novelraw Chapter 54: Successive Advancements
Chapter 54: Successive Advancements
"Tia, which path are you planning to take?" Another afternoon, the group gathered at the training ground.
"Bloodline, or Verdant Nectar?" Not only Scholar Hyde was asking, the other companions were also curious about Sylutia's choice.
"It should be Verdant Nectar." Sylutia originally had thoughts about 'Luminous Moon', but currently, she lacked the secret technique knowledge for 'Luminous Moon' and could only set it aside for now.
It was a pity Lady Franne wasn't home; she wanted to ask that lady for her experiences and lessons regarding advancement choices. Otherwise, she could step into the 'First Tier·Verdant Nectar' realm at any time.
Perhaps this was the worry of the fortunate. While others were still anxiously figuring out how to break through, she was hesitating over which breakthrough and advancement was more excellent.
"What about you all?" Her own advancement would probably have to wait a few more days, but the remaining few in the field had varying situations.
Regarding Komea's 'Mist Shadow' Aspect cultivation, she didn't understand it deeply, but Komea only needed to break through 'Phantom Eye' to Lv.2, then combine it with the Meditation Method to advance to 'First Tier·Mist Shadow'.
Karen's Breathing Technique had just recently broken through to Lv.2; she was probably still some time away from advancement.
Mick and Ray, in terms of mastery and completion of the Breathing Technique, were already very close to Lv.3. However, the two of them were still missing the most crucial bit of insight for their breakthrough. This gap was like forging steel, still lacking those last few dozen degrees of temperature to melt the iron billet.
Sylutia thought of the 'Blood Wine' Scholar Hyde had rewarded her with for placing first in the previous exam.It was time to take it out. She wasn't short on money now and didn't need to sell that bottle of Blood Wine for living expenses. It was perfect for them to use.
The next day, when Sylutia brought that bottle of 'Blood Wine', Mick and the others were still somewhat surprised.
Through more than a month of interaction, even going out hunting and exploring together, their relationship was naturally not bad. But even so, the Blood Wine, worth nearly one gold coin, which was 100 silver coins, was still a huge sum. Like the job Talier found before, it would take about 3 years of work, without eating or drinking, to save up that amount.
"Alright, no need to be polite. Since I brought it out, I naturally don't lack this bottle of wine." The young lady raised a finger lightly, telling everyone not to make too much of it.
"The three of you drink a little each day, then combine it with 'Breathing Technique' training. You should probably break through to Breathing Technique third stage in about a week." She estimated.
As for herself, her Breathing Technique had already broken through some time ago. It was now [Breathing Technique Lv.3] and [Dew Prayer Method Lv.3], which was why Scholar Hyde had asked recently.
"Thank you." Mick and Ray wanted to say something more, but for a moment, they couldn't come up with particularly beautiful words of gratitude. They just felt a faint touch of emotion in their hearts.
During this period, the students had already divided into three distinct groups. The first was the 4 noble students led by Iona. The second was the 6 commoner students led by Solyn. The last was the 5-person squad led by Sylutia. Coincidentally, the three leaders were the top three scorers in the class.
Iona was consistently first, but she didn't interact much with the other noble students, often training alone. Solyn and Sylutia often acted with their companions, exchanging their experiences and insights. Compared to the noble circle, the commoners were more united.
In the following days, Sylutia attended classes on time as usual, exchanged and tutored with classmates, and then helped Lady Franne tend to the flower fields.
... On the fourth day after giving the 'Blood Wine', Mick was the first to complete his advancement breakthrough.
Name: Mick
Race: Human (Mortal Body)
Status: Healthy (No Abnormalities)
Talent: Lively Blood [Good Grade]: The pulse rhythm of the blood is active, making it easy to perceive and cultivate abilities related to 'Bloodline'.
Fate Card: [The Hot-Blooded Youth] (First Tier·Bloodline)
- Effect [Robust Body Lv.2]: Through the adjustment of the Breathing Technique, your body has gradually adapted to the flow of 'Bloodline' and gained a stronger physique and power.
Ability Card: [Breathing Technique Lv.3][Empty Slot][Empty Slot]
Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv.4][Military Swordsmanship Lv.3][Wilderness Survival Lv.2][Secret History Knowledge Lv.3]
——
After his advancement, he once again sparked a wave of discussion among the students. Many students, as if seeing hope, became even more diligent and eager.
On the seventh day, Ray also broke through, completing his advancement.
Name: Ray·Jeanmire
Race: Human (Mortal Body)
Status: Healthy (No Abnormalities)
Talent: Stalwart [Good Grade]: Physique and bone structure are naturally a third stronger than an average person.
Fate Card: [The Stalwart Youth] (First Tier·Bloodline)
- Effect [Strong Body Lv.2]: Through the adjustment of the Breathing Technique, your body has initially gradually adapted to the flow of 'Bloodline' and gained a more stalwart physique and power.
Ability Card: [Breathing Technique Lv.3][Empty Slot][Empty Slot]
Skills: [Basic Hammer Technique Lv.4][Military Hammer Technique Lv.2][Secret History Knowledge Lv.2]
——
If Mick's advancement was somewhat understandable, as he had always ranked near the top in the class's combat practicals and everyone had psychological expectations, Ray's advancement made many people unable to sit still. After all, everyone thought this guy was a bit dumb. How could he regulate the pulse rhythm of the Aspect and master training and combat techniques skillfully?
"By the way, have you noticed? In the recent few exams, Ray is no longer at the bottom of the class."
At the beginning of enrollment, Ray's grades were always at the bottom. Although everyone thought he was tall and strong, they didn't pay him much mind. After all, for a superhuman's cultivation, intelligence and comprehension ability were indispensable. You didn't need to be top-tier clever, but at least you couldn't be too stupid.
This advancement by Ray shattered the long-standing impression everyone had. Many people only then noticed how much this guy had improved.
"It must be the effect of Tia tutoring him, right?" That was the first thing everyone thought of.
Regarding Tia tutoring a few of the weaker students, everyone had actually seen it all along but didn't think it meant much. Even if weaker students improved, how strong could they become? Now, the Secret History grades of Mick and the others, while not at the bottom, were still only mid-tier, far from the top ranks.
Just as Scholar Hyde said, the accumulation of countless tiny details finally led to a qualitative change.
The training of the Breathing Technique, the learning of superhuman knowledge, and countless adjustments during training allowed the two to finally find the method most suitable for themselves when they advanced. And for the same 'First Tier·Bloodline', the effects of Mick and Ray's Fate Cards were even slightly stronger than Solyn's.
Perhaps wanting to release pent-up frustration accumulated over a long time, or perhaps wanting to test their true current strength, after spending three days adapting to their new Aspect tier state, Mick challenged Solyn.
"Oh, looks like you couldn't hold back either, heh." Solyn readily agreed.
"Actually, even if you hadn't said anything, I was thinking of sparring with you these past two days. After all, our experiences are similar, and we both advanced on the 'Bloodline' path."
After saying this, the two walked side by side towards the sparring area. At this moment, all the classmates gathered to watch, and even the Instructor in the training ground came over with great interest to observe the match.
Ordinary people didn't have observational abilities as strong as Sylutia's. Everyone just thought that since both had just stepped into 'First Tier·Bloodline' not long ago, their strength should be quite similar, so they were especially curious about who was stronger.
"Is that so? It seems my decision today was a good one." Mick gripped his sword with both hands, his eyes fixed tightly on his opponent, answering in a slow voice.
After entering the sparring field, the two didn't waste any more words. Instead, they calmly and patiently prepared to bring out their full strength for the contest.
Both were around seventeen years old, full of youthful vigor. Neither would admit they were worse than the other, nor would they deny the results of their efforts and sweat during this period.
"Then, the match begins!" the Instructor commanded.
The two gripped their longswords, stomped their feet, and charged at each other with ferocious speed. At this moment, whether it was power, speed, or technique, both had reached their peak state.