Grand Magus Atika, or as Emery now called her, Master Atika, was a grandmaster level sword specialist. A title and prowess many dreams to achieve, but never accomplish in their entire life.
Throughout the universe, there was an actual category and titles for those who mastered the discipline. Such titles were: sword expert, sword master and sword grandmaster.
Unlike its impressive-sounding title, sword expert was a self-proclaimed title that was used mostly by those who were able to defeat high-rank combat puppets in swordsmanship. However, they couldn't be compared to the other two titles.
The other two, sword master and sword grandmaster, were titles given to those who achieved an actual stage in sword mastery. One needed to attain something known as sword aura to be recognized as a sword master, while for a grand master was to comprehend the highest stage of understanding - the sword intent.
There actually existed one more title that people didn't often talk about, the Sword God.
This was because the number of people worthy of this title in the whole universe was so few it could be counted by hand. Of course, these people were an object of reverence to sword practitioners in general.
Those were the things Emery learnt during the Magus Academy's classes. Now that he was unexpectedly accepted as a disciple of the Oroboros Clan's Dojo, he might finally have a chance to learn firsthand about the two enigmatic and extraordinary attainments every sword practitioner dreamt to achieve - sword aura and sword intent.
However, three days had passed since he was accepted as Grand Magus Atika's disciple, and Emery was only told to do three different moves and nothing else.
Slash, thrust and strike without worrying about defense. Furthermore, instead of fighting against a combat puppet that could react and retaliate, Emery was told to constantly hit only a particular wooden pole with a wooden practice sword.
If Emery didn't know any better, he would have thought he was being humiliated by being asked to do this kind of training.
Tak! Tak! Tak!
Rhythmic sound resounded in the air as Emery relentlessly struck the targets on the wooden pole. There were a total of 12 different targets on the massive pole and each target had their own specific way to be hit - whether strike, thrust or slash.
Tak! Tak! Tak!
Even though it was a tiresome and repetitive task to do, Emery still did the job beautifully. Being capable of delivering one hit per second, he managed to score about approximately one hundred thousand hits a day.
Emery only stopped his continuous actions of hitting the targets about twice throughout the day, when Silva came to visit and bring him food to eat during the morning and noon. Those were also the only breaks Emery took during his so-called training.
When the third day passed and the fourth day of training began, someone suddenly visited Emery in the morning when he was in the early hours of today's training.
"Yo! My bro, Emery!" The figure arrived with a grin on his face. "I've heard of your unfortunate fate. The instant I heard the news, my heart immediately decided I definitely had to come and see it for myself."
The figure who spat out infuriating words upon arrival was none other than Silva's brother, Vizla. Unfortunately for the man, the only response he managed to receive from Emery was a brief glance, before the latter proceeded to ignore and continue his training diligently.
Vizla was about to speak more when Grand Magus Atika suddenly entered the courtyard provided for Emery. He shut his mouth and only watched as the other party checked her disciple's progress. She turned around and left the place after only observing Emery for a few seconds and saying two simple words: "Do More."
When the grand magus left, Vizla once again threw some 'motivational' words laced with mocking tone in an attempt to tempt Emery to take some hot water break.
The man still continued his antics so persistently that Emery was about to lose his temper and explode, if it wasn't for Silva who luckily came. Understanding what the situation was, she immediately made a rescue and kicked her brother out of the courtyard.
During Emery's rare occasion of break, Silva told him about how eccentric Grand Magus Atika was. Talking about the latter, she also told Emery how his master was the Oroboros Clan's best sword practitioner, even stronger than her teacher Master Hirasi.
Emery actually didn't mind his master treatment at all. He was sharp enough to roughly guess the intentions of Grand Magus Atika giving this set of routines.
If he wasn't wrong, his master was trying to refine and perfect the basics of his swordsmanship. And the truth was, after doing 300.000 hits, Emery could now tell there was a difference in how he swung the sword.
At a moment of silence, Emery actually had something in his mind that he wanted to ask Silva. It was about her clan.
"If you don't mind, can I ask something about your clan?"
Silva seemed to be startled by his words. Still, she nodded her head. "Sure, go and ask anything!" Actually, the white-haired girl was inwardly a little anxious. She was caught off guard by Emery's interest that seemingly came out of the blue.
"You know I am from a lower realm, right?" Emery asked, to which Silva nodded back. "I don't have people who can teach me; not even a magus, let alone a grand magus. But I saw that your family has several of such figures. So, I can't help but wonder why your clan still sends their descendants to the Magus Academy."
Emery was curious about how clans like Silva's worked and the grand scheme of things revolving around them. He wondered about her interest to study at the Magus Academy, despite all the facilities and resources she already had.
For example, fighting and competing to be enrolled in the privileged class would grant an acolyte a grand magus teacher. Meanwhile, in Silva's case, she actually has several of such figures to choose from in her clan.
Hearing such a question, Silva was silent for a while before giving Emery the answer.
She told him it was all about getting more resources and earning better recognition and prestige through the younger generation. All of this would, in the end, leverage her entire family higher among the other clans of Snake Bloodline and simultaneously among the entire body of Magus Alliance.
The white-haired girl also explained how her Oroboros Clan, like almost all bloodline families, was considered a family faction. Apparently, it took them two thousand years to finally become a grade 2 faction, with the patriarch of the family at that time being the sole supreme magus of the faction.
"...When my mother finally has her breakthrough to the supreme magus realm, we will reach grade three and subsequently things will be easier for us."
Emery's horizon was once again broadened, as he continued to listen to Silva speak. He could imagine a clan like White Fang, if they had an opportunity and fortune could one day become a faction themself.
Unfortunately, Patriarch Lucius had gone missing and with the tragedy that happened to Chief Beowulf and the others, it would be hard for the remaining members of White Fang to hold on and continue existing, let alone reach this sky-high goal.
Emery also couldn't help thinking about his own. Other than his four close friends, Emery also had his small fey sister's pack. Hearing the achievement of Silva's ancestors, he wondered if there would be a time when Earth or the Fey could ever build and have their own faction.
After she finished with his explanation, Silva suddenly seemed to turn a little nervous.
"With the war and conflicts that are happening right now, it's always a good idea to join a family or faction." Silva said nervously. "For example... You see… the White Fang..:
Emery turned to Silva at the mention of White Fang, but she swallowed her nervousness and continued on. "They... could join us... The Oroboros... Also you… it would be great if… you can join us.."
He recalled how Silva had once asked this question in the past. Emery smiled at the girl and said, "I am honored with the offer, Silva. Truly…"
Hearing Emery's words, a smile quickly bloomed on the white-haired girl's face. However, Emery still had not finished his words.
"Unfortunately, I can't accept it. After all, I have my planet that I need to take care of." Seeing the confused expression on her face, Emery proceeded to explain to her briefly about the Earth's situation with the Nephilim. After hearing it Silva seemed to turn really emotional.
"What!?" Silva exclaimed, standing up. "They don't have the right to do that! Those damn Nephilims!!"
Emery was surprised by Silva's sudden burst. Still, he quickly woke up from his stupor and calmed her down. After she calmed down, Silva looked him in the eye and said, "You know, Emery..."
"…joining the family means that your planet's problem will become ours too. That way, we can help you fight the Nephilims." Emery was silent when he heard this. As if she had expected such a reaction, Silva didn't press on with her offer and only said, "Just promise me that you'll think about this."
Emery was still silent. It was only a few seconds later did he respond.
"Alright, I promise."
…
After finishing the meal Silva had brought for him, Emery immediately returned to his training.. Meanwhile, a certain white-haired girl left the courtyard with a feeling of joy she had never felt before.