Noah moved into footwork drills, his high agility and swordsmanship skill making normal, foundational stances feel like simple art.
Each step landed precisely, each pivot carried perfect balance, each advance or retreat demonstrated his understanding of the stance.
The entire dojo had stopped their individual training to watch.
Conversations died down as the students realised they were witnessing something beyond normal.
"It’s like watching a master demonstrate," breathed a young woman near the weapons rack.
Master Tanaka approached as Noah completed his drills, his expression carrying respect typically reserved for fellow masters rather than enthusiastic beginners.
"Your foundation," he said quietly.
"It has become something extraordinary. I’m not sure what training you’ve been doing
But the results speak for themselves."
"Dedicated practice," Noah replied, keeping his explanation deliberately simple.
The master nodded, though his eyes suggested someone trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
"Basic instruction would be wasting your potential. Today I will spar with you, let’s learn from each other."
Noah raised an eyebrow, concern creeping into him. While he didn’t know the old man’s exact capabilities, he was genuinely afraid of accidentally killing him with his strength.
Twenty points in Strength and Agility. That’s pretty high territory. What if I seriously hurt him?
"Master, are you sure? I don’t want to—"
"Injure an old man?" Tanaka’s laugh carried genuine amusement rather than offence.
"Young man, you’re not the only one with hidden depths."
The master moved toward the weapons rack with grace that seemed to belie his age. His posture changed subtly, and Noah suddenly felt like he was watching a different person entirely.
Something just changed. The way he carries himself...It’s like he is no longer an old man...but a predator.
Tanaka selected a practice sword. The weapon seemed to come alive in his hands, becoming an extension of his body rather than a separate tool.
"Forty years of training with the way of the sword," the master said quietly.
"It doesn’t come from knowledge alone."
Master Tanaka’s gentle instructor demeanour melted away, replaced by an aura that radiated power.
His stance made Noah’s eyes widen slightly.
This isn’t just some dojo instructor.
"Ready position," Tanaka commanded, his voice carrying authority that made every student in the building fall silent.
Noah drew his practice sword, settling into the stance that had become second nature to him by now.
But facing the master felt completely different from fighting beetles or training alone.
This was facing someone whose very presence suggested mastery beyond anything he’d encountered.
If he had the system, Tanaka would be at least Level 7 in swordsmanship. Maybe higher. His stance, I can’t find a flaw in it...
They began with cautious probing strikes, each testing the other’s capabilities without committing to full offensive engagement.
Noah’s speed allowed him to match Tanaka’s initial attacks, but the master’s technique was poetry in motion.
He’s making me look clumsy by comparison.
"Your foundation is exceptional," Tanaka observed between exchanges.
"But you’re thinking too much. Let instinct guide your responses."
Their blades met with sharp cracks that echoed through the dojo. Noah found himself pushed beyond his comfort zone immediately, forced to rely on enhanced reflexes rather than conscious technique.
He’s fast. Actually fast. How is someone his age moving ?
"Better," the master approved as Noah began flowing more naturally.
"Now show me what you’ve really learned."
The pace accelerated dramatically. Tanaka’s attacks came in complex combinations that challenged every aspect of Noah’s skill, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next.
Their blades met in rapid succession, Noah’s agility barely keeping him competitive.
This is what real mastery looks like.
"Oh my god," whispered one student from the sidelines.
"They’re moving so fast I can barely follow."
"Impressive strength," Tanaka commented after a particularly powerful exchange left both fighters breathing harder.
"Very few people can match my physical power these days."
Noah’s surprise nearly cost him as Tanaka pressed his momentary distraction into an aggressive assault.
The master’s blade work became a flowing dance of death, each movement making Noah fight to defend against it.
"He’s not holding back anymore."
"Did you see that?" gasped a senior student.
"Master Tanaka’s moving like he did in the old tournament videos!"
"Focus!" Tanaka said as Noah barely parried a strike that would have taken his head off in real combat.
"Strength without technique is just flailing!"
Every time Noah relied purely on his attributes to counter the old master’s superior technique, Tanaka punished the mistake.
But when Noah combined his capabilities with proper form, he began matching the master’s attacks.
Integration. I can’t just focus on raw power, but I should apply my power with skill.
Tanaka’s approval was immediate as Noah executed a perfect counter-attack sequence.
"Strength and technique working in harmony!"
"Did the new guy just match Master Tanaka’s combo?" someone breathed in disbelief.
"I’ve been training here for three years and I’ve never seen anyone spar with him ," another student murmured.
Their sparring intensified as both fighters found their rhythm. Noah’s capabilities allowed him to keep pace with decades of refined skill, while Tanaka’s experience provided lessons that helped Noah get better.
He’s actually making me better in real time.
"Your power...it reminds me of my younger days. Before age weakened what strength couldn’t compensate for." Tanaka said between rapid exchanges.
How is he able to talk whilst we are fighting ...he is just playing around with me...
A complex combination nearly broke through Noah’s defence, the master’s blade stopping inches from his throat.
The master’s blades froze in perfect position, making Noah’s eyes dilate and his breathing erratic.
That’s... actually terrifying....he wasn’t even trying like that.
The students watching from the sidelines couldn’t help but start clapping at the sparring session they had just witnessed. Everything went by so quickly, so flawlessly, that some couldn’t believe their eyes.
"Well done," Master tanaka smiled, lowering his wooden sword down.