to chat with acquaintances. Sylutia saw Edgin talking with a few aristocratically dressed students to one side, and on the other side, Florerella was walking toward her.

"Tia, which station did you choose? I'm going to the Linquan Orchard. There's the Hidden Grove's only elf organization there, the Flower Crown Lily."

"I chose the Glittergold Plains. I heard there are a lot of people there," Sylutia answered.

"The Glittergold Plains, huh? I noted that. I'll write you later when I have time," Florerella nodded.

"I will too." The two of them stepped aside and talked about their plans for the future.Perhaps because she heard Sylutia mention the Glittergold Plains, a young man wearing loose flax clothing and shouldering a long blade walked over.

"You're going to the Glittergold Plains, right?" He had untidy black hair hanging loose, but it wasn't dirty.

"Yes. May I ask who you are?" Sylutia did not recognize this student.

"My name is Agren, third floor, number eleven." He pulled out a key hanging from his waist and spun it on his finger, pausing to let the two of them glance at it.

"I came to talk to you because I know the blacksmithing skill on the Glittergold Plains is superb, and they have quality Glittergold material, so I want to ask you to help me find a blacksmith to forge a practical long blade." The knife slung over his shoulder did look inferior — not even a steel long blade, just wrought iron.

"I don't have gold coins, but this should be worth quite a bit." He casually produced a strange ram's horn from his clothing.

Black Goat Horn (Second Tier · Nightmare), black spiral ridges cover the long horn, forming a curved arc, the tip like jade. It can be used to craft certain objects, or ground into powder as an alchemy ingredient.

A Second Tier material — the price is roughly around twenty gold coins, Sylutia estimated in her head.

"If I help you find someone to forge a good long blade, how should I get it to you afterward?"

"That's easy. I'll tell you which station I'm going to, then you can have the Hidden Grove association mail it to me."

"Also, I can teach you a set of blade techniques. Based on those techniques, you can help me customize the feel of the blade edge." Agren continued.

"This?" Sylutia blinked, a little surprised.

He spoke as if certain she could learn his blade art in a short time. Their departure was only a few days away.

"What, you don't want to learn?" He asked when Sylutia didn't answer immediately.

"I'll try and learn."

"This afternoon, third floor training ground. I'll wait for you." Agren tossed the ram's horn to Sylutia and walked off without looking back.

"Such a strange person, Tia." Florerella watched his retreating figure, then lowered her head and felt the ram's horn in Sylutia's hand.

"This material isn't bad." She nodded.

"I'll come watch this afternoon while you learn."

...

At noon the two of them ate together, then rested for a while before going to the third floor training ground.

Because there were few students on this floor, the training ground was usually empty; when they arrived, they easily spotted Agren already there, training.

He held the long blade and swung seemingly unhurriedly, yet the thin streams of air drawn by his movements were strange and marvelous, as if condensed into lines visible to the eye.

After a set of practice he stopped, and by then he had noticed the two newcomers.

"Since you're here, let's start." He did not mind Florerella listening in, apparently assuming the elf girl would not be learning.

"This blade art came from the East — or rather, a far eastern continent. After many generations of refinement, it has changed a great deal from its earliest form."

"Swordplay emphasizes sharpness and piercing thrusts, but blade work focuses more on fluidity, especially on the battlefield: riding like the wind, cutting through an enemy's defense with the least exertion to inflict damage."

"Originally, it was developed by Eastern rangers fighting in street brawls, then through wars and battlefield trials it improved into an excellent mounted blade art."

"Later, with merchant ships and trade, this blade art spread to other continents, especially to wilderness frequented by caravans. Such terrain suited mounted bandits, who further modified and promoted it."

"Eventually caravan guards learned similar counter techniques and, through constant competition, this blade art became even more refined and practical."

"I love that mounted, leaping lifestyle. This blade art is my favorite, and it must have a fitting blade. Now you should roughly understand my mindset." With that he began demonstrating in front of Sylutia.

"Watch carefully. This is the first move, used to meet an enemy at the start of a fight. You can chain other moves based on the situation."

He explained each move's purpose, variations, how to generate force, how to break down an opponent's response — not just a single blade form, but a full set of battlefield countering techniques.

After demonstrating once, he handed the blade to Sylutia and let the young girl grip it and make the cuts.

"...Right. At the proper moment you can switch to gripping with both hands. That makes it faster and more powerful."

When Sylutia completed a full run-through of the technique, he demonstrated it himself again, this time noticeably faster.

"Now match the speed I just used and practice once more."

"Okay." Sylutia thought she could do it.

Sure enough, as she practiced the speed of her swings gradually caught up with Agren's demonstration, though the details and smoothness still showed immaturity.

"Good. I'll demonstrate a third time."

Agren picked up the blade and demonstrated again, but this time he did not hold back. The blade arcs were like a torrential storm and flowing wind: fierce and smooth. The whole training ground could hear the wailing whistle of the wind.

At the end he brought the blade down. Even without using any supernatural power, the airflow it generated struck the target like a taut drumskin, producing a faint snapping sound.

"Now, have you learned it?" Agren sheathed his blade and slowly adjusted his breath.

"I probably forgot some parts again, but it seems I caught a bit of the feeling." In Sylutia's eyes, Agren's last demonstration hadn't strictly followed the taught sequences; he had altered some details, and those changes made the whole performance more fluid and natural, like wind blowing through a cavern forming a seamless flowing track.

"Excellent. It seems we share a similar path, hahaha." Hearing that, Agren knew this girl had truly understood — his prior demonstrations had not been mere showmanship for the blind.

"Your build isn't strong. Those orthodox sword forms that rely on heavy, forceful power aren't suitable for you. A more fluid and light blade technique will suit you better."

The sword arts of Regas largely derive from knightly swordsmanship — the wide swords, broadswords, and greatswords that Solyn, Mick, and others frequently use — and indeed they lack agility and lightness.

Seeing the two of them conversing happily, Florerella on the side remained puzzled. She couldn't make sense of the blade art; it felt like three different combat techniques had been used in three demonstrations. It didn't seem like the same set at all.

"People like you are easy to teach." After exchanging insights with Tia for a while, Agren was in a good mood.

He couldn't help it — he had encountered so many who couldn't be taught, and some friends even accused him of deliberately withholding knowledge, which annoyed him greatly.

That morning he had offered to teach because he sensed this girl's footwork balance was steady, clearly someone who controlled their own strength to the point of seamless release and restraint, with delicate natural steps. So he was certain she would learn sword or blade techniques easily.

His judgment was proven right.

"Thank you, Agren." No matter what, Sylutia was grateful for him teaching her this set of blade techniques. At the very least, it raised her combat responsiveness another level.

"Haha, since you appreciate my combat style, help me find a blacksmith to forge the blade as repayment." He slung the blade over his shoulder and bid Sylutia a carefree farewell.

[Unnamed Blade Art Lv.2]: A repeatedly refined set of blade moves and combat techniques. Fluid and light in style, adaptable and quick, suitable for mounted combat and high-speed engagements.